Comments on: Who are the leaders in the whisk(e)y industry?

By: Andrew Ferguson

Andrew Ferguson — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:54:03 +0000

As a sometime contrarian I am often more easily motivated to contribute when disagreeing than the more positive alternative, but I had to admit Dr. Bill Lumsden would have to be at the top of my list. The Glenmorangie Signet is one of the most unique whiskies I’ve tried in a long time. The Nectar D’Or, Quarter Century and the new Sonalta are also spectacular.

One other individual left off the list who I think should be included is John Hall of Kittling Ridge/40 Creek Fame. He has done some wonderful things for Canadian whisky, giving it back some the respect it once had. I encourage any of you who have the opportunity to try his Double Barrel Reserve.

Cheers

Andrew Ferguson
Calgary, Canada

By: Mark Gillespie

Mark Gillespie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:19:35 +0000

Thanks to Eric, lawschooldrunk, and of course, Richard (who was kind enough to mention me even though I set his TomTom audio to music!).

There are so many people that I would consider to be industry leaders (and those of us in the media are on the periphery of that)…including folks like Richard, Nick Morgan, Bill Lumsden, Jim McEwan, the distillery managers like John Campbell and Michael Heads, the Laing brothers, the Urquharts of Gordon & MacPhail, the Grants at Glenfarclas, etc. I know that there are too many names to mention here…and by mentioning a few, I hope others are not offended by having their names left out.

John, while I said those of us in the media are on the periphery, I consider you one of those leaders as well. As an editorial voice and a rater of whiskies, your influence on the industry has been quite clear.

Mark

By: Monique at the Dell

Monique at the Dell — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:50:57 +0000

I have to agree with Dr. Bill at Glenmorangie, and the Ardbeg crew. Also the nod to Binny’s and Brett, great picks with casks and very knowledgeable staff.
I loved two-bit cowboy’s note about Glencairn, those glasses certainly changed alot for me.

I’d like to give a nod to the Brand Ambassadors… working tirelessly to expand our knowledge, palates and their audience. Those that have come through Omaha have brought an enthusiasm and excitement to whisky that brings new fans online every time. Simon, Gerry, Martin, Sharon, Ian, David, Davinia, Steve, and George… I learn something new every time.

And John Hansell of course. Great dialogue.
Thanks for the nod, BJ.

By: Jason Cretacci

Jason Cretacci — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:36:31 +0000

I would agree with John Glaser at Compass Box, Bill Lumsden at Glenmorangie, THe good folks at Buffalo Trace and their Experimental Collection, The Malt Maniacs, and of course John Hansell. I would also add Chris Morris of Woodford Reserve. Although he’s had a couple of misses with his Master Distillers Collection, I love his innovation. Also, I would add Jim McEwan, not for what he’s been doing at Bruichladdich (I think he’s had better years than 2009), but for his work on the Eades Anticipation Series Double Malts with the Chris, Joe, and Brian in Virginia. I am really looking to see what they pull off in the near future.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:44:57 +0000

I’ll cask my votes for Brett Pontoni and the Binnys crew and Sukhinder for creating the best go-to places where to buy in the US and UK respectively; John Hansell and Serge Valentin for advise on what to buy; Fred and Stewart Laing and Andrew Symington for bottling so many wonderful single casks over the years that might otherwise have been dumped into blends; Mark Brown and the BT crew, and Chris Morris and the OF crew for making great American whiskies and keeping them affordable; and last, Iain Henderson and Jimmy Russell for lifetime achievement acknowledgments for making stunningly memorable whiskies.

Let’s acknowledge the Dark Leaders because they impact us as well: the nameless bean-counters who close great and storied distilleries based purely on cost considerations; the Price Leaders who set whisky prices so high that only financial managers grown obscenely fat on the bounty of our tax dollars through making risk public and profit private along with insider market manipulations can afford them; the rapacious middlemen set up and protected by cozy arrangements with politicians, who rake profits merely by signing off on distribution paperwork; and the giant companies who can’t be bothered to find the outstanding casks in their warehouses.

By: B.J. Reed

B.J. Reed — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:05:53 +0000

Some great choices here – I would certainly add Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier here for what they have done to advocate for independent distilleries (although I know they have ruffled more than a few feathers) and for their innovation.

I would second the shout out for Brett Pontoni – The Malt Advocate recognizing him last year for his contributions and they continue into 2010. To that I would add Monique Houston here at the Dundee Dell (yes I am biased) but you could not find two better ambassadors at the retail/sales level the Brett and Monique.

I think the Ardbeg and Glenmorangie teams deserve some accolades as well. I don’t know all the folks involved in the decisions but Micky Heads, Jackie Thomson, Bill Lumsden and others connected with these two distillersy have done a lot to bring new innovative products to the market and helped make it a very interesting year.

Others mentioned (John and Compass Box, Andrew at Edradour/Signatory) also deserve our thanks.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:37:11 +0000

My votes for distillery centric nominees would be for Jim McEwan and Mark Reynier at Bruichladdich and Billy Walker for revitalizing Glendronach. Regarding whisky enthusiasts who blog and inform, the Malt Maniacs and Caskstrength.net are favs and more recently your blog here, John. For retailers, The Whisky Exchange for an unbelieveable selection of stocks and my local Westchester NY shop Cross River Wine Merchant for bringing in the PC5 three years ago that got me hooked

By: Richard Paterson

Richard Paterson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:13:26 +0000

There’s too many to fit into one comment, but from online off the top of my head:

Mark Gillespie and WhiskyCast
John (of course) and this here blog
Mark and WhiskyWhiskyWhisky
Ralfy’s reviews – though I rarely get to watching all of them
The Malt Maniacs
The Good Dr Whisky
The team at Connosr who have done wonders in the last 12 months
The Twhisky lads Dubber and Clutch who were doing wonders on Twitter too, but seem to have calmed down of late

(and thanks to those who mentioned me)

By: Brian Bradley

Brian Bradley — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:13:08 +0000

On a personal level I would definitely say Brett Pontini and the good people at Binnys. I buy the majority of my scotches from them and listen to their opinions on things I am going to buy. Brett is always very helpful and honest.

John Hansell would be the top of the list.
I listen and have purchase based on your reviews. I appreciate your “no ego” approach and the fact you take time to respond to people and listen to their opinions. Keep up the great work John!

By: DavidG

DavidG — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:47:23 +0000

the very knowledgeable Brett Pontini and his staff at Binnys. Developed palate, and an honest staff who seem to have firsthand experience tasting the stock, but honest enough to say I haven’t tried it. They stock wide and deep, ship nearly nationwide, buy single barrels of scotch and bourbon – giving the consumer the distillery vision, the independent bottlers, and their opinion.
Their basic Buffalo Trace is sublime, the young Caol Ila and Laphroig over the past years were bright, racy and delicious, the older Highland Park single cask bottlings were amazing to nose, taste and savor – and these are just a drop in the bucket.
On finally, I don’t know if its their size or Illinois taxation policies, but they are extremely well-priced, and that is before their semi-annual sales. Anyone with back issue of Malt Advocate – check out their advertisement (towards the front of the magazine, full page advert) – others take note – move that stock by pricing aggressively – it works for Binnys and may work for you.

By: Leither

Leither — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:21:57 +0000

Raymond Armstrong at Bladnoch, Scotch whisky’s (indeed Ulster’s), answer to Donald Trump!!!

Seriously tho, he’s the most down-to-earth guy I’ve met from the whisky industry and what he has achieved with Bladnoch is incredible, with the potential for so much more. An auld eejit as well!!

Also, it has to be Ralfy for his honest, no-bullshit approach to all things whisky. Just tell them how it is Ralfy!!

By: butephoto

butephoto — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:26:16 +0000

Interesting thread this, as I was just today reading the article at the front of the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2010 by Gavin D Smith entitled Whisky Innovators. It features Bill Lumsden and John Glaser et al. A good wee read.

By: sam k

sam k — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:43:28 +0000

Jay, I was privileged to sample both the Rye ‘n’ Barrel and Wheat on Rye (thanks to John and Linda Lipman), and thought they were both great efforts. Looking forward to what’s next.

I also hope we cross paths some day!

By: two-bit cowboy

two-bit cowboy — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:28:01 +0000

Andrew Symington (Signatory, and more importantly, Edradour) for his willingness to experiment. Others clearly deserve the votes of confidence they’ve received above for the same type of forward thinking. Andrew does it on a smaller scale, perhaps, and I appreciate that. Ballechin # 4 is one wonderful example.

Another Andrew: Andy Davidson, and the whole gang, at Glencairn. Using their glass makes a huge, positive difference in nosing, tasting, and appreciating whisky (and perhaps whiskey and other spirits, too). And Andy is a wonderful gentleman to work with.

By: JWC

JWC — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:16:36 +0000

so far, the comments have been about innovators who are making POSITIVE contributions/innovations. i was about to make a comment about a certain int’l spirits conglomerate and their “innovations” (higher prices for the same or lesser quality whisk(e)y and prices based on packaging and exclusivity) but i don’t want to turn this thread dark. let’s keep it positive. bt – definitely. high quality, consistency and it appears that they actually care for their customers.