Whisky Advocate Blog

I suppose this could be a continuation of the “Things that piss me off“  posts from a few weeks ago. While I’m normally a mild-mannered individual, there are two things that really strike a nerve with me: 1) when whisky companies that think they deserve (or blatantly ask for) editorial exposure because they advertise or participate in Whiskyfest, and 2) readers who think I am biased because companies advertise and participate in WhiskyFest.

Bottom line here: I write about whiskies that deserve to be written about. That can be because they are good or bad. If a whisky company makes a great whisky or is doing something really cool and innovative, chances are I will write about it. And if they make a product which I think is flawed or they do something questionable or misleading, chances are I will write about that too. In both instances you, the consumer, should know about them. I feel that it is my job, and I’m going to do it whether the whisky producer is financially involved with us or not.

Why do I bring this up now? Well, just this past week, a whisky company rep sent me an email asking me why I wasn’t writing about their new product here on WDJK, insinuating that I should because they participate in our Whiskyfests.

I actually did mention this product twice recently (and I don’t think they noticed). But I did this because I like the product, not because they participate in WhiskyFest. I don’t know what other drinks magazine’s policies are (although I am beginning to get an idea), but this whisky rep now know what ours is.

Similarly, I recently read a comment (by a writer, no less) on a forum thread, where someone stated that the reason why people advertise in Malt Advocate is to get a good rating. I’m sure that the advertisers in Malt Advocate will tell you (by the ratings I have given them) that they get no special treatment because they advertise (or participate in WhiskyFest). You get a good rating because you have a good whisky. It as simple as that.

I thought that after nearly 20 years of being a whisky writer, most people would know who I am and that you can’t buy me. But, for those of you who are new to whisky (and the whisky business), let me say this just one more time. You can’t!