This month in the Malt Advocate there is rather a good article about Australian Whisky Distillers. I this article there is a mention of some distillers perhaps dumbing down the malts and them not having the character that they “once” had. This intrigued me, I have had a good look at so many whiskies over the last 30 years and I was asked to respond to the article last night by phone.

Now talk about a “Can of Worms” what can I say! Well simply I believe the ranges of single malt Scotch whisky has never been better, we have everything from single cask/ owner bottling, obscure, young, vintages, cask strength, wood finish etc all on the market. So the first thing I query is “how does one compare” going back to the late 70’s through to the say late 90’s the selection simply was not there, point one.

Secondly I have tried some whiskies going back to 1924 and a lot from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Some a great, with big character, but patchy to say the least. Take a whisky now from say 2001, some of these at 8 years are really flying, great body, good palate, fantastic nose or a 1992 Glen Elgin from OMC one of the best we have had!

To be honest I don’t think there is any comparison, the quality, range and consistency are what we want and we are getting, I also think we have yet to see the best whiskies, wait until 2020 when we see these modern drams getting older, then comment!

However stocks from the rare and closed distilleries must be getting low now, I often wish I had kept bottles that we had even 2 years ago, so do grab these while you can.

-Michael