-The opinions of some notable personages regarding the SWA's proposed changes to classification on page 14.
-A discussion of marketing and packaging trends with reps from Compass Box, JMR, and Bruichladdich. Put me in the traditionalist's camp. There's nothing wrong with innovation, but there's nothing wrong with time-honored tradition, either. Compass Box's products and packaging are innovative, but respectful of tradition, as befits an adult product. JMR's stuff is juvenile, part, I suppose, of the unfortunate infantilization of modern culture in general. (Look who's talking!) Many here have commented favorably on JMR's product, but I'll never try it, because their packaging screams "Whisky for Dummies". I'm not a dummy, so it's obviously not for me. (Not to imply that those of you who feel differently about the packaging, or have chosen to overlook it, are dummies; just how it speaks to me.)
-Couple of articles about bourbon I glossed over; I will make a point of reading them, though.
-Distillery focus on Clynelish, with not a small emphasis on the history of the area and how it relates to the distillery. I like this kind of background. Someone will no doubt call for more tasting notes.
-A feature on Shebeen, a whisky bar in Vancouver. Anybody been? (First one who says "I ain't, but my wife, she been" gets a smack with Ed's rolled-up newspaper.) (Oh crud...that would be me.)
-A rather cursory "Mystery Visitor" trip to Lagavulin, in which I learn that the distillery lies at "the southern tip of the island".
-A story about SMWS' new digs on Queen Street in Edinburgh. Looks nice, but not on my wallet.
-Another "whisky cocktails" article.... Do we really want to be trendy?
-An interesting-looking story on an illicit distiller, with a couple of historical photos. Haven't read yet. A small map showing the locale would have been nice.
-International tastings, including some Bakery Hill, Admiral! India, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, and France also represented.
And others...another fine issue. Any forum users here who aren't regular readers, get with it.
