Blending whisky a dogs life?

Richard Paterson, Kyndal's Master Distiller, takes our Editor's thoughts on dogs as whiskies a step or two further

I refer to Marcin Miller's opening remarks in Issue 20 where he made reference to similarities between whisky and dogs. My initial reaction was you had obviously had one too many and gone barking mad! But on reflection, I felt you really had a point … After all, aren't single malt whiskies frequently referred to as the musical instruments of an orchestra, the radiant colours of an outstanding masterpiece, or the guests at a dinner party … so why not dogs?

As you are, I'm sure, fully aware, there are four distinctive areas in Scotland producing malt whisky, and if you separate the grain whiskies and the Speyside Valley, this would account for six quite different
variations … the same number as there are dogs – namely Hounds, Gun Dogs, Terriers, Utility, Working and Toy. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I think not!

Each group of dogs, like the different distilling areas of Scotland, produce a wide variety of characteristics but in turn they can be broken down into recognised styles. Therefore I feel the following breeds of dogs could be categorised accordingly:

Lowland Malt
Border Terrier • Scottish Terrier • Miniature Schnauzer • Basset Hound• Grand Bleu de Gascoigne

Renowned for their soft, affectionate manner; placid, friendly, alert intelligent and always a popular member of the family

Highland Malt
Labrador Retriever • Gordon Setter • Airedale • Bloodhound• Golden Retriever • Elk Hound • Leonberger

Solid in temperament and style; dignified and...

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• By : Richard Paterson
• In : Production
• Issue : 24
• Page : 82
• Words : 445