You've never had it so good?
Is whisky produced today as good as it used to be? Richard Jones hosts this months’ philosophical debate
Ultimately, it all boils down to a question mark. One of the liveliest and most contentious debates in the world of Scotch whisky divided by the
Riddlerâs favourite grammatical symbol.
On the surface everything might appear tranquil, but delve beneath and itâs right up there with caramel, chill filtration andâstraight, on the rocks, or with a dash of waterâ when it comes to topics most likely to send your average whisky lover spluttering into his or her Springbank.
Weâre not talking âdo you prefer Laphroaig 10 year old or 30 year oldâ now.
This cuts right to the heart of everything the Scotch whisky industry stands for at the beginning of the 21st century.
Are the bottles produced and released today better or worse than they were 10, 20 or 150 years ago?
In short, are we living in a golden age or golden glut?
In the red corner, fighting for the modern face of Scotch whisky, we meet the âhalcyon days of whiskyâ brigade.
Here, in the complete absence of the voluptuous curve of the interrogation point, âyouâve never had it so goodâ can be uttered loudly and enthusiastically, with maybe an exclamation mark thrown in for good measure.
âThere has quite simply never been a better time to be a whisky drinker!â they proclaim. âYou should all be thanking your lucky charms the next time you crack open that Quadruple wood (ex Bourbon, ex Sherry, ex Croft Original, ex Jacobâs Creek cask), Cask Strength, Individually
Numbered, Special Edition, GTi, 4.....
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By Richard Jones
Section : Whisky Trends
Page number : 28
