That was the year that was
This month's round table looks back at the past year and looks forward to the year ahead
The Panel
Ian Buxton,
Whisky Magazine writer (IB)
Chuck Cowdery,
Whisky Magazine American
correspondent (CKC)
John Glaser,
Compassbox (JG)
Annabel Meikle,
Scotch Malt Whisky Society (AM)
Dave Robertson,
Easy Drinking Whisky Company (DR)
Q. Which sectors have done best, which have struggled, and how has the sector compared to other drinks sectors?
DR: Premium malts continue at pace with malt lovers desperate to try new stuff, new ages, ‘new’ distilleries offerings and a realisation that multi malts/vatted malts/pure malts are not inferior but can actually offer an even more interesting flavour style...
Blends in are depressed as younger consumers reject the category as old, stuffy, not for me but my dad and much prefer imported premium spirits. The United States continues to seek out premium and super premium spirits and whisky is well positioned to take advantage of that need. Asian markets continue to grow and shows little sign of catching a cold yet !
JG: If I can focus on Scotch whisky: I really think that we’re beginning to see a growing interest in all types, and more and more serious whisky drinkers are discovering new types. Of course single malts are maintaining the lion’s share of interest, but we’re seeing a lot of people
talking about and trying vatted malts and grain whisky, and even rediscovering or I should simply say, ‘discovering’ the malt and grain blend.
CKC: Whisky as a category is not as volatile as some other sectors so it will neve.....
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Section : Whisky Debate
Page number : 20
