Ask the expert
In a new series John Roseanswers some of your most commonly asked questions
Q.We hold our Whisky Society meetings in The Black Swan Pub and we think there was a whisky called Black Swan Whisky? Mike & Barbara Smith, West Coast Whisky Society, Vancouver
A. There was a Black Swan blend, produced by J&W Nicholson & Co Ltd., Windsor House, 83 Kingsway, London (Blenders & Exporters). A subsidiary of Stewart & Son of Dundee Ltd, though the firm is better known for its gin distilling than its whisky blending but it has been blending whiskies for over 100 years.
Q. I have come across an odd shaped bottle called Johnnie Walker Swinger? Pat Jareck, New Zealand
A. JW Swing was created by Sir Alexander Walker and launched in 1932, in response to the then marketing opportunity onboard transatlantic liners. It’s a super deluxe blend, therefore appealing to the well-healed travellers on these ships, the bottle is designed to rock to-and-fro with the motion of the ship. It is still produced, mainly for Asian markets and global duty free.
Q. I have a bottle of Mac Spey Honey Whisky “guaranteed to be made from the best materials according to the original recipe. Produced in Scotland. Embossed cap Mac Spey London.” Bought by my father-in-law in 1963. I don’t think it’s still drinkable because there is a lot of residue in the whisky. Can you give me any information on the bottle? Tom De Herdt, Belgium
A.Tom, I am sorry I have no information for you on this bottle. But I think if it had honey added it probably would not be very good to drink after all t.....
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By John Rose
Section : Whisky Questions
Page number : 29
