Now, I know I’ve said I’ll slap you and kill you if you disrespect whisky, but it would be a poor start to our relationship I’m sure you agree – and besides if I kill you, you’ll just stink the place out and my nose is too sensitive for that.
So, to that end, if you have any questions about me or about whisky – any aspect of whisky, even why I don’t call it whiskey – feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll answer it as and when time permits. Just as there’s no such thing as a bad whisky, there’s no such thing as a bad question, so ask away! After all, how often do you get the chance to pick the brains of a Master Blender?
All I would say is if you’re looking for some more information on me, I have a book, Goodness Nose, out and there’s videos elsewhere on the site and in blog postings providing basic notes on whisky tasting.
Every now and then the web team will take the questions and present them in a different format but if you’ve got a question for me, put it in the comments section, then pour a dram and wait for my reply.
Also, I’ll reply to every question posted here, so it’s better to put it here than on Twitter or Facebook where there’s sometimes the chance that I’ll miss it.
Questions:
World’s most expensive whisky
Can you make me a unique whisky?
Buying Whyte and Mackay in America
How do I become a Master Blender?
How much water should I add to whisky?
Getting a single malt person to try blends
What was the first distillation of a heavily peated Jura?
How much is my bottle of whisky worth?
Is sherry used in your caskets?
I have a whisky which has been lying unopened for around 30 years – is it safe to drink?
I have a bottle of whisky which has been open for five years. Do I need to throw it out?
Where did sherry casks in the 1800s come from?
World’s most expensive whisky
Richard, What do you think about a paper stating “Record £11,750 for a bottle of scotch”
“Distilled more than 80 years ago has become the most expensive spirit of it’s type to be sold at auction … The Macallan Anniversary 50-year-old sold …for £11,750 including a buyer’s premium of 17.5% at McTears Auctioneer in Glasgow.”
Is not the 60 y/o Dalmore older, more expensive, and if the taste is anything to compare as to your 40 y/o Dalmore better?
If only one could be so luck to taste the 60 y/o Dalmore.
From Jim Schultz
Richard Says:
The taste is a very individual thing Jim but you are right to point out that a bottle of 62 year old Dalmore sold for more than £30,000. And as for tasting one of the older whiskies – I have been known to take the bottles on tour with me, so keep following the blog to see where I’ll be and what I’m bringing.
Can you make me a unique whisky?
Hi Richard
I saw the saw the programme of you and David Hymen where you produced a blended whisky for him. I am interested to know if you do this for the puplic or if it was a “one off” for the show. My father is a keen whiskey drinker but it has to be a Good Malt. Over the years he has had many to try for birthdays etc but i thought if it was something you did for the public it would be something a bit special. I would be very grateful for any information. P.s sorry to hear about your accident with the bowie knife. Glad things turned out okay. Incidently not on twitter and facebook etc.
From Fiona Heggie
Richard Says:
Fiona, thank you for the kind words over my injury. As you can imagine I have a very hectic schedule, but while I can’t just make individual whiskies for people, there are a few slots in my schedule for actually meeting someone, getting to know them, telling them all about whisky and then making an individual whisky for them. There’s more details here.
Buying Whyte and Mackay in America
Any help where to purchase in the USA? I live in South Carolina.
From Andy Byars
Richard Says:
Andy, we receive tons of emails on this very question, so to help people out, we’ve set up a page on the blog specifically for buying Whyte & Mackay across the globe.
How do I become a Master Blender?
Hi Richard, a question I have always wanted answering as it prevented me from getting the job I dreamt of doing; ‘Why do whisky companies insist on their apprentice blenders having a degree in analytical science (or the like)?’ Does a white coat really constitute a better blender?
From David Stirk
Richard Says:
David, it’s not about the white coat but about THE PASSION. If you are hungry enough, keen and knowledgeable enough then that should help open doors.
Also, the internet gives you a chance to speak to so many people and again can open doors sometimes – and there’s always an element of luck as well. Never give up and SHOW YOUR PASSION.
How much water should I add to whisky?
Hi Richard,
How much water (if at all) should be added to a measure of whisky? Also, the idea of putting chilled Jura rocks in yer whisky to cool it down is a fantastic idea… I guess this is why it’s called Scotch on the rocks, but, I’ve never seen it done this way before. Was this the traditional way of serving it or is the Frenchman a bloody genius? (he’s talking about the stones seen in the Master Blender v World’s Best Barman video)
I’m away doon the supermarket for some of those wee stones (what do you mean there not for sale?)
Cheers!
From Stephen Abel
Richard Says:
Water is a very individual thing, but always start with just a little drop – it’s easier to add a wee drop more than to take it out – and test the temperature of the water too as I’ve had my fingers scalded a few times with barstaff filling the water jug from the hot tap.
As for Scotch cubes you can get them mail order. A look around the web should show options. If you don’t see anything, come back here and let me know.
Getting a single malt person to try blends
Some people view blends as ‘unpure’ whisky. I myself enjoy some vatted malts (Serendipity) and Blends (I do genuinely like the special, though I am put off by the grain content in others) how would you convince a non believer (other than slapping) into the benefits of a blend over a single malt and what you personally prefer?
From The Scotsdreamer
Richard Says:
I’d slap them twice! Seriously, this idea that blends are unpure is complete bollocks. Let’s get this straight, blended malts are all fantastic. Each one has its own particular following but I would remind you that “ blended” Scotch whisky still accounts for approximately 90% of the Scotch whisky market. They should be sipped and savoured with respect. Give them time but please give them the respect they deserve. Blended whiskies are a huge part of the global market and there simply wouldn’t be the demand for them if there wasn’t quality there.
Blog regular Julian Cheal said this about two W&M blends: “I must say I was blown away by the taste of the two Whyte & Mackays I tried, the 19yo and 22yo. They were the first whisky blends I’d ever had, and were simply amazing!”
As for my preference? That changes daily, but at the moment I’m quite fond of our Whyte and Mackay 30 year old blend which is just one of the best whiskies on the planet.
When was peaty Superstition first produced?
Just discovered the Joys of Superstition.
It’s fantastic! Wanting to show it at our tasting group meeting next week and was wanting a little background knowledge if poss.
All I have managed to find out thus far that: It is two styles of spirit from Jura distillery are combined to produce this stunning, beautifully balanced single malt. Heavily peated younger malt and older Jura making a great alternative for Islay fans.
My question is what year was the first distillation of the heavily peated spirit produced? I presume it was a landmark distillation as its such a departure from traditional Jura styles.
From John Martin
Richard Says:
Thanks for the kind words on Jura Superstition (which you can follow on Twitter). The first distillation of such a heavily peated spirit was in 1999. And while some see it as a departure, the records show that way back in 1810, around then, from all accounts, the whiskies were very heavily peated back then, so you could argue that it’s not so much a case of breaking with tradition or new ground but in reality a case of going back to our roots and the roots of the whisky.
As you point out, the first time we did it was really on Superstition but it’s also been carried out in Jura Prophecy, so if you try that let me know your thoughts.
How much is my bottle of whisky worth?
A couple of these questions came in recently:
A certain time ago I got a gift of my father and it was a 21 years old blend bottle presenting the two lions on the brazen emblem. It is a 75cl 43% vol. bottle with the certificate and your signature on it. Unfortunately I found no shop which is selling this bottle anymore! Which in fact is not whimsical. I would like to know what jewel I got in my cellar beneath the few single malts. Do you have any indication of price for this bottle?
From Philip Schaub
I wanted to ask if you could help me with a query that I have. I won a Whyte & Mackay 22 Carat Glazed Gold Pot Still Decanter of Whiskey with all the dents and marks that identifies the still etc.
I won this item at a dinner dance some 20yrs ago or thereabouts and was informed that it was a valuable item. It is still in the original red and gold velvet box and I was wondering if you still make these items and if so what they would cost or if you can advise me as to how I can establish what it may be worth.
Thanking you in anticipation of any information that you may be able to offer.
From Whisky 1
I wonder whether you can help..my mother in law has recently died and we are in the process of clearing her house. We have found a Whyte and mackay 22 carat gold plated pot still decanter still in the box with 12 year old malt whisky with the seal intact. Do you have any idea of what it may be worth?
From Whisky Lover
Richard Says:
I’ll answer these specifically in a moment but the best place to get an up-to-date idea of what a bottle of whisky is worth is eBay. McTears also have a whisky auction twice a year that is worth looking into. One thing though: when going onto eBay, always have a reserve price. And for all auctions remember that the nearer mint – and unopened – the bottle/casing is, the more it will be worth.
Now, Philip, your whisky sounds like the bell-shaped that came off the market in the 1990s and was replaced by the Whyte and Mackay 22 year old. At that time it would have been around £30 but now it would be around £100 as a whisky.
Whisky 1 and Whisky Lover: That was the pot still decanter used up until the 1980s and then black, greenand red presentation boxes. If in original condition – up to £300 depending on buyer and condition. If selling it, give it a reserve price of around £80.
Is sherry used in your caskets?
I’m just wondering – is sherry used in all your drinks? In the caskets I mean.
Richard Says:
Yes a number of our drinks use sherry casks, including the Whyte and Mackay range and other blends.
As for the malts, sherry wood and american wine oak and a number of other different expressions are used. i.e. – the Dalmore King Alexander 3 has 6 different expressions including American wide oak.
Theres a crossover in all our blends. It just depends on the style, the age and a number of other factors. Whyte and Mackay produces not just one blend but around approximately 100 blends.
I have a whisky which has been lying unopened for 30 years – is it safe to drink?
I have a 75.7cl (26 2/3 fl.ozs) 70 proof bottle of Whyte and Mackay 21 year old blended scotch whisky. It is unopened, has a clear cellophane wrapper round the bottle and is in a red velvet covered box. I believe it was probably purchased more than 30 years ago.
Is it still safe to drink?
Richard Says:
It’s very much still drinkable. What you need to do is pour it into a glass, swirl it about, let the air get about it. Remember it’s been in the ‘prison’ for more than 30 years with no air, so it’s what we call ‘dumb’ therefore you need to bring air to it.
It also depends on where it has been stored – a consistent temperature is the best. But if you stored it in the loft the poor whisky is going to have been cold in winter, warm in summer, the poor thing is all over the place.Treat it like a wine cellar – bottle standing up, not on the side. But that’s to prevent the cork being eaten away by the whisky and eventually it will erode it away. It’s not about settle or anything.
How will it taste: it will be a bit dumb but the air can freshen it up as long as you give it some time and a good swirl.
I have an open bottle of whisky – do I need to throw it out?
I’ve got a few bottles of whisky that have been opened at various points over the last 10 years. Now the wife is telling me that they’ve gone off and have to be thrown out.
From Peter in Fife
Richard Says:
Get rid of her first! Seriously, unless the whisky has gone very cloudy then it’s definitely drinkable. Again, it depends on where it was stored (see above). It also depends on how much air has got into the drink.
The more air that has got about the whisky, the more bland it may appear. If its been in the garage then its been subjected to the weather, the poor thing. But they are all certainly drinkable.
Where did the casks used for whisky in the 18th century come from?
Richard Says:
Anywhere and everywhere. That’s the honest answer. WIth all the wines and sherries that were coming in – even fish (which is how we have stinking fish malt) – there was no luxury or wood management, it was only what people could get.
In the 1800s there was management but not consistent by any shape or form. Thats why many bottles invaliding WM had to put a certificate of analysis on their bottle, to show they were producing something of consistent quality.
Can you advise which of your whiskeys (if any) are not matured in ex-sherry (or wine) caskets. Can you also please confirm if the equipment used in the production of your non-sherry whiskey/s (up to and including the bottling) is used exclusively for non-sherry whiskeys, or is sometimes also used for the ex-sherry variety.
Hi Richard,
I had a question regarding the fact that in a lot of your videos I see you fill your nosing glass swirl the whisky around and then proceed to throw it onto the ground. My question is, is that necessary to do that for those of us who can’t afford to be throwing $60 750 ml whiskys on the ground?
Also, I was wondering if you had any suggestions as to how to be able to nose better and identify all the subtle nuances in fine whiskys?
Thanks a lot for your time.
Chris
Hi Richard
I wanted to thank you for the film and the Brand Ambassador certificate you helped to organise for my Dad’s 70th birthday. I have sent a thank you to Cara and all of the people at Whyte and Mackay who were involved. We had the certificate and Glayva piped in during the This Is Your Life and it was a truly memorable moment.
If you fancy feeding a tiger or meeting a meerkat please give us a call. We would love to be able to reciprocate in some way. Once again thank you.
Best wishes. Steve
Richard thanks for your reply about the peated spirit that makes Susperstition.
Last week I bought a bottle (Douglas Laing bottling) Old Malt Cask Isle of Jura 16yr Old from http://www.whiskyshop.com.
Distilled in 1992 I found to my surprise that it was incredibly peaty. The knowledgeable young man in the shop had told me that at a staff tasting everyone loved the whisky but were at a loss to why it was peated in such a way?
Can you shed some light on this?
P.S It’s such a gorgeous dram I might have to buy another bottle but at £60 best wait till Christmas?
Best
John
John, on holiday this week so I’ll answer your question next week, but if you want another bottle, why not hint and get someone else to buy one for you!
hi
i have a 21year old whyte and mackay bottle in a box with a certificate signed byrichard paterson my father-in-law recieved as a fortyith birthday gift 38 years ago can you tell me if it has any value?
cheers
andrew rennie
edinburgh
Hello, I would like to known where I can buy Whyte&Mackay in Luxembourg?
Thanks
Christophe
Hi Richard,
I am a journalist working at the Daily Mail today, I would like to write a story about the Rare Old brand and would like to get in touch with you asap.
Are you able to email me contact details?
Best
Paul
Hi Richard,
nice to meet you at your tasting at Blandoch in Oktober (I was the one form Germany)
I have a collection of 228 different Bladnoch bottlings. The oldest is from 1958 and I am very proud of ti.
In your oppinion: Is this the wolrd biggest Bladnoch collection or do you know someone who collectes Bladnoch, too? (and than you can mybe give me the contact?)
Hope to meet you again in Frankfurt next weekend
Kind reagrds
Andrea
Richard,
Inspired by your work, I’ve written a song I think you’ll quite like. Let me know where I can send this to (mp3 format) and we’ll see if your ears are as appreciative of a good melody as your nose is to a damn fine blend.
Look forward to hearing from you
Goldie x
We just released a new iPhone app, Malt Whisky, and thought your readers might be interested. It lists 122 single malts, 123 distilleries, 153 closed distilleries, and includes 245 audio pronunciations.
Read more at http://digitalglen.com/apps/maltwhisky/.
Thanks,
John Blackburn
digitalglen
John, on holiday this week so I’ll answer your question next week?
Thanks for that John!
[...] Ask Richard [...]
Goldie, send it to richard@themasterblender.com
Sorry there’s been a lack of response here – we’ll get all the above answered in the next seven days and then look forward to some new questions for 2010!
Are the neutral grain spirits used in blends aged as long as the single malts and in oak casks? So say for a blended malt that states it’s 12 years old.. does that mean all of the whisky (including the neutral grain spirit) is a minimum of 12 years old?
Thanks!
Hi Ricard we meet at the whisky live in Paris I work at the Ritz with Colin, happy new year to you. I wondered how rare the 18 year old jura is?
Hi
Just one question ,will jura 21 yo be released again this year,if so when.
I seem to remember it would be in different packaging to celebrate juras 200 years birthday.
Any info would be great.
Thank you .
Regards shane heighway.
Hi Richard,
I started enjoying whisky very recently and I am just starting to discover all the joys that it has to offer. One of the things that I have noticed when drinking whisky, is that after I swirl it about in the glass, you can clearly see whisky residue on the walls of the glass. What does this mean? Does it say anything about the quality of the whisky or how it is made and what was used to make it?
Hello Richard,
I was given a very nice bottle of whisky (not one of yours I am afraid) about ten years ago. I have heard that it has gone up in value to about £300 retail (not bad for £50 bottle in 2001).
To be honest, I am not the biggest whisky fan in the world and don’t want to waste it on myself. I am sure there are people out there who would enjoy it far more than I would and selling it would be better for everyone.
How would you go about finding it a good home at a fair price?
Cheers,
Joe
Joe, in all honesty, eBay is as good a place as any for a quick sale. Failing that there are whisky auctions held by many including Bonhams. Martin Green may also be able to help you – http://www.whiskybids.com/ and there’s also whisky auction – http://whiskyauction.com/ .
Thanks Richard,
Not really wanting to sell it now (quite worryingly the most expensive thing I own and that includes a car) but when the time comes I now know where to go.
Cheers,
Joe
Hello,
I am french and the next week I come with my family to visit glasgow, and I would like visit your distillery Whyte and Mackay.
It is possible?
Is there an advance booking or can we come without booking?
Could you give me your price to visit please?
Tanks for your answer
Best regards
The distillery isn’t in Glasgow – in fact it’s quite a bit away from it…
Richard, what if we are drinking the whisky in a warmer environment like in Asia. Would you then allow a few cubes of ice or colder water to be added to get the drink to the right temperature?
I have got an unopened bottle of ‘The Original Mackinlay’, obtained from a tee-total, sadly now passed away relative.
There is no date or way of identifying it I can see, Do you have any history of this variety, or approximate dates it was on sale, we would be interested to learn a little more about it.
Seeing the Mackinlay brand in the news, around the Shackleton expedition has reignited my interest.
Thanks very much for your assistance.
Richard
When are you going to find a good UK distributor to get Mackinlay Rare Scotch Whisky..Rare is an undertament unless you have a few huskies and head for the South Pole..I know some who could do with a decent Scotch to sell
James
Richard–
Any new news on Whyte & Mackay “Shackleton Scotch” discovered in Antarctica?
Tom
It’s still there! The paperwork is a lengthy process. Any relation by the way?
Dear Richard,
I am a student at Berkeley just outside San Francisco and i heard that you will be in the area soon for whiskies of the world. Here at Berkeley we have a bit of an odd program called the DeCal classes that allows students to teach ‘for-us-by-us’ classes on offbeat subjects under the guidance of a sponsoring professor. Anyway, my friend David and I run a class on the history and culture of whisky and i was wondering if you would be willing to come to the university as our guest to talk to the students about your work. Our first meeting after spring break will be on monday, March 29th at 5:00 pm and we’d be honored to have you.
yours sincerely,
Finn
Hi Richard,
I work in a Portuguese cooperage for about 5 years.
We work with a few distilleries around the world and I would like to develop our business with whisky distilleries.
I enjoy very much your whisky and I would like to suggest some trials with our barrels and casks (Port, Madeira, Sherry, …).
I’m planning a week of vacations in Scotland, starting on the 29th of March.
Would you be available for a short conversation with me about this possibility?
Are you able to email me your contact details?
Cheers!
Marco
Goodmorning,
i’m disturbing you cause i want to make a present with a box of you bottles.
I drinked it when i was in Scotland last Year and i have many good remember about it!
I see on your web sites that you have many kind of whiskey:
– THIRTY YEARS OLD
– SUPREME
– OLD LUXURY
– THE THIRTEEN
– SPECIAL
Can you give me informations about the cost (for a box) of each kind of quality?
Have you any italian seller of your product?
For box i means a package with 6 bottles, is the same for you?
I hope to read information about you as soon as possible!
Best regards!
Paolo Zapparoli
Marco, I’m in the US that week, but let’s keep in touch!
I think I’m booked that day on the US tour but we’ll be in touch if we can sort something out…
Paolo, if you look at the top of the page, there’s some links to companies who ship whisky all across the globe. These guys may be an option for you.
Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for your prompt reply.
I’ll be in Glasgow on the 31st of March and I’ll try to leave some information for you at the head office in St. Vincent Street.
I’ll ask to deliver it to you as soon as you return from the US.
Meantime, enjoy your trip.
Please keep in touch.
Cheers!
Marco
Ernest Shackletons 100 year-old whiskey, has it been tasted yet ? How is awesome is it ? Have you released any pictures of the bottles ? How long before you can duplicate it ? Please, I would love to hear anything about this treasure returned to us from the past.
Richard
I have a bottle of Whyte and Mackay whiskey from the Royal wedding of Charles and Diana in it’s original box, this bottle has never been opened , however 1/3 has evaporated, can this be stopped, plus has this devalued the bottle?
It’s such a shame to see this has happened to the contents.
Thank you for your time
Teresa Rice
No news yet! And no tasting either!
Richard,
I am in awe of you and your whiskey. I decided to host a whiskey night for some of my friends here in Okinawa Japan, and had a selection of 4 to chose from: The Dalmore 12 yrs, W&M 12 yrs, Nikka Pure Malt 12 yrs, and a bottle of Teachers Highland Cream. I gave a brief history on each one, and we watched your video on how to taste a whiskey, in order to do it right, and so we wouldn’t be slapped or killed. We discussed and ranked each one, in order: W&M, Dalmore, Nikka, and Teachers. I was surprised by my friends enthusiasm and enjoyment of the event, so we will be doing another one soon. What do you recommend for an encore to this event, that will continue to expand the Whiskey love of some 26 year-olds? And please come to Okinawa, I know a lot of American service members who would love to hear your tales!
When will the Shackelton Blend be available, if ever?
At the moment that’s out of my hands Russell, but let me assure you I’m as keen as anyone to get my hands and nose on it!
Hi Richard…I’ve been listening to a bunch of old Whisky Cast podcasts and have enjoyed your humor and love for Whisky! Any update on the Mackenzie bottling and the availability of it in the U.S.?
Andrew, I take it you know that there’s some podcasts by me on the iTunes store as well? Let me check into the Mackenzie availability for you and come back to you on it.
Hi Richard,
I was just wondering if my barrel portfolio was delivered to you.
I left it in the reception of Whyte & Mackay head office.
Regards,
Marco
Richard, do you hae any plans to return to Arizona this year? Looking forward to seeing you in Scottsdale again some time.
Hello,
I have recently found a Whyte and MacKay ‘Aged in Wood for 21 Years’ Scotch Whiskey when clearing out my house.
In order to settle an argument, I’d be interested in finding out the value of this product if at all possible. Is this something you could advise?
Thanks and regards,
Jemma
Hello Richard, I’ve found an old bottle of Inverness Cream that has been in a basement for well over 30 years. It’s a brown 1 litre bottle, 43%, no age statement. Can you tell me a bit more about it? I suppose it contains Invergordon grains but maybe The Dalmore as well? Thanks in advance.
Jemma, as I’ve said before, the best way of finding out the value of a bottle of whisky is to speak to the whisky auctioneers or head over to eBay as they will tell you a far more accurate price than I ever could. Of course I think every bottle of whisky is priceless!