Great Scotch Whisky (Video - Documentary)

Scotch Whisky Is A £5bn Industry In The UK

BBC: Scotch whisky 'worth £5bn to UK economy'

Scotch whisky contributes almost £5bn to the UK economy and supports more than 40,000 jobs, according to research commissioned by the industry.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said the sector now accounted for 25% of total UK food and drink exports.

Its report also suggested that the industry's direct economic impact had grown by 21% since 2008, to £3.3bn.

It found it added more value to the economy than shipbuilding, iron and steel, textiles or computing.

The report also concluded that Scotch whisky supported almost 11,000 jobs directly.

Editor: I expected a bigger amount.

The Secret Of Scotland's Islay Malt Whiskeys

The Secret Of Scotland's Islay Malt Whiskeys -- CBS  

(CBS News) We all know Scotch whisky comes from Scotland. But to true Scotch drinkers, just WHERE in Scotland makes all the difference. Willem Marx takes us on a tasting tour: At the outermost edge of Scotland's wild Atlantic coastline lies a small island with a big reputation. The Isle of Islay is called the "Queen of the Hebrides" for its natural beauty, and can seem rather a peaceful little spot. But the sleepy harbors, flowery meadows and ancient villages today play host to an increasingly global industry. While Jamaica is liked for its rums, and Madeira known for its sherries, this island is loved and famous for its unique-tasting Scotch whiskys, known as Islay malts. Islay has just over 3,000 year-round residents, but in their midst nine whisky distilleries are thriving.

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My Comment: Makes me want to move to Scotland

$32,000 For A 50 Year Bottle Of Balvenie

 

The $32,000 Bottle Of Sscotch -- FOX News

Two important events took place at the Scottish firm William Grant & Sons in 1962. David Stewart was hired as an apprentice, and cask #5576 was filled with newly distilled whisky from The Balvenie Distillery. Although Scotland and its namesake spirit have a long and glorious history, the country hadn’t even begun exporting single malt Scotch at the time. Stewart rose through the ranks and became a Malt Master for the company (which owns distilleries including The Balvenie and Glenfiddich), nosing more than 400,000 casks of whisky through the years, while that single barrel matured. Many of Stewart’s techniques working with single malt whisky, such as aging the spirit in two different types of barrels, became industry standards, and he earned numerous accolades while that oh-so-special European oak sherry hogshead continued to age, mellow and evaporate.

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My Comment: I am going to stick with my Johnnie Blue.

Scotland's Scotch Exports Unaffected By Recession

Scotch Whisky Industry Unaffected By Recession -- Times of India

LONDON: The whisky industry in Scotland, one of the most popular in the world, has not been affected by the economic downturn because of developing overseas markets, especially in India, China and Brazil, a report said.

Scottish whisky exports increased by 23 percent last year, Sky News reported.

Whisky has become one of Britain's biggest exports at a time when the country's economy was ailing. The drink is now worth over 4.5 billion pounds (Rs.370 billion) a year.

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My Comment: The BRIC countries love their scotch .... and I expect even more exports to these countries in the future.

The Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve Up For Auction

A Boat, A Scot, And The Most Expensive Whisky In The World -- Daily Finance

Moored to the pier on the south end of New York's Battery Park, the white yacht pitched up and down on oily waves. But even a queasy ride across the harbor couldn't deter the host of whisky lovers, journalists, PR professionals and assorted party people from streaming aboard, eager to begin their trip to the Statue of Liberty. It was going to be a historic night.

In honor of its 125th birthday, Glenfiddich -- the world's top-selling single malt scotch -- has released what is, arguably, the most expensive whisky in the world. The Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve, a 55-year-old scotch, is being auctioned off in an extremely limited edition of only eleven bottles. The first two have already broken records: Bottle No. 1 sold for $72,630 and No. 2 went for $69,656. Thursday's auction, the third, wasn't expected to fetch as much -- generally, the first and last bottles of a limited edition whisky run sell for top dollar, while the others go for a fair bit less. Still, it promised to be an interesting evening.

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My Comment: For more info on the Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve ..... go here.

Scotch In A Can

Scotch In A Can: A Cautious Endorsement -- Esquire

Well, that didn't take long: A Scottish company's proposed canned whisky, which is set to hit U.S. shelves soon, has made its way around the Internet. The product, produced by Scottish Spirits Imports, is facing critics in its home country, who say putting 12 ounces (about eight shots) of 80-proof booze in a nonresealable can naturally invites too much drinking. And Jacob Sullum over at Reason already wonders if it will go the way of Four Loko once it hits our shores.

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My Comment: How much ... and if it is cheap (probably is) .... I can guarantee a lot of drinking. More news and info here.