For most single malt enthusiasts, whisky is pleasure - pure pleasure. But for many Scots, whisky is business. In fact it's one of the biggest businesses in Scotland. Uisge beatha ranks fifth in export sales of manufactured goods after cars, aircraft, North Sea oil and derivatives, and high technology products. Exports are 90% of all sales and account of over £2 billion. The whisky industry employs about 12,000 people and procures over £2 billion in good and services in Scotland.
Not surprisingly, the country with the largest export in sales is the United States at £269.6 million in 1998. However, France imports the most quantities: 35.5 million liters. Apparently, the French prefer cheaper brands than Americans.
As with any industry dependent upon exports, the whisky business is greatly concerned with excise duties and open international markets.
Based on alcohol content, whisky is taxed at a far higher rate than either beer or wine: 27.38p per 35ml as compared to 16.10p for beer (half pint) and 18.66p for wine (125ml.)
Whiskies are known by their frequently historic distilleries and their time-honored methods of production. Yet even the single malt whisky industry has seen mergers and buy-outs. In fact, one of the largest whisky corporations, United Distillers & Vintners (ER) Ltd., of Edinburgh owns over twenty-seven distilleries such as Cardhu, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, and Talisker.
Sixty-nine of the companies that produce and distribute whisky are members of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). This trade association has long lobbied the United Kingdom Parliament on issues including excise duties, international trade, intellectual property rights and trademark law, competition law, and workplace health and safety. With the new Scottish Parliament opening in April 1999, the SWA is focusing on those matters that have been "devolved" including business rates and fiscal issues, product labeling and standards, environmental impacts, health and social aspects of alcohol, and the Scotch Whisky Act which defines the types of whiskies.
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For most single malt enthusiasts, whisky is pleasure - pure pleasure. But for many Scots, whisky is business. In fact it's one of the biggest businesses in Scotland. Uisge beatha ranks fifth in export sales of manufactured goods after cars, aircraft, North Sea oil and derivatives, and high technology products. Exports are 90% of all sales and account of over £2 billion. The whisky industry employs about 12,000 people and procures over £2 billion in good and services in Scotland.
Poit Dhubh
The first to be offered was a Speyside malt, Glenrothes 16 year old, 1982. The nose had a hint of caramel and citrus. The palate had a bite in the front of the mouth but then smoothed out, with a light orange finish.
Another Highlander was the Deanston 12 year old with a delicate sweet nose, a taste of apple in the palate, and a "nice peppery finish."
May Tasting Leads off with "Mystery Malt"
The May tasting was hosted by Jeanann Murphy and Tony Calio of McLean on Sunday, the 16th. Rebecca Aronson started off the tasting with a "mystery malt."
The Speyside single malt Aberlour 10 year old had a light nose. The peppery palate had a nice bite that mellowed out for a long finish. Members felt that it was "smoother" that the Johnny Walker, had "a nice fire without bite - it smolders," and that it "holds up over time." Rebecca noted that Aberlour was very consistent and relatively inexpensive.
The Speyside Longmorn 15 year old had a light nose with a hint of citrus. The palate was refreshingly fruity and the finish was mild. As a member noted, "the whisky to give some one who says they don't like Scotch!"
Not the least of their efforts have been ACUB's two-day presence at the annual Virginia Scottish Games - a grueling event involving transporting and setting up the tent, chairs, tasting accouterment and whisky in the overpowering heat!
In recognition of their indefatigable efforts, Rebecca and Jimmie were presented with engraved pewter quaichs at the May 1999 tastings. Society member Barry Forbes made the presentation on behalf of all ACUB members - assisted by much acclaim by all present! If you have not yet done so, please express your own appreciation of the efforts of Rebecca and Jimmie to keep the society running and in whisky! Slainte mhor!
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was formed in 1983 by a small group of Scots connoisseurs who had discovered the superiority of whisky taken straight from the cask. In flavor and, of course, in strength these whiskies are markedly different from the commercially bottled versions, which have been chill-filtered and diluted. The Society is based in Edinburgh and has a "casing" committee to select the choicest whisky for their own members. Every two weeks, the casing committee tastes cask whisky blind and purchases the casks which meet their own high standards.
More information on membership is available from the Society's United States office at 4604 North Hiatus Road, Sunrise, FL 33351. You can call 1-800-990-1991, fax 1-954-749-2257 or e-mail Madeleine Shayne at scotchmalt@fujipub.com.
We had the good fortune to have Angus Smith, Scotland's Gold Medallist in Gaelic singing, as our houseguest recently. Angus was the featured artist at the An Comunn Gaidhealach America (Gaelic Society of America) national Mod (competition) at the Ligonier Scottish Games in Pennsylvania. He brought a guest gift of a bottle of whisky from his hometown of Oban. And we gave him an air mattress on the livingroom floor. I think we got the better deal -- so I've chosen Oban as this issue's featured distillery... -- Editor
The Oban Distillery is the western-most of the West Highland distilleries. It was built in 1794 by Hugh Stevenson who hired an experienced Lowland distiller to manage the business. The distillery remained in the hands of the family until 1866. Between then and 1930, the distillery changed hands five times and is now owned by United Distiller & Vintners, Ltd.
The distillery is open all year generally from 9:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. From July through September, the hours are 9:30am to 8:30pm, Monday through Saturday.