Whisky Magazine getting better

[Frodo]

Six months ago I was comparing WM to a lifestyle mag. The articles on whisky felt like they were getting fewer and fewer. Perhaps it's just that the ones they had didn't interest me. Lots of articles on cooking with whisky or making cocktails. Some definatle fluff pieces that trumpeted the new release without much research into the background of the whisky itself or the circumstances of the release. A lack of in-depth articles or (especially) articles that challanged the producers. For an example of this, Malt Advocate has been shining a light on the rising prices of scotch whisky for some time and asking pointed questions about it.

The last 3 copies have had me considering the possibility of subscribing again. A lot of interesting articles - many of them written by Rob. Loved the new one by Liza Weisstuch about marketers ignoring women for all intents and purposes. Well-done WM!!!!

[roballanson]

Thanks very much. Nice to hear...

[Aidan]

That's good to hear. It's hard, I'm sure, to continually come up with fresh stuff. I'll get the latest edition.

[Nick Brown]

I'm glad to hear it too. The value of a good magazine cannot be underestimated; it shows that the whisky industry is varied and interesting enough to sustain a periodical and that in itself generates more interest. It's a virtuous circle. We mustn't forget that the whisky world is small and magazines and newspapers depend upon readers and supporters supplying stories, news and articles. Sure, there can be an element of self promotion but press releases are the life blood of specialist periodicals. Hopefully members here will pitch in as and when the opportunity arises.

[Mark C]

[Maccy]

I agree -

[Frodo]

You know, It's clear to me that WM will not allow articles asking pointed questions to the producers in a manner that demands accountability - I think this is an editorial decision. Having said that, there is a large space for information on production methods, ranges, traditions, human interest stories etc. that if done in an in-depth fashion, can be of interest to this community. And I think this is happening - and I'm really glad to see it!!!

In the latest issue there are 9 articles of interest to me, which is a big leap from 2-3 articles in the issues from 6+ months ago. The last couple of issues before this one also held this sort of interest for me.

[Lawrence]

I like the magazine but have been some what disappointed to see yet another issue with a cover related to 'whisky and rock and roll'. There's been enough of this subject already this year as well as enough of motor cycles and whisky.

It's almost as if it's an attempt to appeal to older males recalling their youth. Whisky and rock and roll has very little appeal to me, I'm looking for actual whisky articles not what KC Tunstal drinks, who cares?

Perhaps it's an attempt to reach a wider demographic but I think that it merely opens the door for a competitor to slip in and establish a magazine really devoted to whisky.

[Mark C]

I like the magazine but have been some what disappointed to see yet another issue with a cover related to 'whisky and rock and roll'. There's been enough of this subject already this year as well as enough of motor cycles and whisky.

It's almost as if it's an attempt to appeal to older males recalling their youth. Whisky and rock and roll has very little appeal to me, I'm looking for actual whisky articles not what KC Tunstal drinks, who cares?

Perhaps it's an attempt to reach a wider demographic but I think that it merely opens the door for a competitor to slip in and establish a magazine really devoted to whisky.

I have to agree there. I didn't read any of the music articles in the last issue for that reason: I don't care what some band drinks.

[Exciseman]

I stopped buying WM about a year ago, as I was becoming bored with articles on cocktails, food, literature, music, etc, etc.

I'll only start buying it again once it truly returns to its 'whisky' roots (eg tastings, new release, events, articles about distilleries). There's so much material out there.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Rock'n'rollers seem to be stuck on JD. I'd be much more interested to know what classical musicians drink. Probably not much.

[C57]

Rock'n'rollers seem to be stuck on JD. I'd be much more interested to know what classical musicians drink. Probably not much.

You obviously don't know many classical brass or percussion players. I do.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

And what do they drink?

[Bud Light]

What I would like to see in WM, and in so many other popular publications, is maps. Yes, maps. Whisky production is geographically and culturally defined and the concepts of place and location matter very much, particularly in the context of historical geography of whisky. Everything is somewhere, meaning spatially and culturally relative to something else, and as such should be recognized and understood.

Too often we tend to describe places without ever organizing them spatially in any coherent form. Some authors would rather write three paragraphs of text (e.g., drive two miles across the small hill then turn right behind the ol' Clausen’s farm to the second dirt road…) then utilize maps. Landscape photography and maps are good companions as the Wine Spectator illustrates, which I believe that WM could easily replicate.

Map production is affordable these days and easy to incorporate in magazine publishing process. WM could greatly benefit by integrating a bit of geography, from pieces on whisky tourism to nearly all aspects of the whisky industry.

[On the other hand, I frequently notice that many publications have maps included basically as an afterthought, rather than a valuable source of information.]

Rob, if you are interested you can contact me for suggestions.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Bud, you've hit on one of my peeves. Yes, please, at least basic locator maps for any story that has any sense of place attached.

[C57]

And what do they drink?

Anything alcoholic, mostly. Large quantities of ale, quite a bit of port, and a few get through quantities of whisky!

[roballanson]

You know, It's clear to me that WM will not allow articles asking pointed questions to the producers in a manner that demands accountability - I think this is an editorial decision.

That is not true. Both my column, Dave's and the new 'Thoughts from...' column are often doing this. You can expect to see more of it next year as well. WM's editorial is independent, not beholden to advertising and I stand by that. No agency copy and a writer must go and see before contemplating filing a story. Some of this has gone on in the past but I think I have found my feet more now and intend to start pushing thing a little more, something that I hope you will have seen happening already.

Maps - yep we are working on them and they should be coming soon ish.

I do take people's comments seriously and where appropriate add them into the editorial thinking. But I am not going to pay much attention to comments where the criticism is not constructive. One thing you can put money on is that I will continue to put out the best mag I can.

[Exciseman]

Rob

I think that WM historically tried to be 'all things to all men'. That put a lot of people - myself included - off the magazine (as they didn't want to read about music, cocktails, rum, far-flung airport duty frees, musicians, etc).

There is just masses of potential copy out there. Fresh innovative and in-depth articles on distilleries, industry figures, upcoming events, retail outlets, new bottlings, etc.

Out of loyalty, I always look at WM at my newsagents genuinely yearning for a 'chunky' read. But there just isn't enough. Give me more substance and I'll sign up again gladly.

Tim

[Bud Light]

Great to hear that, Rob. I'm looking forward to it. When we put this project together, a couple of years ago, an outfit in London produced outstanding maps for us.

[Mark C]

I got the new issue yesterday for a look. Good articles by Dave Broom and Ed Bates side by side at the start. Nice to see a wee mention of the festival in Rob's column too.

[roballanson]

Rob

There is just masses of potential copy out there. Fresh innovative and in-depth articles on distilleries, industry figures, upcoming events, retail outlets, new bottlings, etc.

Tim

OK well here's a thing. I am in the middle of planning the mags for next year so, if you have the time and fancy it, why not suggest three features you would like to see and I will throw them into the editorial pot and possibly commission them.

[C57]

Rob

There is just masses of potential copy out there. Fresh innovative and in-depth articles on distilleries, industry figures, upcoming events, retail outlets, new bottlings, etc.

Tim

OK well here's a thing. I am in the middle of planning the mags for next year so, if you have the time and fancy it, why not suggest three features you would like to see and I will throw them into the editorial pot and possibly commission them.

And you can't say fairer than that!

[Peter Currie]

Hi Rob,

my suggestions for future articles are

1/ Maritime Notes - truth or fiction?
2/ Bottle ageing/oxidation - truth or fiction?
3/ Non-chillfiltering/ E150 - does it matter?

and most importantly

4/ Who is Chewy/Leather/Tobacco?

cheers

Pete

[The Craw]

Hi Rob,

my suggestions for future articles are

1/ Maritime Notes - truth or fiction?
2/ Bottle ageing/oxidation - truth or fiction?
3/ Non-chillfiltering/ E150 - does it matter?

and most importantly

4/ Who is Chewy/Leather/Tobacco?

cheers

Pete

[les taylor]

and most importantly

4/ Who is Chewy/Leather/Tobacco?

cheers

Pete

Pete I've been thinking that. Do you think he gets his grammar wrong on purpose.