Age matters

[Pudge72]

Personally... I don't mind seeing years on the bottle... but I DO like an age statement... It is interesting to be able to see how a distillery has progressed measurably, rather by packaging.. However... I think moreso that's interesting in the case with IB for some reason... as in my short time it's them who really are the ones I've seen with it.

As for Glenrothes, Balbair and the like who have switched to vintages... I don't pay them much notice generally when I'm shopping as it seems deceiving... Sure it was an 82.. but bottled in 90 vs. something that says 10 years old... the 10 year wins for me...

As for Macallan... I like their CS... but the rest is just unreasonably priced for me at this stage in life...

My sentiments exactly on this issue (as well as which Macallan bottle that I would like to purchase at some point)!

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

the reaction.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2011/0 ... sky-in-tr/

Greetings
kallaskander

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

customers seem to be undecided whether age does matter overall.

Small wonder - the messages are not clear.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2011/1 ... -supplies/

That distilleries have to cope with shortages because of unforseeable demand years after producing stocks of certain ages is one of the risks in the business.

But is the author right that age consciousness is now hitting the States?

Greetings
kallaskander

[The Third Dram]

But is the author right that age consciousness is now hitting the States?

Now? As though this facet of the American market didn't exist before? I'm not so sure about that.

As for shortages in stock earmarked for the 10 year old issues of Laphroaig and Yamazaki, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised that part of this 'shortage' scenario is directly attributable to signficant stockpiles at both distilleries being 'saved' for inclusion in older bottlings (such as the 18 year olds from both Laphroaig and Yamazaki), which tend to fetch much higher prices than their younger 'siblings'.

Yes... The ultra-premium 'luxury' market exists!

[dramtastic]

In regards to Yamazaki the lack of younger stock is a direct result of cut backs in production a decade or so ago due to the collapse of domestic consumption of whisky in favour of beer and wine.
Also with highballs back in fashion in Japan these days and Suntorys sales up 6% domestically this year(mainly due to highballs) I would assume a lot of younger stock is going into Suntorys blends.

[gejpalmer]

My personal view is that is a question of balance.

I dont swear by the need for age statements, but equally having none and Macallan is certainly in this category, can appear to insincere style over substance.

I understand why they may chose to go down a name only route, but I think you need a balanced range, and not just silly names. ie Bowmore Legend. Lovely whisky, and I think its really underated, but "Legend"? Sorry thats just marketing nonsense.

As for Vintages, I'm in 2 minds, I think it works if you can examine the bottle and understand both the age and vintage. But in a bar? When it may not be possible? I'm not sure, I think there is room for being used to hide poor whisky and young whisky behind an old vintage.

[The Third Dram]

In regards to Yamazaki the lack of younger stock is a direct result of cut backs in production a decade or so ago due to the collapse of domestic consumption of whisky in favour of beer and wine.

And then we 'came to the rescue'.

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.de/2012/04 ... -dont.html

Not sure Chuck sees the Scotch category right but in general he has a point.

Greetings
kallaskander

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

another voice

http://www.bruichladdich.com/news/age-matters

In this case I am inclined to say, it does not matter - when you have only newer spirits and your warehouses

are depleted of older stuff.

Greetings
kallaskander

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

even though this article is headlined "Malt whisky" and claims it is dealing with

different aproaches to the age of whisky bottlings of different companies

I always had the feeling that the issue are differing marketing concepts while I read.

http://www.drinksint.com/news/fullstory ... hisky.html

Greetings
kallaskander

[LostBoyScout]

Pretty interesting conversation.

The bottom line to all of this is that we vote with our money. What goes on the label is decided internally then influenced by sales. If you don't like what's printed on the bottle but buy the bottle anyway, it's the same as liking what's printed on the bottle.

Regardless of that, my preference would definitely be to err on the side of lots of information. Take the Balvenie 15yo SB for instance:
- in-cask date
- bottling date
- maturation in years clearly printed on bottle (as a min. value)

I would love for all three of these pieces of information be on my bottles. It's far from a dealbreaker though.

I would say at a minimum though, a batch number should always be clearly printed on the bottle so that through the wonders of the internet, bottling date and other information can be obtained via the bottle's label. I'm not sure if this is always true already?

[LostBoyScout]

This thread has made me think about how the folks here are such a different group than the 'average scotch buyer'. Around here, most would rather their whisky purchase be cask strength and non-chill filtered than know the age of the whisky!

[bpbleus]

Pretty interesting conversation.

The bottom line to all of this is that we vote with our money. What goes on the label is decided internally then influenced by sales.

I think the bottom line is that we are instructed how to vote with our money.

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

a bourbon perspective about maturing spirits in wood.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/drin ... ingle.html

Greetings
kallaskander

[The Third Dram]

The 'problem' is that various individuals react differently to the effects of extended wood maturation (here, I'm referring to spirits that have extracted significant characteristics from a long time in the casks, and not to those spirits from less impactful oak such as refill casks).

Some people may find these sorts of whiskies tired and/or too oak influenced, while others might enjoy the almost chewable extractive nature of the whiskies. All a question of taste, and perhaps of the moment too.

It's interesting that the author of the article cites Glenfiddich 50 Year Old as a bit of a letdown, as this is one 'elder' that has consistently been praised for its liveliness (and this despite its venerable age).

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

I have not yet had the pleasure to meet David Driscoll of K&L Wines but I read his blog with pleasure.

I want to point you to 2 entries of his where between the lines so to speak the age question plays

a part.

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com/klwin ... sings.html

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com/klwin ... -time.html

It has much to do with the closure of distilleries in 1983 ff and the reduction in production from there on.

Greetings
kallaskander

[The Third Dram]

"The problem is that we're dealing with a Bay Area real estate market here."

Just about sums it all up.

Interesting comments concerning the conumdrum facing many of the 'not-contractually-secured' independent bottlers and the potentially questionable quality of some independent issues, not the least because the distilleries and their parent companies owe a few of the independent bottlers BIG-TIME for their roles in having (basically) saved the malt whisky marketplace from total obscurity decades ago.

The whole matter of the relationship between these two entities has gone through peaks and dives over the years. Still and all, it would be a shame if the increasingly 'ITS MINE / NOT YOUR'S' approach of the distilleries and their parent companies ended up depriving the independent bottlers of decent stock.

[kallaskander]

Hi there,

two interesting takes on the subject.

http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2013/ ... -are-they/

And from an area where age has been seen different all the time.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.de/2013/04 ... -good.html

Greetings
kallaskander

[Douglas]

Lucid and balanced articles. Thanks kallaskander.

[cato]

NAS will be fine, I'm sure. Quality first. The distilleries have the consumer's best interest in mind, right In a market that is over consuming this is a natural reaction. Just relax and let it wash over you. There is always an IB with an age statement waiting for you on a shelf somewhere.