The Campaign for Real Whisky

[Mark C]

This probably needs its own thread, rather than derailing the MM Awards one.

So, what do we want? We want real whisky.

When do we want it? Now!

[jonbob]

I bought a bottle from that Lark distillery and was shocked to see a small note on the side of the cardboard case the bottle was in explaining the whisky is not chill filtered and so may go cloudy, but this will not affect the taste while chill filtering it would

[MacDeffe]

Its hard to pronounce CAMRW

[The Craw]

Having gained experience from previous market research with other scottish produce and services I think we could make some serious ground with this

E150 and chill-filtration beware

Steffen, that's why I'd suggest CRAW (Campaign for Real Authentic Whisky) which is easy to pronounce and would, furthermore, clearly differentiate ourselves from CAMRA.

[Malt-Teaser]

Would you like to expand upon what you see as "real whisky" as opposed to what the SWA defines as "(real) whisky"?

[Mark C]

Would you like to expand upon what you see as "real whisky" as opposed to what the SWA defines as "(real) whisky"?

That's what we need to discuss and agree on here. I suggest:

1 - Whisky that is free from colouring.
2 - Whisky that is not chill-filtered.

I would also like to campaign for any coloured whisky to be labelled as such, like the German law. In fact I would like all whiskies to be labelled as either coloured or chill-filtered. The only producers doing so are the ones who are stating that they do not do these. It should work both ways instead of being a guessing game.

[Malt-Teaser]

I think rather than try to enforce not allowing colouring or chill-filtering the idea of campaigning for proper labelling is a great idea.

In general I agree with the 'NC' idea, but I am also reminded of the rather weak, insignificant and often just dram boring offerings in a certain bottler's NC2 range. In fact the only good example of this range I had was a Springbank who generally don't do the 'C' things anyway.

Malty


Meanwhile, how about moving this discussion to clubs & Societies as I think it would fit better there long-term.

[C57]

When I said Campaign for Real Whisky, it read to me as CReW.

Yep, non CF and no E150.
That doesn't mean not allowing CF and Colour, just, as Mark says, labelling it properly.

[Mark C]

When I said Campaign for Real Whisky, it read to me as CReW.

Yep, non CF and no E150.
That doesn't mean not allowing CF and Colour, just, as Mark says, labelling it properly.

But also increasing awareness with consumers and encouraging producers to think about stopping both of these practices?

[Malt-Teaser]

Yaay CRewhiL

Campaign for Real Whisky Labelling

[Mark C]

So who would we get on board? Leither has already suggested Bladnoch and Springbank. I guess Bruichladdich too?

[armingrewe]

I would also like to campaign for any coloured whisky to be labelled as such, like the German law. In fact I would like all whiskies to be labelled as either coloured or chill-filtered. The only producers doing so are the ones who are stating that they do not do these. It should work both ways instead of being a guessing game.

That's not entirely correct: While not on the bottles as such Laphroaig does mention it on the tins (at least if you can read Scandinavian or German, while the rest is in English these two sentences aren't). I don't have any to hand, but I think Bunnahabhain did the same.

"mit Farbstoff" is German for "with colouring"

"Farven Justeret med Karamel" I believe is a Scandinavian language and means "Colour adjusted with caramel"

Just need to get them to add the English version for the linguistically challenged

[C57]

When I said Campaign for Real Whisky, it read to me as CReW.

Yep, non CF and no E150.
That doesn't mean not allowing CF and Colour, just, as Mark says, labelling it properly.

But also increasing awareness with consumers and encouraging producers to think about stopping both of these practices?

That's what labelling would start doing. Labelling and this new campaign group!

[Malt-Teaser]

Yes, for sure Bruichalddich too.

[TheTross]

Whilst not nearly as well known as Bruichladdich or Springank, Glencadam no longer chillfilter or add colour to their whiskies and what they produce these days is really good stuff. Kilchoman and the English Whisky Co. too I think.

Also, would it be worthwhile trying to get independents on board? I'm pretty sure Douglas Laing don't chillfilter or colour their bottlings. Same with Signatory (I think), and those are obviously two really big names in the industry.

[Mark C]

Burn Stewart, at least for their revamped malts.

[Mark C]

I wonder if Bruichladdich would let us use their little icons:



I'm assuming they made them?

[Mark C]

Oh, Isle of Arran too.

[Mark C]

Meanwhile, how about moving this discussion to clubs & Societies as I think it would fit better there long-term.

I think this will need its own forum, yes.

[The Craw]

I think many indies would (should) be interested. It could act like a 'SWA' trade body for independents but with consumer interests at its heart.

Furthermore, many of the smaller groups are heading that way such as Burn Stewart, Angus Dundee and others are sure to follow as consumer expectations continue to rise.

I agree that what we all want, as consumers, really is clear labelling and just plain & simple honesty..... let the consumers decide what they prefer.

The same way that other products have to list ingredients and additives, a great and relevant example with wine these days having to state 'Contains Sulphites'.

[The Craw]

BTW, I'd say Ralfy for Honorary President

[Mark C]

BTW, I'd say Ralfy for Honorary President

I'm going to speak to him about this, don't you worry.

[Anster]

Fantastic discussion and count me in, let the revolution begin.
A spectre is haunting Europe - the spectre of Real Whisky!
I like CRAW because in Scots it means to call or boast and producers who are not chill-filtering or carmeling certainly have something to craw about.

[The Craw]

I like CRAW because in Scots it means to call or boast and producers who are not chill-filtering or carmeling certainly have something to craw about.

Cheers, I forgot to explain that bit, I just assumed folk would know what the Scots 'craw' meant.

[Mark C]

I like CRAW because in Scots it means to call or boast and producers who are not chill-filtering or carmeling certainly have something to craw about.

Cheers, I forgot to explain that bit, I just assumed folk would know what the Scots 'craw' meant.

Aye, it's a biggish, black bird.