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Boom or Doom?
In the twenty years that I’ve been writing about whisky, it has never been as dynamic as it is right now. There is a whisky boom, and it is impacting everything associated with whisky.
In this issue, we look at the current boom and its impact on the producer, the producer’s supplier, and the consumer. Malt, copper, barrels, and bottles have to come from somewhere. Experienced people need to make the whisky, distribute it, and sell it. Who is feeling the impact, and how? What’s the upside? The downside? Jonny McCormick’s feature, entitled "Gold Rush," takes a look at how the ancillary industries associated with making whisky are affected.
More importantly, what does this mean to us as whisky enthusiasts? Sure, it is increasing prices, but it is also changing the way whisky companies are making their whisky, bottling it, and marketing it. Dominic Roskrow’s "Echoes From the Boom" looks at this aspect of the situation.
In my "Worldwide Whisky" column, I focus on one specific aspect of the increased demand-and production-of whisky: reciprocation. Historically, competing whisky companies traded whisky with each other to because they needed each other’s whiskies to formulate their blended Scotch whisky brands. I think this is all going to change, and I give you my reasoning why. The good news is that it could benefit us because whisky companies will be creating new and more diverse whiskies from their distilleries.
Bourbon is hot too!
We also look at two highly regarded bourbon companies in this issue. The first one focuses on Buffalo Trace’s relentless quest to make the perfect whiskey. The second one is a historical look back at Brown-Forman and the many well-known brands they produce (including Old Forester and Woodford Reserve).
John Hansell
Publisher & Editor
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