July 15th, 2009 - 9.15.am § in Business, News, Press Releases

Famous Grouse Master Blender retires after 40 years.


The Famous Grouse recipe to be passed on to the next generation

John Ramsay, Master Blender for The Edrington Group has announced that he will be retiring from his position on 31 July 2009. Following a two and half year handover, Gordon Motion, will take over as the company’s new Master Blender.

The position of Master Blender is unquestionably one of the most important and complex roles held in the whisky industry, highlighted by the fact that only six such positions exist across all of the major Scottish distillers.

Master blenders are most well-known for their unique skill in the fine art of nosing whisky. In any one day John can nose up to 600 samples to check their quality and consistency. This requires a very acute sense of smell, and means that the Master Blender has to make some personal sacrifices – namely not wearing aftershave or eating garlic as they impair the senses and taking every measure possible not to get a cold!

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July 15th, 2009 - 8.33.am § in Distilleries, Friends of TSB, Products, Promotion

Glenglassaugh Octave Cask Offer

Glenglassaugh Distillery started producing spirit again on the 4th December 2008 after a silent period which lasted for 22 years, a change of owners and major refurbishment of the buildings and equipment. We have now started selling aged exclusive whiskies which we have bottled from the remaining s[...]


July 14th, 2009 - 9.14.am § in Events, Online Resources, Press Releases

Jura Taste Challenge

Another marketing stunt. But a fun one: Two of the world’s greatest drinks experts are set to meet face to face in a showdown designed to answer the age-old question: how should you take your whisky? The issue of whether you should drink quality Scots whisky on its own, on the rocks or with a spl[...]


July 10th, 2009 - 8.55.am § in Business, News, Newspaper, Online Resources

Production over 25 years has been flat

According to a letter published today in The Herald the production of LPA (litres pure alcohol) of Scotch Whisky has not changed much over the past 25 years. a total growth of 1.14% over the 25-year span, equivalent to an annual growth in physical volumes of 0.145%. At least that’s what Donald[...]


July 10th, 2009 - 7.01.am § in Events, Friends of TSB, Promotion

SCOTCH WITH SHMOOTZI

On Saturday July 18, 2009 Circus Contraption’s will host their Fond Farewell & Surreal Auction Extravaganza. Why do you care? Well Circuses are fun (I never understood those people afraid of clowns) - but more importantly they will be hosting a silent auction and one of the prizes is a pr[...]


July 8th, 2009 - 9.06.am § in Bad Journalism, Companies, Distilleries, News, Opinion

“Ruin” Scotch Whisky? I Don’t Think So.

Almost 3 years ago, someone asked me about the requirement to bottle Scotch Whisky in Scotland. I told them that there was, at that time, no requirement for Scotch Whisky to be bottled in Scotland. That was a true statement then and it is a true statement now. Even at that time, the SWA was working[...]


July 2nd, 2009 - 12.46.pm § in Free Stuff, Friends of TSB, New Products

Orangerie is coming back

One of my favourite drinks, Compass Box Orangerie is coming back after a hiatus of several years. I got to try it back in March when I met up with John in DC, but I decided to keep my mouth shut until he got closer to launch. Whereas the old version was available only in 375 ml, [...][...]