Whisky distilled in England for first time in 100 years (and even the Scots are buying it)

Daily Mail ^ | December 10, 2009 | Niall Firth

[C19fan]

Its pale, amber hue evokes a classic Scotch whisky, distilled in the wind-swept Highlands of Northern Scotland. But there's something rather unusual about this single malt: it was produced in England. For the first time in 100 years, a whisky made south of the border is going on sale. Produced at St. George's Distillery by the River Thet, nestled among the farms of Norfolk, the English Whisky Co's single malt has been rated as 'brilliant' by experts.

[C19fan]

"If It Ain't Scottish, It's Crap!"

[fhayek]

Well, I’d give it a go...

[SJSAMPLE]

I may try it, but they better not call it “Scotch”.

[dblshot]

'We are shipping about 500 bottles a month to Scotland and we expect that to grow.'
Next thing you know they'll be shipping coal to Newcastle.

[pepsi_junkie]

I wonder if the Scots can do as the french did and declare that things like Champagne are produced only in their borders (in the chapagne region) and anything produced elsewhere must be called something else, typically sparkling wine in this case. If so, “scotch whiskey” could only be produced in Scotland.

[stuartcr]

Suntory’s 18yo Yamazaki Single Malt ain’t scotch, but it definitely ain’t crap.

[fhayek]

This has been so for generations. Just like bourbon can only be produced in the U.S., though not necessarily Kentucky (but it helps).

[HonorInPa]

Any good Scot will tell ya - there’s no ‘e’ in whisky!

[fhayek]

Canada and Scotland, no ‘e’. Ireland and America, ‘e’. So which way does England go?

[Snowyman]

December 20, 2006 The Scotch Whisky Association is battling a Cape Breton distiller of whisky over its use of the word Glen in its trademark. The Association, which represents the owners of well known brands such as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Glenmorangie, is concerned that consumers will assume that Glen Breton Rare single malt whisky, produced by Glenora Distillery, is a scotch whisky.

The Association argues that the word “Glen” is too closely linked to scotch whisky for anyone other than Scottish producers to use. “Scotch Whisky” itself is a designation that is protected under the federal Trade-marks Act for use only with whisky produced in Scotland.

The Canadian distillery, which has applied to register the mark GLEN BRETON, argues that Cape Breton, where it is based, has very strong Scottish roots because it was settled by the Scottish over 200 years ago. The region is riddled with towns and villages that contain the word “Glen”, which means a place at the base of highlands or mountains. The Association has opposed the GLEN BRETON trademark application.

Posted 15 Jun 2009

Glenora Distillers International Ltd., won a major victory when the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear an appeal by the SWA that could have blocked the company’s trademark Glen Breton Rare. For nine years and through four levels of court challenges, the Scotch Whisky Association has fought to protect the Scottishness of he word “Glen”.

“We have no objection to the production of single malt whisky in Canada,” said the SWA’s David Williamson. “What is of concern, though, is any product that tries to take unfair advantage of Scotch whisky’s international reputation by adopting a Scottish-sounding name.”

Unsurprisingly the word “Glen” figures in an area colonised by Scots. Glenora, whose main product Glen Breton Rare single malt takes its name from its hometown of, er, Glenville, a small hamlet just south of um, Inverness – in, er, Nova Scotia.

[norton]

Never heard of Jack Daniels?

[fhayek]

I don’t think anyone calls Jack Daniels, “scotch”.

[Lurker]

Jack Daniels is not a Scotch Whiskey, nor is it a Bourbon Whiskey.

Jack Daniels is a Sour Mash Whiskey.

[lovecraft]

Never heard of Jack Daniels?

Jack Daniels is not a bourbon, if that's what you mean. It has a differnt filtering process, though a good sour mash whiskey, it can't be called bourbon. Just like I'd assume this stuff will be classified as a whiskey and not Scotch. I still want to try it though!

[fhayek]

Jack Daniels, and bourbon are distinctly American whiskies based primarily on corn. Scotch and Irish whiskey is based upon barely. Canadian whisky is based largely on rye (for the most part).

[Tijeras_Slim]

ping

[norton]

I wasn't aware of the filtering differences being critical (or even 'being') but it's always been my understanding that it is 'Tennessee Sipping Whiskey' out of deference to Kentucky.

And, just like you, I'm trying to find out how to lay hands on a bottle of the English malt.
(Also, as another poster noted, I never had an issue with Suntory's 'not scotch'.)

[absolootezer0]

bourbon, champagne, scotch.. gotta be made in the right place to be called it.

[pepsi_junkie]

bourbon, champagne, scotch.. gotta be made in the right place to be called it.

If only I could talk my town into renaming itself "Beer"! Then we could charge a royalty from all the breweries in the world! Bwah hah hah!