Whiskey Nut’s Most Read Blogs of 2022

2022 has been a bit of a momentus year for world events.

At Whiskey Nut blogging it’s been business as usual.

7 of the Top Ten Blogs have featured before – 3 make their third appearance – with 3 newcomers to the list. I draw conclusions from that & see patterns emerging.

These are my Top 10 Read Blogs for 2022 based on WordPress stats – Dec 30th 2022.

Feel free to press on the highlighted words to access the original posts.

1 – Kyasuku Whisky, Oct 21

This Aldi exclusive Mizunara finished World Whisky from Japan sure was a tasty drop!

2 – Ron Pelicano Jamaican Rum, Nov 22

An astonishing achievement in only 2 months -the rum is pretty decent too!

3 – Proper Twelve vs Jameson, Dec 18

After topping the list for 2 years in a row the ‘Champ’ is beginning to falter.

4 – Ron Rumbero, Dec 19

Featuring for a 3rd year does this rum selection mark a growing interest in another brown spirit?

5 – Irish Whiskey Distilleries, Dec 21

A page of development, growth & renewed interest in Irish Whiskey.

6 – Dundalgan IPA Cask, Nov 20

A West Cork exclusive for Lidl that has consistently pleased.

7 – Royal Envy, Apr 22

I don’t envy the Royals – but I’d like to have a taster of this smoky Indian Whisky!

8 – Black & Blue, Jan 19

Making it’s 3rd appearance this Indian Whisky is one I did manage to obtain.

9 – V For Vietnam, May 18

Let’s just say there’s a lot of love for Wall Street out there.

10 – Azteca Tequila, Apr 22

Is this the beginning of affection for agave based spirits in Ireland?

Thank You

I’d like to thank all my readers for continuing to follow my blog.

Join me in raising a glass to celebrate the beginning of 2023.

Sláinte

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The Philosophy Of Whisky, Billy Abbott

I suppose it was wishful thinking expecting some existential answers to questions like ‘Why has whisky captured the human spirit?‘ or ‘ Can drinking whisky sooth a troubled soul?‘.

The Philosophy Of Whisky is however an easy – if brief – entertaining introduction into the growing global reach of distilling, maturing & enjoyment of the brown spirit.

Chapters covering the big 5 producers – Scotland, Ireland, USA, Canada & Japan – along with mentions on Sweden, Taiwan, India, Australia & Mexico to name a few – give a welcome & refreshing world view on this tasty beverage.

The author still appears to elevate Scotch above the others – even when world whisky is winning tasting awards – & fudges facts over the earliest written records for aqua vitae – the forerunner of whisky.

Yet for all that – anyone still restricting their whisky drinking to Scotch is missing out on a world of exciting tastes, flavours & growth.

Excuse me while I pour some Titanic Irish Whiskey!

Sláinte

All images authors own.

Is The Blog You’re Reading Scotch Centric?

It’s a question I often ask myself after coming across various examples of this particular malaise.

But what is Scotch Centrism?

Tartan specs courtesy zazzle.com

Viewing the whisky world via the optics of tartan spectacles leading to undue bias – intentional or not – towards Scotch, positioning it on a pedestal beyond reproach, usually coupled with scant regard – veering to disdain – for whisky producing countries that aren’t Scotland.

My first encounter with this affliction was a few years ago.

A Scottish internet publication invited non Scottish cities citizens to give a flavour of whisky spots within their environs.

One resident had proclaimed there were no whisky distilleries in this particular location – despite myself having visited one!

The sufferer had such a bad dose of Scotch Centrism they were blinded & unable to see the distilleries operating in their own backyard!

The Scottish publication in turn failed to do any checks & subsequently released this false information.

A more severe example pertains to rules.

Sufferers believe any whisky produced outside of Scotland that doesn’t comply with SWA – Scotch Whisky Association – rules is basically ‘not doing it right’.

Effectively this shows a complete lack of respect for the different ways each country make their own whisky – and verges into cultural imperialism.

Such a position belittles the ‘other’, limits diversity & stifles innovation in the global whisky category.

A final – often milder – example is where the Scotch Centric drinker eventually does get round to sampling a non Scotch whisky & invariably expresses surprise at how enjoyable & well presented it is – often with a hint of patronisation thrown in.

Luckily Scotch Centrism isn’t a permanent condition.

Sufferers merely need to ditch the tartan glasses & open themselves up to a whole new world of enjoyable tastes & flavours.

Treating countries with different rules to those of Scotland with the same respect & having an open mind – and palate – to exploring their produce helps too.

Perhaps then we can learn a bit of ‘kinship, belonging & inclusiveness’ – to borrow an Irish Distillers marketing missive – & ‘Widen The Circle’ along the way when we’re at it.

Sláinte

Tartan glasses courtesy zazzle.com All other images authors own.