Age is nothing but a number

Q&A with Marc Pendlebury

 

Q: What do you classify as a ‘younger’ and ‘older’ whisky?

There is no standard for these terms. I classify a younger whisky as a whisky less than 10 years old. It is very seldom that you’ll find a whisky denoting it is younger than 10 years old. The usual sign is that it actually does not display any age, referred to as no age statements, or NAS whiskies. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is that young, but is most likely younger than 10. The only way to know is to drink it. Older whiskies would be older than 20 years and up.

 

Q: What does it mean when you talk about ‘the depth of a whisky’?

The depth and range of flavour. Not all whiskies are created equal in terms of their complexity. Some whiskies are very good, but their flavour profile can be limited. Others are more complex and can keep giving you new flavours even after an hour of savouring.

 

Q: What does it mean when you talk about 'the notes of a whisky'?

The notes would be the flavours of the whisky. Whether it’s a lighter style whisky with vanilla and honey or a full bodied and rich whisky with prunes and cinnamon.

 

Q: Which ‘whisky bible’ would you recommend?

There is the official Whisky Bible by whisky writer Jim Murray, which is updated and released annually. It is the most comprehensive book of reviews and ratings, with over 4,500 whiskies listed. We all have our individual tastes though, and that extends to writers as well. Certain writers resonate with certain readers.

 

I personally prefer the recently released Whisky Opus by Gavin Smith and Dominic Roskrow, as well as the Malt Whisky Companion by the late (whisky author) Michael Jackson.

 

Q: What ingredients should a novice look for when choosing a bottle of whisky?

Whiskies, in particular Scotch whisky, all have the same ingredients, but if they contained any additional additives/preservatives/flavourants, they would no longer be allowed to be called a whisky.

 

I would recommend novices check the alcohol by volume (ABV) as higher strength whiskies can be a challenge to some new whisky drinkers. The minimum in SA is 43% (while by law a Scotch whisky must be a minimum of 40%), so novices should be cautious if they see an ABV of 50+%, denoting it is in all probability a cask strength whisky, meaning it hasn’t been diluted with water before bottling.

 

Novices would be best advised to read the tasting notes on the whisky’s packaging to see if the flavour profile sounds appealing. Alternatively, refer to a whisky book, magazine or website.

 

Q: Does whisky follow trends or is it a spirit that has remained true to its original character?

It does, but there is such a large variety of whiskies that even if a trend is very popular at any one time, you’ll still be able to find whiskies that are outside the trends. Whisky is also very much about consistency. If you are a fan of a particular whisky, you have confidence that when you buy it in a year’s time, it still tastes the same. So the vast majority of distilleries don’t change their core range of whiskies very often at all, instead they may release limited edition whiskies occasionally to offer something new to drinker’s looking for the next interesting thing.

 

Q: How does South African whisky compare to the rest of the word?

They compare very favourably. Our whiskies have won several international awards and have received great recognition from international drinkers. We are very much on the map as a whisky-producing nation, albeit a small one.

 

Q: Why are there so few South African producers as opposed to the rest of the world?

The countries with lots of distilleries (and thus more output), have a longer history of whisky making. South Africa rather has a long history of wine and brandy making, which has historically been in higher demand. South Africans also need to support and want local products for a producer to be confident they can find a market locally without having to incur the steep costs of exporting their product to foreign markets.

 

Q: What is the most widely drunk category of whisky across the world, and why?

Blended whisky accounts for approximately 90% of whisky consumed internationally. The main reason is that it is more affordable and accessible.

 

Q: Which country has the biggest whisky drinking population?

France has the highest consumption of blended Scotch, with the USA second. For single malt scotch, their positions are reversed.

 

Q: Are there any whisky clubs in South Africa that one can join?

There are lots of private clubs, and my recommendation would be for anyone interested in joining a club, to rather get some friends together and start your own. I would be more than happy to assist and provide guidance where necessary.

 

Alternatively, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society does have a South African chapter. You can visit their website to learn more about them and join.

 

Q: Tell us about the WhiskyBrother store?

The store in Hyde Park Corner shopping centre (JHB) has been open for four months. We offer whiskies to our customers while they browse and to introduce them to a new flavour or brand. We are constantly asked for recommendations, whether it is for a newcomer, gift purposes or the more experienced drinker, and it is our pleasure to help the various types of shoppers find the right whisky. We also do slightly more formal tastings after hours that focus on various themes and topics. These tastings are open to the public and one can find dates and times on our website as well as a link to RSVP. We also do private tastings and whisky pairings for birthdays and corporates both in the store and at private venues.

 

dinFO:

Find out more about WhiskyBrother’s events by visiting www.whiskybrother.com/whisky-tastings. For information on The Scotch Malt Whisky Society visit www.smws.co.za