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  1. #1
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    Since, by legal definition, to be called Scotch Whisky, the brew must be made from scottish natural waters and be rested in used barrels for at least 3 years ON SCOTTISH SOIL, I wonder just exactly what scottish distillery(ies) are performing the primary distilling, casking and aging, and where. There has to be some kind of paper trail as to where this stuff originates from before being shipped over to Japan for the final aging, tapping and bottling as a Japanese Scotch, be it single malt or blended. To be called single malt, the whisky has to come from a single distillery and a single batch group from that distillery (although multiple barrels from that batch are blended together, usually diluted and then sold as "single malt"---unless bottled at "cask strength", which is straight from the cask un blended and undiluted).

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by ForresterModern View Post
    Since, by legal definition, to be called Scotch Whisky, the brew must be made from scottish natural waters and be rested in used barrels for at least 3 years ON SCOTTISH SOIL, I wonder just exactly what scottish distillery(ies) are performing the primary distilling, casking and aging, and where. There has to be some kind of paper trail as to where this stuff originates from before being shipped over to Japan for the final aging, tapping and bottling as a Japanese Scotch, be it single malt or blended. To be called single malt, the whisky has to come from a single distillery and a single batch group from that distillery (although multiple barrels from that batch are blended together, usually diluted and then sold as "single malt"---unless bottled at "cask strength", which is straight from the cask un blended and undiluted).
    Actually, that's not completely correct. It is true for Scotland and probably the EU, but not other places, because it would be unenforcible. Now, most places in the US won't call the product Scotch out of professional courtesy, but it's not a law. I have no idea about the legalities in Japan, but I suspect it is the same.

    It's just like Champagne, or any of the other designated products of Europe (wine, cheese, etc.). Any US producer can call their product champagne and not break the law, but most producers won't out of respect. Of course, they could never sell their product in Europe with that name.
    We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. - Japanese Proverb

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by davedove View Post
    Actually, that's not completely correct. It is true for Scotland and probably the EU, but not other places, because it would be unenforcible. Now, most places in the US won't call the product Scotch out of professional courtesy, but it's not a law. I have no idea about the legalities in Japan, but I suspect it is the same.

    It's just like Champagne, or any of the other designated products of Europe (wine, cheese, etc.). Any US producer can call their product champagne and not break the law, but most producers won't out of respect. Of course, they could never sell their product in Europe with that name.
    Just took a second gander at the article and did a search online. Turns out that if you read the article they describe the whisky in question as single malt whiskey, not single malt scotch. A search online turns up an extensive list at www.whiskymag.com ( http://www.whiskymag.com/whisky/type...ngle_malt.html ) of what are called Japanese Whisky's, and that nearly all are made in Japan, except for a group made by

    The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (Scotland)
    The Vaults
    87 St Giles Street
    Leith
    Edinburgh
    Midlothian
    EH6 6EZ
    Scotland

    and obviously imported.


    And by the way you can "patent" a product with a unique place name of origin. For instance, Roquefort cheese (bleu cheese for those heathens among us) originated in caves in Roquefort France. Only cheese actually aged in those specific caves outside Roquefort can legally carry the name Roquefort cheese. In other places it is known by various other names---Italy is Gorgonzola, England is Stilton, and in the US plain old bleu (or blue) cheese. So I think the Scotch name issue might be correct.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by davedove View Post
    It's just like Champagne, or any of the other designated products of Europe (wine, cheese, etc.). Any US producer can call their product champagne and not break the law, but most producers won't out of respect. Of course, they could never sell their product in Europe with that name.
    They can hardly sell their products in Europe at all due to incredibly high tariffs placed on alcohol, etc., entering the EU from the USA.

    And speaking as a champagne drinker, the overall best (price & consistent quality) in the USA is the the Roederer "champagne" from their California vineyards. And if you can find it, the California Roederer "Hermitage" is one of the best drinks on the planet. In fact, it's so good that I think I'll crack a bottle right now.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown View Post
    And if you can find it, the California Roederer "Hermitage" is one of the best drinks on the planet.
    And this is why I love the rabble here. I get great tips on what to drink, what to smoke AND what to wear. LOL. Great, isn't it?

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by ForresterModern View Post
    . . . if you read the article they describe the whisky in question as single malt whiskey, not single malt scotch. , , ,
    Forrester definitely has it right, and I would paraphrase and strengthen his further statement thus: "If anyone is calling it "Japanese Scotch" it is certainly that person and not the distillery nor the stores that is at fault."

    .
    "No man is genuinely happy, married, who has to drink worse whiskey than he used to drink when he was single." ---- H. L. Mencken

  7. #7
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    I'm sure there is some Scotch-only competitions.

    I guess if all whisky is lumped together, Scotch may not fare well. It is rather unique, but that's why I like it.
    Thunderbolt

    Friends don't let friends be dandies.

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