Whisky and capitalism
Burns Night on 25th January is of course a chance for the whisky industry to promote its products.
I’m Scottish and I do like whisky, by choice Islay’s like Ardbeg which have notes of things like charcoal, tar, fireplace and leather. Clearly that’s not for everyone and there is a vast range of whiskies with an equally vast range of tastes.
Most whisky distilleries are owned by global drinks companies perhaps not least because long term investment is required. An eight year old whisky is considered young.
There are also of course trends. Single malts have been the growth market in recent times, but blended malts are also available. Grain tends to be seen as the standard whisky drink, but again there is a large range. One element of the current whisky zeitgeist are single grain whiskies.
How much does it cost? Not all whisky is for drinking, some is for investment- this is capitalism after all. Whisky does not ‘go off’ over time but often only limited amounts of a particular bottling are produced.
As these are sold and fewer are available so the price goes up.
Each June Ardbeg produces a limited bottling which sells for around £100. I usually get a bottle-by far the most expensive I buy in the year (you can perfectly decent malts in Aldi, Lidl & Sainsburys for under £25). As time goes by the price of the bottling- Scorch in 2021- only goes one way. Three years later you can still buy a bottle- for £200..
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