Episode 609: October 2, 2016

Transparency in Scotch Whisky isn’t a new issue, and it’s one that’s likely to last a lot longer now that John Glaser of Compass Box is giving up his campaign to change the laws limiting what whisky makers can disclose about the whiskies that go into their blends. Glaser’s decision came after industry leaders refused to push for changes in UK and European Union laws. We’ll talk with John Glaser and Ian Buxton, who’s releasing a new edition of Aeneas Macdonald’s classic book “Whisky” – in which he made the argument for transparency nearly nine decades ago. In the news, The Glenlivet is releasing the second edition in the Winchester Collection series of 50-year-old single malts, and we’ll have tasting notes for this $25,000 whisky. We’ll also update our story on the end of Diageo’s Masters of Whisky education program and bring you up to date on new whiskies from around the world.

Links: Compass Box | Diageo | The Glenlivet | Bushmills | Douglas Laing & Co. | Wemyss Malts | James Eadie | Mackmyra | Vulson | Three Ships | English Whisky Company | Elijah Craig | Ranger Creek | Catoctin Creek | A. Smith Bowman | Sixpoint Brewery | Highland Park | Scotch Whisky Association | Kentucky Distillers Association | Johnnie Walker | Chadwick’s Craft Spirits