Whisky??

[sad old git]

Hi .I am wondering about the number of whiskys on the general market and what are their differences; For instance Famous Grouse, Teachers, Bells,Grants,etc are all much more expensive than say supermarkets own brands with probably made up names of distilleries in the Highlands or somewhere. All the bottles carry the same alcoholic strengh by volume 40% but some do not appear to be as potent as others as I know from personal experience so where do all these whiskys come from.??

[Old_Geezer]

Probably a number of small distilleries who don't have a brand name. Or maybe a distillery that does but is prepared to make a profit supplying supermarket own brands too.

I guess it's always possible that some may be imported.

[Patsy33]

Not sure where they all come from, but if you're partial to a tot of whiskey, good health! I was reading the beneficial effects of it yesterday, quite a few. Good for circulation, may help guard against heart attack and stroke, makes the brain sharper, helps the digestive system, a good relaxer, to name a few. (Obviously taken in moderation) Cheers! ....

[EDDIE51]

If it says Scottish Whiskey it MUST come from Scotland OG it can't be imported from anywhere else.

[douglas9401]

There's a whisky factory about two miles from where I live. No majestic stags or dark mountains standing guard over the secrets of the ages.
Just a factory producing acceptable whisky.
You get what you want and what you pay for.

[Jackdaw33]

Scottish Whiskey is a contradiction in terms. Whisky is Scottish, whiskey is Irish.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah but Whiskey usually comes from the Emerald Isle ;-)

I reckon these are Far East Whiskys.

[Islay]

Well all the brands you have named are blends and they all come from actual distilleries in the highlands - I know I have visited a lot of them!!

They take several spirits from several mashings and make a blend - unlike malts that are from 1 mashing at a time and have to be sat in a barrel for longer than 3 years.

[sad old git]

Thank you all for your replies. I have just tried a little experiment Well, over the last hour. I had a glass of a well known supermarket own brand and after a short period of time took a glass of a well known "black" whisky and it certainly had more potency than the latter but the label strength on both bottles read 40% which makes me wonder if we are being conned and the cheaper whiskys are not as strong as they are made out to be?

[Old_Geezer]

Tell you local trading officer of your suspicions ?

[Islay]

But it depends on what type of whisky you are drinking the potency will be the same but the flavour will be different. You may have a blend made of highlands which is quite smooth and then taste a blend made from Islands which is going to have a kick because of the peat smokey taste.

[jno]

it's taste, not just strength.

Have a look at these and ask yourself which one you think would give best value for money

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Walker#Special.2Flimited_bottlings

[gingejbee]

If any spirit is labelled 40%vol, you can be sure that it is that strength, if sold at a legitimate outlet. It really wouldn't be worth it for a supermarket to knowingly sell something weaker than labelled....the bad publicity would be enough of a deterrent, not to mention the financial punishment.
Incidentally, I have heard people talking about "40% proof"...there's no such thing - "proof" is an outdated word when used to describe strength of alcohol - 40%vol is about 70 degrees proof.

[sad old git]

Thank You all for replies as you say it's all in the tasting.I'll just keep on trying what comes my way Cheers !!