Scientific proof that whisky is more arty than brandy

As Distell CEO Richard Rushton considers next year’s budget allocation for spirits, he may wish to read some startling new scientific research on the difference between whisky and brandy. Which may translate to even bigger budgets for Three Ships and Wellington business man of the year, distiller Andy Watts at the expense of Oude Meester and UK actor Idris Elba.

mac

Seems that drops of Scotch leftover in a glass dry into “a chalky but unexpectedly beautiful film” (Macallan, above) according to the New York Times. By way of contrast, “Cognac, a liquor distilled from grape wine, does not dry out in this pretty manner” so presumably the same holds true for SA brandy. So no Old Masters from Oude Meester, then. Although further research is called for and I shall be submitting a research proposal to the SA Brandy Foundation.

bru

Above is the artistic residue from Bruichladdich. This is the spirit world equivalent of reading the future from tea leaves, something I shall be taking up with Dilmah at a tea tasting tomorrow.

Andy Watts Business Man 02

An exhibition of residues from Three Ships, Bain’s and Black Bottle whisky is clearly called for and the Pendock Wine Gallery @ Taj is the most sympathetic venue for such a show while Coco van Oppens is the photographer to capture it all. How about it, Andy?