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Master Distiller Colin Scott interview for Sommelier magazine.

What is the profession of Master Distiller?

The Art of the Blender is to select many different whiskies at the correct ages to create a blended Scotch whisky that has its own unique flavour and taste. The Master Blender will then maintain and ensure that consistency of flavour and taste year after year. Therefore I am the guardian of the supreme quality and consistency of Chivas Regal ensuring you will always enjoy the same rich and smooth taste year after year.

Is it possible to become a good Master with the time or you have to be born with that gift?

It is all about experience, time and a passion for whisky, there are no schools to learn the Art of Blending. Of course a good nose is essential, and we get tested every year to ensure that our noses are up to our high standards to blend Chivas Regal.

CHIVAS REGAL IS OFFICIALLY THE UK’S COOLEST WHISKY

Chivas Regal has stolen a march on its competitors by being named the UK’s coolest whisky brand, 2006, by the CoolBrands Council, a panel of influential opinion leaders drawn from the world of media, fashion and design.

CoolBrands is an initiative from the Superbrands organisation which identifies and champions many of the leading cool brands in the UK and the programme has become a key barometer of the nation’s coolest brands, people and places.

Chivas Regal appeals to a discerning consumer audience and its distinctive taste and dynamic personality have secured its place as the whisky of choice in leading bars and clubs not only in the UK but around the world, making it an ideal brand for the award.

Paul Godfrey, Brand Director for Chivas Regal 12, said: “It’s a fantastic accolade to be recognised as one of the UK’s CoolBrands in 2006. This award is testament to Chivas Regal’s enduring appeal and its global iconic status.”

The CoolBrand award reflects Chivas Regal’s status as the world’s most dynamic premium Scotch whisky and is further confirmation that ‘The Chivas Life’ has become synonymous with a lifestyle to which many Scotch whisky drinkers worldwide now aspire.

The 2006 CoolBrands will be showcased in a specially commissioned book that will be cover mounted on the November issue of ‘Dazed and Confused’ magazine.

Chivas Regal is produced and marketed by Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s no 2 wines and spirits company.

TROPHY FOR ‘5 STAR’ THE GLENLIVET 18 YEAR OLD

‘The single malt that started it all’ is celebrating a stellar performance at this year’s International Spirits Challenge. The Glenlivet 18 Year Old has been awarded a coveted Trophy at the 2006 awards at the gala dinner held at The Dorchester Hotel, London on 27 September.

Leading whisky writer Dave Broom describes The Glenlivet 18 year old as ‘A superb, complex dram – 5 stars’ in his Handbook of Whisky. It is a sublime symphony of luscious concentrated fruit and floral fragrance. The nose intrigues with the promise of perfectly ripe pears. The palate is an exquisite medley of fudge and spiced orange with light oak undertones. The finish lingers delicately balancing toast-like and vanilla notes.

Neil Macdonald, Chivas Brothers brand director for Malts said: “We are delighted with the success of The Glenlivet 18 year old at this year’s International Spirits Challenge. This supreme crafted whisky is always an absolute revelation on the palate, showcasing the hallmark Glenlivet style.”

2006 marks an exciting year for The Glenlivet, with new product launches and its target of reaching 500,000 9 litre cases firmly in sight for 2007. The Glenlivet continues its progress to gain the number one spot - it is currently the number two premium malt Scotch whisky in the world and clear number one malt Scotch whisky in the dynamic US market. It is a key brand within the Chivas Brothers portfolio, the Scotch whisky and premium gin company of Pernod Ricard, and global leader in Scotch single malts. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.

In its eleventh year, the International Spirits Challenge is highly regarded by the whisky industry as an awards scheme of integrity and authority. The judges are all respected industry members - master distillers and master blenders - who must achieve unanimity for an award to be made. No awards are automatically made - gold medals are only awarded if an entry falls within the required standards.

To achieve a trophy, a whisky will have gone through five or six levels of blind tasting. The judging process operates on a pyramid system. This starts at bronze medal level and gradually moving upwards to select gold medal candidates and entry numbers are changed for each round to ensure impartiality.

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