Pioneer of the Year
Whisky bloggers
Where do you find out about the new Maker’s Mark bourbon months in advance, with pre-release tasting notes from professional whiskey writers? When is Dalmore’s master blender Richard Paterson coming to your town? Where can you still find stocks of the discontinued Laphroaig 15 year old (at the best price)? How would you like to watch a video of the unveiling of the newest vintage of Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon, months before it is for sale? Where can you meet other whisky enthusiasts like yourself from around the world to have intelligent discussions about whisky?
You’ll find all this and so much more on hundreds of whisky blogs. Sure, the world of blogging is not policed, and it’s not perfect. But whisky books, magazines, and writers aren’t perfect either. If you’re going to read someone’s blog review of a whisky, make sure you know who they are and whether you trust their opinions.
The truth is, whisky blogs are slowly but surely replacing whisky books and magazines with anything that is time-sensitive. That includes information on new releases, reviews of new releases, news on whiskies being discontinued, last minute notifications of whisky tastings, and much more.
In fact, I think whisky blogs will make “whisky review” books practically obsolete. Sure, some people will still buy them as a reference. But let’s be honest. In this day of limited special releases, most of these whiskies are long gone by the time a review of it shows up in a book.
I view my own blog as a “living, breathing” version of Malt Advocate. In my mind, it is a magazine—one that complements the hard-copy version. I think whisky blogging is evolving into its own form of publishing. Its value is only going to increase, but it’s already indispensable if you are a true whisky enthusiast.
(For a list of many great whisky blogs, forums, podcasts, etc., click on the “What does everyone else know?” button on the right column. There are dozens of great sites to inform and entertain you.)
Tomorrow’s Malt Advocate Whisky Awards announcement: Industry Leader of the Year.
That’s cool, John.
Congrats and thank you to all who make time to share their “homes” with the rest of us.
Wow! I guess nobody would have expected that one. Being a blogger myself, I really feel honored. The whisky blogging scene really has picked up a lot of momentum in the last one or two years.
Oliver (@olikli) ,
I share your views. As a blogger and co-founder of Israel’s only English speaking whisky blog (WhiskyIsrael) i do agree with your saying. When i look for information on new drams, releases etc, i go online. i have a network of whisky bloggers which i trust, and the most valuable information today is online. References and magazines are nice, but indeed, they are so outdated when they go to print…
It’s a great honor to be taking a role in this new wave of blogging whisky (as small and humble as our blog is).
Well put John.
Gal.
Just appearing here, on the blog, this award almost looks silly– As if you’re giving us all a big pat on the back. But of course this will also be published in the MA magazine and republished all over the internet where it will undoubtedly cause many to take blogging more seriously or consider blogging themselves. This is a great thing especially when you look at it from this angle:
I’m a scotch-lover and the way I look at it there are 3 things that the scotch industry can to sell us:
1. Economy: the cheapest product, which is actually drinkable
2. Luxury: the most hyped, most expensive, most beautifully packaged product
3. Good Whisky: well made juice, which maybe takes some chances, and is priced to make fair profit profit relative to the producers’ expenses (yeah you can argue about what a fair profit is or whether such a thing even exists…)
The more confident the industry sees that there are tons of informed consumers who spend time every day discussing little else than how good various whiskies really smell and taste and how good a value they are at various prices the more confident the industry will feel in offering up more of #3.
Great pick, John.
I realize that choosing whisky bloggers as our award winner might come across as a bit self serving, but this was never my intent. Whisky blogs really have become an invaluable resource.
Absolutely true, they have– But how long do you think it will be before someone complains about the shape of that glass next to the keyboard
Yeah, do you know how hard it was to find artwork the combines whisky and computers? I felt lucky that we were able to find this picture. At least the glass isn’t filled to the top with ice cubes.
As your art director, I am happy to say that I at least know to avoid the photos with ice.
This was the one and only whisky+computer photo on the stock photo service I use. Now if we can just get those whisky photographers to adopt the Glencairn glass for all their photos I will be a very happy designer!
I was just teasing you guys– I don’t care about stuff like that & honestly, it blows my mind that such an appropriate picture even existed.
Sorry this comment got screwed up because of the dumb network at my job. What I was gonn say was that if it you think it’s an issue you can just set up a little still life yourselves and snap it– but I wouldn’t worry about it.
Schedule a photo shoot in John’s basement
You know, if you ever need a studio-lit shot of a keyboard/computer and a Glencairn glass full of whisky, you just let me know. I’ve whisky, glasses, computers, and a camera studio.
Of course, it’s only fair that I get to drink the whisky when I’m done with the shoot.
I absolotely agree with John’s comment. It is incredibly difficult to find good whisky pictures with nosing glasses, even if you are prepared to pay for them on microstock sites. I tried to find a good picture for my blog and gave up.The cask job that you can see now is only plan B. You can get gazillions of professionally made pictures with tumblers. But nosing glasses? Forget it.
Why can’t you take your own? All you need is scotch, a glencairn, and a digital camera…?
Gee, I have a good camera… now if I only knew someone with a few spare Glencairn glasses and a supply of whisky. Hmm…
I could take my own for this blog. I take pics of bottles all the time for artwork here. But, this is also going to be published in Malt Advocate magazine, and we would something more professional looking for the magazine.
John, a timely, well thought-out and deserving award, an up-to-date acknowledgment of the influence of the web and the viral spread of information. There is however a major caveat that follows it: the threat of mis-information, legend over facts, myths over knowledge and a possible dilution of real tradition, sacrificed at the altar of expediency. As a long-time advocate and promoter of technology, I’m well versed in the dual nature of information on the web, as it doesn’t necessarily follow the traditional “market place of ideas” approach of free speech, which emanated from a top-down, more authoritative position. Real time, speed of thought publishing cannot be carefully monitored and with the next generation working more from a peer review knowledge base, it can pose problems to an industry that uses terms like “tradition”, “artful”, and “time-honored” as an arbiter of quality. As you know, the act of physically publishing information carries with it a series of decisions, most based on anticipated consequences and realities. Not so with the web, where both you (with years of experience) and the next guy (starting yesterday) can have equal stature and effect with the right SEO. With all that, the award was a courageous call.
I do understand your point, Robin. Everyone can setup a blog and start posting within in a matter of hours. And on Twitter, it’s even easier to trumpet out one’s opinion. I think it’s all a matter of skimming the wealth of information and separating the wheat from the chaff which now is more important than ever. And I have no doubts that regular blog readers are able to do that.
Regarding the impact of the “Web 2.0″ on the industry, I think this is not a one way street. Whisky producers now can get immediate feedback for their products, and they should regard this as an opportunity rather than a threat. If people don’t like something, they will voice their opinions. And the industry would be well-advised to listen instead to ignore them.
Good points Robin – I find you need to be very astute and educated on a subject when trying to glean information online for the very reasons you mention.
Hope to see you in Cross River again soon – maybe with Lady Luck?
Wise choice, there a so much good blogs around, that I have to take some time to read them all, when I come home from work. So much diversity, also.
You see it happen, that old media are for more in depth articles and the ever changing day to day information in blogs.
Now, who will be the industrial leader of 2010?
@Oliver, I have a couple of photo’s that show tulip nosing glasses, but majority is indeed tumblers.
But they can be found!
I have such a great admiration and respect for the time you put into this. I feel these types of blogs are the best educational tool I have on an ever evolving topic. Thanks again,
Agreed. I come here because it’s educational and the whisk(e)y you review is usually within my immediate grasp. Another reason is that your palate has not let me down yet. People forget that when following a critic. I stopped following some wine critics because our palates did not mesh. I never once sent an email or letter questioning the reviewers but rather stopped following them. I’m sure others may benefit from what they have to say…
How nice to see a professional stand up for all us damn amateurs! This is a very cool reward. Way to represent the 21st century, John.
@Red – As soon as I saw the picture I thought, “oh-oh” but decided to bite my tongue!
Finally, we had a record day on WHISKYhost yesterday thanks to one url being posted in the comments. Now that’s the power of WDJK (that, and getting bourbon discounted!).
Cheers,
Jason @WHISKYhost
PS. If you’re looking for a top ten list of the best whisky blogs (as well as recommendations for new blogs worth watching) check out this list at the wonderful Whisky For Everyone blog: http://whiskyforeveryone.blogspot.com/2010/01/top-10-whisky-blogs.html
That’s great news, Jason!
Congrats everyone! I know I’ve come to rely on blogs over the past year to help guide me in my quest. Here’s to another excellent year in 2010!
Whisky bloggers make some of the best sample sharing partners, and isn’t that the most important aspect of fine whisky? Sharing it with friends?
-orangedogofglory / @wolfandwhisky
Hmm, maybe I should give myself an award as well. Let’s see who wins the Malt Advocate Magazine of the Year award.
Sku, I didn’t give my blog an award. It’s for all the whisky bloggers. I just happen to be one of them. And it is primarily to shed light on the great things other bloggers are doing.
Sku, the reward is in the glass
I always look forward to your article in Japan.
Thanks a lot.
[...] Malt Advocate Whisky Awards continue. Pioneer of the year? Whisky Bloggers! (yay [...]
John, great choice. I agree that while initially, the award may be self-serving to all bloggers, I think it is well deserved and you hit the nail on the head. ONE example: this year, the BTAC ER 17 is still available here in Houston, TX (one store has 8 or more bottles). It usually sells out faster than the other BTAC. Why? It got poor reviews (deservedly so I might add – I finished one bottle but regret the money spent on the second (still unopened) bottle). As you pointed out – time is not going to permit the printed medium to influence the “to buy or not to buy” decision for limited releases. It’s the online community (almost all but the misguided were unimpressed with the 2009 BTAC ER 17).
Decision was a surprise (I was expecting a “safe, traditional” selection) but I agree with you 100%. Print medium is dying. Online – less overhead for you (albeit more demanding because of the need for regular updates). Now, you just have to make sure that all the time and effort (and money) you pour into this site is financially rewarded. This site has definitely become my “go to” site.
JWC, thanks for the validation. As you will notice, I didn’t necessarily take the “safe” route on these awards, but rather to be honest instead, knowing that not everyone will agree with me on some decisions.
And yes, I have committed a lot of time to this, because I think it is the right thing to do and needs to be done. But, it has to start bringing in some money to support my efforts. This is a business, after all.
John, I agree with you on the future of whisky publications, but only to a certain extent. I’d like to think there will still be a place for hard-copy magazines and books for years to come. Even as someone who’s embraced technology to the fullest, I still find pleasure in sitting down with a dram and the latest issue of Malt Advocate…
Mark
Mark, the strong print publications will survive. Or they will make their money doing other things and use their (money-losing) publications to promote their other ventures. But the content will change. Time-sensitive material will be (and is being) transferred to the new media channels. We here at Malt Advocate hope to provide the best of both worlds.
There is no need for up-to-date news for a publication to survive as long as it offers something unavailable like an in depth interview that the common whisky enthusiast would not have access to, or really, really great pictures.
I’m a picture person.
That’s correct. The time sensitive stuff will be replaced by more “evergreen” articles: interviews, in-depth feature stories, humor columns. The focus will change.
I agree with you all, John had a very innovative idea, a 21th century type thinking. Keep going my friend.
Isn’t this a bit of a slap in the face for the people who are breaking sweat and toiling over percentages to produce something actually innovative? Present company included, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to sit at a keyboard and espouse opinions about whisk(e)y and make it seem like effort. But you’ve seen the craftspeople in distilleries trying to push the boundaries on what we expect from alcohol.
Yes, I love the bloggers. You are a constant font of information. But bloggers are not original nor innovative. They are reactionary at their core. Claiming that the mob of bloggers is the best thing that happened to whisk(e)y is to say that the peanut gallery is the best thing that happened to Shakespeare.
Brian, I think you don’t fully get the whole concept of blogging. Blogging isn’ t just about a “mob” of weirdos that have the urge to tell the world anything that runs through their minds. Let me reiterate my earlier comment: The single most important aspect about blogging is that it is not to be regarded as a one way street. Industry people read blogs as well as buyers, industry people comment on blogs as well as buyers, industry people even have their own blogs. Bloggers interact with buyers, the industry and with each other. All is interwoven.
I am convinced that John made this choice for the Pioneer Award because because it has a potential to have a large impact on the whole “whisky universe” and may change they way industry and buyers relate to each other. And because of that impact on whisky as a whole, in my most humble opinion, this innovation is even more important than let’s say a distillery doing unusual bottlings or finishes or whatever.
Brian, I will second what Oliver said. And one of the benefits of blogging is that it’s a two-way street. Our discussions here on WDJK is a good example.
It’s not that the ignorant yammering mass of uncultured humanity, the peanut gallery, is the best thing that ever happened to Shakespeare Brian– It’s that in an ideal world, there wouldn’t be a peanut gallery at all. Instead, there would be a knowledgeable and discerning audience capable of appreciating and criticizing the goods in Shakespeare’s work. But this imaginary good audience wouldn’t come from nowhere. A major source of its continued existence would be it’s readiness to welcome outsiders into its shared experiences and culture. At its best, this is what whisky blogging is all about.
Whisky blogging adds an important context to whisky drinking, one which is already transforming the priorities of both whisky producres and consumers. A heightened sense connection between consumer and consumer and consumer and producer will ultimately lead to increased value for everyone– a better appreciation of better whisky, leads to greater sustainability for enterprises which produce better whisky… and in time reduced sustainability for those who subsist on advertising campaigns aimed at the uninformed and the monopolization of markets.
Cheers John, I’ll drink to that.
First a feature in the Whisky Magazine and now this. But does it it mean that whisky blogs are mainstream now?
I agree that blogs are not always a source of comprehensive, valid information. But at least in the present form they are fun to read… well, mostly.
I wouldn’t say bloggers are mainstream. But I hope that maybe this award will provide more awareness to what’s happening in whisky blogging and the benefits it provides.
As someone who reads a lot (maybe even almost all) the whiskey blogs, I have to say this is fitting and nice of MA to do. I’m a PR/social media geek who used to work with some of the spirits brands and was asked to build some relationships with spirits bloggers. That part was nice, but what I’ve learned from each of them through just watching and reading in the last couple of years has been awesome. Well done, John and MA.
Now if I could just coach a few of them on headline writing … hehehehehe. (Blog post coming on that one, I’m sure.)
I have to say, and not to take anything away from the kickass great blogs like this one, but what goes hand-in-hand with the blogs are the people who post. I always get a kick out of what, i.e., MrTh (otherwise affectionately known as Tattie) has to say. His humor and knowledge are appreciated. (Hey, is this like me giving myself an award? Hell Yeah!)
So, keep on truckin’ john, and everyone, keep on responding!
I’m with you, LSD. The blogs provide great perspective not just because of the bloggers themselves, but because of the people who participate! In some ways, it’s just like reading a magazine…we get humor, reviews, opinions, observations, and gripes, but we get them instantly, and from around the globe, from a community that cares about the subject immensely, or they wouldn’t bother participating at all.
Keep up the amazing work…EVERYBODY!
…um, I’m here for my award? John said something about a check?
[...] Hansell, his What Does John Know? blog and the Malt Advocate magazine awarded us, all of the bloggers – the whole community, an [...]
Blogs or fora are perfect. They all know something and together we almost know everything.
Searching for info, the net is perfect and you almost everytime end up on a forum or blog. Try that in a library.
[...] was rather delighted to be named a “Pioneer of the Year” for 2009, and as a result I am now going to redouble my efforts to get less sleep and write [...]
[...] I was thinking about this the past few days. The dozens of whisky blogs out there provide a great service to the whisky industry and to whisky enthusiasts. This is the main reason why they received Malt Advocate magazine’s “Pioneer of the Year” award. [...]