Russian Distilleries Producing Scotch & Irish Whisky

[John]

Rival distilleries in Russia's troubled northern Caucasus have started making their own amber spirits, one modelled on Scotch and the other on Irish.

The birth of Russian-made whisky comes after sales of all whiskies - Scotch, Irish, bourbon and others - trebled between 2005 and 2007. Exports of Scotch, moreover, soared 46% in the first nine months of 2008.

Now, the makers of Russia's more traditional tipples - vodka and brandy - have decided they want a slice of the action. And they say they are determined to make a product as good as the "real" thing.

"Making bad whisky is a crime," said Boris Pakhunov of Praskoveya, a winery in the province of Stavropol, which has been making a drink some claim tastes a bit like Ireland's Jameson.

"Whisky, like cognac, is a natural, professionally made, high-quality drink," Pakhunov said. "We would never allow ourselves just to make it any old how."

Praskoveya will soon be up against a rival using what it says is Scottish technology. Whisky of Russia is based a few hundred miles away from Stavropol, in the largely Muslim Russian republic of Dagestan.

Both firms have acknowledged that their output will lag far behind Scottish or Irish competitors. But their very existence shows just how big the Russian market for whisky has become - especially after the pound has slipped heavily in value against the rouble.

A bottle of Praskoveya's whisky is currently retailing at around 350 roubles, about £8.30. This is not much less than a bottle of White Horse, a Diageo blend selling well in Russia. Most Scotch remains dearer than most Russian-made vodkas.

But Erkin Tuzmukhamedov, a Russian sommelier, said:

"A whisky like Praskoveya's isn't going to cause any problems for any competitor. An average distillery in Scotland produces more than 30 million litres of whisky a year. How much can Praskoveya's make? But patriotic Russians - and curious foreigners - will find the drink suits them fine. So Russian whisky has a niche."

John

Source: Scotland on Sunday

[islayonspey]

[Andy M]

I dont think any of them will ever put a serious dent in the Scotch whisky share of the market but i am sure the Scotch Whisky Association is going to have a very busy time in years to come protecting the Scotch Whisky brand.

Andy