WHYTE & MACKAY ‘TACHE MOB TAKES OVER WHISKY LIVE
Today (Saturday, 11th September) visitors at Glasgow’s Whisky Live were served up more than just a wee dram, as Whyte & Mackay superfans stormed the event in homage to the brand’s Master Blender, Richard Paterson.
Whisky Live was awash with fans dressed as their favourite Master Blender, who had only the day earlier been crowned whisky ambassador of the year by Whisky Magazine, complete with his trademark moustache, prominent nose and matching tie and pocket handkerchief, as buffs travelled from across the UK to pay tribute to Richard Paterson’s 40 years with the company.
The Whyte & Mackay fans have dubbed themselves a ‘Tache Mob’ named in reference to the popular flash mob events which are usually organised via viral e-mails or social media to assemble a large group of people in the same place at the same.
Whyte & Mackay, one of Scotland’s leading makers and distributors of Scotch whisky learnt of the plans early last week and decided to join in the moustached madness by offering all ‘Tache Mobbers a free sample of their 40 year old whisky, the oldest Whyte & Mackay blend which scooped the Best Blended Scotch Whisky award at this year’s World Whisky Awards. Dave Anderson from Dundee was crowned best doppelganger of the day by man of the moment, Richard Paterson, who presented him with a bottle of the 40 year old (worth approx £517).
Fans who were unable to make it to the event are also taking part in their own online ‘Tache Mob by uploading pictures of their best Richard Paterson imitation onto Whyte & Mackay’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/quality.whisky
Richard Paterson comments: “This was my first experience of a ‘Tache mob, and it will certainly stand out as a highlight of my past 40 years with Whyte & Mackay. The effort that people went to was tremendous; some of them got me down to a tee! Dave was a deserving winner and hope everyone who came along had as much fun as I did.”
Dave said: “I’m a huge fan of Richard’s and have travelled from Dundee just to meet him. The ‘Tashe mob was a great idea and I was surprised at the effort people went to. Richard said it was my red pocket handkerchief that sealed the deal! This is my third time at Whisky Live, it’s an amazing event and winning a bottle of 40 year old is the cherry on top of the cake for me.”
Notes
About Whyte & Mackay
Whyte and Mackay was founded on the docks of Glasgow in 1844 by James Whyte and Charles Mackay. For over 160 years, the whisky has remained true itself and the pioneering spirit, and is a top choice for Scots who appreciate its rich, smooth flavour, achieved by maintaining the time-honoured double marriage blending process; a process that all Scotch whisky distillers used to carry out but have since abandoned.
Whyte & Mackay expressions are the Special, the Thirteen, the Old Luxury (19 years old), the Supreme (22 years old), the 30 eyars old and the 40 years old.
About Richard Paterson
• Whyte & Mackay is blended by the Master Distiller Richard ‘The Nose’ Paterson
• This year (2010) marks Richard Paterson’s 40th year as Master Blender at Whyte & Mackay, after becoming Master Blender at the incredibly early age of 26
• Richard Paterson is a 3rd generation Master Blender who has followed in his father and grandfather’s footprints. Richard began his career as a general production assistant at A. Giles & Company Whisky Blenders & Brokers where he learned the art of blending before joining Whyte & Mackay, one of Scotland’s leading makers and distributors of Scotch whisky
• Richard Paterson is one of the world’s best-known Master Blenders, having travelled the globe extensively as an ambassador not just for Whyte & Mackay, but for Scotland
• The Master Blender’s role is undeniably one of the most important and complex in the whisky making process. He is responsible for creating whiskies, watching them closely as they mature, maintaining quality and ensuring they are released when they are their best
• Richard is the author of ‘Goodness Nose’ thought to be one of the most informative and entertaining books on the art of whisky blending
• Richard’s Twitter (www.twitter.com/The_Nose) was nominated alongside Stephen Fry and Duncan Bannatyne for the best Twitter page at the Twitter awards 2009
• Richard’s (www.themasterblender.com) is one of the most followed whisky blogs
• He is also the author of the book ‘Goodness Nose’ and is believed to be the first Master Blender to appear in a Japanese manga comic!
• Richard was instrumental in Whyte & Mackay being named ‘Global Distiller of the Year’, and the 30 years old winning the title of ‘Best Blended Whisky in the World’, at last year’s IWSC.
• Richard holds many figureheads roles and official posts, including: Diploma Lecturer in Scotch Whisky for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust; Scotch Whisky Lecturer for the Scotch Whisky Association; President of The Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Society (The BEN); Chairman of Spirits at the International Wine & Spirits Competition; President of the Institute of Wines & Spirits Scotland; President of the 49 Club Scotland. He also recently won the Spirit of Scotland Trophy at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
The Twins
