Paul was chatting to Jeff of Wild Scotsman July 2011. Meet my pal Jeffrey Topping, founder of Wild Scotsman Whisky. With his “Head Office” on top of his shoulders, Jeff has taken his passion and dreams and made it a reality. His philosophy is simple, nae caramel finishes, watered down proof strengths, or chill filtration. Just simple hand crafted Scotch Malt Whisky bottled as Single Casks, Single Malts, or Vatted Malts in the traditional Scottish methods. Good man.
So, Jeff, let’s start at the start…
WHERE OR WHEN DID YOUR LOVE FOR WHISK START? My love for Scotch started in the home coming from a family of Scottish immigrants. Having experienced the early years of American Mirco Brewing in the USA I wanted to know if that experience could exist with Scotch Whisky. In early 2002 I cut my teeth on learning basic distilling at the Bladnoch Distillery in the Lowlands of Scotland. I was quite amazed at the flavor profiles I both nosed and tasted straight from the casks. This was like no Scotch whisky I had ever tasted and I wanted more! When I met Master Distiller and Master Blender John McDougall while at Bladnoch I felt as if the world was conspiring to fuel my new found passion. A few months later I brought John to America for a tasting event I was having in Cincinnati, Ohio. While having a few drams in my study John agreed to mentor me in his craft of ‘Old World’ Scotch whisky. From there the story gets much more interesting but that is why books are written (sometimes burned), to tell the rest of the story.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT WHISKY TO USE? I practice one of the oldest trades in the Scotch whisky industry, Independent Bottler. Like those early pioneers before me (John Dewar, William Teacher, Arthur Bell, and etc) I do not own a distillery (yet) but rather buy, sell, blend, and bottle single casks according to my own personal palate and vision. I choose my whisky one cask sample at a time and prefer them to be aged in ex-bourbon casks as I like whisky to taste and smell like whisky and not whisky flavored wine. I refuse over 90% of the casks sampled which tends to make my kitchen counter a wee bit of a mess with all those bottles and my wife a wee bit cross (just kidding, there is never a mess).
I prefer to produce and bottle Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky (aka Blended Malt) as it allows me an opportunity to create a whole new flavor experience from nose, taste, and finish that is unique and personal to me. One might say each bottling is a story without words (unless you ask me to narrate). Once blended each batch is returned to an ex-bourbon cask to allow the whisky to bond with it new friends. Depending on the bottling proof is between 46 and 47% alc/vol. I NEVER add spirit caramel or chill filterer my whisky!
In addition to my Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky I bottle a variety of Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Paul’s comment; the Mortlach is superb!). This is the highest “production quality” a consumer can buy short of having the actual cask. My reasons for choosing a cask for bottling has less to do with the distillery or age but rather its unique nose, taste and finish. Single Cask bottling’s allow me to introduce flavors I enjoy. Now and then I will bottle a 3/4 cask, 1/2 cask, or 1/4 of a cask. The quantity bottled depends on how much of the cask is used in my vatted malt.
WHAT STAFF DO YOU HAVE IN THE TEAM? My wife, Tina, handles all event and appearance requests. Maybe that is why I have not had a tasting at a Gentlemen’s club? Kay looks after accounts and distribution, want Wild Scotsman in your portfolio? send Kay your details.
WHERE CAN YOUR BOTTLES BE PURCHASHED? Wild Scotsman is bottled at Cumbrae Supply Company in Linwood Scotland. They handle all UK and EU distribution. You can find there contact details at: www.Cumbraesupply.co.uk (we are looking for a few good shops)
Stop by the Wild Scotsman web site and you can find US distribution details as well as our official mail order provider, The Party Source, who can ship to over 40 states.
FINALLY; TELL ME ABOUT THE LATEST BOTTLE I HAVE HERE IN MY MITS! The Wild Scotsman Black is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (I use the term Blended under duress), @47% alc/vol., non chill filtered, and no added colour. Bottled by hand in Scotland. This creation features my new cigar band cut label and was made for my personal enjoyment with a great cigar, however, you do not need to smoke to enjoy a dram. In fact, this may be the only Scotch whisky made by a cigar smoker for a cigar smoker. The nose is slightly sweet thanks to one cask being an Oloroso Sherry Butt (first time using sherry in my vatted malts) with a wee bit of Islay. A smoke filled room can just disappear with a quick nosing of this dram. The mid palate is rejuvenated as the spicey whisky cuts through the residue of a heavy cigar (or food) on the tongue. The finish is quick as to not irritate the throat, however, the residual mouth alcohol will tingle a for 2 or 3 minutes. Water, rocks, neat, cigar? That is your choice! At the end of the day, Tasting is better than telling.
It’s time for a Dram! see the interview online at http://angelswhiskyclub.com/awc/wildscotsman.asp
Contact Jeff at; Wild Scotsman, P.O. Box 36399, Cincinnati, OHIO 45236 http://wildscotsman.com
Contact Angels Whisky Club at http://angelswhiskyclub.com
