Volcanic Wine Awards | The Jancis Robinson Story

Whisky – rough seas ahead

Monday 9 December 2024 • 5 min read
whisky supertanker in rough seas

Our whisky specialist argues that what’s needed is something genuinely different and quality at a sensible price – and offers suggestions for brands that deliver.

On the face of it the news isn’t good. In 2023, the Scotch Whisky Association export figures showed Scotch’s major markets in decline – the US down 7%, France falling by 3%, figures that came with a firm warning of ‘significant challenges’.

The first quarter of this year saw the picture worsen with a total decline of 10% in volume and, of more concern, a fall of 18% in value. The American and French markets...

Become a member to continue reading
Member
$135
/year
Save over 15% annually
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
 
Ideal for collectors
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
  • Access 287,194 wine reviews & 15,842 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Pay with
Visa logo Mastercard logo American Express logo Logo for more payment options
Join our newsletter

Get the latest from Jancis and her team of leading wine experts.

By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

More Drinks not wine

Heather Tillott of Sullivan's Cove
Drinks not wine A wine-first approach is opening up a new whisky world. Above, Heather Tillott, distillery manager at Tasmania’s Sullivans Cove. I...
Isle of Raasay by Christina Kernohan
Drinks not wine Head to the Hebrides to take in a raft of new distillers working to bring life and traditions back to...
Brendan Carty of Killowen in County Down
Drinks not wine From just two distilleries in the 1980s to nearly 40 today, Irish pot-still whiskey is back in a big and...
Wilfred's non-alcoholic aperitif
Drinks not wine What to drink when you love flavour but don't want to drink alcohol. It’s around early September that the onslaught...

More from JancisRobinson.com

Las Teresas with hams
Nick on restaurants Head to the far south of Spain for atmospheric and inexpensive hospitality. Above, the Bar Las Teresas in the old...
cacao in the wild
Free for all De-alcoholised wine is a poor substitute for the real thing. But there are one or two palatable alternatives. A version...
Novus winery at night
Wines of the week A breath of fresh air that’s a perfect antidote to holiday immoderation. Labelled Nasiakos [sic] Mantinia in the US. From...
Sunny garden at Blue Farm
Don't quote me Jet lag, a bad cold, but somehow an awful lot of good wine was enjoyed. This diary is a double...
Alder's most memorable wines of 2025
Tasting articles Pleasure – and meaning – in the glass. In reflecting on a year of tasting, I am fascinated by what...
view of Lazzarito and the Alps in the background
Tasting articles For background details on this vintage see Barolo 2022 – vintage report. Above, the Lazzarito vineyard with the Alps in...
View of Serralunha d'Alba
Inside information A pleasant surprise, showing more nuance and complexity than initially expected. Above, a view of Serralunga d’Alba. 2022 is widely...
View from Smith Madrone on Spring Mountain
Free for all Demand, and prices, are falling. A version of this article is published by the Financial Times. Above, the view from...
Wine inspiration delivered directly to your inbox, weekly
Our weekly newsletter is free for all
By subscribing you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.