Chronicles Of The Vault Biennale: #2 Listening To The Whisky Master Ewan Gunn
It takes a true connoisseur to appreciate the subtle differences and hints that make a good whisky.
And for that reason, Diageo Global Whisky Master Ewan Gunn recently flew down to India for the Vault Biennale.
The exclusive event showcased a wide range of whiskies from every corner of the world along with stellar workshops.
Amidst this blissful, whisky soaked environment, we got a chance to catch up with Mr Gunn and ask him about the growing love of whisky in India.
Here's why he was really excited about India's enthusiastic acceptance of whisky!
What do you think about the whisky revolution in India?
I think its pretty exciting. India has always been a fan of scotch whiskies. People are looking at embracing different expressions of single malt, for example new expressions of Johnnie Walker – Double Black.
Johnnie Walker’s White Walker created quite a buzz in the country! What do you think is the main reason?
Whisky fans are excited for it, Game Of Thrones fans are excited for it, making it something like a crossover!
Does this help a brand to move forward in a country that might not be acquainted with Scotch in general?
I think it does. It helps the brand to pop up in a culture where it might not have been in historically. And I think as long as there’s a genuine story to tell, people engage with it really, really well. In that case, JW White Walker has the perfect synergy that’s gelled nicely. The liquid is incredible, the package is beautiful, and everything just works together.
When things like that happen, it exposes Scotch whisky to new consumers. So, it’s not just great for Johnnie Walker, its great for Scotch as a category.
Are there any new whiskies that we should look forward to? Heard there’s a new range of Game Of Thrones edition single malt whiskies has just been launched.
We just launched it in Europe last week, there are eight in total, and it’s a really great story. There are seven bottles representing the seven noble houses of Westeros and the eighth is an Oban which is a beautiful black bottle. And again, it opens up single malt to people who maybe were a little interested but never really tried one. Now they would get a bottle and experience it too.
Pretty much everyone in the world has heard of Johnnie Walker, but that doesn’t mean everyone has tried it. They might not know if it’s a single malt even a Scotch, even though there’s an awareness of the names. I think there’s a variety of ways we can introduce it to that audience. Firstly, some of the partnerships that we do, expose us to that kind of an audience, and I think one of the really great ways of getting Scotch into peoples’ hands is something like the Diageo Reserve World Class competition because that involves creating great drinks using Scotch.
Give someone who’s never had a Scotch whisky a Talisker with 40% ABV, it could be a big step for them. But if you give them a beautifully made Old Fashioned or a Johnnie Ginger and suddenly, you’re making Scotch a little bit more accessible.
We agree. Especially with a drink like Johnnie Ginger.
A lot of people have this perception that cocktails are not something that you can make at home, but there are these simple ones like Johnnie Ginger, which is as simple as mixing two things together.
Any other cocktails that you think that are really simple to make at home?
An old fashioned is a classic cocktail which is really easy. All you need is your Scotch, sugar and some bitters which you can even make yourself, with ingredients that are readily available. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate experience in order to make a really good tasting drink at home. Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Get a jam jar with a lid! Can’t find a bar spoon? Get a chop stick.
We also see a lot of Indian mixologists approaching World Class to show their skills.
I believe the numbers are going up every year. It means that people aren’t looking at World Class as too difficult to try for, where its not only about winning but about elevating bartenders across the world and honing their skills.
Where does it take place this year?
This year, it happens in Scotland. And I’m really looking forward to it.
How does World Class is give young talents a platform to take up bartending as a profession?
Think of chefs, and you look at them becoming celebrities in their own right. They are admired and I don’t see why bartenders who are just as creative shouldn’t be viewed in the same light. The best bartenders in the world are now having a heavy active presence on social media just as the best chefs are, and rightly so. And it’s a great space for them to showcase new ideas, new innovations, and also highlight their craft.
On that note, how did you decide that this was your calling?
I’ve always loved travelling. Even as a kid, when my friends went to Disneyland, we went to Norway. But this gave me a real appreciation of different food, different cultures, and maybe the want to see the world which made me pursue a job that involved travelling. And when I discovered Scotch, I wanted to learn more and more about it enough to look for a job that involved both whisky and travelling! Basically, talking about something I love, learning more and more about it in the process, and travelling as well became my dream job.
What do you think lies ahead in the future for India when it comes to whisky?
I think people here are receptive to new ideas and always on the lookout for innovation, so be ready to see lots of extensions of existing brands. Who knows what’s next? We shall all wait and see!
With India opening up to new and fine whiskies, experts like Ewan Gunn have a lot to look forward to in the future and presumably, will keep dropping by and joining us for a drink now and again!
