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Richard Paterson
Scotch, But Never On The Rocks! Richard Paterson was in Bombay, persuading people to drink Scotch Whisky, which shouldn't be too difficult in a city where almost every suited man wants to drink scotch! A true blue Scotsman,  he is Master Blender at Whyte & Mackay, and lives in Glasgow. "Whisky has been my life since the age of eight," he smiles. "It runs in my blood. At eight my father handed me a glass of whisky and asked me to try it. I was daunted. He said, first smell it and tell me what you think. I did that and confessed, I don't know. I got a tight slap! He said, “Son, you are not thinking - now, get your nose in there and tell me, is it as heavy as your granddad, as light as your mother, or as sweet as your chocobar?"He adds, "You see, with a Scotch you need to open up. A whiskey is a lot like life, it reflects life. The way in India you have a culture of tea, in Scotland we have a culture of whisky!" Paterson is the third generation of a family that has been associated with the whisky industry. His grandfather was a whisky blender and broker, as was his father. They produced a blend called Paterson's Best. The young Richard often accompanied his father to Stockwell Bond in Glasgow, where he had his first experiences of 'nosing' whisky. "It seemed totally natural that I should be interested in whisky blending, and learning to 'nose' at such an early age gave me a head start over most other blenders," he beams. After leaving school he decided to get a job in the whisky industry. So, at 17 he decided to step out of his father's shadow and joined another firm, A Gillies and Co. It was a small company that gave him hand-on experience in production, blending and bottling. So, what are the essential ingredients of a good Blended Scotch like Whyte & Mackay? Paterson explains, "The wood used for the casks is very important. You have got to give a good whiskey some good wood. I think American White Oak gives it real beauty. Of course, the malt is very important too." What he also stresses upon is whisky etiquette. "Never knock your glass back," he warns. "The best way to drink Scotch is to pour some out in a Copita glass and add a splash of water such that it is diluted to 35 per cent - which means roughly
He adds for effect, "Always be patient with your whisky and enjoy it slowly. And never add ice or soda." Can one eat with it? Sure, he smiles. "Scotch is very complex so it goes well with more complex food, especially Indian food like biryanis or curries or even tandoori dishes that are well blended and balanced with spice and texture. In Scotland, we generally opt for lamb, beef or smoked salmon with our Scotch, and sometimes have the traditional Haggis, which is great!" Paterson reveals that Whyte & Mackay globally owns several premium brands. Among Single Malts there's Jura, The Dalmore, Tamnavulin and Fettercairn. In the Blended Scotches there is, of course, Whyte & Mackay, Claymore, John Barr and Mackinlays. Then there is Glayva and Vladivar. He reveals with pride that among the most expensive whiskys he has sold is the 62-year-old Dalmore, which is going at Rs. 35 lakh a bottle. "Dr. Vijay Mallya has it," he says, "and there are just about 12 bottles left - but they are all sold out!" Who would want to buy something at Rs. 35 lakh a bottle? Paterson concedes, "The sort of people who buy very expensive paintings or antiques." So, has he tasted a peg, perhaps, out of the Rs. 35 lakh a bottle Dalmore? "Yes," he gloats, "and it is sensational. You just have to leave it on your tongue and feel the explosion!" Well, you can take his word for it. Richard Paterson is no ordinary connoisseur. In 1994 he created a special blend to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Scotch Whiskey, which won 'The Spirit of Scotland Trophy' at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. And he is a 'Keeper of the Quaich' an exclusive society set up to recognise those who contribute to the promotion of the Scotch Whiskey industry. So, when he says no ice or soda with your Scotch, he hopes you're listening! RICHARD PATERSON INTERVIEWED BY shernaaz engineer AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY PRASHANT WAGHELA, AT TAJ PRESIDENT, BOMBAY. |
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