Balvenie Founder's Reserve 10 year...

[Iolaus]

Is the blasphemy because it is not brewed/made in Scotland?

RJI, still figuring this whiskey thing out...

Partly that it's a single malt, made in the scotch tradition, yet not made in Scotland (or at least a country with Scot connections), but also that I even have it in the first place!

In my own defense, I wouldn't have even given a Japanese whisky a second glance, had I just seen it on the shelf; in this case, however, I actually went looking for it because of a favorable review in, I think, Whisky Magazine.

It was worth looking for.

[MacMullen]

Partly that it's a single malt, made in the scotch tradition, yet not made in Scotland (or at least a country with Scot connections), but also that I even have it in the first place!

In my own defense, I wouldn't have even given a Japanese whisky a second glance, had I just seen it on the shelf; in this case, however, I actually went looking for it because of a favorable review in, I think, Whisky Magazine.

It was worth looking for.

Actually, there is a Scottish connection to Japan. Not genetically, but in attitude. I read somewhere (maybe on X Marks?) that the kilt has become very popular in Japan. Interest in the kilt seems to foster interest in all things Scottish.

Before I even knew of the Scottish connection in my ancestory, I was a big fan of single malt Scotch. In fact, it's the only whisky that I care for at all. I can drink one glass of American bourbon or Canadian whisky, but I can stomach Scotch very well. Scotch led me to brew Scotch Ale, which led me to the surprise in my heritage, which led me to kilts.

My kilt is made in America in the Scottish tradition. I have no problem with Japanese single malt distilled in the Scottish tradition.

Would Japanese Single Malt be considered an Islay? ;)