NO AGE STATEMENT WHISKIES ARE ALL THE RAGE

Shanken Daily News just posted a very interesting article on the decreasing number of whisky brands launching products with age statements, and in comparison making more products without sub-branded names such as:

Talisker Storm
Mortlach Rare Old
Macallan Ruby
Macallan Rare Cask
Kilkerran Work in Progress 5
Laphroaig Select
Bowmore Small Batch
Glenmorangie’s Private Edition Companta
The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso

Aberlour A'Bunadh No Age Statement

Aberlour A’Bunadh
Anchor's Revival
Anchor’s Glenrothes Select Reserve

Apparently consumers want more choices and therefore brands are proposing more choices than 'age statements'.

This is an interesting trend which has a direct relation with how one can envision the cognac drinkers to look at VS, VSOP and XO. Should cognac makers in contrast go into 'age statements' or go into sub-branding with mentions such as 'Grand reserve' etc.?

With more competition, more regulations and lesser stocks Scotch Whisky in particular is starting to feel the problems cognac makers have been faced with.

Source: ShankenDailyNews.com