'Scotch is to savour and share'

Q&A: Richard C Patterson

Master blender Richard C Patterson makes a few suggestions to Gargi Gupta as to which of the single malts and blends will go down well with the Indian palate.

A whisky-drinking event at 12 in the afternoon. A little too early, wouldn't you say?

On the weekend, I had a presentation at 9 am at Baden-Baden...so you can get drunk anytime. But seriously, the best time to drink whisky is late in the evening.

Have you tried Indian whiskies? What do you think of them?

They're alright. To my mind, they are a beginning, great stepping stones. Also, they're at a price level to suit many people in India.

Which of the Scotches do you think will go down well with the Indian palate?

Blended whiskies in general. As for single malts, from the Whye & Mackay stable, there's the 10- and 16-year old Jura, and Superstition, which is light, easy, soft, caramelly and great to start with.

There's also the 30- and 40-year old Jura, but we'll be getting them here later. At around £500 or Rs 4 lakh a bottle, the 40-year-old Jura is expensive. Dalmore is for the more evolved drinkers.

What about the other premium heritage single-malt brands like Tamnavulin and Fettercairn. Aren't they coming to India?

Jura and Dalmore will be the mainstay of Whyte & Mackay's single malts in India. Besides, these two brands are currently in the process of being re-packaged.

Indians are great whisky drinkers "" but do they drink it right? Indeed, is there a right way to have your whisky?

Scotch whisky is for sipping, savouring, relaxing, sharing...not to be had in a hurry, not to be knocked down. My message to Indians would be to have it the right way, pour it in a glass, add a little water to bring down the alcohol-level to between 35 and 38 per cent, so it loses its bite.

Hold it, rolling it around the tongue...middle, underneath, underneath, middle....then let it go down...so you get a sense of the combination of flavours. It took 13 years to age, you should give it at least 13 seconds.

What's your personal view of the acquisition by United Breweries? Is it for the good?

Definitely. It gives Whyte & Mackay a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the fast-growing markets in Asia.