What He Wrote, and How! – Beaumont Drinks

Back in my office after a lovely, warm week in the sun, I was contemplating what to write as a year-end post when I came across this missive from my friend and publisher, John Hansell.

December 26th, 2010

What does John know, really?

John Hansell

Well, to be honest, I know that I’m not a great whisky writer. I read stuff by Michael Jackson (may he rest in peace), Jim Murray, Dave Broom, and more like them in Malt Advocate magazine and they just amaze me. They, are great whisky writers.

I also know that I can’t describe whiskies as eloquently and colorfully as the best ones. (I refer you to the names above once again. They are all brilliant at what they do.)

I’m not crazy about this blog’s name, “What Does John Know?” because it comes across as sounding egotistical–to the point where I am becoming increasingly embarrassed by it. Don’t be surprised if you see it changed sometime soon. It’s really just the Malt Advocate magazine blog, and I am only one part of a great team of people. (But most of you knew that already.)

I feel that I am just a passionate whisky enthusiast, like many of you. The only difference is that I started this great journey thirty years ago, so maybe I just got a head start? That forced me to blaze some trails (and I have the scars to prove it). If I have made your whisky journey more pleasant and easier to navigate, then this is much more than I have ever envisioned and I am a better person for it.

(Read the rest of John’s terrific post by clicking any of this text, and if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to his feed. You won’t be sorry you did.)

Contradicting his own claim that he is not a great whisky writer, John neatly sums up what is or should be in the heart of every writer on whisky, beer, wine or any other beverage. And so, with great thanks and unapologetic larceny, I will take his words as my own and leave you with this thought for the year: