[MM-MALTS-L] Re: What drives price?

[Mike Davis]

I am always a bit skeptical of some independent bottlings.  There was a time
when distilleries were hurting for cash and sold some casks.  Today, that is
not so much the case.  I have purchased a couple of older (1995) bottlings
from Cadenhead that were NOT worth the price paid.  On the other hand, some
were, and certainly some independent bottlings are quite unique and very
interesting.  But why, other than cash flow, would a distiller sell a good
cask rather than keep it in stock for blending?  Presumably they know what
blending character they want to produce, so it doesn't make much sense that
they would deviate from their standard character and then sell the excess to
an independent.  I also understand that, with the current resurgence in SM
that independent casks are getting harder to buy.

Mike Davis
mldavis2 AT sbcglobal DOT net
http://www.pbase.com/mldavis2/