What makes for an exceptional whisky?

James Mackay, head of rare and collectable spirits for Diageo, on the characteristics of the world’s best whiskies

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(Image credit: Gary Morrisroe)

Collecting and enjoying whisky is a very subjective pastime. While connoisseurs agree that some whiskies are great and others are not, arguments about which are which, and why, will go on forever - very much to the enjoyment of all concerned.

During my 25 years working in the wine and spirits industry, however, I have observed some common threads, or principles which are helpful to consider when asking whether a whisky is truly exceptional

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