Thursday 22nd July 2010

Whisky Bravo: Force India's F1-inspired tipple

Team sponsor creates special blends for Force India F1 drivers

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Wondered why Force India drivers Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi only finished in 8th and 11th places in the British GP the other weekend? Well, neither did we, actually - it was a respectable finish and indicative of the teams current form.

But if the Force India drivers do seem a little off the pace over the next few races, it might just be the fault of team sponsors Whyte & Mackay whisky. Master blender Richard Paterson has created three blends specifically for the Force India drivers - one for each of the racers and one for Scottish test driver Paul Di Resta.

So if you've ever wondered what an F1 driver would taste like if turned into a whisky (and we know you have), you're finally about to find out, and in Mr Paterson's own words:

"I met Paul Di Resta at the press conference to announce his involvement with the team and I was lucky to spend some time with him afterwards in my sample room," says Richard. "Having got to know him I have created a whisky that is a little shy at first on the nose but behind the shyness there is a full bodied explosion brought about by the highland malts I have used in this blend, giving it great strength and backbone."

Good stuff, but what about Mr Sutil? "Adrian is clearly a strong willed and meticulous character who carefully plans his races to the last detail. However his skills as a concert pianist (did not know that - Riggers) demonstrate another less well known side. That of the artist; creative, dramatic, passionate.

"Instantly I was drawn to his bold character and for this blend I have selected whiskies as old as 25 years from the four distilling regions of Scotland.
Although this blend has a great complexity to it, a great harmony prevails with beautiful mellow flavours coming through to reward the palate.

And finally Liuzzi: "For Vitantonio I have created something which reflects his lively Italian personality and celebrates his first full season in the race seat. This blend is not one for sipping and savouring but is one for pure enjoyment and pleasure with the rest of the team.

"Needing single malts with a little extra vibrancy, I called upon a great selection from Islay and Jura which were intricately woven together to allow the peat smoke to harmonise."

So now you know. Barman? Another double Liuzzi on the rocks, please...

[ellisd82]

Crazy - wonder if they will be selling this stuff down at my local ASDA lol. like my whisky so would de worth a try.

[havoc]

Does anyone else wish they'd sponsored Ferrari so we could have got a description of a Fernando Alonso whisky?!?

[Jolly]

If you like your whisky then I'd avoid Whyte and Mackay like the plague...

[Mermaid]

Whyte & Mackay and Force India F1 team are both owned by Vijay Mallya AFAIK.

[Dangermouse78]

I wonder if Johnny Walker will do the same for Jenson & Lewis......

[V8 GMS]

incidentally, I wonder what a whiskey blended to represent Eddie Jordon would be like?

[Furyblade_Lee]

I'd love to taste them but whiskey generally makes me gag. And hit people. Maybe I have tried the "Schumacher" blend then?

[Curry Burns]

Jolly said:

If you like your whisky then I'd avoid Whyte and Mackay like the plague...

Whyte & Mackay is perfectly acceptable, I prefer it to Grouse personally, as an every day whisky. You can't drink malts every day...you'd be poor

[don logan]

V8 GMS said:

incidentally, I wonder what a whiskey blended to represent Eddie Jordon would be like?

That would make "WIGSKEY" wouldn`t it?

[Curry Burns]

Dangermouse78 said:

I wonder if Johnny Walker will do the same for Jenson & Lewis......

Don't know if they have, but there was a special edition bottle of the Black Label. All done in a fancy plastic case. Still got one on the shelf.....would be nice to drink it

[matt1269]

Hmm interesting...

*Awaits comments of Lefty 200 Drams*

[Emubiker]

Either im psycic (spelling?) or this really is week old news. Im pretty sure it was even on yahoo's homepage.

[A Scotsman]

Mermaid said:

Whyte & Mackay and Force India F1 team are both owned by Vijay Mallya AFAIK.

Which sadly means none of their sponsorship money finds its way into Scottish motor racing even though Whyte and Mackay trade on their "Scottishness".

[SR06]

Furyblade_Lee said:

I'd love to taste them but whiskey generally makes me gag. And hit people. Maybe I have tried the "Schumacher" blend then?

[Papa Hotel]

Never trust a whiskey that spells it wrongly.

[Curry Burns]

Papa Hotel said:

Never trust a whiskey that spells it wrongly.

?

[Alfa numeric]

havoc said:

Does anyone else wish they'd sponsored Ferrari so we could have got a description of a Fernando Alonso whisky?!?

I think that would be quite bitter!

[Paul 8v]

havoc said:

Does anyone else wish they'd sponsored Ferrari so we could have got a description of a Fernando Alonso whisky?!?

It would mostly be made of tears where he's always whinging about something!
I think this is a great idea, Force India seem like quite a fun team

[chickensoup]

Papa Hotel said:

Never trust a whiskey that spells it wrongly.

Most call it Scotch to make sure they dont get rubbish

[Agent Orange]

Richard Paterson said:

"Needing single malts with a little extra vibrancy, I called upon a great selection from Islay and Jura which were intricately woven together to allow the peat smoke to harmonise."

Christ lord no!!!!!! Islay with Jura?!?!

Islay - beautiful whisky and easily my favourite by a long chalk
Jura - quite possibly the most disgusting available bar maybe Glenmorangie