PERNOD-A- GO-GO! Loch Fyne Whiskies is proud to feature, for the third boss running, the head of malt distilling for the industry leader, UDV. Previously we have interviewed Alan Rutherford of UD and Ronnie Martin of DCL. That all three have been head of the same group of distilleries but with different owners reflects the condition of commerce in Britain at this time. Our talk with Mr. Hutton highlights his attention to efficiency, but with an overriding consistent quality proviso. Both are essential for commercial survival but quality and variety of character are the particular desire of the readers of Scotch Whisky Review. At present Federal and European Commissions are considering the disposal of Seagram’s alcohol enterprise. As it stands, a joint bid from the parents of UDV and Campbell Distillers has won with a £5.5 billion deal. The Chivas group, Seagram’s principal Scotch interest, will go to Pernod Ricard (the parent of Campbell) for their £2.1bn contribution. The Chivas deal rockets Pernod from ‘small fry’ with three malt distilleries (Aberlour, Edradour & Glenallachie) to Scotland’s distilling number two owning twelve. Furthermore, Scotch will become the biggest sector of the Pernod group. LFW has yet to be impressed with Pernod (to be at least polite); evidence is that of volume over style, growth over attention, failing particularly in understanding customer expectations for single malts. The list of distilleries from Seagram includes many, if not lemons, at least sour-plooms. Glen Keith and Benriach are recent official bottling casualties, so what chance the automated Allt à Bhainne, Braeval, or Caperdonich? When reviewing their new and daunting portfolio Pernod will look to establish focus. Aberlour, Glenlivet and Glen Grant are secure, but what of the quality and potential of Longmorn and Strathisla and how about making bottlings of all their assets available—such as UDV do.