Uffe Ellemann passed away in 2022 - honor his memory
When did your interest in the golden drink, whisky, begin?
It began during my time in the army, after graduating from high school: I served as a sergeant at a NATO headquarters, where my boss - an old American master sergeant - was an inveterate whiskey drinker. However, he preferred Bourbon or Canadian Club, so I got off to a bit of a rocky start... But things picked up when, as a lieutenant, I was on maneuvers with British field artillery, where they drank the noble Scotch.
Your joy and enthusiasm for Scotch whisky is the reason your Border Terrier is called Oscar Laphroaig?
Of course. Because Laphroaig had over the years become my absolute favorite brand.
Have you visited the distillery Laphroaig on the island Islay?
Unfortunately not, although I am the proud owner of a square foot of land on the island ? Islay.
But you have been to Scotland? In an official capacity? To fish for salmon? Hunting? Visited distilleries?
I've been to Scotland many times. The first time was when I was 12 years old on a school exchange. We didn't taste whisky then, but I got a taste for nature and the special way of pronouncing English... Since then I've been there in all sorts of capacities. Several times on salmon fishing trips, where I especially cherish the memory of a fishing trip on Deveron in the 90s, where I caught a salmon that was deemed worthy of mention in "Trout & Salmon" - and on unforgettable vacation trips, where Alice and I once took the entire drive along the north coast from Cape Wrath to John O*Groats... We repeated that trip a few years ago, where I took the opportunity for a little fishing in the absolute north. - In connection with the EC Summit in Edinburgh in December 1992, I visited the Scottish Whisky Association in Leith, and here I tasted strong stuff: Their malts were numbered and accompanied by colorful descriptions - and I remember one in particular from Islay, which was over 50 percent and where the taste was described as "oilskin after a long day at sea with kippers and seaweed". Very accurate description.
You also enjoy a good pipe tobacco, is it in the company of good whiskey?
Unfortunately, I have had to take a smoking break, but otherwise the pipe and "a wee dram" was an excellent mix...
Do you have anything other than Laphroaig in your liquor cabinet?
Of course. Many different malts - and then some Jack Daniels and Wild Turkey and a couple of good Irish whiskeys.
Besides enjoying Laphroaig; is there a favorite dram at the moment?
I like the clear French fruit brandies
Does your wife Alice also like whisky?
No - she prefers Poire William
In your long political career, have you ever "closed" a deal with a good dram afterwards? No - but I have known cultured hosts to serve a good malt with a small jug of water on the side. For example, Mrs Thatcher did this at 10 Downing Street, where Schlüter and I were in connection with a presidency - and where The the Iron Lady let us taste her favorite malt.
From an article in Jyllands Posten: More and more people have started enjoying the alcoholic beverage in recent years. As whisky has become a status symbol in the world's booming economies, sales have soared and last year Scotland exported £4 billion worth of whisky.
"Scotch whisky has resonated with consumers from Boston to Beijing. We expect this success to continue, particularly in high growth markets," says Paul Walsh.
Would you like to comment on this?
Naturally. Because while there are excellent whiskies being made around the world - for example in Japan - nothing beats the real stuff from the Highlands.
