The World's First Non-Alcoholic Whiskey

What the hell? That cannot possibly taste good.

The boys at Bruichladdich must have laughed themselves sick when they heard of this.

Not that really is dumb. Dumber even than alcohol free beer. Any spirit is going to be at least 35% alcohol so that will contribute greatly to the taste. Then there's the fact that whisky is matured in oak barrels and a lot of the flavour comes from the barrel, in particular the action of a strong alcoholic spirit acting upon the barrels. How the hell are they going to synthesise that?

you narrow minded people.
this could be a blessing to a recovering alcoholic. its not the drink thats incredibly stupid, but your inability to consider the suffering of alcoholics.

Some non-alcoholic beers are good. The alcohol burn is a big part of the whiskey taste but that's no all there is too it. It has caramel, vanilla, wood, and char flavors. You could hypothetically evaporate the alcohol off and still end up with something good tasting. This stuff is apparently synthetic with no distilled mash involved, though.

It's no a stupid idea than bacon-like food made from tempeh, soy milk, and non-meat gelatin. All these things are popular and good tasting.

It would be nice to have a shot of whiskey in my coffee right now and still be able to drive.

oops, typo - "no more a stupid idea than..."

I seriously doubt a non-alcoholic whiskey is going to do an alcoholic any good...no buzz no appeal...it's not like they're addicted to the flavor...

What's next, stimulant-free cocaine, for those who want to snort white powder without the effects of the drug?

Exactly Raf.

I think I can get into this. I like whiskey straight, but I can't drink as much as I want because of the alcohol content. This may be a solution: A whiskey cocktail using this as the mixer.

One of the biggest hurdles recovering alcoholics face is that they don't fit in in social situations anymore. They feel awkward around drinkers and are tempted to either become hermits or start drinking again.

This could be a big boon to some of them. More power to them.

Those who think it's stupid are reminded that they are not obligated to buy it.

I have wanted a non-alcoholic rum for years...I absolutely love the taste, but not the alcohol part of it...it would be fantastic if they could do that next, I'd definitely buy it.

Bunch of simpletons in here...how could you not understand there's a market for this?

It's not that I think it's stupid. I could see using it in cooking, for instance.

I just suspect that it will taste terrible.

Gellner: Look in your grocery store's spice aisle. You can probably find a rum extract next to the vanilla extract.

@Gellner lets just see how many stores are selling this this time next year shall we? If there's demand they all will, but I suspect you'll be hard pushed to find it anywhere outside countries with strict anti-alcohol laws.

Yes, sounds like an idea that will not work and non-alcohol brews really do lack the specific flavor of a real beer and particularly the variety of microbrew styles. But I do agree with MadMolecule about the social situation dilemma for one who recognizes their drinking problem but can't figure out how to handle a "party" situation. But I really do like a bubbling and refreshing scotch and soda and the flavor of it without the sweetness of most other drinks as well as weighing the lack of a buzz v. the addition of a hangover the next day as well as the extra caloric intake of sodas and even non-alcohol beers. I would be willing to give it a try and hope for the best or at least best as possible as at least there is a basic profile for the flavor of scotch though as a once devoted single malt drinker I know there are many variances there too.

I don't drink much or often and I've never had a problem with drinking soft drinks at a party or in a pub or restaurant. The only people I can think of who would feel uncomfortable doing so would be men* who feel they must be perceived as "manly" in any situation. You're either manly (whatever that means) or not, drinking alcohol is not going to change that. I suppose these people could be victims of the sort of archaic advertising that promotes the likes of drinking an smoking as macho pastimes.

*Yes I am a man for those who would assume that these comments must come from a woman.

There's an Australian product called "Claytons" - the drink you have when you're not having a drink. I think it was pretty big in the 70's & 80's and as far as I know it's still available but I've never tried it. I always thought it was a non-alcoholic Whiskey - but I'm not certain about that.

Well, I can see a recovering alcoholic going into a bar and drinking this and having it be a trigger. Then going on a full scale bender, ruining their life. just sayin'.

Although, just reminded that, while pregnant, I would sometimes crave whisky. So I would go to Molloy Bros. for a huge plate of fish and chips and then have the bartender let me sniff the whisky in the bottle. Also, discovered that old fashioned root beer barrell candies smell and taste a little like cheap whiskey so that would scratch the itch a little bit. So I guess I can see an application where this might be usefull...maybe. It really depends on the taste.

So who gets to keep all the alcohol that they take out of it?

@harleycowboy it's a nice idea, but it's a synthesized whisky flavoured drink rather than whisky with the alcohol removed. Which is why it will probabl taste nothing like whisky.

I've been trying to get my hands on some to give it a try, but so far no luck. I've never tasted alcohol free "beer" that tastes anything like beer, so I don't hold out much hope. Although I am willing to be surprised.

You can find it in the aisle next to orgasm-less sex.

most "blended" whiskey (of the plastic bottle variety) are nothing more than synthetic flavor packets added to ethanol(cheap vodka).. i suspect that this tastes like the typical well whiskeys used in most bars for mixing.. only without the cheap ethanol taste..

this could be used as an extender for whiskey to make low alcohol mixed drinks.. or as a whiskey substitute in a mixed drink, with the alcohol coming from a strong vodka.. there are uses for it..

but, this is directed specifically towards Halal consumers..

they could have done a better job on the labeling/marketing and the name..

@tg13 whiskey is specifically a product of Ireland. I know of no such drink that comes in a plactic bottle, nor do I know of any that is not true blended whiskey. There is certainly no whiskey (ie made in Ireland) or scotch whisky (ie made in scotland) that is made in the way you suggest. Can you provide any evidence that such a drink exists? If it ain't whiskey or scotch whisky then it's just a grain spirit.