> I'd say that's simply not true, at least for my "enthusiast" circles. 40% whiskies are becoming increasingly rare in those groups.
Go into pretty much any supermarket (certainly in the UK) and 40% ABV is universal strength. But you're right, in enthusiast groups 46% ABV is the norm, however you're in a minority of whisky drinkers.
The bulk of Scotch whisky production, both single malt and blended, is aimed at filling supermarket shelves because that's where the highest volumes of sales and profit come from. These products are not aimed at enthusiasts.
I'd recommend this fella if you fancy listening to a decent rant or two about the state of the Scotch whisky industry:
Go into pretty much any supermarket (certainly in the UK) and 40% ABV is universal strength. But you're right, in enthusiast groups 46% ABV is the norm, however you're in a minority of whisky drinkers.
The bulk of Scotch whisky production, both single malt and blended, is aimed at filling supermarket shelves because that's where the highest volumes of sales and profit come from. These products are not aimed at enthusiasts.
I'd recommend this fella if you fancy listening to a decent rant or two about the state of the Scotch whisky industry:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ralfystuff/videos