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{{Short description|Brand of blended Scotch whisky}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox beverage
| name = Black Dog Scotch Whisky
| image = [[File:Black Dog Scotch Whisky Logo.jpg|Black Dog Scotch Whisky Logo|300px]]
| caption = Black Dog Scotch Whisky brand logo
| type = [[Scotch whisky]]
| abv = 42.8%
| manufacturer = [[United Spirits Ltd]] (USL)<br>([[Diageo]])
| origin = [[Scotland]] (bottled in [[India]])
| introduced = 1883
| discontinued =
| colour = Amber<ref name="unitedspirits1">{{Cite web |title=Scotch whisky - Black Dog, Dalmore, Jura, Whyte & Mackay |url=http://unitedspirits.in/scotch-brands.aspx?val=usl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002717/http://unitedspirits.in/scotch-brands.aspx?val=usl |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Unitedspirits.in}}</ref>
| flavour =
| ingredients =
| variants = {{ubl|Black Dog Black Reserve|Black Dog Gold Reserve Aged 12 Years|Black Dog Reserve Aged 18 Years|Black Dog Quintessence Aged 21 Years}}
| related = {{unbulleted list|[[100 Pipers]]|[[Blenders Pride]]|[[Imperial Blue (whisky)|Imperial Blue]]|[[Royal Stag]]}}
| website = [http://unitedspirits.in/scotch-brands.aspx?val=usl unitedspirits.in/scotch-brands.aspx]
}}

'''Black Dog''' is a brand of [[Blended whiskey|blended]] [[Scotch whisky]] produced by the [[India|Indian]] beverage company [[United Spirits|United Spirits Limited]] (USL), a subsidiary of [[Diageo]].

The Black Dog was first blended and bottled in Scotland in 1883 by James MacKinlay but since 1992 is bottled and marketed in India.<ref name=":0" /> The whiskies used in the blend come from [[Scotland]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=5 January 2008 |title=United Spirits unveils limited edition of Black Dog |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/mam/headlines/y2k8/jan/janmam17.php |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Indiantelevision.com}}</ref>

In 2013, Black Dog was reported to be the world's fastest growing Scotch whisky by volume, according to International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dhamija |first=Anshul |title=Black Dog is world's fastest growing scotch |work=Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Black-Dog-is-worlds-fastest-growing-scotch/articleshow/25669983.cms?intenttarget=no |access-date=13 November 2013}}</ref>

Black Dog is bottled in Parmori District [[Nasik]] in [[Maharashtra]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=United Spirits begins bottling of Scotch whisky in India |work=The Economic Times |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-01-07/news/27650460_1_united-spirits-whisky-bottling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222040337/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-01-07/news/27650460_1_united-spirits-whisky-bottling |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=7 January 2009}}</ref> by importing the undiluted [[distilled beverage|spirits]] from Scotland, a strategy that avoids the import duties imposed on liquor imports to India that are bottled prior to import.<ref name="Live2013">{{Cite web |last=Unnikrishnan |first=C.H. |date=2 June 2008 |title=UB Group to launch local version of Whyte and Mackay |url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/roKqYXvOy4GgKwBHEDxDJN/UB-Group-to-launch-local-version-of-Whyte-and-Mackay.html |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Livemint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 May 2008 |title=USL uses Black Dog to expand scotch biz |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/USL-uses-Black-Dog-to-expand-scotch-biz/308032 |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Financialexpress.com}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2004/04/24/stories/2004042402380600.htm |title=Allied Domecq eyes 20% growth in India |newspaper=[[Business Line]] |date=24 April 2004 |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref> ([[Tariff|Import duties]] may be as high as 150% for liquor bottled prior to import, but only about 30% when [[Bottle|bottled]] in India.<ref name="Live2013" />).

The brand's main competitors in India outside of the United Spirits family are [[100 Pipers]] Blended Scotch owned by [[Pernod Ricard]] and an expression from the Teachers' family, Teacher's 50, a premium 12-year-old Scotch whisky, blended and matured in Scotland but bottled in India starting August 1997 to celebrate India's 50 years of [[Indian independence movement|independence]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Whisky |url=http://www.teacherswhisky.com/our-whisky |website=Teacher's Whisky}}{{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> owned by [[Suntory Global Spirits]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 10 imported scotch whiskies under Rs. 2000 |url=http://viralcholic.com/foodie/top-10-imported-scotch-whiskies-under-rs-2000/}}</ref>

== History ==
The Black Dog brand was first blended and bottled in Scotland in 1883 by James MacKinlay, a second-generation blender of the Leith-based family of Scotland<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2012 |title=Book Extract: Shackleton's Whisky Chapter 3 - Malt Maturing |url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/book-extract-shackletons-whisky-chapter-3-malt-maturing-ca-132719 |website=NBR |access-date=20 February 2017 |archive-date=21 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221005948/https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/book-extract-shackletons-whisky-chapter-3-malt-maturing-ca-132719 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to meet an order placed by [[Herbert Musgrave Phipson]], owner of Phipson & Co. Wine Merchants from Bombay (now Mumbai), India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/documents/Evacustes/PHIPSON%20Edward%20A%20(Family).htm|title=Edward Phipson|access-date=11 November 2021|archive-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233725/http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/documents/Evacustes/PHIPSON%20Edward%20A%20(Family).htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/1999-05/0927403064|title=RootsWeb: INDIA-L Re: Bombay Firm|date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227232821/http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/1999-05/0927403064|archive-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> He was assisted in this task by [[Walter Samuel Millard]] (1864–1952), a 19-year-old British employee of Phipson- who was responsible for dispatching the consignment back to India- arriving in 1884. The brand was named Millard Black Dog and legend has it that he named it after his favourite [[Artificial fly|salmon fishing fly]], known as the Black Dog.<ref name="indiatimes1">{{Cite news |date=4 July 2013 |title=Scottish bites and vintage sips |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food/food-festivals/Scottish-bites-and-vintage-sips/articleshow/20912180.cms |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728053158/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-04/food-festivals/40370233_1_scotland-sandeep-arora-hotel |archive-date=28 July 2013}}</ref> There is no proof or evidence to this effect, or that Millard, a 19-year-old employee of Herbert Phipson had a brand of Scotch Whisky named after him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2017 |title={{title case|NOEL ON WHISKY: THE INTRIGUING HISTORY OF THE BLACK DOG SCOTCH WHISKY 1883 TILL DATE}} |url=https://noelonwhisky.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-intriguing-history-of-black-dog_10.html}}</ref>

McDowell & Co (now known as USL) and [[United Distillers]] formed United Distillers India Limited in 1992, creating India's first joint venture in the [[Alcoholic beverage|alcoholic beverages industry]].<ref name="UDIL">{{Cite web |title=Group Information - History of McDowell |url=http://theubgroup.com/group_information.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206135034/http://theubgroup.com/group_information.aspx |archive-date=6 December 2013 |access-date=15 October 2013 |website=theubgroup.com}}</ref> It began bottling operations in [[Nashik]] to produce Black Dog for the Indian market.<ref name="UDIL" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Balfour |first=Frederik |date=10 April 1995 |title=Alcohol Catches on in India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/10/news/10iht-pubcon.ttt.html |website=New York Times}}</ref>

In April 2004, it was reported in the media that USL (then named McDowell & Co) was planning to sell Black Dog in [[Pakistan]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Thailand]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sehgal |first=Arshdeep |date=15 June 2004 |title=Mallya raises a toast for Samjhauta |publisher=Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-06-15/news/27415823_1_ub-spirits-cask-rum-ub-group |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721123303/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-06-15/news/27415823_1_ub-spirits-cask-rum-ub-group |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 July 2013 |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref> Black Dog had been sold in Pakistan during the [[British Raj]], prior to the [[Partition of India]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2004 |title=Indian brand Black Dog whisky in Sri Lanka, Pakistan |work=Daily Mirror |url=http://archives.dailymirror.lk/2004/04/09/ft/15.asp |url-status=dead |access-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012052428/http://archives.dailymirror.lk/2004/04/09/ft/15.asp |archive-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> In October the same year, it was reported that McDowell & Co was negotiating with a company in Pakistan to manufacture Black Dog. According to Vijay Rekhi, then managing director of McDowell & Co, and then President of the UB Group's spirits division, "It will only be a small set-up as just three per cent of the Pakistani population is permitted alcohol consumption. But we are looking at the opportunity as we are trying to widen our footprints in the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation|SAARC]] region." Rekhi also stated that bottling was already underway in Sri Lanka and the company was looking to expand to [[Bangladesh]], [[Malaysia]] and [[Myanmar]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 October 2004 |title=McDowell plans foray into Pakistan |work=[[Business Standard]] |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/mcdowell-plans-foray-into-pakistan-104101101030_1.html |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2004 |title=McDowell plans foray into Pakistan |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2004/oct/11mcdowell.htm |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Inhome.rediff.com}}</ref> Even that small percentage (mainly tourists, expatriates, Parsees, Christians and non-Muslims), is discouraged from consuming alcohol during the Muslim month of Ramadan. Consumption of liquor by Muslims was banned by the Bhutto Govt in Pakistan in the mid-70s. <ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2011 |title=Guide To Drinking and Buying Alcohol in Pakistan |url=https://matadornetwork.com/nights/guide-to-drinking-and-buying-alcohol-in-pakistan/ |access-date=17 February 2023 |publisher=matadornetwork.com}}</ref>

2006, McDowell & Co Limited, Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers and Vintners Private Limited, Baramati Grape Industries India Limited, Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited and four other companies are merged to form United Spirits Limited.<ref name="ambrosiaindia1">{{cite journal |date=April 2011 |title=UB Group supplement with April 2011 issue |url=http://www.ambrosiaindia.com/2011/april/ub-groups.pdf |url-status=dead |publisher=Ambrosia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003020055/http://www.ambrosiaindia.com/2011/april/ub-groups.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2018 |access-date=27 July 2013}}</ref>

== Blends ==
[[File:Black Dog Centenary whisky bottle.jpg|thumb|Bottle of Black Dog Centenary]]
Black Dog is available in five variations:
* Black Dog Black Reserve – Earlier known as Black Dog Centenary, it is an eight-year-old Scotch whisky. It was launched in New Delhi in September 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.niravthakker.com/2014/05/black-dog-and-new-triple-gold-reserve.html|title=Black Dog and the new Triple Gold Reserve|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010513/http://www.niravthakker.com/2014/05/black-dog-and-new-triple-gold-reserve.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Black Dog Gold Reserve Aged 12 Years – Earlier known as Black Dog Deluxe.<ref name="sommelierindia1">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2012 |title=USL launches "Black Dog" 21 Year Old |url=http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/08/usl_launches_black_dog_21_year.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012022928/http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/08/usl_launches_black_dog_21_year.html |archive-date=12 October 2013 |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Sommelierindia.com}}</ref> It was the first variant of Black Dog.
* Black Dog Quintessence Aged 21 Years – This version includes 25 single malts and grain whiskies, primarily from the Speyside Valley in Scotland. It is a limited edition of which only 3,540 bottles have been produced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2012 |title=USL launches "Black Dog" 21 Year Old |url=http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/08/usl_launches_black_dog_21_year.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012022928/http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2012/08/usl_launches_black_dog_21_year.html |archive-date=12 October 2013 |access-date=12 October 2013 |website=Sommelier India Wine Magazine}}</ref> The blend was rated gold at The Internationaler Spirituosen Wettbewerb 2013.<ref name="isw">{{Cite web |title=ISW Gewinner 2013 |url=https://www.meiningers-weinsuche.com/de/isw-gewinner-2013%20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012035837/https://www.meiningers-weinsuche.com/de/isw-gewinner-2013 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |access-date=10 October 2013}}</ref>
* Black Dog Reserve Aged 18 Years – This is a blend of aged malt and grain whiskies, aged for a minimum of 18 years in oak casks. It was launched in April 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2011 |title=Luxury Scotch hits a new high with The Black Dog 18 Year Old |url=http://www.indiaprline.com/2011/04/20/luxury-scotch-hits-a-new-high-with-the-black-dog-18-year-old/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426040219/http://www.indiaprline.com/2011/04/20/luxury-scotch-hits-a-new-high-with-the-black-dog-18-year-old/ |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Indiaprline.com}}</ref> It received the Gold Best in Class Award in the Scotch Whisky – Deluxe Blend – Aged 18 Years category at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2011,<ref name="iswc">{{Cite web |title=2011 Results - IWSC.NET |url=http://www.iwsc.net/search2010/wine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012015851/http://www.iwsc.net/search2010/wine |archive-date=12 October 2013 |access-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> and was rated gold at the Internationaler Spirituosen Wettbewerb 2013.<ref name="isw" />
* Black Dog Millard’s Private Reserve 14YO – A blend of 14-year-old single malts, with new citrus flavours, hints of vanilla and lightly toasted oak, reportedly with the addition of single malts from Linkwood distillery as well as the two additional years of maturation adding to its distinctive aromas and taste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2021|title=Diageo India adds Black Dog Millard's Private Reserve 14YO to the shelves |url=https://www.traveldine.com/diageo-india-adds-black-dog-millards-private-reserve-14yo-to-the-shelves/ | access-date=17 February 2023 |publisher= traveldine.com }}</ref>

== Timeline ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Events
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|1883
|Black Dog Scotch Whisky founded in Scotland
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|1992
|Black Dog started to be bottled and marketed in India
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|1995
|Black Dog Aged 12 years incorporates a new packaging design
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|2006
|{{ubl
|Launch of the Black Dog Centenary Blended Scotch Whisky
|Black Dog Deluxe Aged 12 Years incorporates a new packaging design
|Black Dog Aged 12 Years is rated Gold at Monde Selection 2006}}
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|2010
|Black Dog Reserve Aged 18 Years Blended Scotch Whisky is launched
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|2011
|Gold Best in Class Award in the Scotch Whisky Deluxe Blend – 18-year-old category at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2011
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|2012
|Black Dog Quintessence Aged 21 Years Blended Scotch Whisky is launched
|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|2013
|{{ubl
|Black Dog Centenary Aged & Rare is renamed as The Black Dog Centenary Black Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky
|Black Dog Deluxe Aged 12 Years is renamed as The Black Dog Deluxe Gold Reserve Aged 12 Years Blended Scotch Whisky
|Black Dog Reserve Aged 18 Years & Black Dog Quintessence Aged 21 Years is rated Gold at ISW 2013}}

|-
!style="background:#b0c4de;"|2021
|Black Dog Millard’s Private Reserve 14YO is launched
|}

== Accolades ==
The Black Dog range of Scotch Whiskies have won gold medals at several spirits competitions including The Monde Selection in 2006 and the World Spirits Awards in 2011 for the Black Dog Aged 12 Years and the Monde Selection, World Spirits Awards, and the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2011 for the Black Dog Aged 18 Years.<ref name="iswc" /> The Black Dog Reserve Aged 18 Years and the Black Dog Quintessence Aged 21 Years also won gold at Internationaler Spirituosen Wettbewerb 2013.<ref name="isw" />

== Marketing ==
USL has used [[jazz]] events as a platform to promote Black Dog in India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2010 |title=USL aiming for growth in premium space |work=[[Business Standard]] |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/usl-aiming-for-growth-in-premium-space-110042600065_1.html |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref> A Black Dog "Jazz Incident" was held in [[Mumbai]] on 22 February 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2008 |title=Black Dog 'Jazz Incident' present Curtis King in Mumbai |url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news-releases/black-dog-jazz-incident-present-curtis-king-mumbai |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Radioandmusic.com}}</ref> A concert featuring The Curtis King Band, was part of "The Black Dog Jazz Series", a series of [[Jazz|jazz concerts]] in India. The band also performed at Black Dog "Jazz Incident" held in [[Gurgaon]], Haryana on 28 February 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2008 |title=Black Dog 'Jazz Incident' presents Curtis King in Gurgaon |url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/index.html?id=30715_Black+Dog+%27Jazz+Incident%27+presents+Curtis+King+in+Gurgaon |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=afaqs! |archive-date=12 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012013222/http://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/index.html?id=30715_Black+Dog+%27Jazz+Incident%27+presents+Curtis+King+in+Gurgaon |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2008, as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Black Dog, the company held a 10-city concert tour by Stephen Kabakos, beginning in [[Delhi]] on 8 May. The concert also included shows in [[Kolkata]], [[Guwahati]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Mysore]], [[Bangalore]], Goa and [[Pune]].<ref name="hindu1">{{Cite web |date=4 May 2008 |title=United Spirits plans nation-wide marketing campaign |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200805041862.htm |access-date=21 July 2013 |publisher=Hindu.com |archive-date=12 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012034256/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200805041862.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Westin Hotels|Westin]] [[Gurgaon]], New Delhi threw a celebration dinner to celebrate Black Dog's 130th anniversary in 2013.<ref name="indiatimes1" />
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Dog Easy Evenings |url=http://www.facebook.com/blackdogeasyevenings |publisher=Facebook}} (account login required for access)</ref>

==In popular culture==
*In the 1988 [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Shahenshah (1988 film)|Shahenshah]]'', [[Amrish Puri]], playing a [[Boss (crime)|don]] named JK, orders Black Dog whisky while watching a [[Women in dance|female dancer]] perform an "[[item number]]". The noted villain Prem Chopra asks him why he favours the brand, to which he replies "''Jab bhi mein [[Gora (racial epithet)|gori]] haseeno ko dekhta hoon, mere dil me kale kutte bhaukne lagte hain. Tab mein Black Dog whisky peeta hoon''." (When I see fair-skinned beauties, black dogs bark in my heart. And then I drink Black Dog whisky.)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malik |first=Ashok |date=13 January 2005 |title=Hail Mogambo! |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/62559/ |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref>
*The origin of the name Black Dog is referenced in the 2006 novel ''A Twisted Cue'' by Rohit Handa. The novel's main character Mulkally, likes perpetuating colonial myths and stories, one of which concerned the origin of the label Black Dog. Mulkally claims that the whisky was specially blended and bottled for the [[Bengal Club]] in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] – hence "''Kala Kutta''" (Black Dog in [[Hindi]]) for Calcutta. However, Mulkally knows that Black Dog was actually named after a [[Artificial fly|salmon fly]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Handa |first=Rohit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CdU73LV-ONQC&q=black+dog+whisky&pg=PA201 |title=A Twisted Cue |date=9 November 2003 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=9788175300491 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{portalbar|Liquor}}
{{Alcoholic drinks}}
{{United Spirits}}
[[Category:Diageo brands]]
[[Category:United Spirits brands]]
[[Category:Whisky brands]]

Black Dog (whisky) - Revision history

StarCkf91771: Created a entry.