Premature Death Notice: Johannes van den Heuvel

[Capn Jimbo]

Certainly you've heard of the Malt Maniacs?!


If you haven't you're not really serious. So let's start with a link to the Trilogy of Malt Madness, Malt Maniacs and Whiskyfun.com (by Serge. Along with Ralfy (who is well acquainted with all of them), these are the true, independent geniuses of all things whisky (and even a little rum).

Here's the (link).

For those of you who do know, Johannes van den Heuvel was and remains a true treasure. The Trilogy of sites is a tour de force, compared to the pitiful efforts of the presumptuous and often petty rum sites, The Rum Project included. I bow to Johannes, but sadly...


Johannes has exited!


However, as Mark Twain once said, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.". Johannes lives but has retired for good reasons best ennumerated by himself (link). Now over the years, I have had the great pleasure - honor, really - to have engaged in a number of deep exchanges, mostly to discuss the ever sadder state of mega-corporate devolvement of spirits toward the lowest common denominator.

Many astute connoisseurs have already noted that many of their fine old spirits aren't really the same anymore. But that's another subject. For now...

Johannes, we love you and are deeply appreciative of your amazing body of work. I don't know for sure, but I have the sneaking suspicion we haven't heard the last of you. We'll pray for that, but in the meanwhile may the wind always be at your back...