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155 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Whisky from the cask - In the Warehouse with Woodrow's of Edinburgh
6 november 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
We were invited along to have a look around at the Woodrow's of Edinburgh warehouse with Pals of the Pod Woody and Megan. Lees meer
It's always nice to get an invited into a bonded warehouse and last night we were treated to some great drams straight from the cask.
We were also sampling some whisky which will be our next Exclusive Whisky Stories Bottling!!
Woody and Megan were great hosts and as always gave us great chat and quality drams.
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Arthur Motley: Buying, selling and talking about whisky
30 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 44 min
Arthur has been in the whisky industry for over 20 years. He's been the buyer of Scotch Malt Whisky Society and then worked his way up to Managing Director of Royal Mile Whiskies. Lees meer
There's not a cask that Arthur has bought that he doesn't remember.
He's been involved in buying and selling some incredible whiskies throughout his career.
Being part of the growth of the SMWS and Royal Mile Whiskies has made him one of the most influential people within the Scotch Whisky Industry. He was responsible for what RMW would buy and how they would sell it.
He also loves talking about the history of whisky and some of the myths that surround it. He has a YouTube Channel with Dave Broom called The Liquid Antiquarian.
There's a lot of good whisky industry chat in this one.
Enjoy!
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Dougal Gordon: The William Grant & Great, Great, Great, Grandson's Story
23 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 48 min
Dougal Gordon is the Brand Ambassador to Scotland for one of the best selling brands in the world, Glenfiddich. But he's also the 6th generation of the Grant Family to work in the business. Lees meer
This is an episode I've been trying to make happen, and it was worth the wait.
In this episode, we get the full family history, stories of how Glenfiddich moved into becoming the top selling single malt all over the world, building distilleries against time lines and sponsoring F1 teams.
Plus Dougal was very kind not to come along empty handed as well!
Pour a dram and enjoy this cracker!
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The Sam Barbour Experience: The Whisky Stories Wrestling Federation - The Real McCoy
16 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 26 min
We’ve never had a wrestler on the podcast before. Lees meer
I didn’t think there were many connections between whisky and wrestling. Until I met Sam Barbour a few weeks ago who explained that he is a sales exec for La Martiniquaise who own Glen Moray and Cutty Sark.
We’re HUGE fans of Glen Moray on the podcast.
And have talked a lot about the distillery, the variety of different cask releases and the quality of whisky and price.
So when we got Sam on, we thought it would be a great opportunity to talk about Cutty Sark as well as his alter wrestling ego - SBX.
He flogs whisky through the day and wrestles in the evening.
Sam is a wrestler who takes part in special wrestling events throughout Scotland. And he’s invited us along to his up coming charity wrestling night ‘WrestleMonia!’ Which is rising money for Movember.
Angus might even put his favourite leotard on for this one!
The fact that we can seamlessly talk about wrestling and whisky shows just how far this podcast has come over the last 100 episodes.
Sam also brought in snacks and we got a sneak peak and taste of the soon to be released Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit Calvados Cask.
A lot of fun recording this one.
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ONE HUNDRED EPISODES: Fighting bears with whisky, top drams and plans for the future
9 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 51 min
This was the big one for us. Episode 100! Lees meer
It's crazy to think that we've been doing this for so long already, but we made it to a century of podcast episodes.
Angus, Ross and I were back in Diggers in the cellar drinking drams and chatting nonsense.
We had some cracking whisky on this weeks episode which included some American Single Cask Single Malt as well as sampled of the new 2025 Ardnamerica Release.
Ross brought some goodies as well to celebrate the big occasion.
We answered listener questions as well which ranged from what whisky we would use to fight off a bear to our best and worst whisky we've had since starting the pod.
Another cracking night chatting about whisky and enjoying some good drams.
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Indy Bottler Spotlight: Gordon & MacPhail - A wild night in Diggers
2 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 41 min
This was a cracking night. Lees meer
We were joined by Pal of the Pod Fraser Souness who was taking us through a 6 dram G&M lineup.
Recorded in front of a 'live studio audience' in Diggers, we had special guest appearances from listener Launce Morgan and his 'current wife' Sandra.
Big Cameron Ewen was also in the audience with his whisky lad Ross Barr.
Drams on the night:
🥃 Distillery Label Glenburgie 25
🥃 CC Craigellachie 2009 - UK exclusive
🥃 CC Benriach 1999
🥃 Upcoming CC Glenturret 2007 cask sample
🥃 Distillery Label Ardmore 2000
🥃 CC Upper Balblair 1993
Well done to Fraser for putting on a great lineup and giving us some great whisky chat and stories.
Thanks to everyone who came along.
Enjoy
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Dalmore, Darts & Dram Challenges: A Trip to the Lomond and Clyde Festival
25 september 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
This week, we were back out and about and heading west! We haven't ventured too far west in the two years of the podcast, so we decided to jump on a train to Helensburgh for the Lomond and Clyde Whisky Festival. Lees meer
But instead of just rocking up with a lanyard and enjoying some drams, we decided to team up with the Collector Club Competitions lads, John and Scott, to do some giveaways of our own.
So, we packed our dartboard and wheel of fortune and came up with some challenges for people to try and win some whisky!
The good news is that nothing got broken and no one got injured! This episode has a bit of everything: we recorded our first-ever podcast on the train through and back, we caught up with Glen from Whyte and Mackay who chatted about Dalmore and Fettercairn, and we got a sit-down dram with Marcos from Brave New Spirits.
A lot was going on in this episode, but it's well worth a listen and was a load of fun to record.
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Malt Masters at Glengoyne: Blending whisky with Jake Adcook
18 september 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
We were back out and about for this episode on our Ian Macleod big day out. Lees meer
Not only were we given full access to the distillery and taken on our own tour with Gordon Dundas, we were also treated to The Malt Master Experience and hosted by good Pal of the Pod Jake Adcook.
Jake is part of the blending team for Ian Macleod Distillers, which means he knows a thing or two about how to blend Glengoyne.
He talked us through his processes of blending whisky while we had a go at blending our very own versions of Glengoyne.
We put our efforts to the test had to select our own favourites blind.
Who do you think would be the best Master Blender of the Whisky Stories Podcast?
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Hoose Drams with Mark Thomson: Glenfiddich Stories, Industry Trends & The Lost Key
11 september 2025 · 1 uur 37 min
Hoose Drams with Mark Thomson! Lees meer
This is the first time we've ever recorded in someone's house before!
When Angus and I saw Mark Thomson had put his house on the market, we were desperate to get in for a wee look around. So we turned up with a camera, a couple of mics, and some drams.
This one was a lot of fun. Mark reflected on his career, which has taken him from working in female fashion, Cafe Mambo in Ibiza (didn't know that about him), working as a Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich, and an Independent Bottler.
Mark's got some great stories, but he also gave us a great insight into the whisky industry and the challenges that brands are facing. We spoke about the importance of a Brand Ambassador and what's involved in working for a major brand like Glenfiddich.
The episode covers it all, including:
Delivering training sessions in Nigeria
Whisky industry trends
Comparing the value of new distilleries and the older originals
How to break into the Glenfiddich Blending Room
It's just three people sitting in a kitchen, enjoying drams and having some whisky chat. We brought along the Tomatin 6 year old virgin oak distillery hand-fill, the Glen Moray House Distillery Exclusive, and my bottle of Lindores Abbey. Mark, in turn, opened up his new bottle of Tomatin 18.
There's so much in this episode to enjoy. Sit back, pour a dram, and enjoy!
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Gordon Dundas: Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank, Laggan Bay and Una - Ft Jake Adcook
4 september 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
Get 15% off the following tours and experiences: Lees meer
Rosebank Reawakening £25 before discount
Rosebank Discovered £50 before discount
Rosebank Rekindled £95 before discount
The Residency: Tamdhu Whisky Maker £110 before discount
Use discount code: WSP15
As part of Whisky Stories x Rosebank, we got a chance to sit down with Gordon Dundas - Brand Development and Advocacy Director at Ian Macleod Distillers.
Gordon is responsible for all of the brands under the IMD umbrella which includes Rosebank, Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Lagan Bay and Una. As well as Edinburgh Gin and the blended brands like Isle of Skye.
We recorded this in the Rosebank Distillery just after our amazing access all areas tour and enjoyed drinking a Glengoyne 18, Tamdhu Distillery Exclusive Hand Fill and a Rosebank 32.
Gordon talked us through his career in whisky from the Whisky Magazine to working in Taiwan as a brand ambassador.
He's travelled the world talking about whisky and gave us a great insight into the plans ahead for the new Islay laggan Bay Distillery as well as the history of Rosebank.
Jake Adcook also joined us to talk us through the whiskies and production which was a great insight.
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Whisky Debate: Fantasy Distilleries, coolest whisky and the return of Scapa 16
28 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 27 min
This episode is a packed-out catch-up filled with incredible news and a whole lot of chat. We're back in our spiritual home at The Diggers and have some major news to share right at the start! Lees meer
We've secured an exclusive 15% discount for our listeners on tours at the revived Rosebank Distillery. We break down just how good a deal this is, especially with a dram of the 32-year-old Rosebank on offer!
In the episode, we also dive into:
The highly anticipated return of Scapa 16 Year Old and whether it lives up to its legendary reputation.
A lively debate on what makes a distillery "cool," with arguments for Springbank, InchDairnie, and the Thompson Brothers.
A blind tasting of a Mystery Malt from Batch 2! Can we guess what's in the bottle?
A fun fantasy about what our own independent bottling company would be and which distillery we'd approach for casks.
The craziest cask finishes we can imagine, from Irn-Bru to Buckfast.
This is a fun, off-the-cuff episode filled with plenty of laughs and even more great whisky.
Get 15% off your Rosebank tour with code: WSP15
You can also check out our visit to the distillery here:
Rosebank Distillery Tour - A Day with Ian Macleod Distillers
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Whisky Maker: Distilling, Blending & Global Whisky with Craig Johnstone
21 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
This is a cracker of an episode, I don't think we've had anyone on who's done as much as Craig has done in his career. Lees meer
From starting out cleaning toilets at the Glenkinchie Distillery to blending The Famous Grouse and working with Macallan, he's travelled the world and collected some amazing whisky stories on the way.
Craig took us on an incredible journey, sharing stories that prove just how global the whisky industry is. We followed his path from a tour guide at Glenkinchie to working in sales in Canada and even living in Dubai. He also talked about his time as a distiller at the Lark Distillery in Tasmania, where he got to create some truly unique whiskies, like a Christmas Cake Cask!
We talked about his work on both sides of the coin, from the incredible attention to detail that goes into every bottle of The Macallan to the surprising process behind a global brand like Famous Grouse.
We learnt so much and we've left plenty of chat in the tank for a second episode further down the line.
There's also plenty of chat about:
We were back in our spiritual home at The Diggers and had a fascinating chat with Craig Johnstone, a man whose career has taken him all over the world in whisky.
Craig took us on an incredible journey, sharing stories that prove just how global the whisky industry is. We followed his path from a tour guide at Glenkinchie to working in sales in Canada and even living in Dubai. He also talked about his time as a distiller at the famous Lark Distillery in Tasmania, where he got to create some truly unique whiskies, like a cask finished in a beer barrel!
But the real insight came when he told us about his time at Edrington, where he worked as a master blender and whisky maker. We talked about his work on both sides of the coin, from the incredible attention to detail that goes into every bottle of The Macallan to the surprising process behind a global brand like Famous Grouse. It’s a completely new look at how these iconic whiskies are made,…
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Thompson Brothers Live: Indie Bottler Spotlight, Dornoch Whisky & The Mystery Malt
14 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 44 min
This week we recorded our Indy Bottler Spotlight with the Thompson Bros in front of a live audience packed into The False Widow in Leith. Lees meer
We tasted an incredible lineup of whiskies, including their "accidental blend" Blended Scotch Whisky 6 Year Old and a bargain North British 33 Year Old grain whisky.
Join us as we uncover the fascinating Dornoch whisky journey, from the Dornoch Castle Hotel to the progress on their new Struie distillery. We also get the full story behind their unique labels and the hugely popular Mystery Malt series.
This episode is packed with great Scottish whisky chat, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of laughs.
Featured Drams:
Thompson Brothers Blended Scotch Whisky 6 Year Old
Glen Scotia 11 Year Old
North British 33 Year Old
Dornoch Distillery Single Cask Sample
Mystery Malt Series (Torabhaig and Altmore)
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In the Warehouse with James Zorab - The Lowland Bond
7 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
This is the one we’ve all been waiting for, folks! The warehouse episode. We’ve finally got a proper peek behind the scenes and what a place to start. We're not down in the Diggers Vaults this week; we are in a massive room full of casks and the gentle, intoxicating aroma of whisky. The magic really does happen in here! Lees meer
Join me and Angus as we go to the Lowland Bond, home of the tallest cask racking in Europe. Seriously. Our host, James Zorab, and his right-hand man, Chuck, gave us an exclusive tour, and we even went up to the top of the racking system. My fear of heights was well and truly tested, but the view—and the aromas—from up there were absolutely worth it.
We delved into the art and science of maturation, from the different types of racking systems to the consistent inconsistencies that make every cask unique. We'll be talking about the new rules for cask ownership, what a 'Wooga' is, and how James and his team handle everything from re-racking to the five-day sample turnaround promise that makes them feel like the "seventh emergency service."
You'll hear Chuck reveal what it’s like to handle liquid history, including a 1990 Littlemill. We also get the lowdown on the mysterious 'timing' of casks, which involves some seriously impressive teamwork from the warehouse crew.
Plus, stick around for our guests’ "What Three Casks" and a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast and joined our Facebook group. We’re on a high, and the only way is up!
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Carl Crafts: Ardnamurchan, Indy Bottling & American Dreams!
31 juli 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
We're back in the Diggers Vaults at the Athletic Arms, battling the heat (it's roasting!) and diving into a proper global whisky adventure! This week, Angus and I were joined by the brilliant Carl Crafts, Sales Executive for Ardnamurchan Distillery and Adelphi. Lees meer
Carl, our first American guest, tells us all about his fascinating journey into the whisky world, from craft beer in the US to helping Scottish brands navigate the wild west of American exports. We're massive fans of Ardnamurchan Whisky here, and Carl gives us the inside scoop on this remote Highland gem.
We dive deep into Ardnamurchan Single Malt, discussing their unique approach with both peated and unpeated spirit, and their commitment to sustainability with a biomass boiler. We also get the lowdown on Adelphi, the independent bottler with a wild history – including a legendary washback explosion in Glasgow!
And of course, we're dramming some absolute crackers! Carl pours us the unreleased Ardnamurchan Midgie Batch 2 (with port influence and a sneaky sherry butt!), a tasty new core range expression. We also get into the nitty-gritty of their single cask whisky releases and how they balance broader appeal with limited editions, including their annual Ardnamerica bottling.
To round off a cracking chat, Carl reveals his fascinating What3Drams picks, sharing personal favourites that shaped his journey in whisky. This episode is packed with Carl's expert insights, plenty of laughs, and a deep dive into the unique world of Ardnamurchan Single Malt and Adelphi
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Indian Whiskies, Japanese Drams & Whisky Wonders!
24 juli 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
We're back in the Diggers Vaults at the Athletic Arms, sweating it out (it's roasting!) and diving into a proper global whisky adventure! Lees meer
This week, Angus, Ross, Fraser, and I are catching up after our whirlwind travels, and I've brought back some rather unique souvenirs for us to try.
First up, we're tackling Indian whiskies! I'll share some insights from my recent trip to Mumbai for a wild blind tasting experience with the Single Malt Amateur Club.
We try some of India's biggest selling brands – Royal Stag, Blender's Pride, and 100 Pipers – and let's just say, the results are... interesting.
Some surprises in there, especially when it comes to the "Scotch" element!
Then, Fraser unveils a true unicorn: a super rare Japanese whisky from Fuji Gotemba Distillery – the mysterious Dunbar! This one has a bizarre story and some even more bizarre tasting notes (urinal cakes, anyone?!).
We also get Fraser's take on his new gig at Gordon & MacPhail, following up on our last chat with Stephen Rankin.
He gives us the lowdown on life inside one of the world's most historic independent bottlers and how their incredible whisky portfolio stretches from affordable drams to absolute treasures.
Plus, we talk about Rosebank Distillery's incredible Tamdhu residency and the unique blending experience there. And stick around for a hilarious debate on the "Seven Wonders of the Whisky World" and whether a distillery tour is better during production or shutdown.
Finally, we unveil the utterly mind-blowing Gordon & MacPhail Driver's Pack drams that Stephen Rankin generously sent us – a line-up of truly world-class, aged whiskies we'll be showcasing in a separate video!
It's just another Friday night in the pub with lots of drams, plenty of laughs, surprising whiskies, and the occasional whisky chat you won't hear anywhere else. Don't miss it!
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🥃 Gordon & MacPhail: From Grocers to Whisky Bottling Legends! 🥃
17 juli 2025 · 1 uur 36 min
Join Angus and I as we roll into Elgin for the final leg of our Speyside whisky road trip – and boy, have we got a corker of an episode for you! We managed to corner Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail, the legendary independent bottler and a total powerhouse in the Scotch whisky industry. Lees meer
This chat's a right laugh, folks. We dig into the incredible Gordon & MacPhail family business story, kicking off way back in 1895 when they were, believe it or not, just a local grocer. Stephen spills the beans with some hilarious and fascinating tales about growing up surrounded by whisky (literally!) – from helping his grandad knock down warehouses at Benromach Distillery to navigating the quirks of a multi-generational setup.
We chat about how independent bottling really works, the magic behind whisky maturation, and how Gordon & MacPhail's obsession with quality has kept them at the top of their game for decades. You'll get the inside scoop on their approach to cask management and why building proper whisky industry relationships is absolutely vital. Plus, Stephen drops a few hints about a brand-new release that's about to rewrite the history books – you won't want to miss it!
We'll be sipping on a cracking Glenburgie 1994 from their Connoisseurs Choice range, having a natter about their other distilleries like The Cairn Distillery, and, naturally, rounding it off with Stephen’s personal "What3Drams" picks.
If you're a fan of a good single malt whisky, love a genuine family business yarn, and fancy a chuckle, then this episode is well worth a watch (or a listen!).
Don't miss out:
Subscribe to the Whisky Stories Podcast for more cracking whisky content!
Join our Facebook Group for the Weekend Dram Roll Call – get involved and share your drams with the best whisky community around!
Keep an eye on our newsletter for Angus's Dram of the Week and loads more!
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India's Whisky Revolution: Inside the Single Malt Amateur Club
10 juli 2025 · 1 uur 32 min
This week on Whisky Stories, it's a complete change of scenery! Graeme journeyed to India and got the incredible chance to catch up with Hemanth Rao and Harsha Thimmaiah from the Single Malt Amateur Club (SMAC) in Bangalore. Lees meer
Join us as we dive into the fascinating story of how Hemanth, the visionary behind the SMAC, built India's largest whisky club from humble beginnings in 2011 to a massive community of over 7000 members today.
Harsha was the first to join him, and together, they've not only expanded the club but also became India's first 'independent bottler' and a trusted voice for some of the world's biggest whisky brands.
Due to India's strict licensing laws, we set up our recording on a vibrant rooftop terrace in Bangalore, allowing us to freely explore the 6 or 7 whiskies we had on the table!
Hemanth and Harsha offer a brilliant explanation of all things Indian Whisky, from its distilling origins to the potential impact of the new Free Trade Agreement, which will see tariffs on imported Scotch drop significantly from 150% to 75%.
Pour yourself a dram and join us for this unique global whisky adventure!
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From Johnnie Walker to Stauning & Starting Fresh – Ali Reynolds on Whisky, Branding & Bartending
3 juli 2025 · 1 uur 25 min
This week on the pod, we were back in the Diggers Vaults and joined by the brilliant Ali Reynolds—a man with a seriously impressive whisky journey. From award-winning bartender to global brand ambassador, and now running his own creative spirits marketing business, Ali’s got stories for days. Lees meer
After winning World Class Bartender of the Year in 2015, Ali landed a dream role as Brand Ambassador for Johnnie Walker—the world’s biggest Scotch whisky brand. From delivering masterclasses and global training sessions, to helping shape how people engage with whisky, his impact has been huge.
In this episode, we talk about:
🥃 The role Johnnie Walker has played in shaping the Scotch whisky industry
🥃 How Ali made his training sessions stand out from the rest
🥃 His move to Denmark to work with the innovative Stauning Distillery
🥃 Launching his new creative agency, Yellow Hammer, which blends his experience in bartending, brand work, and spirits marketing with his passion for photography and storytelling
Ali also shared some great drams, cracking stories, and had us in stitches more than once. This one was packed with insights, laughs, and a fresh perspective on the whisky industry from the inside out.
Enjoy!
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Whisky Journeys, Global Drams & Magazine Life – with Christopher Coates
26 juni 2025 · 2 uur 7 min
In this week’s episode, we were joined by Christopher Coates, Editor at Large for Whisky Magazine, along with returning guest and co-host Hazel MacLeod (aka Hazy Drams) from Woven Whisky. Lees meer
Christopher took us through his incredible journey into the world of whisky—from an impromptu student tasting led by a German roommate, to working in the shop at the Scotch Whisky Experience, and eventually hitting the road (and the skies) as a full-time whisky writer, editor, and content creator.
From being handed the keys to a car and told to go find whisky stories in the Scottish Highlands, to producing world-class whisky content across print, video, and events, Christopher’s stories are as insightful as they are entertaining.
And, being the gent that he is, he brought along three brilliant whiskies for his What3Drams picks:
🥃 Dram 1: Hellyers Road ‘The Iberian’ – A Tasmanian single malt finished in sherry and port casks
🥃 Dram 2: Fuji Gotemba Single Blended – A beautiful expression from Japan
🥃 Dram 3: Tamdhu 21 – Sherried elegance from Speyside
We also caught up with Hazel on what’s new at Woven, and—of course—got stuck into plenty of top-quality Scotch whisky chat, drams, and storytelling.
It’s a longer episode this week, but trust us—it’s well worth pouring yourself a big one and settling in.
Enjoy
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Whisky Chat, Listener Questions & Fish Supper Drams – Back in The Diggers Vaults
19 juni 2025 · 2 uur 2 min
This week, it was back to just the four of us in the cosy confines of The Diggers Whisky Vaults—mics on, drams poured, and loads of listener questions to get through. Lees meer
After the great feedback from our last group episode, we were buzzing to sit down again for another proper whisky chat.
We kicked things off catching up on life—Ross’s new role, Angus’s holiday stories, and then got stuck into the important stuff:
🥃 Whisky dilemmas
🥃 The one dram we’d drink forever
🥃 Moral questions from listeners
🥃 A fresh round of Play Your Distilleries Right
🥃 And yes… the best whisky to pair with a fish supper
This one was full of laughs, genuine whisky chat, and a brilliant reminder of why we love doing this podcast.
A huge thanks to everyone who sent in questions—we couldn’t get to them all, but we’ll be doing more of these soon!
Enjoy
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Whisky Bars, Feis Ile & Big Night Out Plans – with Sian Buchan & Jane Ross
12 juni 2025 · 1 uur 41 min
This week on the pod, there was no Angus and no Ross, so it was just Chuck and me left to figure things out… luckily, we weren’t alone for long. We were joined by friend of the pod Sian Buchan, owner of Uno Mas, and her pal Jane Ross, who brought the energy, the stories, and the drams. Lees meer
Jane wears many whisky hats—she runs The Powder Room, False Widow, and the legendary Mother Superior Whisky Bar in Leith, and she’s also one half of Whisky & Witches.
She had just returned from Feis Ile 2025 on Islay, where she somehow managed to win bottles of whisky in pinball competitions—that alone is worth tuning in for.
We chatted all about:
🥃 Travelling to Islay
🥃 Launching a whisky bar during Covid
🥃 The origins of Whisky & Witches
🥃 The art of putting on amazing whisky events
We also started dreaming up the Whisky Stories BIG Night Out with Sian and Jane—two people who seriously know how to throw a party with a proper pour.
And yes, after what feels like forever, we FINALLY tried the famous Tomatin 6-Year-Old Virgin Oak… and Chuck asked an important question for our listeners to help out with.
This episode was a proper laugh, full of whisky, banter, and the kind of guests who make this podcast what it is.
Enjoy!
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Mike Brown Returns: Tamdhu, Glengoyne, Smokehead & Too Many Pre-Pod Drams
5 juni 2025 · 1 uur 47 min
This week, we were joined by BIG friend of the pod Mike Brown, Global Brand Ambassador for Ian Macleod Distillers—the team behind Tamdhu, Glengoyne, Rosebank, and Smokehead. Lees meer
This marks Mike’s third appearance on the pod… technically. The first one got deleted (my fault), and this time, I forgot to press record for the first five minutes. That’s what happens when you go for a couple of pre-podcast drams…
Despite the chaos, this episode was packed with incredible whisky chat. Mike spends his time travelling the world, leading tastings and masterclasses for whisky lovers and industry folk alike—and every time he’s on the pod, he comes loaded with samples, stories, and good humour.
This time round, Mike brought some cracking whiskies to share, including a special message and dram drop from fellow podcast guest Jake Adcock.
As always, it was a brilliant, relaxed, whisky-fuelled session with plenty of laughs, brilliant insight, and more than a few drams.
Expect stories from the road, brand talk across Tamdhu, Glengoyne, Rosebank, and Smokehead, and the usual dose of mayhem when Mike’s around.
Enjoy!
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Our FIRST Distillery Spotlight - InchDairnie LIVE from Diggers
29 mei 2025 · 1 uur 36 min
This week on the podcast, we hosted our first-ever LIVE Distillery Spotlight tasting and what a night it was! We were joined by Scott Sneddon (aka the Engineer of Flavour) and Daniel Cunningham from InchDairnie Distillery, as part of our ongoing collaboration with one of the most innovative whisky producers in Scotland. Lees meer
We had a packed room of whisky fans at The Diggers Vaults, all eager to taste the incredible lineup of drams, and they did not disappoint. Scott guided us through five brilliant whiskies, including a couple of exclusive previews and a very special unreleased dram drawn straight from cask the day before the tasting:
🥃 RyeLaw 1st Release
🥃 RyeLaw 2nd Release (not yet released)
🥃 KinGlassie Double Matured
🥃 KinGlassie Raw
🥃 8-Year-Old Unpeated InchDairnie matured in an Amontillado cask – a one-off cask sample shared just for the event
Scott, as always, brought the stories, the science, and plenty of laughs as he explained how InchDairnie are pushing boundaries in whisky production from their use of alternative grains to their focus on flavour innovation and fermentation.
This episode captures the energy of the night, the quality of the whiskies, and the ongoing story of modern Scotch whisky being written in Fife.
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Drams, Fan Mail & Big News: Whisky Stories Unplugged in The Diggers Cellar
22 mei 2025 · 1 uur 52 min
This week on the pod, it was just the lads back in The Diggers Cellar—surrounded by drams, plenty of laughs, and a chance to reflect on what’s been a wild few months for the Whisky Stories podcast. Lees meer
We cracked open a brilliant selection of Scotch whiskies, shared some stories, and—believe it or not—finally opened our fan mail! Over the last few months, we’ve been sent some amazing packages from our incredible listeners, and this was the perfect moment to open them up and say thanks.
We also reached out to our audience for questions, prompts, and chat suggestions—you delivered, and we dove into some cracking conversations, debates, and downright daft moments.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper episode without another round of Play Your Distilleries Right, and we also dropped some BIG breaking news about what’s coming next for Whisky Stories.
No guests, no script—just pure whisky-fuelled chaos, proper laughs, and some brilliant community spirit.
Enjoy!
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Careers in Scotch Whisky: Behind the Scenes at the Scotch Whisky Experience
15 mei 2025 · 2 uur
This week on the podcast, we were invited to record at one of the most iconic whisky destinations in the world—the Scotch Whisky Experience, right at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Lees meer
Ever since Episode 5, we’ve been talking about how many of our guests started their journeys here, and this week we finally got the chance to sit down with the people at the heart of it:
🥃 Susan Morrison, Chief Executive
🥃 Angela Dineen, Operations Director
🥃 Lenka Whyles, Senior Specialist Tours & Tastings Manager
Between them, Susan, Angela, and Lenka have helped shape the careers of countless whisky professionals, while also welcoming and educating hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world about the world of Scotch whisky.
👉 Susan—now a Master of the Quaich—started out as a tour guide on opening day in 1988 and has since worked her way to becoming the CEO.
👉 Angela and Lenka—both Keepers of the Quaich—have helped shape everything from the visitor experience to the sensory storytelling that makes the Scotch Whisky Experience so legendary.
In this episode, we chat about:
Their careers in the Scotch whisky industry
The incredible growth of whisky tourism in Edinburgh
The importance of storytelling, education, and mentorship in whisky
And, of course, their What3Drams
A must-listen for anyone interested in:
✅ Working in the whisky industry
✅ The people behind the scenes of whisky’s biggest attractions
✅ The Scotch Whisky Experience and its role in global whisky culture
✅ Female leadership in whisky
Enjoy!
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Whisky Stories x InchDairnie Distillery: Exclusive First Look at Fife’s Hidden Whisky Powerhouse
8 mei 2025 · 1 uur 39 min
This week’s episode is a huge milestone for us—it marks our first official distillery collaboration: Whisky Stories x InchDairnie Distillery! Lees meer
We were invited to the InchDairnie Distillery in Glenrothes, Fife, for a full behind-the-scenes tour and a fascinating chat with Managing Director Scott Sneddon, who we’ve officially nicknamed the "Engineer of Flavour".
This distillery is closed to the public, so getting exclusive access was a rare treat—and with Chuck on camera, we captured the full all-access experience.
Not only did we get the tour, we were among the first people in the world to sample InchDairnie’s debut Single Malt Scotch Whisky, officially released today, 8th May 2025:
🥃 KinGlassie Double Maturation
🥃 KinGlassie Raw
Both are 8-Year-Old Single Malts, and both blew us away.
InchDairnie is truly one of the most innovative distilleries in Scotland, combining traditional whisky-making with cutting-edge techniques. Alongside their Fife Single Malt Scotch, they’re also producing Rye Whisky and experimenting with a huge variety of grains and yeasts.
In total, nine unique spirit styles are produced at the distillery—an incredible feat for a single site. From peated Fife Single Malt to unexpected mash bills and fermentation styles, InchDairnie is doing things differently… and doing them brilliantly.
These exciting new releases are now available via The Whisky Exchange and Royal Mile Whiskies.
To celebrate the partnership, we’re also hosting our first-ever Distillery Spotlight tasting event at The Diggers Vaults on Friday 23rd May, where you’ll be able to meet Scott Sneddon, hear about the incredible work going on at the distillery, and taste some of their standout whiskies for yourself.
This episode is packed with:
✅ Exclusive access to a closed-to-the-public Scotch whisky distillery
✅ The first taste of a brand-new Fife Single Malt release
✅ Deep dive into innovative whisky production
✅ A huge moment for us here at Whisky Stories
Enjoy!
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Inside Bonnington Distillery: Nicole Leslie on Crabbie’s Whisky, Hidden Edinburgh Gems & Unusual Cask Maturation
1 mei 2025 · 1 uur 51 min
This week on the podcast, we were joined by Nicole Leslie from Halewood Artisanal Spirits for a cracking conversation recorded in The Diggers. Lees meer
Nicole gave us a proper insight into her career in whisky, her work with Halewood, and most importantly, the mysterious Bonnington Distillery—one of Edinburgh’s least talked-about distilleries, largely because it’s closed to the public.
We’ve spoken often about the growing whisky scene in Scotland’s capital, but Bonnington has always felt like a bit of a mystery… until now. Nicole walked us through the distillery’s history, current releases, and how they operate behind the scenes.
Bonnington’s whisky is bottled under both the Bonnington and Crabbie’s brands—John Crabbie being a legendary figure in Edinburgh’s distilling past. It’s a fascinating dual-brand setup that reflects both heritage and modern craft.
Nicole brought along a couple of bottles from each range, and they were very well received indeed.
We also got into a lively chat about maturing whisky in unregulated cask types and the controversy surrounding the Dalry Milk release from Master of Malt.
A brilliant episode shining a light on a hidden distillery, a storied brand, and some of the big conversations happening in whisky today.
Enjoy! 🥃
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Indy Bottler Spotlight LIVE from Leith with Pintail: Sweet Wine Casks & New Pubs
24 april 2025 · 1 uur 42 min
This week’s episode is another LIVE Indy Bottler Spotlight, and for our 7th edition, we were down in Leith with a brilliant crowd and an even better lineup of whisky. Lees meer
We were joined by friend of the pod Simon Smith, representing the Independent Bottler Pintail. Not only did Simon guide us through a delicious lineup of drams, but he also welcomed us into his brand-new pub, The Finch, to record the episode—just hours after getting the keys!
While The Finch isn’t open just yet, we’ve no doubt it’ll become a go-to spot for a proper dram, especially with Simon behind the bar.
Pintail is a fascinating bottler, known for their focus on sweet wine cask finishes, sourcing casks from across Europe and giving their whiskies a unique twist. Simon walked us through the history of wine cask use in Scotch whisky and broke down the five-dram tasting lineup in style.
🥃 Inchgower 16yo Banyuls Cask
🥃 Linkwood 14yo Loupaic Cask
🥃 Tullibardine 10yo Calvados Cask
🥃 Dailuaine 14yo Palo Cortado Sherry Barrel
🥃 Laphroaig 16yo Oloroso Sherry Barel
We were also joined by the always entertaining Launce Morgan and his lovely 'current wife' Sandra, who made the journey up from England for the night.
As always, this Indy Bottler Spotlight was packed with great whisky, proper stories, and plenty of laughs.
Enjoy!
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Global Whisky Adventures with Barley Baxter: Old Pulteney, Speyburn & Stories from Around the World
17 april 2025 · 1 uur 53 min
This week, we were joined by the brilliant Stuart Baxter—aka Barley Baxter—Global Spirits Ambassador for International Beverage, covering iconic Scotch whisky brands like Old Pulteney, Speyburn, Balblair, and anCnoc. Lees meer
Stuart’s whisky journey began with the Chivas Ambassador Programme, and since then, he’s travelled the globe sharing drams and stories. One highlight? His wild time working in India—including that unforgettable night as the only guest in an entire hotel.
We dived into the history of Old Pulteney Distillery, including the wild days of prohibition in Scotland when the distillery was—believe it or not—used as a morgue.
Stuart brought some fantastic whiskies for us to try, including a dram from Speyburn, which only opened its doors to visitors in the last three years. With its drum maltings from 1905—the first distillery to install them—it’s now firmly on my must-visit distillery list.
We were also lucky enough to sample a rare staff-only bottling from Balmenach, and a surprise dram from New Zealand—Cardrona Single Malt Whisky.
And if that wasn’t enough, we even uncovered the bizarre connection between Dr Seuss and a drunken duck in a kilt...
An episode packed with whisky, scotch, distillery stories, global adventures, and big laughs.
Enjoy! 🥃🌍🦆
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Full Access at Tomatin: Scotch from the Cask & Distillery Road Trip Games
10 april 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
This week, we bring you the final episode from our epic Whisky Stories road trip up north—and we’re wrapping it up in style with a private tour of Tomatin Distillery. Lees meer
Located in the heart of the Highlands, Tomatin is a Highland Distillery with a rich history and a reputation for producing some truly exceptional Scotch whisky. We were lucky enough to get access-all-areas, diving deep into the production process, the history of the distillery, and of course… sampling whisky straight from the cask in their oldest warehouse.
Along the way, we kept the fun going with a few of our favourite games—Mystery Distillery and Play Your Distilleries Right—and we also heard the chaotic tale of Chuck’s mad dash to the airport after one too many drams the night before his flight to Japan.
This episode is packed with great laughs, brilliant insight, and some stunning Tomatin whisky. A huge thanks to the team at Tomatin Distillery for the warm welcome and the unforgettable experience.
Enjoy!
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Whisky Stories Grand Tour Dornoch Episode 2 - Dornoch Distillery and HUGE plans
3 april 2025 · 1 uur 41 min
We’re back in Dornoch for Episode 2 of our Highland whisky adventure, and this time, Phil and Simon Thompson gave us the full behind-the-scenes tour of everything they’ve built—and everything that’s still to come. Lees meer
We started at the heart of it all: the Dornoch Distillery, tucked away in the back garden of Dornoch Castle. This tiny distillery—built in an old storage building—is one of the smallest in the world, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character and craftsmanship.
The lads walked us through their whisky-making ethos, from using heritage barley and old-school yeast strains, to how they push their tiny stills to get the character they’re after.
Then it was a short stroll through the town to visit their bonded warehouse, where they store, bottle, and label both their independent releases under Thompson Bros and their own Dornoch Distillery whisky.
We also got a sneak peek into their exciting new project—Mystery Distillery—and we’re already buzzing for what’s to come.
After a quick browse in their bottle shop, we made our way to the site of their next big venture: the future home of the Struie Distillery. Phill and Simon shared the vision behind the build and how whisky fans can get involved through their crowdfunding campaign.
And of course, we wrapped it all up back at the Dornoch Castle bar, enjoying some cracking whiskies... and some seriously questionable opinions about how to eat French pastries.
Another brilliant episode full of whisky, scotch whisky, whisky history, and a look into the future Highland whisky.
Enjoy
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Whisky Stories Grand Tour Dornoch Episode 1 - The Thompson Brothers
27 maart 2025 · 1 uur 25 min
We hit the road for a true Highland whisky adventure as the Whisky Stories Grand Tour to Dornoch begins! Lees meer
Leaving Edinburgh bright and early at 7am, we jumped in the Whisky Wagon and headed north. After a quick stop at Tomatin Distillery (more on that in a future episode!), we made our way to Dornoch to meet the brilliant Phill and Simon Thompson—aka the Thompson Bros.
Phill and Simon welcomed us with open arms for the weekend and gave us the full story behind their incredible journey—from bottling 1930s-era whisky on their parents’ kitchen table, to launching their own line of independent bottlings, building the tiny but mighty Dornoch Distillery, and now planning their bold next step: the brand-new Struie Distillery.
We stayed at the beautiful Dornoch Castle, enjoyed a cracking evening in the cellar with the lads, and were treated to some amazing whiskies and proper Highland hospitality.
This is just Episode 1 of our Dornoch adventure—stay tuned for Part 2 next week, and trust us, you won't want to miss it.
Enjoy! 🥃🏰🔥
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Opening the Case with Justine Hazelhurst - The story behind the infamous Pattison Brothers
20 maart 2025 · 1 uur 47 min
This week, we welcomed back Justine Hazlehurst, co-founder and organiser of the Fife Whisky Festival, to talk about the success of this year’s festival, which took place over three whisky-filled days in March. Lees meer
Our conversation sparked an interesting debate—should Fife become its own independent whisky region in Scotland? With the growing number of Fife whisky distilleries and the success of the Fife Whisky Festival, the idea is certainly worth exploring!
But Justine wasn’t just here to talk about the festival—she’s also just written and published a whisky book, and it’s one that dives deep into one of the most infamous events in Scotch Whisky history: The Pattison Crash of the 1890s.
The Pattison Brothers have made frequent appearances on the podcast, but Justine has uncovered the full, fascinating story in her new book, Opening the Case: Opening The Case: The Affairs of Pattisons' Whisky.
Their shady accounting practices, lavish spending, and African Grey parrots trained to advertise their whisky nearly brought Scotch Whisky to its knees.
This episode is packed with whisky history, Fife Whisky, whisky scandals, and plenty of great chat.
Enjoy! 🥃📖🔥
Where to buy the book -
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HazeyDrams is back to talk about yummy whisky from Woven - Hazel MacLeod
13 maart 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
Hazel MacLeod was the third episode that we recorded back when we were just getting started. At that time, she was working for William Grant & Sons in Business Development. Lees meer
Now she works for Woven Whisky as their Whisky Specialist.
Hazel is so much fun and a great laugh. We recorded this episode in the Whisky Bunker underneath the Athletic Arms and heard all about the cool and exciting things Woven are doing.
The Highball competition sounds like a lot of fun and we would be desperate to get involved in sampling some of the highballs made by the 10 bars taking part in the competition.
We also got a chance to try the new 'spirit' coffee and whisky blend Woven have done in collaboration with Project Coffee.
This episode was a great laugh, full of some good chat and whisky.
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Our FIRST Master Blender Iain Forteath and Brand Ambassador Cameron McPherson - Glencadam & Tom (Jones) in (a) Towel
6 maart 2025 · 1 uur 58 min
What a night we had recording this episode! Lees meer
Iain Forteath and Cameron McPherson had been delivering a training tasting night at the Athletic Arms for the staff so we were able to get a great chat with them after.
And what a chat it was. Iain and Cameron both talked us through their careers and journey's in whisky.
From becoming the youngest Master Blender in whisky at the time, Iain has always had a knack of tasting whisky and talks us through his processes when it comes to identifying flavour.
Cameron has followed the traditional path we have seen with so many guests having started at the Scotch Whisky Experience and forging his own pathway in the Whisky Industry as BA with Angus Dundee Distillers.
This was a lot of fun to record and there were some great Glencadam and Tomintoul drams on offer while we recorded.
Enjoy
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Whisky from the cask in a bonded warehouse with Lady of the Glen - Gregor Hannah
27 februari 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
This was an episode of firsts for us on the Whisky Stories Pod. Lees meer
We had never done an episode in a bonded warehouse, Angus and I had never sampled whisky straight from a cask in a warehouse, and we'd never visited an Indy Bottler before.
But in this episode we ticked off all those boxes and lots more.
Gregor kindly invited us along to his warehouse and bottling plant in Dalgety Bay, Fife to let us learn all about the Independent Bottlers Lady of the Glen.
There is so much going on in this episode, not only are we in a bonded warehouse drinking drams from the cask, we get to hear all about how Gregor got started, how he built the business from just 2 casks to over 400 casks, exporting whisky into international markets and we sampled from the only Solera Cask system in Scotland!
We also got to try their exclusive Fife Whisky Festival bottling which has a very obvious 'spelling error' on the label and heard some great whisky stories.
What a night this was. Enjoy
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Play your Distilleries Right - Missing guests, Tales from Japan and Higher or Lower
20 februari 2025 · 1 uur 32 min
This is a very random episode with just the 3 of us, some drams and back in the tiny room sandwiched nicely between the gents toilets and the bar. Lees meer
Unfortunately, for the first time ever, we had a guest call off last minute for this episode, so we were left to amuse ourselves for this one.
Thankfully Ross has made a full recovery from his death bed and Angus was back from Japan bearing bottle shaped gifts.
We also tested out our new (potentially one episode only) feature 'Play your Distilleries Right' game.
As usual, loads of whisky chat, some great laughs and lovely drams.
Enjoy
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Acting like a barman with Curtis Moran - Guest Co-Hosts Fraser Souness and Chuck Kerr
13 februari 2025 · 1 uur 37 min
This was a wild and very funny episode to record. Lees meer
With Angus out in Japan and Ross on his sick bed, we drafted in the help of friends of the podcast Fraser Souness and Chuck Kerr as co-hosts with our guest Curtis Moran from Scotch Bar in the Balmoral Hotel.
Curtis has nearly had as many jobs as Ross, but it was Ross who told Curtis that he HAD to take the job at Scotch when Ross left.
I was extremely out numbered tonight with Fraser and Curtis both working together at Scotch and Chuck Kerr having worked there previously.
We had so much to chat about as well as just general nonsense you'd expect when we all got together in Diggers with drams and microphones in front of us.
Enjoy
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Indy Bottler Spotlight - George and Rachel from Fragrant Drops
6 februari 2025 · 1 uur 42 min
We always have a great time when George and Rachel Keeble are involved and when there's 6 amazing whiskies to enjoy as well it's even better! Lees meer
This was the first Indy Bottler Spotlight of the year and our 5th ever. It was also the first time we've done one on a Friday night. It was the last night of January which always calls for a celebration in my mind.
George and Rachel took us through an incredible 6 dram lineup from their whisky brand Fragrant Drops and what a lineup it was.
Carsebridge 48yo
Japanese Blend
Glen Grant 21yo
Inchgower 14yo
Linkwood 8yo
Ardmore 14yo
So much fun and loads of great stories, interesting whisky chat and one of the best 'Wanky Tasting Notes' we've had!
Enjoy
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Our FIRST Distillery Tour - Ian Stirling Co-Founder of Port of Leith Distillery
30 januari 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
This was a first for the podcast! Lees meer
Our very own private distillery tour at Port of Leith Distillery with the one of the co-founders Ian Stirling.
Not many people decide to start distilling in their back garden. And fewer people decide to take it from there to opening their very own distillery.
But Ian Stirling and Paddy Fletcher did just that.
This was a fantastic experience getting to walk around one of the few 'vertical distilleries' in the world with the man who was part of coming up with the idea and concept of owning and opening a distillery in Leith.
We learnt so much about the importance of yeast and barley types, fermentation times and the challenges associated with trying to open and run a multi-million pound distillery.
As well as being a fully functional distillery which is producing spirit, Port of Leith Distillery is a very popular visitor centre and we were treated to a behind the scenes, VIP tour as well as enjoying a dram in the Board Room.
A very enjoyable episode to record and Ian was full of great stories and loads of whisky production chat.
Enjoy
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Whisky tasting in the Arctic Circle and creating whisky - Stephen Woodcock and Les Mason
23 januari 2025 · 2 uur 6 min
This was our first episode back in Diggers recording for 2025 and it was great to be back in our spiritual home. Lees meer
We were joined by 2 guests this week - Stephen Woodcock who is Head of Whisky Creation and Stocks for Glen Turner and we had a last minute call up for Les Mason who is founder of the Arctic Whisky Club, and is about to head out to the Arctic on some exciting adventures.
Stephen has had an incredible journey and career in whisky. Starting off as a chemist with no real inclination for a dram, he found himself managing a cooperage site for Diageo and from there began an amazing journey which has taken him to working in some amazing distilleries and being part of some very big and significant projects.
Stephen is now working with Glen Turner which is best known for owning Glen Moray and Cutty Sark. His stories are full of insight and humour. I can see why his longest whisky tour took 7 hours and we could have easily chatted long into the night about his experiences in the industry and hearing about some of the projects he has been involved in.
Les is a firefighter by day but also works with his friend who specialises in adventure events and taking groups up mountains and off to the Arctic Circle. On Sunday 26th Jan he will be flying out to Finland to be a guide for multiple groups of people trekking three days through some of the coldest and harshest conditions in the world. But he'll be doing it with a Whisky Stories 25 yo Blend in his bag.
While on these trips the other guides have made it a little tradition to bring a bottle with them so that they can enjoy a dram or two around the campfire in the minus 30 degree weather.
As always this was a lot of fun to record and the drams and chat flowed nicely.
Enjoy
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Drag me to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society with Andrew Murphy
16 januari 2025 · 1 uur 43 min
Just before Christmas, Angus and Graeme headed along Queen Street in Edinburgh to meet Andrew Murphy who is the Venue Supervisor for the Queen Street bar but has also worked in the SMWS Vaults down in Leith and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and their whisky. Lees meer
Andrew also talks us through the importance of diversity within the whisky world, as a gay man, he is very keen to promote the LGBTQ community within the whisky industry and put on a special 'Drag me to the Whisky Tasting'. Better get the lipstick and high heels looked out for this years tasting!
We had some great drams and Andrew talked us through the amazing story of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and how it was founded and has grown to a massive global organisation, yet still holds on to the founding principles of flavour first.
Enjoy
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Whisky Stories Podcast New Years Eve Party with Chuck Kerr and Ali Baxter
2 januari 2025 · 1 uur 39 min
Happy New Year from the Whisky Stories Podcast! Lees meer
What a year it's been and there was no better way to end 2024 than to sit in the Dug Oot back room in the Athletic Arms sandwiched nicely between the bar and the gents toilets, drinking drams, having lots of laughs and looking back on the year.
We had former guests Ali Baxter from Scotch Whisky Experience and Chuck Kerr in with us for this one and we spent the last hour and 40 mins (or so) of 2024 looking back on some of our whisky highlights of the year, remembering some of the great whisky stories that we've heard and the whiskies that we've sampled.
A few sore heads on New Years Day...
Happy New Year and enjoy.
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Collecting Whisky with The Collectors Club
26 december 2024 · 2 uur 8 min
We've probably all seen or heard about these online competitions where you can win a huge prize by just buying a ticket for a couple of pounds. But how do they actually work and are they real? Lees meer
We caught up with John and Scott Lang (they're not brothers, just pals) from The Collectors Club.
Every week they give away thousands of pounds worth of whisky prizes to the people who enter their competitions. Whisky bottles ranging from £50 all the way to £30,000 worth!
These lads have approached whisky from an angle where it's being appreciated as a collectable item rather than something that can be drank. However, they are both quick to point out that they both enjoy drinking and sharing drams just as much as collecting them.
In this episode we found out how 2 pals shared a journey into whisky, found themselves interested in the collecting side of things and then ended up creating a business where people can win some incredible whisky bottles and prizes through their competitions.
John and Scott were great company and brought in some fantastic drams for us to enjoy during this recording. They explained exactly how The Collectors Club Competitions works and talked about how they both found a shared passions for whisky at the same time which has taken them on a wild ride.
Enjoy
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Knock Three Times for a Dram - The Lost Close with Simon Smith
19 december 2024 · 1 uur 59 min
In this episode we were underground with Simon Smith in The Lost Close in Edinburgh. Lees meer
This was the second time we've had Simon on the podcast to share his views, stories and wealth of knowledge on world whisky with us.
Simon has such a passion and enthusiasm for whisky, it makes him so easy to chat to and listen to.
He is running a pop-up bar in The Lost Close which has some incredible whisky to enjoy, picked by Simon. Old blends, strange old bottlings and really interesting international whisky. If you're in and around Edinburgh, it's well worth a visit. - https://www.instagram.com/the_desert_isle/profilecard/?igsh=dGt5eHZxNDNjejQ5
As well as running the pop-up bar, Simon is also working with whisky brands and other venues to help with collaborations and to curate their whisky collections. He's had some great success with the The George Hotel Inveraray. We were lucky enough to sample his recent collaboration with the hotel and Ardnamurchan Distillery.
He is also hosting one of his very popular Burns Nights at Saint Lukes in Glasgow on the 22nd of Jan. As per Simon's usual way of things, he likes to approach Burns in a totally different way and talk about the connections between Burns and whisky. Tickets still available here.
Simon has been a great friend of the show, a regular cameo on our ventures out and about and will definitely be back on for a third episode. This was a lot of fun recording in the old dark tunnels from hundreds of years ago under the city centre, and the whisky was fantastic too.
Find out more about Simon's work with Whisky and Cynicism - whiskyandcynicism.com
Enjoy
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A Guide to Scotch Whisky with Scotch Cam and Moa Swedish Whisky Girl
12 december 2024 · 1 uur 52 min
For this episode we were underground in the deep and dark Diggers Whisky Vaults with Cameron Ewen - The Scotch Cam and Moa Reynolds - Swedish Whisky Girl to talk all about their new book that was released last month - The Balmoral Guide to Scotch Whisky. Lees meer
It was great to catch up with Cam again and we really enjoyed meeting Moa for the first time and hearing all about her journey from Sweden that led her to literally marrying into whisky with her 'current husband' Cody Reynolds.
Moa started an her Swedish Whisky Girl social media accounts as a way to show her on journey into the wonderful world of whisky and it soon picked up a lot of popularity. Now she has been able to give up her day job and works full time showcasing whisky brands and working on some really exciting projects.
Projects like the new book that has been co-written by herself and Cam.
The book is a guide to the Scottish Whisky available in the famous Balmoral Hotel Whisky Bar- Scotch which Cameron is the manager of.
Cameron has collated his top whiskies behind the bar and written his own notes on the liquid and flavours while Moa has dived into the distilleries and writes about the interesting points about these whiskies as well as busting some whisky myths.
We also discussed the incredible news that Diggers are now doing Whisky Take-Aways!
This was so much fun to record and it's always nice when a guest puts and keeps Ross in his place!
Enjoy
Buy the book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SCOTCH-Balmoral-guide-Scottish-whisky/dp/1784729515
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Indy Bottlers Spotlight - Rare Find from Gleann Mor Spirits
5 december 2024 · 1 uur 39 min
This was our fourth Indy Bottler Spotlight and we were back and packed into the Snug in the Athletic Arms once again. Lees meer
This was by far the busiest live event that we have done and it was great to see so many new faces coming along.
Greg Urquhart knows how to deliver a tasting. I've now been to 4 tastings that he's hosted and each one has it's very own unique twist on it and this one was no exception.
Greg told us all about his journey into the wonderful world of whisky and also talked us through his role within the business and how manages the ever growing cast inventory and bottling processes at Gleann Mor Spirits.
In this Rare Find tasting we were treated to:
🥃 Aberfeldy 13yo
🥃 Aultmore 14yo
🥃 Deanston 18yo
🥃 Medium Peated Islay 11yo
🥃 Mystery Dram
The highlight of the night for us was the unveiling of our very own Rare Find Whisky Stories Podcast Whisky!
The Mystery Dram on the evening was a collaboration bottling that we have been quietly working in in the background.
A 25 year old blend made up of 3 Speyside Single Malts and a Lowland Grain. This is an absolute belter and still on sale for only £85 for a bottle.
Order now - https://rarefindwhisky.co.uk/whiskystories25
Hope you enjoy!
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Whisky Cocktails and The Last Word with Chuck Kerr and Ant Crowther
28 november 2024 · 1 uur 54 min
We were back in the Athletic Arms with drams in front of us and Chuck Kerr back in to tell us more about his whisky travels around the world. Lees meer
We were also joined by Ant Crowther who is the bar manager at the Last Word whisky and cocktail bar in Edinburgh.
We talked about whisky cocktails and heard how Angus likes to make his version of an Old Fashioned.
Lots of drams, some great stories and plenty of good whisky chat.
Enjoy
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Kilchoman Ken - When's a new distillery not a new distillery?
21 november 2024 · 1 uur 38 min
We were invited back to the Glasshouse in Edinburgh for a chat with Ken Langenfeld from the Kilchoman Distillery as part of the build up to the Glasshouse's Kilchoman December Malt of the Month. Lees meer
This was a great chat with someone who hasn't just fallen in love with Scottish Whisky, but also fallen in love with Scottish women.
Ken Langenfeld is the UK and French Sales Manager for Kilchoman and spends his time spreading the word and selling the incredible whisky that is produced on Islay.
As one of the first new distilleries to open back in 2005, the distillery will soon be celebrating it's 20th anniversary. This raised the debate about when a distillery is no longer classified as a 'new distillery.
We also chatted about the interesting decision that Kilchoman have made not to put age statements on the majority of their releases.
As Ken explains, his journey into whisky from working and managing bars around the world, it's all about the flavour and age, doesn't necessarily need to dictate that.
Ken was kind enough to bring along some of the drams that will be on offer in the Glasshouse throughout the whole of December and he will also be showcasing these at the up and coming cheese and whisky pairing event on the 10th of Dec in the hotel bar.
Enjoy
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