Neat? Splash of water? Block of ice? Or even a mixer?
However you take it, join John Beattie, former Scotland rugby international and semi-retired BBC radio and TV news presenter, as he celebrates the heritage and flavour of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit.
Whether you call it whisky, whiskey, uisge beatha, aqua vitae, or the water of life... there's a story behind every dram; a craftsman behind every drop; an aroma with every nose; and a flavour in every sip.
This is the spirit of Scotland: distilled in a place; shared around the world.
What makes it so special? Why is it so loved? And who are the people that make it, and the aficionados who drink it?
Join John every Thursday as he explores the alchemy that takes place from cask to glass.
Neat? Splash of water? Block of ice? Or even a mixer?
However you take it, join John Beattie, former Scotland rugby international and semi-retired radio and TV news presenter, as he celebrates the heritage and flavour of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit.
Whether you call it whisky, whiskey, uisge beatha, aqua vitae, or the water of life... there's a story behind every dram; a craftsman behind every drop; an aroma with every nose; and a flavour in every sip.
This is the spirit of Scotland: distilled in a place; shared around the world.
What makes it so special? Why is it so loved? And who are the people that make it, and the aficionados who drink it?
Join John every Thursday as he explores the alchemy that takes place from cask to glass.
Slàinte!
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Socials:
@C2GWhisky
@JohnRossBeattie
Producer: David Holmes
Graphic Design: Jess Robertson
Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)
Vocals: Andrea Cunningham
Guitars: John Beattie
Bass: Alasdair Vann
Drums: Alan Hamilton
Bagpipes: Calum McColl
Accordion: Gary Innes
Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie
Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland
Robert Burns & Whisky
Season 1 · Episode 2
Thursday, February 6, 2025 • Duration 32:26
“Whisky and freedom gang thegither!,” declared Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet.
But why and how do they go together?
In this episode John Beattie speaks to Burns scholar and Scotland’s preeminent political commentator, Brian Taylor, about Burns, his work and legacy, and how whisky is rooted in a place that’s both Scottish and international.
Slàinte!
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Twitter:
@C2GWhisky
@JohnRossBeattie
Producer: David Holmes
Graphic Design: Jess Robertson
Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)
Vocals: Andrea Cunningham
Guitars: John Beattie
Bass: Alasdair Vann
Drums: Alan Hamilton
Bagpipes: Calum McColl
Accordion: Gary Innes
Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie
Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland
Special thanks: The Strathduie Bar, Black Friars Street, Glasgow, Scotland
As the former Keeper of the Quaich at Edrington, Master Blender Max McFarlane has worked with some of the most famous whisky brands in the world, including The Famous Grouse, The Macallan and Highland Park.
He reckons he can persuade anyone to enjoy whisky.
And he says it all comes down to popcorn...
Now with Ardgowan Distillery and the nose behind Ardgowan’s Clydebuilt range of private bottlings, Max explains to John the best way to drink whisky: when to have ice; when to have water; what glass to use; and finally how to nose and sip your dram.
“The sweet receptors are at the front of your tongue,” Max says. “So don’t throw your whisky back. Bring it right round your mouth; bring it to the front of your tongue. Make it almost romantic and let it slip down gently.”
So join John and Max as they celebrate the heritage and flavour of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit.
Slàinte!
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Socials:
@C2GWhisky
@JohnRossBeattie
Creator & producer: David Holmes
Art work & design: Jess Robertson
Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)
Vocals: Andrea Cunningham
Loch Lomond Distillery
Season 1 · Episode 4
Thursday, February 20, 2025 • Duration 33:43
Is the tipple in your glass just the product of the cask? Or does the still play some big part?
Join John as he and Master Blender Max McFarlane chat with Loch Lomond Whiskies' Gary Mills about Loch Lomond Distillery's three - or is it four? - very different stills, and the role of the distillery's onsite De-char / Re-char cooperage.
Oh and find out what Tintin - yes Herge's Tintin - has to do with it all.
Visit Loch Lomond Whiskies' online store at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and get 10% off with our discount code revealed in this episode. Terms and conditions apply*.
Slàinte!
*Terms & Conditions
10% off all Loch Lomond Whiskies products (up to 18 yr old) on Loch Lomond Whiskies site only.
Expiry date: 31 March 2025.
One time use per customer.
This offer can't be combined with any other discount code.
Limited to the first 100 users.
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Socials:
@C2GWhisky
@JohnRossBeattie
Creator & producer: David Holmes
Art work & design: Jess Robertson
Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)
Vocals: Andrea Cunningham
Guitars: John Beattie
Bass: Alasdair Vann
Drums: Alan Hamilton
Ardgowan Distillery: A Slice of the Spey on the River Kip?
Season 1 · Episode 5
Thursday, February 27, 2025 • Duration 35:39
"Eight years, six prime ministers, a pandemic, a cost of living crisis, and now a heart attack."
No wonder two of the biggest names in the Scotch whisky industry told Martin McAdam, CEO of Ardgowan Distillery, "Just don't start!" when he first asked them for advice on building a new distillery.
Nestling beneath a volcanic rock near Inverkip on the south bank of the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland, Martin says Ardgowan is "at the nexus of Highland, Lowland and Island whiskies". Its first mashing is scheduled for March 2025. So we'll have to wait seven or eight years at least before we'll know...
But until then we can always try their award-winning Clydebuilt and Inverdaracht private bottlings, crafted by Ardgowan's Whisky Maker Max McFarlane, former Master Blender and Keeper of the Quaich at Edrington. Max has been shaping the whisky industry since 1974, contributing to iconic brands like The Famous Grouse, Highland Park, and The Glenrothes (producer Holmsey's particular favourite).
Join John as he speaks to Martin and Max about building a new distillery and establishing a brand; their infinity cask and sloping roof; and how they plan to break into a global market.
"Get good product. Get it it out there. Win a few awards. And bang!" says Max.
"Get a new pair of shoes," says Martin; advice he got from The Macallan's legendary Willie Phillips.
Simple really. So could the new, eco-friendly Ardgowan Distillery bring a slice of Speyside to Inverclyde?
Gillian Kirkland: Scotland's Whisky Guru 2024
Season 1 · Episode 6
Thursday, March 6, 2025 • Duration 33:18
Gillian Kirkland never planned to run a whisky bar. But when her husband died in 2014, she inherited his pub on Glasgow's George Square and decided to keep it going.
Two years later, Gillian turned The Piper into a whisky bar. She knew nothing about whisky, so decided to learn.
And did she!
In 2024 Gillian was crowned Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2024 and The Piper Whisky Bar once again won Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year. An incredible double. And just a year after Gillian had been named Inspirational Woman of the Year at the same awards.
Join John as he speaks to Gillian about her whisky journey from a know-nothing to being able to pick out, not just the obvious flavours in a whisky like vanilla and dark cherries, but obscure flavours like frazzles... yes bacon fries. Find out what whiskies and styles Gillian recommends you try to start your whisky journey, and how she persuades her friends to give whisky a go.
"Whisky's quite tough to get into," Gillian admits. "But give it a chance."
"A lot of people say they don't like whisky," she continues. "I bet they do. They just haven't had a whisky they like."
No we're not talking about the whisky... but the actual glass your whisky's in.
Why?
Well in earlier episodes John heard from Master Blender, Max McFarlane of Ardgowan Distillery, Gary Mills of Loch Lomond Whiskies, and Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year 2024, Gillian Kirkland owner of The Piper Whisky Bar in Glasgow; all three stressed the importance of the right whisky glass for evaluation and optimum appreciation.
So who better to speak to than Raymond Davidson founder of Glencairn Crystal and the inventor of the Glencairn Glass, and the renowned whisky writer Charles Maclean, author of multiple books on whisky?
Raymond started Glencairn Crystal in 1981 and released his patented, award-winning Glencairn Glass, with its wide crystal bowl and tapering rim, in 2001. Today Raymond sells over five million Glencairn Glasses around the world every year. No wonder he calls it the "the world's favourite whisky glass".
So join John as Raymond and Charles explain to him how the Glencairn Glass captures a whisky's aromas on the nose to heighten its flavour; what glasses theyuse for enjoyment; their go to dram for simple pleasure; their thoughts on the future of the global whisky market; how "a half and a half" set them on their whisky journey; and how you can get started on yours...
"Take it to your nose a minimum of five times before you sip it," says Raymond.
Down the Farm: Kilchoman Distillery
Season 1 · Episode 8
Thursday, March 20, 2025 • Duration 33:48
“A lot of people thought it was a very stupid decision essentially,” Peter Wills recalls the reaction to his dad Anthony’s plan to start a new distillery on Islay.
With seven distilleries already on the island, he says the feeling was “there’s no room for another one.”
Besides he continues: “All these others had this long heritage.”
But Anthony and wife Kathy pressed ahead. And in December 2005 Kilchoman Distillery began production – the first new distillery on “Whisky Isle” in 125 years.
Today there are nine distilleries on Islay and four more on the way.
But Kilchoman stands out because they grow their own barley; malt it themselves; dig their own peat; and when the whisky’s ready, bottle it too… some 600,000 litres a year now. And all on Islay.
In this episode Peter joins John to talk about his family’s distillery; traditional farm distilling; the influence of sea air and peat and yeast; how Sauternes casks produce different flavours from traditional bourbon and sherry barrels; the visitor from Myanmar who knew more about Islay whisky than they did; and much, much more.
By Royal Appointment 1494: Lindores Abbey Distillery
Season 1 · Episode 12
Thursday, April 17, 2025 • Duration 30:47
The origins of Scotch whisky are lost in the mists of time.
But in the Exchequer Roll of 1494, King James IV bestowed his royal seal of approval on a Tironensian monk and distiller from Lindores Abbey in Fife: "Et per liberacionem factam fratri Johanni Cor per preceptum compotorum rotulatoris, ut asserit, de mandato domini regis ad faciendum aquavite infra hoc compotum, viii bolle brasii."
"To Friar John Cor, 8 bolls of malt, wherewith to make aqua vitae for the King."
It is the earliest written record we have of whisky in Scotland.
Lindores Abbey was founded in 1191 by French monks from Tiron 60 miles south of Paris. But it was abandoned and destroyed during the Reformation in the 16th Century. The land with the abbey ruins became farmland and was eventually bought in 1913 by Drew McKenzie Smith's grandfather.
Fast forward 87 years, and Drew and his family had no idea of the significance of their farm. So much so cattle grazed among the ruins. Then an unexpected visitor knocked on the door of the family home...
But we won't spoil if for you.
Pour yourself a dram as Drew tells John how that chance visit led to the foundation of Lindores Abbey Distillery, rekindling the spirit of 1494, and how in building the new distillery they discovered important archaeological artefacts relating to the earliest days of whisky making in Scotland.
But be rest assured, because both agree, whisky is an acquired taste. But with hundreds - if not thousands - of whiskies out there, each with a different taste and flavour, there's bound to be one for you.
After all, they concur, "Whisky is so much more than liquor in a bottle."
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