Explore every episode of the podcast Not Another Whisky Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE’RE GIVING AWAY AN SMWS MEMBERSHIP AND CHATTING ABOUT CHRISTMAS WHISKY WITH MADS SCHMOLL | 08 nov. 2026 | 00:43:23 | |
We're back with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, but this time Mitch has made it west for his first visit to the Society's Bath Street Members' Room in Glasgow. Joining him is Madeleine “Mads” Schmoll, European Content Manager at SMWS, for a Christmas episode built around one question: Can you actually gift someone into whisky? Mads didn't arrive at the Society as a fully formed whisky nerd. When she joined in 2019, she was more likely to reach for Cognac, knew relatively little about whisky and admits that her husband was usually the one choosing the bottle for their camping trips. Seven years at SMWS has rather comprehensively changed that. Mitch and Mads talk about the people, bottles and experiences that send us down the whisky rabbit hole, how you introduce someone who claims they “don't like whisky”, and the increasingly difficult task of buying a present for somebody who already knows far too much about the stuff. There are also two festive Society releases to get stuck into: The Christmas Crackers and Sugar-Coated Nostalgia, two 35cl cask-strength releases from the same distillery showing very different sides of sherry maturation. They also get into gifting bottles versus experiences, festive events at the Society's Members' Rooms, Hogmanay, Burns Night, Mads' slightly terrifying baptism into peated whisky on Islay and Campbeltown, and the small matter of helping 447 whisky drinkers across 18 countries set a Guinness World Record. And, because it's almost Christmas, we're giving something away. One listener will win: A full year's membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, including their first 70cl Society bottle worth at least £70. To enter, head to the Not Another Whisky Podcast Instagram page, find the SMWS competition post and answer: Who would you gift a whisky experience to this Christmas, and why? Entries close 22 December 2026. In this episode: • Mitch's first visit to SMWS Bath Street • Why every Society Members' Room has its own personality • How Mads went from Cognac drinker to whisky obsessive • Can you really convince someone who says they don't like whisky? • The bottles that mean more than their price tag • How to buy whisky for someone who already knows their stuff • Tasting The Christmas Crackers • Tasting Sugar-Coated Nostalgia • Bottle or experience: which makes the better gift? • Christmas and Hogmanay at the Society • The SMWS Guinness World Record whisky tasting • Christmas pudding gets the kicking it deserves • And the chance to win a year of SMWS membership Here’s the link for the A Christmas Cracker bottle: https://smws.com/a-christmas-cracker/ And the one for Sugar-Coated Nostalgia will be: https://smws.com/sugar-coated-nostalgia/ The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Join SMWS / Gift Membership SMWS Gifts & Tasting Packs https://smws.com/gifts-and-tasting-packs/ SMWS Merchandise The Christmas Crackers Live product page not currently surfacing on the SMWS website. We’ll add the direct link once available. Sugar-Coated Nostalgia Releases 17 November 2026. Direct product link to be added once live. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| GHOSTS, DEVILS & DEAD MASHMEN | WHISKY GHOST STORIES | 25 oct. 2026 | 00:46:04 | |
It’s Halloween, the nights are drawing in and whisky season is well and truly here. So naturally, Mitch and Daz are talking about dead mashmen, haunted maltings, disappearing old ladies, cursed distilleries, the Devil hiding inside a whisky cask and a professor who apparently solved a haunting with two iron stakes and a ley line. Completely normal whisky podcast stuff. We start with the obvious question: do either of us actually believe in ghosts? From there, Mitch tells the story of The Balvenie’s Green Lady, including former maltman Robbie Gormley’s poem about meeting her during his final night shift — before sharing his own unexplained experience inside the Balvenie maltings at around 1:30 in the morning. Then things get properly strange. There’s the rocking horse in the infamous school room at Drummuir Castle — made considerably creepier when, halfway through telling the story, an old Diageo colleague connected to the castle inexplicably phones. We get into Hazelwood House and the stories surrounding Wee Jannie, Jura’s Prophecy and the remarkably specific prediction that supposedly came true more than 200 years later, plus Cardhu’s dead mashmen, mysterious footsteps and perhaps the greatest piece of paranormal problem-solving in Scotch whisky history. Daz takes us to Islay for the legend behind Bowmore’s Devil’s Casks, where the Devil himself supposedly fled the famous Round Church, hid inside a whisky cask and disappeared aboard a ship that was never seen again. Naturally, we also find time to actually drink some whisky, as Daz gets into Bowmore’s Halloween releases, including the Devil’s Cask 10 and 22 Year Old. Elsewhere:
Some of these stories are historical. Some are folklore passed down through generations of distillery workers. Some are genuinely difficult to explain. And some are almost certainly complete bollocks. Happy Halloween. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SAM SIMMONS AKA DR WHISKY ON WHISKY SNOBS, BLENDS & A CEASE-AND-DESIST | 18 oct. 2026 | 00:34:13 | |
Five years ago, Dr Whisky joined us to talk about blending whiskies from 14 different countries. Five years later, he's back, and apparently he's still not run out of ideas. Or ways to get himself into trouble. This week, Mitch catches up with old friend Sam Simmons, Head of Whisky at Atom Brands and the creative mind behind That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Wormtub, Darkness and a frankly ridiculous number of whisky releases. And Sam's got a few things to get off his chest. Are whisky shows actually putting people off whisky? Have enthusiasts become so obsessed with cask strength, single malts and age statements that we've forgotten how to simply enjoy a dram? And with warehouses full of whisky and consumers tightening their belts, has the industry got a little carried away with itself? We also get into the changing world of independent bottling, Atom's return to independent ownership, the joys of blended whisky and why a Johnnie Walker Black Label on ice is sometimes exactly what the doctor ordered. Then there's Dalry Milk. What started as an emotional love letter to Edinburgh turned into a whisky inspired by a chocolate bar, complete with a rather polite request from the lawyers to stop selling it. You couldn't make it up. Throw in 21-year-old world whisky blends, worm tub condensers, exciting new distilleries, peanut butter whisky and Sam's new life in Norway, and we've got plenty to talk about. It's whisky, friendship, a few strong opinions and absolutely no requirement to take any of it too seriously. Welcome back, Dr Whisky. Want to explore some of Sam's creations? Here are the links to the brands, bottles and questionable ideas we talked about.
If you've enjoyed the episode, give us a follow, leave a review and share it with a fellow whisky lover. Preferably one who doesn't insist everything has to be cask strength. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| TURAS MÒR: TWO NEW WHISKIES, ONE WILD ISLAND & A LOT OF WHISKY NEWS | 11 oct. 2026 | 00:42:58 | |
We're back! After a few ridiculously busy weeks, Mitch and Daz finally manage to get themselves in the same virtual room for a much-needed catch-up. And judging by what's been happening in the whisky world, they've got plenty to talk about. Mitch's been gallivanting around Ireland, hosting whisky adventures across Scotland and launching two new Turas Mòr whiskies on the Isle of Raasay. Meanwhile, Daz has been drinking old Glengarioch, exploring whisky bars in Hong Kong and generally living his best life. But there's some serious whisky news to get stuck into as well. A bottle of The Macallan 1926 has sold for over £2 million at Sotheby's first auction held at the distillery. Balvenie has unveiled an extraordinary 88-year-old single malt, becoming the oldest Scotch whisky ever released. The controversial English Whisky Geographical Indication has caused a bit of a stir, and sadly, community-owned GlenWyvis Distillery has entered administration. Naturally, Mitch has a few opinions. Particularly when it comes to what actually constitutes a single malt whisky. In this episode:
Two new limited-edition Speyside single malts under their independent bottling brand, Turas Mòr. Only 150 bottles of each have been produced, and both were launched during a whisky adventure on the Isle of Raasay. Dailuaine 12 Year Old, Edition #3 A vibrant, creamy Speyside single malt with fresh orchard fruit, toasted nuts, gentle spice and a touch of oak. Benrinnes 12 Year Old, Edition #4 Rich, fruity and full of character, with dark berries, chocolate, fruitcake and warming spice. Both are exclusively available through The Speyside Whisky Shop, subject to availability. Explore the full range: https://www.turasmorwhisky.com The Macallan 1926 auction A rare 1926 Fine & Rare bottling takes centre stage at Sotheby's first auction held at The Macallan Estate. Sotheby's: Live from The Macallan Estate The Spirits Business: Rare Macallan 1926 sells for £2.2m (2023 record) Balvenie 88 Year Old Just 17 bottles of the 1931 vintage exist, making this a remarkable piece of whisky history. Financial Times: Balvenie's 88-year-old whisky English Whisky GI controversy The approval of English Whisky's geographical indication has sparked debate over single malt production methods, with the Scotch Whisky Association formally appealing the decision. Scotch Whisky Association: Appeal against English Whisky GI UK Government: English Whisky GI specification GlenWyvis Distillery enters administration Sad news for the world's first community-owned distillery, with administrators appointed following prolonged financial difficulties. Interpath: GlenWyvis enters administration The Spirits Business: GlenWyvis secured £500,000 funding earlier in 2026 Enjoyed the episode? Give us a follow, leave a review and share it with someone who loves a good dram and a healthy dose of whisky industry nonsense. Thanks for listening Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| RAASAY REVISITED: ALASDAIR DAY ON WHISKY, WATER AND WHAT COMES NEXT | 13 sept. 2026 | 00:26:28 | |
We’re back on the Isle of Raasay, three years after our last proper sit down with Alasdair Day, co founder and master blender at the Isle of Raasay Distillery. Recorded at the distillery, the conversation is less about introducing Raasay and much more about how it is growing up. With the spirit now approaching nine years old, Alasdair talks us through how the original six cask recipe is developing, what they’ve learned from ex rye, Bordeaux and Chinkapin oak, and why lower filling strengths could be having a significant effect on maturation. We also get into one of the more interesting whisky debates we’ve had for a while. How much does water really contribute to the character of a whisky? While the industry often talks about a figure around 2%, Alasdair believes Raasay’s mineral rich water could be responsible for considerably more, particularly because they use it throughout cask reduction on the island. Away from the liquid, we talk about what the distillery has done for Raasay itself. New jobs, a growing population, people moving to the island to build their lives there, community energy projects and the relationship between the distillery and the people around it. And, of course, we look ahead. Ten and fifteen year old Raasay, another warehouse, ideas for a whisky school, the currently paused Campbeltown distillery project, and why Alasdair isn’t exactly rushing out to fill Raasay spirit into tequila and mezcal casks just because the rules now allow it. A proper catch up with one of whisky’s busiest men, from one of Scotland’s most remarkable wee islands. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SMWS, CALUM LAWSON, CASKMASTERS & COPPERCAIRN HEAD TO SPEYSIDE | 06 sept. 2026 | 00:37:15 | |
Mitch heads to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Queen Street Members’ Room in Edinburgh to sit down with Calum Lawson, SMWS Member Experience Manager and co-host of the Society’s Whisky Talk podcast. Calum’s route into whisky wasn’t exactly mapped out from the beginning. From years in Glasgow hospitality and running a bar and restaurant, he moved into the Society as manager of the Bath Street Members’ Room, spent time on the whisky buying team, and now finds himself helping shape everything from member experiences and international tastings to podcasts and new releases. We get into the wonderfully terrifying world of blind tasting and SMWS’s new Caskmaster competition: eight mystery drams, nine possible answers and absolutely nowhere to hide. Mitch recalls Charlie MacLean’s advice never to blind taste Scotch whisky, while Calum explains why the Society decided to ignore that advice entirely. There’s also plenty of Society chat: how those mysterious distillery numbers work, how single casks are selected, why ridiculous bottle names such as “Beware of the Lurking Gherkin” are part of the fun, and what actually goes into creating memorable whisky experiences for members around the world. But there’s also a bit of news. CopperCairn and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are teaming up for a Speyside adventure from 12–15 March 2027, bringing Society members north for a few days of behind-the-scenes distillery access, whisky dinners, tastings, blending sessions and a few distinctly CopperCairn additions along the way. There is even talk of a dip in the River Spey. Speedos remain optional. Probably. And there’s another twist: the 2026 Caskmaster Champion will win a place on the CopperCairn Speyside trip, making the stakes in the Society’s blind tasting championship considerably higher than bragging rights over your mates. The Caskmaster Grand Final takes place at The Vaults in Leith on 12 November 2026. The overall champion receives lifetime membership of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society as well as a place on the CopperCairn Speyside adventure from 12–15 March 2027. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: smws.com SMWS Whisky Talk: www.smws.com/podcast CopperCairn: coppercairn.com Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE YEASTIE BOYS WITH BRENDAN MCCARRON | 31 août 2026 | 01:05:32 | |
This week we welcome whisky maker, consultant and long-time friend of the podcast Brendan McCarron back to Not Another Whisky Podcast. And this time, we’re talking yeast. It might not sound like the sexiest part of whisky making, but the deeper you go, the more fascinating it gets. We chat about how yeast was viewed when Brendan first started making whisky at Diageo, whether Scotch became a little too focused on yield and consistency, and why distillers are now starting to look at yeast as a genuine tool for creating flavour. From Glenmorangie and Holyrood to InchDairnie, Loch Lomond, The Lakes and what American whiskey producers have been doing for decades, we get into different strains, longer fermentations, wild yeast, wine yeast and just how much influence the little buggers can actually have. We also talk about Brendan’s work with new distilleries, how the conversation around yeast has changed during his career, working alongside Dr Bill Lumsden, and whether Scotch whisky has been a little bit behind the curve. It gets geeky. But in a good way. Welcome to The Yeastie Boys. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| MITCH AND DAZ CATCH UP FEATURING VICTORIA MILLER FROM SIP SEEKERS | 23 août 2026 | 00:44:36 | |
Mitch and Daz are back together for a long-overdue August catch-up, recorded from the glamour of Daz’s self-proclaimed “bitchin’ kitchen.”They compare notes on what they’ve been up to, the whisky they’ve been drinking and the general chaos of a busy summer before diving into some of the more unusual stories from around the whisky world. There’s the retired farmer storing a £750,000 whisky collection in converted pigsties, Woven and Civerinos combining whisky, Scottish honey and a fairly aggressive collection of chillies, and the arrival of the new Stannergill Distillery in Caithness.Mitch also shares his experience at The Macallan’s Coconut Dreams pop-up beside the Spey, including the slightly surreal sight of Macallan being poured into a blender to make piña coladas. The pair also discuss the new signature single malt from the Isle of Harris and whether whisky drinkers occasionally need to become a little less precious about how their drams are enjoyed. Later in the episode, Mitch catches up with Victoria Miller, founder of Sip Seekers, to hear about the platform she has created to make discovering and booking Scotland’s distilleries, tastings and drinks experiences considerably easier. Expect whisky news, old drams, questionable kitchens, expensive pigsties and the usual amount of informed nonsense. Links to news and Sip Seekers £750k Pigsty Whisky Collection – The Whiskey Wash Woven x Civerinos Hot Honey The Macallan – Inspired by Fresh Coconut Stannergill Distillery Starts Production – The Spirits Business The Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky Sip Seekers Not Another Whisky Podcast on Acast Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| WHEN TWO WHISKY PODCASTS WALK INTO A BAR | 16 août 2026 | 01:10:24 | |
This episode is a wee bit different. Earlier this year, Mitch met Graeme and Angus from Whisky Stories and the idea was simple: get both podcasts in the same room, pour a few drams, and record something together. That idea quickly grew into a live event, a charity night, and a raffle that raised an incredible £1,400 for The BEN, supporting people across the hospitality and licensed trade. Recorded live at Uno Mas, this episode sees Not Another Whisky Podcast go head to head with Whisky Stories, with the brilliant Mark Thompson trying his best to keep everyone in line. Expect drams, audience votes, questionable tactics, brilliant whisky chat, and a few strong opinions along the way. We get into favourite distillery visits, cask finishes, whisky bars, and the kind of stories that only come out when you put whisky people in front of a live audience. A huge thank you to everyone who donated bottles, prizes, minis and support for the raffle, and to Sian at Uno Mas for letting us use the venue. Pour yourself something good and enjoy a proper live whisky night with NAWP and Whisky Stories. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 20 YEARS AT HIGHLAND PARK WITH MARTIN MARDVARDSEN | 02 août 2026 | 00:58:47 | |
Daz is flying solo this week as he sits down with Highland Park’s Martin Markvardsen on the eve of his twentieth anniversary as the distillery’s brand ambassador. Martin takes us back to his early days managing the legendary Quaich Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel, where 784 whiskies, industry characters and the occasional lock in provided a fairly thorough education. He explains how repeatedly including Highland Park 18 in his tastings eventually led to a phone call offering him the ambassador’s job. They look back at what whisky ambassadorship involved in 2006, from lengthy technical masterclasses and enormous whisky festivals to the characters who shaped the industry, including Jim McEwan, Charlie MacLean, Dave Broom, Ronnie Cox, Ian Miller and Ian Logan. Martin and Daz also discuss how the role has changed. Today’s ambassadors need to understand social media, online tastings, cocktails and content creation alongside the traditional production knowledge and storytelling. There are tales of sideways Zoom tastings, Facebook mistaking Martin’s Highland Park tattoo for pornography and Daz missing his own masterclass after a particularly enthusiastic night aboard the Viking Line. Finally, they attempt to choose their greatest Highland Park releases of all time, covering bottles including Leif Eriksson, the 1977 Bicentenary, Hjarta, the original 50 Year Old, Dark Origins and the ever dependable Highland Park 18. A relaxed and wonderfully nostalgic conversation about two decades with one distillery, the people who make whisky special and why Martin still has no plans to slow down. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE RISE, FALL AND FUTURE OF IRISH WHISKEY WITH BARRY CHANDLER | 26 juil. 2026 | 01:18:59 | |
After more than 200 episodes, we have finally given Irish whiskey the proper attention it deserves. Mitch and Daz are joined by Barry Chandler, better known as Irish Whiskey Barry, an independent educator, community builder and three-time Whisky Magazine Ireland Communicator of the Year. Barry guides us through Irish whiskey’s past, present and future using three pot still whiskeys. We begin with Redbreast 12 and uncover the story of Gilbey’s, Dublin’s historic whiskey bonders, the “priest’s tipple” and the surprising connection between Redbreast and the original Baileys bottle. For the present, Barry chooses Boann Legacy, an accessible modern pot still whiskey that represents Ireland’s extraordinary growth from just four working distilleries to more than 50. Finally, we head to the Mourne Mountains and Killowen, a tiny direct-fired distillery Barry describes as “Ireland’s Springbank,” where historic mash bills, radical transparency and hands-on production point towards the future. Along the way, we discuss the Dingle effect, the myths surrounding the malt tax, oats in Irish whiskey, triple distillation, Jameson’s dominance, the current review of the Irish whiskey technical file and the commercial pressures facing the country’s newer distilleries. Plus, Barry explains why “smooth” might be one of whiskey’s most useless compliments. Follow Barry on Instagram and TikTok at @irishwhiskeybarry, and discover Stories & Sips, Three Drams and Irish Whiskey Experiences through his channels. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| LINDORES ABBEY: BURNING BEARS & BUILDING WHISKY | 19 juil. 2026 | 00:31:06 | |
Mitch heads to Fife for Lindores Abbey Distillery’s annual Bear Burning ceremony, where an enormous bear and ragged staff carved into the hillside is set alight. First, Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Donaldson discusses her journey through the whisky industry, joining Lindores at a pivotal moment, the challenges the business has faced and her plans for building a sustainable future. Then Distillery Manager Gary Haggart takes us into the stillhouse. Gary discusses developing the Lindores spirit character, why good whisky doesn’t necessarily need to be old, the different personalities of two supposedly identical spirit stills and his ambition for drinkers to recognise Lindores simply by its aroma. There’s whisky, history, business, Angel Delight, Star Trek and the crucial importance of not fucking up the wash still. A huge thank you to everyone at Lindores Abbey Distillery for the invitation, accommodation and excellent hospitality. Find out more about Lindores Abbey Distillery: https://lindoresabbeydistillery.com Listen to more episodes and find out what we’re up to: https://www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review. It genuinely helps more whisky lovers find the show. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| MITCH & DAZ JUNE CATCH UP - NEW LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCED | 12 juil. 2026 | 00:28:59 | |
🎙️ NOT ANOTHER WHISKY PODCAST IS GOING LIVE On Thursday 6 August, we are taking on the guys from Whisky Stories in a live podcast battle at Uno Mas in Edinburgh. There will be six whiskies, with three chosen by each podcast, plenty of questionable competitive behaviour. Tickets are £20, with every penny going to The BEN, the charity supporting people working within Scotland’s hospitality industry. The show starts at 7pm and capacity is limited, so grab your tickets before they disappear: 👉 BUY TICKETS FOR THE LIVE SHOW Back to the episode… Mitch and Daz are finally back together for another catch-up, covering everything from sherry-soaked holidays and Islay building sites to whisky in a can and one of the worst distillery tours Mitch has ever experienced. Mitch reports back from Portugal and Jerez, where a private visit to the new Sherry Museum provided a much deeper dive into the history, culture and casks behind one of Scotch whisky’s most important influences. Then it is over to Islay, including warehouse tastings, dinner at Bowmore, a visit to Ardbeg House and a hard-hat preview of the new Portintruan Distillery with Georgie Crawford. They discuss its automated floor maltings, multiple spirit styles and what another major distillery could mean for the future of the island. There is also news of two upcoming Turas Mòr bottlings and the usual run through some of the latest whisky news. Along the way, they get into: • The whisky opportunity in Portugal • Why whisky lovers should visit Jerez • Whether Islay can retain its character as the island grows • Port of Leith’s whisky in a can • The new permanent release from Isle of Harris • Four Roses being sold to Gallo • A truly questionable distillery tasting involving plastic cups and someone else’s water bottle • The best whiskies Mitch and Daz have tasted recently The episode finishes with Mitch naming the GlenAllachie 19 Year Old Solera Cask as his whisky of the year so far. Apart from his own whisky, obviously. Follow Not Another Whisky Podcast on Instagram and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 50 YEARS OF WHISKY WITH KENNY MACKAY | 05 juil. 2026 | 00:42:46 | |
This week, Mitch sits down with whisky industry veteran Kenny Mackay at Ballindalloch Distillery in Speyside. Kenny has spent nearly 50 years in Scotch whisky, working with names including Peter Thompson’s, Bowmore, Macallan, Carn Mor, Lindores Abbey and Ballindalloch. In this episode, he shares stories from across his career, from missing out on becoming a helicopter pilot to helping launch Black Bowmore and shaping some of Scotland’s best known whisky brands. We talk about the early days of malt whisky marketing, growing Macallan in Scotland, the birth of whisky collecting, the changing world of independent bottling, and why Ballindalloch’s slow, estate led approach makes it such a special distillery. Kenny also gives his take on where the Scotch whisky industry is right now, why downturns are nothing new, and why he still sees plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Expect brilliant stories, sharp industry insight, a few legendary bottles, and one very committed fire alarm. 00:00 Welcome to Ballindalloch Distillery 01:10 Introducing Kenny Mackay 02:20 The Navy’s loss and whisky’s gain 03:00 Starting out at Peter Thompson’s of Perth 04:20 Glen Grant, Macallan and early whisky distribution 06:20 How the industry has changed over 50 years 09:40 The story behind Black Bowmore 12:00 Bowmore 40 Year Old and early luxury whisky 13:50 Independent bottling then and now 14:30 Building Carn Mor 19:40 One of One and raising millions for charity 23:00 Ballindalloch Distillery and the single estate approach 29:00 Vintage releases and the long term family vision 31:30 Kenny’s take on the current Scotch whisky market 38:00 The cashflow reality of growing a single malt brand 39:10 Quick fire questions 44:20 Desert island drams Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THREE BLENDERS WALK INTO A BAR A CHAT WITH BRIAN KINSMAN, SARAH BURGESS AND OLIVER CHILTON | 28 juin 2026 | 00:56:30 | |
Live from Spirit of Speyside, host Daz welcomes three blenders—Brian Kinsman (William Grant & Sons), Ollie Chilton (Elixir/ Tormore), and Sarah Burgess (Head of Whisky Creation at International Beverage, jokingly “banned” from other sessions)—to taste four whiskies and talk careers, process, and mischief. Brian explains his science-to-apprentice path under David Stewart and taking over in 2009; Ollie traces retail-to-cask-buying and acquiring Tormore in 2022; Sarah recounts starting as a Cardhu tour guide, moving through Diageo, becoming a Macallan blender via a sensory/blending interview, then returning to Scotland. They taste a 2023 Tormore “plain spirit”, a 2006–2018 Speyburn single cask, and a Glenfiddich 30 22-year with oloroso and a palo cortado finish, discuss water’s role in blending, sensory blind spots, grain’s value, stock legacy, cask strategy, innovation limits, and shifting whisky audiences toward flavor over age. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY'S LEITH WHISKY LEGACY | 21 juin 2026 | 00:56:32 | |
Recorded in the historic Vaults in Leith, Mitch Bechard is joined by SMWS “chief storyteller” Richard Goslan and Kask Whisky founder Justine Hazlehurst for a deep dive into one of Scotch whisky’s most overlooked powerhouses. Leith was never just a port. It was a whisky engine room: bonding, brokering, blending, bottling and shipping enormous volumes of Scotch around the world. At one point, the area was home to around 90–100 bonded warehouses, yet its role in shaping the modern industry is often pushed into the background. Richard brings The Vaults to life, from its ancient origins and long links with the drinks trade to the birth of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in 1983. He shares how the Society’s single-cask ethos developed, why bottle 1.1 became legendary, how the tasting panel works, and how SMWS bottle names manage to be both brilliant and completely unhinged. Justine guides us through Leith’s boom-and-bust whisky past, from Pattison’s infamous 1898 crash, to wars, consolidation, the whisky loch, and the stories still hiding in plain sight on the Leith Whisky Trail. There are disputed parrots, a very real pub puma attack, independent bottling chat, festival stories, and a reminder that whisky history is always better when it hasn’t been polished to death. A proper sense-of-place episode from one of Scotland’s most important whisky rooms. 00:00 Welcome to The Vaults in Leith 00:48 Meet Richard Goslan and Justine Hazlehurst 02:46 Inside the history of The Vaults 05:57 Why Leith matters to Scotch whisky 08:46 The origins of the Leith Whisky Trail 11:06 Wild stories from Leith’s past 12:46 SMWS founding story and bottle labels 16:30 Whisky as a shared community 19:54 Leith’s boom-and-bust whisky timeline 26:02 The whisky loch and SMWS’s first cask 28:11 SMWS codes, flavour profiles and tasting culture 29:42 How the SMWS tasting panel works 30:47 The joy of flamboyant bottle names 31:25 Creators Collection and whisky artwork 32:28 Desert island dram: SMWS 1.1 34:54 Glenfarclas and Leith connections 35:50 The independent bottling boom 38:26 Fife Whisky Festival and modern whisky culture 40:39 Justine’s Pattison crash book 45:19 The Pattison parrots myth 48:01 Finding Pip Hills again 52:07 Vaults legends and wild old days 54:35 Where to find Richard and Justine Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE BATTLE OF THE STILLS - LIVE FROM SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE | 14 juin 2026 | 00:43:57 | |
This week, Not Another Whisky Podcast goes live from the Craigellachie Hotel for Battle of the Stills, recorded during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Daz is joined by three brilliant distillers: Euan Christie from The Cabrach Distillery, Polly Logan from Tormore, and Kristy Lark from Killara Distillery in Tasmania. Euan shares the story of The Cabrach: an area with deep illicit distilling roots, a shrinking population, and a new community-led distillery using whisky to support local regeneration. He also introduces The Feering, The Cabrach’s first blended malt, created with donated casks from across the industry. Polly takes us inside Tormore, one of Speyside’s most beautiful distilleries, as it prepares to launch its new core range. She talks about shaping the distillery’s fruity, floral style, the importance of American oak, and working with blender Oliver Chilton. Kristy brings the Tasmanian perspective, from growing up with a still outside her bedroom door to founding Killara Distillery. She shares how Tasmania’s climate shapes maturation and introduces a wonderfully unusual whisky inspired by a Black Velvet cocktail, finished through sparkling wine and stout casks. There are audience questions, festival chaos, whisky gossip, and at least one answer involving rum-infused Scottish tea that probably needs a legal disclaimer. The Cabrach – The Feering Early Harvest A bright, bourbon-led blended malt with gentle peat and a strong community story. Fruity, floral and elegant, showing orchard fruit, malt and honeysuckle notes. Killara – Black Velvet Inspired Single Cask A rich Tasmanian single cask involving tawny, sparkling wine, stout and glorious madness. Please subscribe, rate and review Not Another Whisky Podcast wherever you listen. Slàinte! Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| MITCH AND DAZ'S MAY BANTER | 07 juin 2026 | 00:49:53 | |
Mitch and Daz catch up after a packed festival season, They recap Spirit of Speyside’s, Mitch’s chaotic-but-fun Tormore launch and plans to expand their sold-out “Battle of the Ambassadors” into a winter tournament, “The Road to Speyside,” with heats and a final at the festival. Daz recounts Fèis Ìle highlights at Laphroaig’s 40th anniversary tastings and Bowmore events, including a boat trip on Loch Indal and a 1969 Bowmore dram. They taste three whiskies: Chivas Charles Leclerc 16 (40%), Raasay Hungarian Oak (50%), and SMWS “A Belter for America” Tullibardine 10 (61%). They announce being shortlisted for the Scottish Podcast Awards, discuss Tormore’s new releases, the Bon Accord closing, Woven’s new Leith blending experience, and Glen Cairn’s leadership change, then tease upcoming episodes and a giveaway of a Ferrari cap plus whisky samples for reviews. 00:00 Whisky Stories Banter 00:48 New Theme Tune Debate 02:23 Show Intro and Catch Up 03:55 Festival Season Rundown 05:31 Tormore Launch Chaos 08:10 Road to Speyside Plan 12:24 Three Drams Lineup 13:51 Chivas x Leclerc Collab 17:52 Fèis Ìle Highlights 23:57 Feis vs Speyside Vibes 27:33 Raasay Island Escape 29:11 Hungarian Oak Tasting Notes 31:41 Warehouse Night Stories 32:53 Podcast Award Shortlist 34:35 Whisky World News Roundup 36:43 Edinburgh Whisky Experiences Boom 38:32 Glen Cairn Leadership Change 39:40 World Cup Whisky Bottling 44:28 Deep Dives and Cooper Traditions 46:57 Wrap Up and Listener Giveaway Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| NO CASK NO WHISKY: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ART OF COOPERING | 31 mai 2026 | 01:04:58 | |
Mitch and Daz take a deep dive into coopering — the ancient craft behind every great dram. Recorded in Edinburgh over suspiciously large highballs, the episode traces the cask from Celtic barrel-makers and Roman trade routes to modern whisky maturation, wood policy, rejuvenation and the global cask trade. Mitch speaks with Ian MacDonald, former head cooper at The Balvenie, who started his apprenticeship in 1969 and spent over 50 years in the trade. Ian shares stories of rebuilding bourbon barrels into hogsheads, working alongside David Stewart, being paid per cask, apprentice initiations, and why coopering is far more than “just hammering bits of wood together." The episode also features Lawrence Proctor, manager of Camlachie Cooperage and president of the Coopering Federation, who explains the modern reality of running a cooperage: cask repair, rejuvenation, apprenticeships, bourbon barrel prices, industry slowdowns and why coopers are often the first to feel the pressure when whisky dips. Ian MacDonald — former Head Cooper at The Balvenie Lawrence Proctor — Manager at Clydeside Cooperage and President of the Scottish Coopering Federation Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| INSIDE LAPHROAIG: A CHAT WITH SARAH DOWLING, SENIOR WHISKY MAKER | 26 mai 2026 | 00:42:49 | |
Daryl interviews Sarah Dowling, lead whisky maker at Laphroaig, tracing her path from a genetics and environmental background to a 2012 Edrington recycling contract that turned into a long whisky career via sensory panels, Diageo, and nearly seven years at Cooley in Ireland (working on Connemara and other releases, and even managing the site). She discusses how her palate evolved from missing vanilla to treating smoke as a “neutral,” and how collaborative tasting works best when nobody gets told what they “should” taste. Sarah explains the organic Willem Dafoe collaboration (the “Unforgettable” campaign), built from pilot blends, repeated tastings, and an Oloroso-driven 14-year whisky bottled at 53.7% with rich texture. For Fèis Ìle’s 40th anniversary, Laphroaig’s Càirdeas is fully matured in French oak, noted for Lapsang souchong-like smoke and melon notes, and Sarah previews interactive Laphroaig Day tastings, parties, and Friends of Laphroaig camaraderie. 00:00 Welcome Sarah Dowling 01:09 From Sustainability to Whisky 02:59 Discovering Sensory Panels 07:03 Finding Flavor Blind Spots 11:53 Irish Whiskey Calling 16:41 Life at Cooley Distillery 17:55 Full Time Blender Role 18:36 Willem Dafoe Collaboration 20:34 Building the Oloroso Blend 23:47 First Tastes and Bold Character 24:28 Bold New Release 25:07 Willem Gets It 26:17 On Set Inspiration 29:05 Friends And Festivals 30:40 French Oak Cairdeas 31:58 Tasting Notes Tea Smoke 35:51 Feis Ile Tastings 38:04 Friends Stories And Farewell Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 2 | 24 mai 2026 | 00:40:51 | |
Gordon Dundas brings out Tamdhu’s Dalbeallie Dram, ninth edition — a natural-colour, first-fill sherry powerhouse sitting at 60.5% ABV. It’s everything you’d hope for from Tamdhu in full sherry beast mode: fruitcake sweetness, dark spice, espresso bitterness and a finish that somehow drinks far too easily for its strength. The panel get stuck into age statements, natural colour, value, pricing, and where the whisky market is heading after a few years of everyone releasing everything, everywhere, all at once. Then Stuart Buchanan steps up with the final dram: a newly shelved Benriach 2009 15-year-old peated whisky at 61.1% ABV, matured in refill hogsheads before spending six years in PX. Stuart talks through Benriach’s peated history, how cask choice shapes phenols, and why everyone apparently needs to save the hogshead. Along the way, the ambassadors talk favourite recent markets, from Japan and Turkey to Singapore and Australia, before looking ahead to what might be next for whisky: more highballs, more blends, more indie bottlers, and hopefully fewer releases that require remortgaging your house. The episode finishes with distillery recommendations from around the world, thoughts on new distilleries finding their feet, concerns around the pace of Irish whiskey growth, and the all-important audience vote. 00:00 Next Dram Setup 00:22 Dalbeallie Origins 01:41 Sherry Bomb Breakdown 03:44 Tasting Notes Banter 04:29 Editions and Value Talk 05:28 Age Statements Debate 07:13 Whisky Market Correction 10:06 Secondary Market Trends 11:16 Final Dram Dedication 12:17 Introducing Benriach Peat 12:58 Peated Release Details 14:50 Cask Strategy and Hogsheads 17:09 PPM and Peat Science 19:23 First Impressions Wrap 19:29 Sherry Cask Debate 20:14 Speyside DNA Explained 21:10 Glenglassaugh Coastal Dram 22:11 Travel Highlights Quickfire 23:49 Whisky Trends Next Year 26:41 Distillery Picks Worldwide 33:32 New Distilleries Growing Pains 34:59 Irish Whiskey Boom Concerns 37:41 Global Whisky Wrap-Up 39:39 Audience Vote Results Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 1 | 17 mai 2026 | 00:38:54 | |
Mitch kicks off a sold-out Clash of the Drams live recording, making it clear from the start that this is not going to be one of those polite Speyside tastings where everyone nods quietly and pretends to know what quince is. This year’s brave contenders are Stuart Buchanan from Brown-Forman, Gordon Dundas from Ian Macleod Distillers, Struan Grant Ralph from Glenfiddich, and first-time entrant Charlie Metcalfe from The Balvenie. The audience are given the terrifying responsibility of judging both the drams and the banter, before casting their final vote in the Quaich Bar. Part one features two outstanding drams. First up is Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix, created after the heavy winter snow of 2010 caused warehouse roofs to collapse, leading Brian Kinsman to vat together a unique selection of rescued casks. The panel talk through the story, the rarity, the price, and why it still holds such a special place for Glenfiddich fans. Dram two comes from Balvenie, with an 18-year-old finished for seven years in Pineau des Charentes casks. Charlie explains how ambassador-led ideas can help shape whisky projects, while the group get into cask influence, flavour development, market differences, and what happens when ambassadors are allowed anywhere near new liquid. And because this is Not Another Whisky Podcast, things naturally take a turn. The episode ends with the ambassadors being forced into celebrity-style whisky poems, including Daniel Craig and Jack Nicholson impressions that may never fully leave the room. Part two is where things get even more unhinged. 00:00 Welcome to Clash 01:37 How the Voting Works 03:11 Meet the Panel 07:16 Festival Banter 10:26 Ambassador Origins 12:47 Dram One: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix 18:26 The Warehouse Roof Collapse 19:17 Snow Phoenix Price Talk 20:50 Tasting Notes and Vibes 21:54 Dram Two: Pineau des Charentes Cask 25:01 How Ambassadors Shape Whisky 25:38 Signatures and Fingerprints 29:48 Markets and Innovation 32:42 Envelope Impression Game 37:40 Part One Sign Off Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY IS GIVING AWAY A CASK OF WHISKY! | 10 mai 2026 | 00:34:02 | |
Mitch is joined by Ria McAdam, European Marketing Manager at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, for a dive into the world of SMWS — who chats about the current chance for members to win an entire Distillery 10 Islay cask. They get into the origins of the Society, from Pip Hills sharing cask-strength whisky with friends in the 1970s to the founding of SMWS at The Vaults in Leith in 1983, before moving into how it has grown into a global whisky membership community. Ria talks through the monthly outturn model, the coded bottles, the flavour-led approach, and the gloriously odd names that have become part of SMWS folklore. There’s also plenty on what membership actually gives you, from access to exclusive bottlings and Members’ Rooms to tastings, guest access, content and whisky education. Ria explains the crazy current May promotion where buying a festival bottle or activating a membership gets you into the draw to win a full Distillery 10 cask. The episode also touches on SMWS’s Scotland football-inspired release, A Belter for America, a 10-year-old Highland single cask bottled to celebrate Scotland’s return to the World Cup. Links Buy A Belter for America (28.118) 00:00 Welcome to SMWS 01:45 Origin story: Pip Hills 03:38 Global membership today 05:06 Ria’s role in marketing 06:27 How outturns work 10:11 Wild bottle names 11:52 What membership offers 13:19 Members’ Rooms and perks 15:14 Staff training and whisky culture 17:59 Ria’s own whisky journey 23:00 Events, outreach and content 25:36 Win a cask giveaway 29:03 A Belter for America 30:42 How to join and buy 33:24 Wrap up and thanks Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| LIVE FROM THE SPEYBURN DISTILLERY AND SIPPING THEIR NEW 50 YEAR OLD | 03 mai 2026 | 00:41:47 | |
Mitch takes Not Another Whisky Podcast on the road for a live recording at Speyburn, joined by distillery manager Euan Henderson and head of whisky creation Sarah Burgess—two people quietly shaping one of Speyside’s most underrated distilleries. They dig into Speyburn’s “hidden gem” reputation, what’s changed with the new visitor centre, and how the team balances consistency in new make with the creative chaos of building a modern whisky portfolio. There’s proper whisky chat too—none of that vague “notes of happiness” nonsense. The lineup starts with the Speyburn 10 Year Old (refill ex-bourbon, 40%), before moving through the range, touching on the 15 and 18 with their increasing sherry influence, plus experiments with rum casks and the slightly geeky (but very cool) world of dechar/rechar cask rejuvenation. Euan breaks down the distillery’s unusual setup—worm tubs, mixed condensers, and a blend of wooden and stainless steel washbacks—and how those choices shape Speyburn’s crisp, green-apple-driven spirit. There’s also a look at real-world challenges, including water supply issues that actually forced production cuts (because whisky isn’t always as romantic as we pretend it is). They nose fresh, fruity new make, chat about early peated runs now quietly maturing away, and then… land on something ridiculous: A 1975 vintage (53.4%), distilled in 1975 and re-vatted in 2017 into sherry-seasoned European oak butts—packed with rich, balanced old-whisky character and, somehow, still talked about as “good value” (which feels illegal). It’s part distillery deep-dive, part live tasting, part organised chaos—with a proper crowd in the room. 00:00 Welcome & warm-up 00:40 Meet the hosts 02:10 Speyburn: the “hidden gem” conversation 04:07 Who actually does what behind the whisky 08:03 First dram: Speyburn 10 09:12 Range breakdown & cask strategy 12:04 Distillery DNA explained 15:15 Inside Speyburn 16:18 Worm tubs, condensers & water realities 17:18 Drum maltings heritage 18:45 Old stock & shifting flavour profiles 19:56 Expansion vs consistency 20:47 Life as a distillery manager 22:05 Sustainability & water challenges 24:48 New make: green apple and freshness 26:19 Peated experiments & terroir chat 28:51 The 1975 edition story 31:06 Tasting notes & balance 33:46 Age vs flavour debate 36:24 Audience Q&A & wrap Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| MITCH & DAZ CATCH UP | 26 avr. 2026 | 00:30:49 | |
Daz and Mitch are back—slightly dusty, fully loaded with stories, and picking up where they left off. They kick things off by chatting about the now-legendary two-part Thomson Brothers live episodes (and the ongoing failure to actually sit down and have a proper dram with them like normal human beings). Then it takes a turn… Mitch’s back garden goes full disaster movie. A neighbour’s shed fire spreads, wipes out half his own setup, melts the hot tub (yes, melted), and leaves about £10k worth of gear gone. It’s equal parts chaos and a public service announcement: check your insurance before your hot tub becomes modern art. From there, it’s straight back into work mode—hosting guests around Speyside and running Wildmoor experiences at the Fife Arms alongside Aldo Kane and a crew of Taiwanese influencers. Meanwhile, Daz has been living a completely different life—heading stateside from Savannah to Augusta for the Masters. Think whisky tastings, cigars, house parties, and somehow ending up in rooms with Dave Grohl and Brett Young. Casual. Back on home turf, there’s Islay, Jura, and a deep dive into the ever-divisive world of wine cask finishes—sweet wines, orange wines, weird experiments… and the occasional accidental success. They round things out with a look ahead at a stacked Spirit of Speyside lineup—live podcasts, events, questionable decisions—plus plans for Fèis Ìle and the gloriously named “Burning of the Bear” at Lindores Abbey. Standard service resumes. Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open (slightly chaotic, obviously) 00:09 – Back after a month: where have we been? 00:21 – Thomson Brothers live episode recap 01:36 – Mitch’s shed fire disaster (RIP hot tub) 04:08 – Hosting in Speyside & Five Arms Wildmoor experience 05:55 – Daz does the Masters (no phones, all vibes) 08:51 – Augusta afterparty madness 10:48 – Islay, Jura & battling the weather 11:51 – The great wine cask debate begins 14:46 – Weird casks & when port actually works 15:56 – Orange wine casks… seriously 16:20 – Listener poll on wine finishes 16:57 – Recent whisky highlights 18:02 – Highlander side-by-side tasting 18:45 – Listener shoutout (Roy 👏) 19:15 – Spirit of Speyside week preview 19:53 – Live events lineup 22:50 – Opening dinner plans 23:54 – Fèis Ìle plans 24:47 – Laggan Bay milestone 25:07 – Burning of the Bear (yes, really) 26:29 – Laphroaig celebrity collab chat 28:21 – Bottle chat & whisky gifts 29:29 – Wrap up Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE THOMPSON BROS. LIVE - PART 2 | 19 avr. 2026 | 00:57:04 | |
Part two of our live Not Another Whisky Podcast recording with the Thompson Bros at the Craigellachie Hotel picks things up mid-tasting — and it only gets better from here. We start with a chat on label design, working with artists, and the reality of constant releases, before getting into what life actually looks like running a distillery, a hotel, and everything else… in a whisky market that’s not exactly flying right now. From there, we get stuck into Sideburn — a 35-year-old Burnside — and unpack some of the wonderfully confusing, slightly ridiculous naming rules that still exist in Scotch whisky. The conversation drifts (as it should) into world whisky, market pressures, and then lands on the Mystery Malt concept — one of the most talked-about things the Thompson Bros are doing right now. Think scratch-card whisky, full transparency on the breakdown, and bottles that can massively overdeliver on the £65 price point — with a fan credited for the original idea. Across the episode, we taste: North British 33, Clynelish 12, Sideburn 35, Glenrothes 20, Glengoyne 27, and a Mystery Malt — before opening it up to the room for a proper audience Q&A. We cover everything from marketing and ballots to future bottlings and what the Thompson Bros distillery style is really aiming to become. If you enjoyed part one… this is where it really opens up. 00:00 Part Two Kickoff 00:47 Label Art Pressure 02:52 Busy Life Fundraising 04:31 Dram Four Sideburn 05:02 Teaspoon Naming Games 06:39 Burnside Trademark Lore 09:52 Tasting Notes Distillery Style 11:31 World Whisky Reality Check 14:51 Top Picks And Value 16:56 Dram Five Mystery Malt 19:41 How Mystery Malt Works 23:52 Scaling The Series 24:53 Live Guessing Game 26:44 Breaking Shelf Bias 27:29 Consumer Feedback Wins 28:17 Distilleries Get Competitive 30:29 Big Brands Buy In 32:27 Pricing Proof of Concept 34:34 Final Dram Glenrothes 36:03 Audience Q&A Bourbon Plans 38:15 Organic Marketing Approach 42:13 Favorites and Ballots Return 46:54 Future Spirits and Collabs 52:57 New Make Style Strategy 56:28 Wrap Up and Thanks Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE THOMSON BROS. LIVE - PART 1 | 12 avr. 2026 | 00:43:15 | |
Recorded live at the Craigellachie Hotel, this one’s exactly what you’d hope for from a Not Another Whisky Podcast live show, six drams, zero filter, and the Thomson Brothers in full flow. Mitch sits down with Phil and Simon for part 1 of a six-dram tasting that quickly turns into a deep dive on value, volatility, and what’s actually going on behind the scenes in whisky right now. On the tasting table:
Early doors, the conversation gets into why older grain whisky like North British is suddenly everywhere, and how the Thomson Brothers are managing to put out bottles that don’t require a small bank loan (the North British sits at 40.1% and around £65, make of that what you will). From there, it opens up into a proper industry chat:
There’s also a no-holds-barred discussion on whisky tourism — including the impact of decisions by Diageo, the closure of Clynelish’s visitor centre, and the wider shift toward high-end, limited-access experiences. Somewhere in the middle, there’s a quick detour into upcoming Spirit of Speyside shows (because even in the middle of a tasting, you’ve still got tickets to sell…). By the final dram, the conversation lands on sherry casks, long-aged whisky, and the realities of keeping things interesting — before cutting off mid-flow with a Glen Garioch 27 discussion and a neat little cliffhanger for Part Two. TICKETS FOR OUR SHOWS: THREE BLENDERS WALK INTO A BAR WITH BRIAN KINSMAN, OLVER CHILTON AND SARAH BURGESS A CLASH OF THE STILLS - THE RETURN OF THE DISTILLERS SHOWDOWN 00:00 Band Banter 00:28 Live Show Kickoff 01:17 Meet Thomson Brothers 02:05 Six Drams Lineup 02:53 Tasting Format 03:12 North British Grain 04:15 Label Age Mixup 04:41 Pricing And Value 05:16 Yearly Catch Up 05:35 New Distillery Build 06:40 Budget Control Lessons 08:20 Phased Build Plan 09:52 Business Wins And Events 11:36 Blending Approach 13:44 Dram Two And Tourism 16:15 Diageo Decisions Debate 19:03 Tourism At Dornoch 20:18 Value Over Hype 20:54 Castle Bottle Strategy 21:35 Speyside Events Plug 23:14 Clynelish Cask Breakdown 25:50 Closures Hit Communities 27:42 Whisky Boom Bust Math 32:05 Planning For Downturns 33:43 Indie Festival Buzz 38:05 Sherry Cask Debate 38:53 How Many Releases 42:54 Subscribe And Wrap Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| MITCH & DAZ MARCH CATCH UP | 05 avr. 2026 | 00:29:28 | |
Mitch and Daz kick off their first proper catch-up of the year (with zero planning and maximum hair compliments), swapping updates on travel and work: Daz recaps a Dublin weekend that somehow involved more Guinness than Irish whiskey, while Mitch recounts a hectic run of podcast recordings, a corporate tasting, a long drive to see Bladnoch and the new Galloway Distillery, visits with Charlie MacLean , and his first festival since 2017, the Independent Whisky Festival. They then rip through whisky news: InchDairnie becomes a certified B Corp; Denmark’s Stauning starts making gin; GlenAllachie releases a 35-year-old; two Karuizawa casks sell for £4.25m; The Dalmore reopens to guests April 27; Bruichladdich marks 25 years since reopening with Old Skool 10-year-old; Glenrothes launches a 56-year-old; Ricky Gervais-backed Ellers Farm debuts Three Ridings (sold via a pricey Evolution Collection); Glen Moray releases Forbidden Fruit Calvados finish; and World Whiskies Awards nod to winners Joel Harrison, Gary Mills, and Bowmore 21 as best whisky in the world, plus talk of a potential live Edinburgh “battle” vs Whisky Stories. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:05 First Catch Up Of Year 00:52 DA Updates And Travel 01:02 Dublin Weekend Recap 02:18 Busy Week In Scotland 03:15 Indie Spirits Festival Highlights 05:34 Whiskey News Roundup Begins 05:55 InchDairnie B Corp Milestone 07:16 Denmark Distillery Goes Gin 08:11 Martinis And Bar Legends 09:02 GlenAllachie 35 Year Release 10:34 Karuizawa Casks Auction Shock 11:52 Auction Buzz and Banter 12:15 Ollie Stories and Podcast Tease 13:34 Dalmore Reopens Visitor Experience 16:10 Bruichladdich Old School Release 17:46 Glenrothes 56 Year Decanter 19:13 Ricky Gervais Celebrity Whisky 24:17 Glen Moray Calvados Finish 25:53 Awards Season Shoutouts 27:13 Live Podcast Battle Plans 28:41 Wrap Up and Listener Thanks Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| LITTLE BROWN DOG - A CHAT WITH DR. ANDREW SMITH | 31 mars 2026 | 00:45:18 | |
Mitch heads up to the Little Brown Dog HQ to sit down with Managing Director, DR. Andrew Smith for a properly relaxed, no-BS chat about independent bottling—and everything around it. They get into how Andrew went from hospitality (with a brief detour towards becoming a vet) to co-running one of Scotland’s more quietly interesting bottlers, what actually makes a cask worth bottling in today’s market, and why they’re not just sticking to whisky. From Scotch to rum to Calvados, this is a conversation about flavour over category—and whether whisky drinkers might need to start looking beyond their own glass. Andrew also shares the story behind starting Little Brown Dog, where they want to take it next, and how he sees the current state of the industry—especially the realities facing independent bottlers right now. There’s also an unsuccessful attempt to drag Chris onto the podcast, some rally driving chat, and a crash story that definitely wasn’t meant to be funny… but absolutely is. A loose, honest conversation with one of the good guys in the industry. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| WHISKY TALES WITH ARTHUR MOTLEY: FROM BUYING TO CONSULTING | 23 mars 2026 | 00:57:04 | |
Arthur Motley on Cask Backrooms, Whisky Identity, and the Liquid Antiquarian Arthur Motley joins Mitch & Daz in Bennet’s Bar for a cracking conversation on cask buying, whisky identity, and what happens when one of the industry’s most experienced retailers decides to go it alone. From his early days at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to 21 years at Royal Mile Whiskies — where he worked his way from cask buyer to managing director — Arthur has seen whisky from just about every angle. He talks about the wild early-2000s cask market, when buying stock was a very different game, and how things gradually shifted from open sampling and relationship-led deals to tighter supply and buying “off paper.” The chat also dives into why he left Royal Mile, what his consultancy work looks like now, and why brand identity and route-to-market matter more than ever. There’s plenty of whisky geekery too, including early Japanese SMWS bottlings, the rise of world whisky, and Arthur’s brilliant historical project The Liquid Antiquarian with Dave Broom. Expect big thoughts on the 1823 Excise Act, the speed of Scotch’s evolution, and the stories behind the liquid we all bang on about. 00:00 Rolling and intro 00:07 Meet Arthur Motley 02:14 Bennet’s Bar and pubs 02:40 Cornwall pub story 04:38 Joining Royal Mile 05:44 Early whisky scene 08:20 Whisky passion sparked 10:05 Cask buying then 14:19 Single malt boom 18:37 Leaving Royal Mile 22:15 Consultancy focus now 24:53 Identity and history work 27:27 Whisky History Needs Stories 29:50 Brand Identity Done Right 30:43 Bruichladdich Under Remy 34:37 First Japanese Bottlings 36:55 World Whisky Boom 39:36 Scotch as Global Style 42:19 Birth of Liquid Antiquarian 44:38 1823 vs 1494 Debate 47:38 Biggest Research Revelations 51:08 Patreon Plans and Community 56:09 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 30 MINS WITH MARTIN EBER OF TIME FOR WHISKY | 15 mars 2026 | 00:24:55 | |
Time For Whisky’s Martin Eber on Hong Kong’s Generosity, Japan’s Bar Magic, and Keeping Whiskey Blogs Alive Daz welcomes Martin Eber of Time For Whisky, an Australian whisky blogger he has known for about 11 years, to discuss his journey from collecting travel-retail bottles in 2008–2009 to starting the Time For Whisky blog in 2012 and moving to Hong Kong in 2014 as the scene rapidly expanded. They highlight Hong Kong’s uniquely generous whisky culture, where rare bottles are opened and shared, and discuss the decline of long-form whisky blogs amid social media and AI-generated content, with Martin aiming to keep authentic writing going. Martin recalls standout moments including a 2018 media trip for The Macallan’s new distillery launch, and hosting an early international Starward tasting. He names Japan as the best place to drink whisky for vintage selections and pricing, then shares updates on returning to Australia, growing Time For Whisky with contributors, and observations on Australia’s booming but crowded distilling scene. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:37 Whiskey Beginnings in Australia 02:37 Starting the Time for Whiskey Blog 03:51 Moving to Hong Kong Scene 05:17 Hong Kong Generosity and Rare Drams 06:48 Why Blogs Still Matter 09:32 Standout Whiskey Moments 14:37 Japan the Best Place to Drink 17:56 Back in Australia Whats Next 20:21 Australian Whiskey Boom and Challenges 22:58 Tasmanian Highlights and Wrap Up Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE INDIAN WHISKY MARKET EXPLAINED: IMFL, TARIFFS & 1.4 BILLION DRINKERS | 08 mars 2026 | 00:51:09 | |
India is the largest whisky market in the world , yet Scottish whisky still represents only a tiny slice of what’s actually being drunk. In this episode, Mitch and Daz unpack the reality behind the headlines and explore how the Indian whisky ecosystem really works. From IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) and the role Scottish Whisky plays inside local blends, to changing consumer trends, tariffs, cocktail culture, and the rise of Indian single malts, this episode dives into one of the most complex — and fascinating — whisky markets on the planet. To get a proper on-the-ground perspective, Mitch speaks with two industry insiders working directly in the Indian drinks scene. First up is Angad Singh Gandhi, former Glenfiddich ambassador turned drinks consultant and founder of Drams With Drama, who explains how Indian drinkers are becoming more adventurous and how bars, whisky experiences, and local producers are reshaping the market. Then Fraser Morrison joins the show from just outside Delhi to discuss the reality of selling Scotch in India — from state-by-state regulations and pricing differences to the aspirational role single malt still plays for many drinkers. Along the way Mitch and Daz break down:
If you’ve ever wondered why India drinks so much whisky — and what that means for Scotch — this episode explains it all.
Join Mitch & Daz in person at one of our upcoming live whisky tastings. 🎟️ Tickets & upcoming events: https://www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com/live-events Instagram: @notanotherwhiskypodcast Website: https://www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SOMEHOW WE'VE DONE 200 EPISODES OF THESE!! | 01 mars 2026 | 01:03:12 | |
Nicholas Pollacchi joins Mitch and Daz for the 200th episode of Not Another Whisky Podcast — which feels equal parts milestone and minor miracle. We rewind to April 2021 when the audio was ropey, the format was loose, and Mitch decided he’d edit every episode himself (questionable life choice). From there, listener questions take over — which means things escalate quickly. We relive:
There’s debate on single grain, whether Fife counts as a region, innovation vs regulation, collecting vs opening bottles, dream guests, dream casks, and the ultimate “last bottle” gift. Mostly though, this one’s about the listeners. The people who’ve turned up, sent questions, bought tickets, and backed two Speyside lads talking whisky for far longer than anyone expected. 200 episodes down. Still serious about whisky. Still not taking ourselves too seriously. 00:00 Cold Open Bar Banter 00:33 Episode 200 Kickoff 01:37 Roasting the Fits 03:29 How We Got Here 04:15 New York VIP Night 05:52 Tequila Egg White Cocktail 08:21 Afterparty & 30 Rock Cameo 11:19 Catching Up With Mitch 11:56 Early Podcast Days 14:18 Fan Questions Begin 17:58 Car Crash Tasting Stories 20:35 Vegas Heckler Showdown 24:42 Best Whisky Festivals 30:31 Is Fife a Region? 31:53 Rethinking Grain Categories 33:10 Innovation vs Regulations 35:22 Favourite Bottles 37:01 Snow Phoenix Alcatraz Story 39:54 Dream Distillery Manager Year 42:43 Celebrity Dream Guests 46:05 Last Dram Gift Picks 49:03 Tariffs & The US Market 50:23 Weirdest Tasting Locations 52:17 Siberia Banya Adventure 56:17 Owning a Dream Cask 01:00:49 Closing the 200th Episode Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| ARDNAHOE - A CHAT WITH DISTILLERY MANAGER DAVID LIVINGSTONE | 22 févr. 2026 | 00:28:58 | |
This week we welcome Ardnahoe distillery manager David Livingston to discuss the Islay distillery’s location, origins, and whisky style. Livingston explains Hunter Laing’s long-held ambition to create their own distillery, Ardnahoe’s opening in 2018, and his own third-generation Islay whisky background. He reflects on how Islay has changed with tourism and the rise of single malts, and why whisky is vital to the island’s economy as farming and fishing decline. The conversation covers Fèis Ìle’s growth and 40th anniversary, Ardnahoe’s early production moments, and the distillery’s approach to making spirit—slow mashing, fermentations over 70 hours, slow distillation, and worm tubs aimed at a sweet, heavy-bodied, fruity spirit with peat on the finish. We also discuss Ardnahoe’s core range (including Infinite Loch), cask strength releases, future aging ambitions, the visitor experience and staff, and how Ardnahoe benefits from Hunter Laing’s independent bottling heritage and bar selection, including the Kinship range. 00:00 Welcome to Islay: Introducing Ardnahoe & Distillery Manager David Livingston 00:49 That View (and the Coffee): Why Ardnahoe’s Location Is So Special 01:35 How Ardnahoe Happened: Hunter Laing’s Dream Becomes a Distillery (2018–Now) 03:26 Born & Bred Islay: David’s Whisky Upbringing and Peat-Bog Memories 04:43 Islay Then vs Now: Tourism, Single Malts, and the Island Economy 07:25 Fèis Ìle at 40: Music, Whisky, Culture—and 2026 Plans 10:40 From Banter to Build: David’s Role, Arran Detour, and the First Spirit Run 14:35 Making the Spirit: Slow Mashing, Long Ferments, Worm Tubs & Flavor Goals 16:19 Tasting Notes & Core Range: Infinite Loch, Cask Strength, and Smoke Level (40 PPM) 20:58 Production Split & Switching Styles: Peated vs Unpeated Campaigns 23:23 Looking Ahead: Quality Over Quantity, Visitor-Centre Vibes, and Independent Bottlings 27:40 Wrap-Up & Invitations: Ferry Logistics, Twin Rooms, and Final Thanks Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| CHATTING ABOUT THE WHISKY WORLD WITH DAVID STIRK | 15 févr. 2026 | 00:46:01 | |
This week Mitch sits down with David Stirk — whisky writer, independent bottler, whisky historian — for a wide-ranging conversation on Campbeltown, the rise (and early struggles) of indie bottlers, and where the Scotch industry is and might actually be heading. From his first life-changing dram of Glenlivet 21 in 1996 to building Creative Whisky, rewriting the history of Campbeltown, and diving into a Master’s in History to sharpen his research, this episode covers David's graft, controversy, and some properly strong opinions about surplus production and the future of Scotch. Before all that, though… Daz and Mitch chat about existential dread about Scotland’s rugby chances. Standard start to the week and kick of with with winter vibes, whisky chat, and a public service announcement about the pies at Glasgow’s Pot Still (worth the train fare alone). LIVE TASTING ALERT We’re hosting the Thompson Brothers (Phil & Simon) at the Craigellachie Hotel on March 26th at 7pm. It will be loud, it will be chaotic, it will sell out. Tickets at notanotherwhiskypodcast.com or via the Instagram link. We also get into Spirit of Speyside prep — nine events hosted by us this year, four live podcast tastings, and listings landing mid-February. If last year’s sell-outs taught us anything… move fast. 00:00 Snowy Speyside Catch-Up: Whisky, Fire & Winter Vibes 00:23 Rugby Reality Check: Dreading the England Match 00:43 Glasgow’s Pot Still Love-In: Pies, Beans & Whisky Bar Chat 02:00 Valentine’s Weekend Welcome + A Pink Port-Cask Promise 02:36 Big News: Thompson Brothers Live Tasting (Craigellachie, Mar 26) 03:52 Spirit of Speyside Prep: Uploading Events & Hosting Nine Tastings 04:47 Meet the Guest: David Stirk Returns to the Podcast 06:32 How It Started: A Glenlivet 21 Dram That Changed Everything 09:35 Breaking In: Speyside Festival Tastings to Whisky Magazine Days 11:28 Detours & Turning Points: America, 9/11, Cadenhead’s & Campbeltown 14:14 Writing Whisky Books: Campbeltown, Publishing Realities & Archives 19:16 Where He’s At Now: Master’s in History & The Drive to Carve Your Path 21:33 Next Up: What Exactly Is Creative Whisky? 21:49 The cask sample that sparked the idea to create whisky 22:22 Early indie bottling struggles: price pushback & skeptical drinkers 23:48 Why indie bottlers are booming now (and how big brands see them) 27:20 Back to uni: the whisky history books David wants to write 29:57 State of the industry: SWA numbers, India, and the next-gen drinking shift 34:15 Book plug: David Stirk’s whisky library (and what each one covers) 36:41 What’s next: festivals, Little Brown Dog, and a Glasgow distilling dissertation 39:47 Wrap-up & host banter: upcoming trips, Islay stories, and next episode tease Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| INSIDE WHISKY CAST: A CHAT WITH MARK GILLESPIE | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:38:58 | |
This week on Not Another Whisky Podcast, Mitch & Daz do something dangerously self-indulgent: they look back at how this whole thing started. From a shared love of whisky (and questionable decision-making) to accidentally building a podcast people actually listen to, they dig into the origins of NAWP, the friendships that fuel it, and why they’ve never quite followed the “normal” whisky podcast rulebook. They chat inspiration, format, and how their approach stacks up against other whisky pods — including why they’ve always leaned into conversation over catechism, curiosity over credentials, and fun over faux-seriousness. Then things get properly nerdy (in a good way) as they’re joined by Mark Gillespie, the man behind WhiskyCast, who’s been podcasting about whisky longer than most of us have been arguing about chill filtration online. Mark shares what it’s been like documenting the whisky world for over two decades — how the industry has evolved, what’s genuinely changed, what hasn’t, and which trends he finds exciting… or mildly terrifying. Expect plenty of side-quests into favourite drams, legendary whisky characters, industry myths, and a few moments of “how did we end up here?” reflection. 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:21 Discussing the Podcast's Unique Approach 01:03 Origins of the Podcast 03:36 Whisky Podcast Landscape 04:53 Personal Podcast Preferences 08:31 Interview with Mark Gillespie Begins 20:42 Vegas Toga Party and Whisky Adventures 21:32 Current State of the Whisky Industry 24:35 Future of Whisky Cask and Industry Reflections 25:07 Whisky Festivals and Podcasting Insights 29:12 Global Whisky Trends and Innovations 34:20 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| NEW YEAR....SEASON 6 | 25 janv. 2026 | 00:36:11 | |
A lively kick-off of Season 6, the Mitch & Daz welcome listeners with a post-holiday catch-up. They contemplate the ideal cutoff for New Year greetings, and share their plans for revealing their weights in the next episode (maybe not!) They get into their festive adventures, from drinking boutique whiskies to escaping to sunny Portugal. The duo previews exciting plans for 2026, including 45 episodes, live shows, and their participation in the Spirit of Speyside Festival with industry heavyweights. They touch on Whisky news, including a trademark battle involving James Martin, changes in Whisky tourism with Clynelish's closure, and exciting new releases like Lochlea's 7-year-old and Highland Park's vibrant Heather. Additionally, they lament Meta's impact on Whisky communities, discuss the potential of aluminum Whisky bottles, and celebrate Rita Greenwood as the first female chair of the Scotch Whisky Association. 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings 00:37 Holiday Recap and Personal Updates 01:38 Whisky Talk and Festive Spirits 03:15 Travel Tales and Whisky Prices 06:25 Plans for the New Season 10:53 Dry January and Burns Night 15:32 Whisky World News 17:31 Trademark Maintenance and Brand Transfers 18:37 Whisky Tourism and Visitor Centers 21:04 New Whisky Releases and Distillery Updates 22:36 Meta's Alcohol Policy Changes 25:34 Innovations in Whisky Packaging 26:54 First Female Chair of the SWA 28:28 Elixir's Trail Series and Global Spirits 31:33 Highland Park's New Release 33:46 Positive Outlook for the Whisky Industry 34:37 Burns Night Celebrations and Farewell Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE FINAL EPISODE...OF 2025 | 22 déc. 2025 | 00:41:07 | |
Mitch & Daz sit down and look back on the year that was 2025. Thanks to all of you who listened to us this year and have a great festive season, we will be back 1st Feb 2026 Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE GLENLIVETS CASK MASTERS A CHAT WITH THEIR NEW MASTER BLENDER, KEVIN BALMFORTH | 14 déc. 2025 | 00:36:41 | |
Exploring Glenlivet's New Cask Masters Collection with Andrew Bardsley and Kevin Balmforth In this episode, we dive into the Glenlivet's new Cask Masters collection with special guests and Kevin Balmforth, Glenlivet’s newly appointed Master Blender and Andrew Bardsley, the Global Brand Director of Prestige at Pernod Ricard, The discussion touches on their personal experiences, motivations, and approaches to crafting these unique whiskies. We taste and evaluates three new expressions: the 14-year-old, 16-year-old, and 19-year-old, highlighting the distinct flavours, casks, and innovations involved. Kevin also shares insights into the creation of the Glenlivet 56-year-old special release, and there are discussions on the balance between innovation and consistency in maintaining Glenlivet's storied legacy. The episode wraps up with information on where to find these exclusive whiskies in travel retail. 00:00 Introduction to Glenlivet's Cask Masters Collection 00:10 Meet the Experts: Andrew Bardsley and Kevin Balmforth 01:40 Setting the Scene: Quake Bar and Festive Vibes 02:14 Andrew's Busy Year and New Releases 04:16 Kevin's Journey in the Whisky Industry 07:53 The 14-Year-Old Glenlivet: Tasting and Insights 16:08 Exploring the 16-Year-Old Glenlivet 18:02 Exploring Whisky Styles 18:49 The Surprising 16-Year-Old 20:36 Innovation and Consistency at Glenlivet 23:09 The Unique Scottish Oak 30:19 The 56-Year-Old Glenlivet 33:38 Cask Masters Series and Pricing 35:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A CATCH UP WITH MARK THOMSON | 07 déc. 2025 | 00:36:37 | |
In this episode, Mitch welcomes back Mark Thomson, to the Pod. They chat about Mark's recent departure from Duncan Taylor. Mark discusses his transition to freelance work, selling his house, and moving to the countryside. They delve into the current state of the whisky industry, including trends, pricing, and the future of brand ambassadorship. Mark also shares his top picks for value whiskies under £100 : -https://www.inchdairniedistillery.com/ -https://www.glenscotia.com/products/12-year-old-single-malt-whisky https://www.arranwhisky.com/shop-whiskies/arran-single-malts/14-arran-quarter-cask-whisky-the-bothy https://www.bowmore.com/en-gb/whiskies/15-year-old-sherry-oak-cask 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:47 Catching Up with Mark Thomson 01:26 Life Changes and New Beginnings 03:07 Whisky Industry Insights 05:27 Market Trends and Predictions 14:41 Brand Ambassadorship Challenges 17:30 Value Whiskies Discussion 18:09 Reviewing the Limited Edition Arran Whiskey 19:37 Exploring Glen Scotia's Offerings 20:53 Discovering InchDairnie Distillery 23:40 Tasting Notes on Tormore and Bunnahabhain 27:59 Reflecting on Whisky Preferences and Trends 32:00 Whisky Predictions for 2026 35:47 Closing Remarks and Future Plans Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE FILMMAKERS OF THE WATER OF LIFE AND INDEPENDENT SPIRITS | 30 nov. 2025 | 00:32:54 | |
Mitch chats with Greg Schwartz and Guy Satchwell, the masterminds behind the riveting whisky docuseries, 'Water of Life' and 'Independent Spirits'. Get a front-row seat to their journey from film sets to distilleries, the joyous mayhem of their shoots, and the serendipitous moments that fuelled their passion projects. Along the way, they spill secrets about their upcoming 'Farm to Bottle' series and tease the next Independent Spirits Festival. Spoiler: there’s plenty of whisky, collegiality, and late-night drams in between! 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:43 Meet the Guests: Greg Schwartz and Guy Satchel 01:50 The Water of Life: Origins and Inspirations 05:31 Making Connections in the Whisky World 09:19 Filming Challenges and Experiences 15:03 The Impact of COVID-19 on the Film's Release 16:16 The Journey to the Docuseries 16:27 The Birth of the Independent Bottlers Film 17:18 Challenges and Collaborations 18:42 The Making of the Docuseries 19:21 Insights into Independent Bottlers 22:01 Structuring the Series 26:53 The Independent Spirit Festival 30:19 Future Projects and Final Thoughts Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| MITCH & DAZ NOVEMBER CATCH UP | 23 nov. 2025 | 00:43:24 | |
Welcome back to the chaos! Daz and Mitch kick off the episode with beard banter and a Santa lookalike contest. Then they rejoice over Scotland's World Cup qualification. Mitch shares his packed schedule, including tours and tastings with bartenders and ambassadors from across the globe. The episode also features an interview with Tom Jolly and Pavel Sowa from the new fine dining spot - Geamair blending local produce with innovative dishes. They chat about Bruichladdich's quadruple distilled whisky, RoseIsle maltings halting production, and Glencadams new visitor centre. 00:00 A Humorous Start 01:26 Celebrating Scotland's World Cup Qualification 03:45 Whiskey Adventures and Tastings 10:56 Fine Dining at the Craigellachie Hotel 21:34 Discussing the Menu Concept 22:47 The River Space Course 23:18 Goals for the Restaurant 24:52 Booking and Pricing Details 26:41 The Gamekeeper and Polly's Tipple 30:44 Whiskey News: Diageo Halts Roseisle Maltings 32:39 Peatland Restoration Efforts 37:34 Brooke Laddie's Quadruple Distilled Whiskey 39:22 Glen Ham Visitor Center Opening 41:54 Holiday Whiskey Traditions Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| NOT ANOTHER F@CKING WHISKY BOOK | 16 nov. 2025 | 00:30:06 | |
In this special episode of 'Not Another Whisky Podcast,' hosts celebrate nearing their 200th show by welcoming co-host Mitch Beard as a guest on his own podcast! Mitch discusses his recently published book, 'Not Another F*cking Whisky Book,' shares some of its hilarious anecdotes, and reflects on the challenges and inspirations behind writing it. They delve into the unique storytelling style, the process of self-publishing, and how his personal stories intertwine with serious whisky industry topics. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Milestone 00:27 Technical Difficulties and Podcast Setup 00:55 Special Guest Introduction: Mitch Beard 02:42 Mitch Beard's New Book 04:50 Inspiration Behind the Book 11:02 Writing Process and Challenges 13:20 Self-Publishing and Advice for Aspiring Authors 15:01 Writing Process and Style 15:51 Releasing the Book and Initial Reactions 17:14 Stories from the Book 22:53 Whisky and Sustainability 23:45 Future Plans and Reflections 27:07 Where to Buy the Book 28:33 Upcoming Podcast Episodes Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| VISITING THE NEW EDEN MILL DISTILLERY | 02 nov. 2025 | 00:29:52 | |
This week, Mitch goes it alone and visits the brand new Eden Mill Distillery in Guardbridge, just a stone’s throw from the historic town of St Andrews, where he catches up with the Brand Home Manager, Euan Kinninmonth. Set on the banks of the stunning Eden Estuary (with views toward the iconic St Andrews skyline), Eden Mill blends rich heritage with bold modern innovation. Euan guides Mitch through the distillery’s dual focus on both gin and whisky — from their award-winning coastal gins (including botanicals sourced from the local Fife landscape) to their rapidly evolving single-malt whisky programme. But there’s more than production to explore: the new visitor centre opens up a next-level experience, featuring a top-floor cocktail bar overlooking the estuary, and yes — a golf simulator (naturally, given the proximity to the home of golf) built right into the distillery experience. Tune in to find out how Eden Mill is creating spirits with a sense of place, embracing sustainability (including running on renewable electricity) and carving out a distinctive voice in the Lowland whisky scene. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| SULLIVANS COVE A CHAT WITH CEO, ANDY GAUNT | 26 oct. 2025 | 00:35:37 | |
This week Mitch and Daz sit down with Sullivans Cove CEO, Andy Gaunt, they chat all thing Tasmanian whisky and get to try their new 25 year old (the oldest 'New World' whisky to hit the market.) Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| OCTOBER CATCH UP WITH MITCH & DAZ | 19 oct. 2025 | 00:27:20 | |
This weeks episode sees Mitch & Daz sit down and talk about what they have been upo to including Mitch's launch of his new edition of Turas Mòr whisky a Bruichladdich 18 year finished in a rum cask. Daz talks about attending the Distillers one of one auction and how his Laphroiag reached 6 figures for the incredible charity auction and they catch up on all the news including the disater that saw the Macallan tree fall down. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| DRAMMING ABERLOUR WITH ALAN WINCHESTER | 13 oct. 2025 | 00:42:54 | |
Join Mitch and the legendary Alan Winchester, with over five decades of experience in the whisky world, as they dive into the rich history and stories behind Aberlour. Recorded at the cozy Quaich Bar in the Craigellachie Hotel, the episode covers Alan's illustrious career, his firsthand experiences at Aberlour, and his latest adventures from safari trips in South Africa to whisky shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Alan shares fascinating insights about the history of Aberlour Distillery, the use of the Solera method, and the upcoming new distillery project. The duo also tastes three exclusive travel retail Aberlour expressions—the 13-year-old Double Cask Matured, the Suthainn, and the 16-year-old Double Charred—while amusing listeners with ghost stories and whisky trivia. For more information on aber travel retail exclusives visit : https://www.aberlour.com/en/ Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| LIVE FROM THE KYTHE DISTILLERY | 08 oct. 2025 | 00:35:22 | |
In this episode of 'Not Another Whisky Podcast,' Daz dives into the world of traditional whisky-making at the soon to be completed Kythe Distillery. Daz visits the distillery to caht with co-founders Jonny McMillan and Angus MacRaild. They discuss their passion for old-style whisky and the journey that led them to establish their distillery in the scenic Perthshire area. From using floor-malted barley to direct fire stills, find out why they are dedicated to recreating the quality and character of vintage whisky. Tune in to hear about their innovative and authentic approach to distillation, the challenges they face, and their plans for future production. Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| THE MALT WHISKY MURDERS - WHISKY AND WHODUNITS | 28 sept. 2025 | 00:35:23 | |
In this episode host Mitch Bechard dives into the intriguing world of whisky and murder mysteries with author Natalie Jayne Clark, discussing her debut novel 'The Malt Whisky Murders.' They chat about everything from the novel's inspiration, set in Campbelltown's rich whisky history, to Natalie’s personal whisky journey, and her writing process. The conversation touches on how whisky lovers have embraced her book, with nods to distilleries like Benromach and Bruichladdich. Tune in for tastings, murder plots, and what might be brewing for her next book. 00:00 Introduction to 'The Malt Whisky Murders' 00:46 Meet the Author: Natalie Jayne Clark 01:51 Natalie's Journey into Whisky 05:00 The Inspiration Behind the Novel 09:31 Crafting the Distillery Setting 12:53 Character Development and Tasting Notes 17:08 Writing Process and Neurodivergence 17:40 Diving into Obsessions and Research 18:36 Writing Process and Techniques 20:36 Securing the Book Deal 21:24 Pitching at Bloody Scotland 26:16 Whisky Community's Response 29:34 Future Projects and Quick Fire Round Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| WHISKY WITHOUT BORDERS. | 21 sept. 2025 | 00:44:27 | |
In this episode of Not Another Whisky podcast, Mitch dives solo into the fascinating world of global travel retail and its impact on the Scotch whisky industry. Joined by special guest Andrew Bardsley, Global Director of Prestige at Pernod Ricard, they explore the importance of airport whisky shelves, the allure of travel-exclusive releases, and the exciting new Aberlour range. Andrew shares insights from his 20+ years in the spirits business, detailing how travel retail has evolved and why it's a critical shop window for whisky brands. They discuss everything from consumer behavior, the role of brand ambassadors, and the growth of whisky in Asian markets, to the challenges posed by economic factors and tariffs. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 00:19 Exploring Global Travel Retail 01:33 Special Guest: Andrew Bardsley 03:07 Andrew's Role and Experience 05:42 Understanding the Travel Retail Market 06:48 Investment in Travel Retail 09:45 Consumer Engagement and Demographics 12:54 Avalara's Travel Retail Range 16:20 Global Trends and Market Changes 18:58 Insights on Consumer Data 20:20 Boutiques in Travel Retail 22:30 Creating Memorable Consumer Experiences in Airports 24:03 The Importance of Asia in Travel Retail 26:02 Travel Retail as a Test Bed for Whisky 28:57 Engaging Whisky Enthusiasts and Broader Audiences 32:37 Future of Travel Retail 36:12 Scotch Whisky vs. Other Spirits in Travel Retail 39:34 Personal Whisky Preferences and Stories 41:23 Favorite Airports and Consumer Behavior Insights 43:23 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Whisky Launches Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||