DistilleryTours

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast, David Riddell records from Glendronach Distillery’s tasting room during its 200th anniversary year where he is joined by global brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan, who shares his journey through the Scotch whisky industry, from early hands-on production work and engineering roles to his transition into international brand advocacy. The conversati...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we travel to the far north of Scotland to the iconic Pulteney Distillery in Wick. As the distillery celebrates its 200th anniversary, David Riddell speaks to Brand Home Senior Host Daniel Ross in the tasting room to explore two centuries of whisky-making heritage. They dive into Pulteney’s fascinating history - from its origins in 1826 and its ti...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast, we’re joined by Iain Allan, Global Brand Ambassador for Glen Moray Distillery. Speaking with Iain we explore a distillery that might feel like a newer name to some, but is steeped in history and character. Iain guides us through Glen Moray’s diverse range, from the approachable core collection to its more experimental cask-driven releases and th...

In this episode of the DistilleryTours.scot podcast, we head to the shores of the Firth of Forth to meet Colm O’Rourke, the larger-than-life owner of Blackness Bay Distillery in the historic village of Blackness, just outside Edinburgh. Now in his seventies, Colm is pouring his heart and soul into his legacy project. The distillery’s whisky is made the traditional way in copper pot stills with unf...

In the latest episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast, we sit down with David Allen, Director of Sales and Marketing at Springbank Distillers. David shares the rich history of distilling in Campbeltown and explains why Springbank is often described as a working museum. Family owned for many years and still fiercely traditional, the distillery continues to do almost everything by hand, from flo...

In this edition of the DistilleryTours.scot podcast, we’re heading to the Angus coast to visit Angus Alchemy, just outside Carnoustie. We sit down with Distillery Manager Colin Thomson and founders Phil Paton and Martin Brown for a lively chat about their bold and unconventional approach to spirits. From Honeyberry Moonshine to Prickly Gin, Angus Alchemy is shaking up the scene with inventive flav...

In this episode of the DistilleryTours.scot podcast, we’re joined by Alex Thomson, Brand Home Manager at Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire - Scotland’s oldest working distillery. Alex takes us through Glenturret’s rich history and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at some of the tours that bring this iconic distillery to life for visitors. We also explore the Glenturret’s standout special releas...

In this episode of the DistilleryTours.scot podcast, we’re joined by Mike McGinty, Brand Home Ambassador for Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Mike shares the fascinating story behind Aberfeldy, the only distillery ever built by the legendary Dewar family. As pioneers in the art of blending, the Dewars chose this site for its perfect combination of heritage, railway access and a remarkably pure water...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Peter Holroyd, Distillery Manager at Kingsbarns Distillery.  Peter takes us behind the scenes at this stunning distillery in Fife, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s golf country just a stone’s throw from St Andrews. He shares what makes Kingsbarns so special – from its beautiful setting to the meticulous distilling methods that shape...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Nick Savage, Master Distiller and Head of Operations at Bladnoch Distillery.  Nick tells us all about Bladnoch’s history, stunning setting and its 2015 ‘resurrection’, describing it as a ‘brand new, 200 year old distillery’!  We learn that Nick’s mantra is ‘taste first’ and how that flows through everything the distillery produces - f...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Libby-Jo Dempster, Visitor Centre Team Leader at Tomatin Distillery.  Libby-Jo tells us about Tomatin’s long and illustrious history, once the largest distillery in the world in the mid 70s it was producing some 12.5million litres of alcohol in a year!  The 23 stills used back then have since become a more modest 6 - with the focus of...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Stewart Buchanan, Global Brand Ambassador for Benriach, Glendronach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.  Stewart's undeniable enthusiasm for all things whisky shines through as we learn more about the enduring histories of both Benriach and Glendronach.  But it is Glenlassaugh that we pay particular attention to, the small but perfectly f...

In this edition of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Ian McAlister, Distillery Manager and Master Distiller at Campbeltown’s Glen Scotia Distillery.  Ian tells us about Campbeltown’s rich whisky heritage and how Glen Scotia has been a part of that for many years.  We learn more about the distillery’s various whiskies, including their Icons series which pays tribute to the Campbeltown co...

In this episode of the distillerytours.scot podcast we speak to Drew McKenzie Smith, Managing Director of Lindores Abbey Distillery. Drew talks about growing up on the farm at Lindores Abbey and how, after a stint working away in England, he and his wife Helen returned to create the distillery we know today.  We learn that it was thanks to Michael Jackson's book, Scotland and its Whiskies that the...

Gordon Dallas is Experiential Ambassador at Ian McLeod Distillers, in this role Gordon brings the stories of Glengoyne, Tamdhu and now Rosebank Distilleries to life with an entertaining flourish! We speak to him about all three distilleries and their delicious whiskies but with a particular nod to Falkirk’s Rosebank Distillery which has recently been ‘reawakened’ after a 25 year gap in production....

Bridgeen tells us she has ‘the best job in the world’ at Clydeside Distillery and it is easy to understand why when you hear her talk about the distillery’s role in bringing back whisky production to the city of Glasgow.  In the podcast you will discover more about Glasgow’s rich history of whisky production and how the distillery plays homage to that in its tours and hear about Clydeside’s range...

In this episode we speak to Lukasz Dynowiak, Global Brand Ambassador at International Beverages.  Due to his role, Lukasz finds himself in the fortunate position of working with some amazing distilleries including Balblair, Pulteney, Speyburn and Knockdhu and so it will come as no surprise that there was plenty for himself and David to chat about.  Listen as they delve into the history of each dis...

In this episode we speak to Ian Stirling, joint owner of the Port of Leith Distillery - one of Scotland’s newest distilleries and the world’s tallest!  Ian tells us about his journey from selling wine in London to co-owning the brilliant gin brand - Lind and Lime which helped set them on the path to building the fantastic Port of Leith Distillery.  He explains how they managed to secure the land r...

In this episode we speak to Jamie Morrison, Glenturret Distillery’s Global Brand Ambassador. Jamie tells us some of the history of Scotland’s oldest working distillery and also brings to life Glenturret’s whisky expressions and its ‘extremely rare range’.  Glenturret is the only distillery in the world to have a Michelin star venue on site, so there is some discussion around the amazing Lalique re...

In this episode, David Riddell speaks Angela Dineen, Operations Director at the Scotch Whisky Experience which is based at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile near to the castle itself.  Angela tells us that the Edinburgh attraction is just about to launch a brand new immersive whisky experience which will enthral and engage anyone who visits.  We also learn more about its amazing whisky collection,...

In this episode, David Riddell speaks to Archie McDermott, manager at Luvians Bottle Shop in St Andrews.  Archie tells us more about the history of Luvians and its journey from Fife ice cream parlour to award-winning bottle shop, with the St Andrews branch stocking more than 300 different whiskies and the ‘mothership’ Cupar branch, custodians of over 1000 varieties of whisky…  He also talks about...

We speak to the legend that is James Cosmo - actor, producer and proud whisky connoisseur. James discusses how he went from Clydebank to Hollywood to star in over 150 films including Scottish classics Trainspotting and Braveheart and of course we also hear more about his role in the phenomenally successful Game Of Thrones TV series.  We also hear all about the whisky James has produced with Annand...

We speak to Holly Aynsley, PR & Events Manager and Calum Rae, Assistant Distillery Manager at Holyrood Distillery. Holly tells us about the history of Holyrood and why you should go along to enjoy some of the brilliant experiences that are available. She also tells us about the distillery’s Mash Up Festival and how to get your hands on some tickets. Calum explains their approach to distilling...

We speak to Andrew Lennie, Single Malt Specialist at Whyte & Mackay.  Andrew tells us all about Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin distilleries; their history, the brilliant malts they produce and why we should visit! He also talks about some of the new expressions we can look forward to tasting in the future.

We speak to Jo McKerchar, Diageo Historian & Archivist and Kirsten Wilson Senior Site Manager at Glenkinchie Distillery.  Jo tells us all about the history and legacy of Glenkinchie Distillery and its place as the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker while Kirsten explains the processes and traditional methods that go into producing such an outstanding and complex malt whisky.