Whisky Talk

This month Calum and Richard are joined by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Anthony Delcros as the trio prepare for this year's whisky festivals. Anthony reveals his own whisky journey while covering all the adventures he has planned to take the Society's tastings off the beaten track at the Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay festivals.

This month Calum and Richard get zen as they're guided through a ‘dramaste' styled tasting by Lucy Connor. Lucy took a day out from her time behind the bar at The Vaults to chat through this year's International Women's Day bottlings, discuss some of her maverick tasting ideas, and share her own whisky journey.

Richard and Calum catch up with Matt Bailey, who recently joined The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's European team as managing director. The trio discuss Tasmanian whisky, psychotic dram decisions and delve into some of the Society bottlings coming out in the UK and Europe in February.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society ambassador and Tasting Panel chairperson Olaf Meier is a fountain of knowledge, driven by a limitless number of whisky stories and a huge passion for the Society and the wider whisky world. Olaf now finds himself celebrating his 20th year representing the Society. Despite having more than two decades of whisky experience, Olaf started his journey with humble beginnings, as Duncan Gorman finds out.

In this episode we're going on a special journey across Spain, to tell the story of whisky and sherry and the wonderful synergy between the two worlds when it comes to sherry cask matured whisky. We travel to the oak forests of Galicia in the far northwest of Spain to take the creation of Spanish oak casks right back to the beginning, in the Cantabrian forest, before heading south to Jerez and the Sherry Triangle, to visit the cooperages and bodegas where the casks are built and then seasoned with different styles of sherry wine.

Regular listeners will know that we are fortunate at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society to welcome representatives from distilleries, who visit us in our Members' Rooms, share some special samples of their whiskies with our members, and give us their insights and knowledge about their distilleries. In March we had a visit to the Vaults by Heemanshu Ashar from Paul John, the pioneering Indian distillery based in Goa on the country's tropical west coast. Before enjoying the tasting, we took the chance to find out more about Paul John distillery, India's whisky journey since independence in 1947 and what tropical maturation brings to this spirit.

In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the flavour journey that takes place every time we uncork a bottle of whisky and then nose and taste it. It's a process that the Tasting Panel at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society goes through with every sample that is presented for possible inclusion in a Society bottling. So we caught up with Tasting Panel chair Kami Newton, to find out more about the different steps on this flavour journey and why we should take time to appreciate the complexities of what's in our glass.

We were fortunate to have a visit from two of the team from Blair Athol distillery to The Vaults in February, for a special tasting of four expressions of Blair Athol whisky, along with a sample of one of the Society's own single cask offerings. Blair Athol distillery manager Derek Younie was joined by Peter Milne from Diageo's Whisky Specialist Team to talk members through the samples and provide insight into the history and working of the distillery, what to expect from Blair Athol's spirit character, and how it works with different casks and forms of maturation.

In February, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society paid host to Melanie Stanger from Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, who visited our Members' Room at The Vaults in Leith to tell us more about this legendary distillery and share a few special drams.

The vintage Lagonda belonging to Society founder Pip Hills played an instrumental part in our whisky club's foundation, carrying the first precious cargo of single casks from Speyside back to his Scotland Street home in Edinburgh to share with friends. In 1990, Pip Hills and his brother-in-law Dick Pountain decided to take a road trip to Prague in the Lagonda, to witness Václav Havel's inauguration as president of the Czech Republic. The magazine The Classic Motoring Review subsequently commissioned Pip and Dick to write a piece about the journey – and how Society whisky helped to make it a success. We asked Pip and Dick to tell us that story in their own words.

A taste of rum at a family gathering led husband-and-wife team Jacine and Paul Rutasikwa on the path to setting up their own distillery in the town of Livingston, near Edinburgh. Mads Schmoll paid a visit to uncover the fascinating story behind Matugga Rum and how it blends elements of African, Caribbean and Scottish cultures and heritage

Crime writer and whisky enthusiast Val has been a fan of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society since its early days, after receiving an educational journey across the whisky regions from a friend's father who was something of an aficionado. Whisky Talk caught up with Val in an Edinburgh coffee shop to find out more about her whisky passion, her writing career and who would be her fantasy whisky-drinking companion.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is marking its 40th anniversary with an updated and revised edition of Pip Hills' memoir, "Maverick – The Founder's Tale", which now includes the story of 'coming in from the cold' after leaving the whisky club in the 1990s. Pip tells Richard Goslan about reconnecting with the Society and what we can expect from the new version of his book.

How do you capture the sense of sound in a distillery and its location – and then incorporate that into a song? That's what the team at Glen Scotia set out to do, with a whisky and music collaboration in its Campbeltown home. Whisky Talk caught up with the contributors to find out more.

In this episode of Whisky Talk the Society strays from the familiarity of Scotland's malt whisky to the south of France for an insight into the world of Armagnac. Denis Lesgourgues, a third-generation owner of armagnac house Château de Laubade, paid a recent visit to The Vaults to tell a packed Members' Room about the beauty of this underappreciated spirit.

With so many new distilleries coming online across Scotland, it's sometimes hard to keep track. But when Angus MacRaild dropped the news at the start of April about his plans for Kythe distillery, it felt like time to sit up and pay attention. Angus has teamed up with partners Jonny McMillan and Aaron Chan to bring their vision for a new distillery that produces an old-style, traditional Highland style of whisky to life – complete with a fermentation of more than two weeks, a wood-fired wash still and worm-tub condensers. In their own words, efficiency is the enemy of character when it comes to their mission. Richard Goslan caught up with both Angus and Jonny to find out more about their mission.

From East Lothian to Tasmania and back to Scotland, Craig Johnstone has worked across the whisky industry for the past 20 years. Today he works for Edrington as master blender for The Famous Grouse, a role he came to via a stint as a distillery tour guide, a distillery manager and a few years behind the bar at the Society's Members' Room at 28 Queen Street. Mads Schmoll caught up with Craig at the 106 Sample Room to find out more about his whisky journey.

Stray just a few moments from the M9 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and you will discover Falkirk Distillery, a grand whitewashed building, complete with twin copper pagodas. Duncan Gorman sat down for a chat with co-founders George and Fiona Stewart, to discuss some of the bizarre obstacles they have had to overcome building the distillery from scratch - including complications from a certain Roman wall just a stone's throw from the site.   

Our guest on this edition needs little in the way of introduction to any whisky fan. Richard Paterson has been working in the whisky industry for the past 57 years, with more than half a century of his career spent with Whyte & Mackay Distillers. We were delighted to welcome Richard to the Society's spiritual home at The Vaults in Leith recently, where one of the whisky industry's biggest entertainers put on a special show for a room full of lucky members – taking us on a tour that included his stories and memories about Tamnavulin, Fettercairn, Jura and Dalmore. Whatever's in your glass…settle back for a 90-minute epic in the company of the one and only Richard Paterson.

Women have been instrumental in making the Society what it is today. The three As of Anne Dana, Anne Griffiths and Annabel Meikle came from different backgrounds and hadn't planned to have a career in whisky. But driven by a thirst for knowledge, an encouraging environment and an openness to new ventures, these women ended up shaping some of the most recognisable parts of the Society. Who better to speak to them than three women shaping the future of the Society today? Tune in to Whisky Talk to hear their stories. Anne Dana meets Mads Schmoll, Social Media & Community Manager for the Society Anne Griffiths meets Monique Ten Kortenaar, Society Ambassador for Benelux Annabel Meikle meets Rebecca Hamilton, Group Marketing Director

Port of Leith is Scotland's first vertical distillery, founded by Ian Stirling and Paddy Fletcher. Standing nine storeys tall, it's just next door to the Royal Yacht Britannia and a stone's throw away from our spiritual home, The Vaults. As the distillery nears completion, the spirit of innovation continues in the development of their new Scotch, a process that Ian and Paddy began long before the distillery broke ground in Leith with research and experimentation on the role of yeast and fermentation. Mads Schmoll sat down with Ian and Paddy to find out more about what's ahead.

Outlander star and whisky fanatic Sam Heughan joins Vic Galloway in our latest episode of Whisky Talk Malts & Music. Sam discusses his passion for whisky, his appreciation of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and his own plans for whisky and the wider spirits world. Tune in as Sam shares his thoughts along with both Society and his own Sassenach whisky, all paired with a suitable choice of music. Whiskies tasted and Sam Heughan's tunes were: SMWS Cask No. 112.39: Tractors and old medicine / Toby Keith – I Love This Bar SMWS Cask 35.251: Elgin Marvels / Paolo Nutini – Through the Echoes Sassenach / Martyn Bennett – Blackbird SMWS Cask 53.318: Entropy meridian / Tears for Fears – Pale Shelter You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://youtu.be/6sKkTXFWAM8) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz) Find out more about The Scotch Malt Whisky Society here (https://smws.com/)

The origin of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society can be traced back to the founder, Pip Hills, visiting his friends at a farmhouse in deepest rural Aberdeenshire, where he first experienced single cask, cask strength whisky, served up from a lemonade bottle by a neighbouring farmer. Richard Goslan returned with Pip to his friends' farmhouse to hear them tell the story in their own words.

Glen Scotia distillery is a favourite of Society members, and we were delighted in early December to welcome distillery manager and master distiller Iain McAlister to The Vaults in December to present a fantastic selection of cask samples, along with an SMWS bottling from distillery 93. Tune in to Whisky Talk to sip along with Iain and Olaf.

At The Vaults recently, we welcomed Brendan McCarron, master distiller at Distell's Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory distilleries. We recorded Brendan's tasting, presented in full, with some strong language for good measure alongside strong whisky. Settle down for an illuminating insight into Brendan's experience, knowledge, and some cracking drams from Deanston, Tobermory and Ledaig.

Karine Polwart is one of Scotland's most respected singer-songwriters. She sat down at The Vaults with Vic Galloway for our latest episode of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, to find out about her passion for whisky and what songs our selection of Society drams conjured up in her mind. SMWS whiskies tasted and Karine Polwart's tunes were: G10.25: Whisky in a rum glass / Everything is Floating by Laurie Anderson 77.68: Curtain-twitchers teatime / Sarah by Declan O'Rourke 6.56: Tea tree tobacco leaves / Salt by Mugison 135.37: Pickle me timbers! / Apogeuma Sto Dendro by Alkinoos Ioannidis You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://youtu.be/kasN5M5sFbk) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz)

The name Dr Bill Lumsden doesn't need much of an introduction in the whisky world – the head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg has been a constant force of innovation and flavour development over the past 30 years or so. Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society were fortunate to attend a tasting conducted by Dr Bill at The Vaults in October, to taste some fantastic whiskies from Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and of course the Society….and also to hear his thoughts on everything in the whisky world from additional maturation, to non-aged statements, the use of sherry casks and a whole lot more in between. Here's part 2 of Dr Bill's presentation to SMWS members.

The name Dr Bill Lumsden doesn't need much of an introduction in the whisky world – the head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg has been a constant force of innovation and flavour development over the past 30 years or so. Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society were fortunate to attend a tasting conducted by Dr Bill at The Vaults in October, to taste some fantastic whiskies from Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and of course the Society….and also to hear his thoughts on everything in the whisky world from additional maturation, to non-aged statements, the use of sherry casks and a whole lot more in between. The Society's spirits educator Dr Andy Forrester caught up with Bill for a quick chat before the pair of them hosted the tasting together in our Members' Room.

Vic Galloway catches up with the Whisky Sisters – Inka Larissa and Jennifer Rose – in the latest episode of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, to find out where their passion for whisky came from and what tunes their selection of Scotch Malt Whisky Society drams helped to inspire. SMWS whiskies tasted and the Whisky Sisters' tunes were: Cask No. 41.46: Deep and dynamic / Jen: Mötley Crüe – Doctor Feelgood / Inka: George Michael –Freedom Cask No. 150.3: Conversation lubrication / Inka; Leonard Cohen – Dance Me to the End of Love / Jen: Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song Cask No. 108.49: A particular kind of beauty / Inka: Bon Jovi – Bad Medicine / Jen: The Highwaymen – Highwayman Cask No. 113.60: Sweet Petrichor / Inka: Greta Van Fleet – Heat Above / Jen: Kate Bush – Hounds of Love You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://youtu.be/UA_v8zCc578) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz)

Writer Doug Johnstone shares four SMWS drams with DJ Vic Galloway in the latest episode of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, with reflections on how his love of whisky inspired his novel Smokeheads and how these Society drams pair perfectly with music from Little Simz to Biffy Clyro. Whiskies tasted and Doug's tunes were: Cask No. 12.48: Hoppy madness / The Avalanches, Since I Left You Cask No. 38.31: The magic is so strong / Little Simz, Point And Kill featuring Obongjayar Cask No. 44.154: Terra Firma / Spoon, Held Cask No. 138.12: Spice wreck / Biffy Clyro, Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9nyjpoWtRg) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz)

Whisky writer Dave Broom has an endless curiosity and fascination for whisky, and in his latest book he has set out to explore the story of Scotland's whisky history, the spirit's importance within the country's culture and the diverse landscapes that it comes from. In "A Sense of Place" he takes the reader on a journey across the country, with pictures by photographer Christina Kernohan. Mads Schmoll sat down with Dave to find out more about the book.

Depending on who you speak to, the cask that you put your whisky into to mature can contribute anything from 50 to more than 70 per cent of its final flavour. Whatever figure you land on, it plays a crucial role. One person who knows more about the impact of various forms of oak on whisky – and especially from sherry influenced casks – is Stuart MacPherson, until very recently Macallan's Master of Wood. Stuart has now retired from the role, but Whisky Talk caught up with him to find out all about his life's work in the world of wood – which goes all the way back to his schooldays in the late 1970s.

Musician, writer and whisky fan James Yorkston shares four SMWS drams with DJ Vic Galloway in the latest episode of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, with an eclectic mix of music inspired by a wide range of Society whiskies. James and Vic reflect on their musical journeys, their passion for whisky and why you can't beat exploring music with an SMWS single cask dram in your glass. Whiskies tasted and James's tunes were: 74.73.128: Flowers crushed by a falling oak tree + Ted Lucas / It's so easy (when you know what you're doing) 68.49: A day at the funfair + Elizabeth Cronin / The little pack of tailors 39.242: A curious concatenation + Philip Tabane / Dithabeng 16.50: Tar in the night + Susan Bear / M6 You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFP0X04jIMs) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz)

Ever wondered about the origin of a whisky's place-name? Jake King, a Gaelic researcher from the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus of the University of the Islands and Highlands on the Isle of Skye, certainly has. He is the author of a new book, The A to Z of Whisky Place-Names: Landscape, Language & Invention, which explores the place-names found on whisky bottles, provides both their identity and their origin and explodes a few myths along the way. Mads Schmoll caught up with Jake at The Vaults to find out more.

Broadcaster Gemma Cairney sits down at The Vaults with DJ and writer Vic Galloway in the new episode of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, to chat about her creative world, her move to Edinburgh, and memories of childhood holidays in Scotland. Gemma also finds the Society's selection of single cask whiskies bringing up associations with the music of Erykah Badu, George Benson and more. Whiskies tasted and Gemma's tunes were: Cask No. 2.132: Taking the pith / Erykah Badu, On & On Cask No. 72.108: Gobstopper / The Langan Band, Winter Song Cask No. 73.130: Sticks and stones / George Benson, Give Me The Night Cask No. 108.50: Mountain bothy morning / PJ Morton & Yebba, How Deep is your Love You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtmkJZP38o) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz)

The SMWS returned to Islay for the first in-person festival since 2019, with an Open Day at Islay House to share drams, the Society's festival Rare Release bottlings, tastings and good times. We caught up with members from near and far to find out about their combined passions for Islay and whisky.

DJ and writer Vic Galloway is back with a new series of Malts & Music, where he invites guests from across Scotland's creative landscape to share Scotch Malt Whisky Society drams and find out what musical choices they inspire. In the new episode, Vic sits down to share four SMWS whiskies with Olaf Furniss, long-term Society member, journalist and founder of Born To Be Wide organisation that hosts music business seminars such as Wide Days in Edinburgh, to explore his twin passions for music and whisky. TUNES and DRAMS 5.81: A Fruity Prescription with Soup Dragons, Whole Wide World G10.33: Co-Co Nut with The Upsetters, Return of Django 112.90: A Fruit Alloy with Annie, Chewing Gum 24.153: Midsummer Night's Dream with Plastilina Mosh, Paso Fino You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0RX4S3qthU&t=3607s) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz)

In this episode we dig into the rich tradition of whisky storytelling, with contributions from two Scottish musicians, storytellers and whisky lovers. First up is Hamish Napier, a musician from Strathspey in the heart of Scotland's whisky country. From Speyside, we travel to Islay to hear from Whisky Bard, musician and SMWS Tasting Panel chair, Robin Laing – with music supplied by Robin himself.

From studying engineering, Pete Begg found himself drawn to the world of cooking, working in various restaurants before becoming friends and subsequently colleague of Jamie Oliver. Now Head of Food Development with Jamie's organisation, Pete is also a devoted member of the SMWS. Our master brand ambassador John McCheyne caught up with him for a dram in our London Members' Room at 19 Greville Street to find out more about his journey and whisky passion.

This farm distillery in Ayrshire has quietly started producing whisky and lured John Campbell away from Laphroaig in Islay in the process. Whisky Talk's Richard Goslan paid a visit to find out more and hear about the distillery's ambitions.

Writer Val McDermid joins BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway for Episode 6 of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, brought to you by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Val describes her early introduction to whisky, her life and work and how these SMWS drams transported her to different times and places throughout her life. TUNES and DRAMS Cask No. 73.121: Meemaw's Moonpie / Aztec Camera, Somewhere in my Heart Cask No. 39.209: Apple aperitif / Mungo Jerry, In the Summertime Cask No. 35:269: Banana balaclava / Nitin Sawhney, Nadia Cask No. 36.164: Bittersweet Xmas stocking treat / Alison Moyet, The Coventry Carol Cask No. 10.204: Pineapples ahoy / Mike Vass, Settled in Clay You can watch a video of the conversation on the SMWS YouTube channel here (https://youtu.be/k8i9gIuIsEg) Spotify link can be found here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz) Special Guest: Val McDermid .

Music and arts broadcaster and writer Nicola Meighan joins BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway for Episode 5 of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, brought to you by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Whiskies tasted and Nicola's tunes were: Cask No. 1.245: Pour it around midnight / My Baby Just Cares For Me by Nina Simone Cask No. 5.81: A fruity prescription / Feed the Tree by Belly Cask No. 24.153: Midsummer night's dream / Utopia by Goldfrapp Cask No. G10.33: Co-co-nut / Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton Cask No. 112.90: Fruit alloy / January February by Barbara Dickson

Justin Currie, founder and frontman of Del Amitri, joins BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway for Episode 4 of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, brought to you by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Justin discusses his career and musical passions over five Society drams with Vic, with the single cask whiskies inspiring his choice of music from Cat Power, Gillian Welch, James Brown, Pulp and Prefab Sprout. Special Guest: Justin Currie.

Episode 3 of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, brought to you by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, finds BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway deep into conversation over a few Society drams with Stina Tweeddale. The Honeyblood singer-songwriter has a combined passion for whisky and music and pairs up her five SMWS whiskies with music from The Slits, Soccer Mommy, The B-52s, Dream Wife and Mazzy Star. Special Guest: Stina Tweeddale.

Charlie MacLean is one of the whisky world's leading writers and experts, and this year saw him honoured as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – better known as an MBE – in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Whisky Talk caught up with Charlie at 28 Queen Street to find out about the award and his long-term connection with the SMWS.

In Episode 2 of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music, BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway sits down with Norman Blake, co-founder of Scottish indie rock legends Teenage Fanclub. Vic pours a few Society drams and finds out why the whiskies get Norman thinking about Gang of Four, Captain Beefheart, The Kinks, Ennio Morricone and the Wicker Man. Tune in to the SMWS Malts & Music playlist at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75sE4HLHMMwlcECyNB8ryz Special Guest: Norman Blake.

BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway presents the first in our special series of Whisky Talk: Malts & Music podcasts, for a whisky-fuelled chat with creative personalities from across Scotland's cultural life. From the Tasting Room at The Vaults, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's spiritual home in Leith, Vic shares five SMWS drams with writer Ian Rankin, who pairs his whiskies with tunes from John Martyn, James Yorkston, Karine Polwart, The Skids and The Blue Nile. Special Guest: Ian Rankin.

With a new owner, a new look – and even a new date of birth – Glenturret distillery is emerging from the shadows to take its place in the single malt spotlight. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society paid a visit for Whisky Talk to find out more.

Dennis Malcolm started out at Glen Grant distillery in Speyside as a 15-year-old apprentice cooper. He worked his way up through different roles in the distillery, and 60 years later he is now Scotland’s long-serving distiller. He tells Whisky Talk about his life, career and the momentous changes he has witnessed in an incredible six decades of life in distilleries.

Ardnamurchan distillery is tucked away at the end of Scotland’s most westerly peninsula, where the natural environment is playing a major role in both fuelling and flavouring the spirit. Alex Bruce, managing director of distillery owner Adelphi, tells Whisky Talk all about it.

Imogen Russon-Taylor started out working in whisky before her nose led her to explore the possibility of creating her own perfumes, and after a period of in-depth research she launched Scotland’s first perfume house, known as Kingdom Scotland. Madeleine Schmoll from the SMWS caught up with Imogen to explore the subject of scent memories, being inspired by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and why a splash of perfume can enhance our mood, whether we’re able to leave the house or not. Special Guest: Madeleine Schmoll.