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 floor malting onwards. 

The conversation also highlights Springbank’s vital role within the Campbeltown community - this is a distillery built as much on people and place as it is on spirit.

We also delve into the resurrection of Glengyle Distillery in the early 2000s, a pivotal moment that safeguarded Campbeltown’s status as a Scotch whisky region. 

David also talks us through the distinct styles of Springbank, Hazelburn, Longrow and Glengyle’s Kilkerran, as well as the tours and visitor experiences on offer and the growing importance of the Campbeltown Malts Festival in attracting whisky lovers from around the world.

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 flavours, a rock ’n’ roll attitude, and tasting experiences that are anything but ordinary.

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 releases, including an exclusive collaboration with Jaguar, and get a taste of what makes Lalique, the only two Michelin-starred restaurant housed within a distillery, such a remarkable experience.

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 source. 

And today, that same location has become a must-visit for whisky lovers from around the world. As the distillery celebrates 25 years of welcoming visitors, Mike tells us about the   limited release marking this milestone - a 22-year-old single cask hand chosen by Master Blender, Stephanie Macleod. 

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 its character. 

He also talks us through the distillery’s acclaimed core range and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the craft and care that goes into every bottle.

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 - from  the floral, fruity and refreshing Vinaya to the The Wave - which is the second release in the exciting Master Distiller’s collection. 

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 the distillery now very much quality over quantity as evidenced in the variety of delicious malts Libby-Jo also talks us through. 

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 formed distillery that is so heavily influenced by both land and sea and provides visitors with, in Stewart’s words: a ‘window to the past’ of whisky making. 

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 community that ensured Glen Scotia prevailed through history. We may also mention the small matter of one of the distillery's bottlings winning the accolade of World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt in 2023. 

We also hear about the Campbeltown Malts Festival - a four-day celebration of Campbeltown's whiskies and a fantastic way to learn more about the region's malts. 

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 family found out about the Abbey's historic links with whisky production. And how that history continues to play a part in the whisky produced by the distillery now. 

Drew also talks about how the Abbey's French-born monks have played a part in the casks used for the distillery's exciting new release - Thiron, which will be available to buy in the distillery's Visitor Centre, online and from selected UK Stockists from 12th September 2024.