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

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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

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In this week’s banter-fuelled episode of Not Another Whisky Podcast, Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane take you on a whirlwind journey through whisky news, wild tangents, and plenty of laughs.

The chat kicks off with an unexpected detour into the world of airline pilots (blame Charlie Sheen’s new Netflix show), before the lads swap stories from their recent whisky escapades. Mitch shares tales from his whirlwind whisky tours across Scotland, while Daz reflects on highlights from Distillers One of One and his induction into the prestigious Keepers of the Quaich.

From there, it’s a rapid-fire run through some of the hottest updates in whisky right now:

• The reopening of the historic Coleburn Distillery
• Glencairn’s 25th anniversary and what it means for the iconic glass
• Billy Walker’s latest GlenAllachie releases
• Charlie MacLean’s sons’ heroic Pacific row, raising £1 million for charity
• Sarah Burgess’s new role at International Beverage

And to round things off, the guys give a proper nod to Glencairn’s legacy in whisky drinking—with a few hilarious stories from their chat with Sales Manager Darren McGinn.

This episode’s got a dram for everyone.

00:00 Pilot Dreams and Airline Responsibilities

00:51 Netflix and TV Show Recommendations

01:45 Welcome to the Podcast

03:00 Whisky Adventures and Busy Schedules

03:54 Distillery Visits and Upcoming Events

07:05 Johnnie Walker Partnership and Celebrity News

09:09 Rowing Across Oceans for Charity

13:10 Ardbeg Hotel Opens in Islay

14:58 Coleburn Distillery Plans

17:58 Sarah Burgess' New Role

19:34 GlenCairns 25th Anniversary

35:28 Billy Walker's GlenAllachie Release

38:37 Whisky and Cigar Stories

40:09 Final Thoughts

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Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Mitch & Daz explore the Distillers One of One event, a biennial charity auction that has raised over £4.3 million since 2021 for Scotland's Youth Action Fund. The special guest, Beanie Espy, Managing Director of Distillers Ventures Limited, delves into her role and the complexities of organizing such an immense undertaking. Highlights include a sneak peek at the exclusive one-off whisky bottles to be auctioned, such as the Laphroaig 40 capsule and Port Ellen Prism. Beanie also discusses the philanthropic impact of the event and shares inspiring stories of young people whose lives have been transformed by the funds raised. Alongside logistical tales.

https://www.distillersoneofone.com/

00:00 Welcome to the Distillers One of One Event

00:33 Meet Beanie Espy: The Heart of the Auction

01:08 Record-Breaking Whiskeys of 2023

02:42 The Role of Managing Director: Beanie's Journey

03:57 The Complexity and Success of the Auction

12:37 The Impact of the Youth Action Fund

18:39 Looking Forward: Future Auctions and Goals

20:32 The Excitement of the Live Auction

23:01 Event Overview and Global Participation

23:18 London Watch Party and Other Live Streams

24:43 Discussion on La Freud 40 Capsule

25:19 Details of the La Freud 40-Year-Old Whiskey

27:15 Auction Preparations and Tastings

29:03 Interest and Conversations Around the Auction

37:40 Sotheby's Exhibition and Public Viewing

39:20 Charitable Impact and Industry Collaboration

42:56 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

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This week Mitch sits down with Scott Sneddon, Managing Director (Distilling) at InchDairnie Distillery in Fife, for a deep dive into one of Scotland’s most innovative whisky makers.

They chat about RyeLaw, InchDairnie’s bold rye whisky, and the newly released KinGlassie 8-year-old single malts. Expect plenty of geekery along the way – from hammer mills to mash filters – as Scott lifts the lid on what makes InchDairnie tick.

Daz also makes a brief appearance (well, sort of… let’s just say his Wi-Fi didn’t get the memo).

If you’re into Scotch whisky innovation, rye whisky experiments, and the future of single malt from Fife, this one’s for you.

Find out more about InchDairnie Distillery

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Mitch & Daz reunite after a long break, joking about their beards and upcoming haircuts. They delve into recent whisky experiences, including rare tastings in London, distillery visits, and notable birthdays. They chat on the news including - oldest single malt release, changes in personnel at major distilleries, and adventurous charity rows across the Pacific with the Maclean Brothers. Additionally, the episode features an chat with Fraser Morrison and his participation in the 'Easiest Whisky Quiz in the World,' along with discussions on upcoming whisky-related events and personal anecdotes from recent travels.

00:00 Catching Up After a Long Break

00:53 Whiskey Tastings and London Adventures

01:45 Birthday Celebrations and Distillery Visits

10:45 Camping Trips and West Coast Travels

15:56 Introducing Fraser Morrison and the Easiest Whiskey Quiz

19:16 Whiskey Quiz Challenge

20:49 Fraser's High Score and Leaderboard Announcement

21:51 Whiskey Market Updates

22:52 Oldest Single Malt Whiskey Release

26:35 Highland Park Distillery News

28:54 Raasay Distillery Expansion

33:12 McLean Brothers' Pacific Row and Charity Whiskey

38:14 Edinburgh Fringe and Whiskey Events

40:44 Upcoming Episodes and Farewell

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In this lively episode of Not Another Whisky Podcast, recorded at the Craigellachie Hotel, Mitch introduces three special guests: David Stirk of North Star Spirits, Pete Allison of Woven, and Greg Urqhart from Gleann Mór. The attendees delve into the fascinating world of independent whiskey bottlers. Each guest shares their unique perspective, experiences, and prized whisky with the audience. The discussion ranges from the challenges and rewards of independent bottling to the evolution of whisky consumption trends. Amid jest and camaraderie, the panel explores blending, the marketability of aged whisky, and gives advice for aspiring bottlers. The audience participates by voting for their favorite dram, crowning the winner as ....well wait untill the end to find out!

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Join us on the latest episode as Daz chats with Boris and Sebastian from the Wu Dram Clan. These gents are not just about business; they’re all about passion for spirits, from whisky to cognac and rum. Starting in 2018, they've gone on some wild adventures, from Munich beer gardens to Black Forest weather, and all the way to the Caribbean for some authentic rum education. Learn about their unique partnerships with big distilleries, their collector habits, and the insider scoop on rare whisky and rum bottles. This episode is a deep dive into the world of spirits that transcend mere drinking. Tune in for some quirky stories, geeky collector talk, and a sneak peek into their upcoming ventures!

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In this episode of Not Another Whiskey Podcast, Mitch and Daz are joined by Bari Reid, the wizard behind some of the UK's trendiest and most head-turning whisky distilleries. Bari spills the beans on his journey from sketching houses to crafting epic distilleries, all while dealing with sustainability buzzkills and client fantasies. They chat about everything from the highs and lows of glass gables to why designing distilleries can be like herding cats.

And just when Bari thought he'd dodged a bullet, he's thrown into the hot seat for the World's Easiest Whisky Quiz. Spoiler alert: it's not that easy. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a peek into the wild world of distillery design.

00:00 Introduction and Banter

00:24 Meet Barry Reed: The Distillery Designer

02:29 Barry's Journey into Architecture and Whiskey

04:17 Challenges and Rewards of Designing Distilleries

09:27 Balancing Client Ambitions with Practicality

11:21 Cost and Feasibility of Building Distilleries

17:45 Trends and Aesthetics in Distillery Design

24:26 The Unique Appeal of Ula Distillery

25:50 Unexpected Architectural Marvels

27:01 Sustainability in Distillery Design

28:01 Challenges and Innovations in Energy Use

29:20 Balancing Tradition and Modernity

34:50 The Role of AI in Architectural Design

38:18 Dream Distillery Projects

43:51 The World's Easiest Whiskey Quiz

46:01 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

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