Tasting the 12 year-old Hakushu, from the second Suntory distillery – the ballsier, punchier brother to the more delicate Yamazaki. A truly glorious whisky. Also in this episode: The Spirit Drink That Dare Not Speak Its Name.

Partly thanks to starting this podcast, I want to explore some whiskies that take me out of my comfort zone a bit; this is the first, the briny, salty, peaty 10 year-old Talisker, the only single malt made on the Isle of Skye.

In this episode, we try our first blend, The Famous Grouse, and explain the difference between a single malt and a blend. Famous Grouse is Scotland’s favourite whisky, which may have something to do with the fact that I bought a litre for £13.

Tasting The Original Glenmoranie, a great default single malt to go for if the pub you’re in doesn’t have much to choose from. Plus, the thing that links Glenmorangie with Jack Daniel’s, future, drunker Chris correcting past Chris, and far too many bumps on the microphone. Next episode will be cleaner and shorter!

Introducing Scotch and introducing you to my current favourite whisky, the soft, friendly and approachable 12 year-old Yamazaki.