Scran

On today's episode we're learning a lot more about cask trading as well as about a whole new way of profiling whisky flavours - by mood!

On this episode Rosalind takes a trip to her homeland of Fife to visit Single Cask. Established in 2010 Single Cask bottles award-winning whiskies at natural cask-strength and trades whisky all over the world. In an attempt to set themselves apart from other independent whisky bottlers they have invented a whole new marketing method which allows customers to select a dram based on how they are feeling. Rosalind gets a tour of their facility in Glenrothes by General Manager, Jan Damen followed by a whisky tasting and an opportunity to understand how you classify whisky by mood.

Rosalind learns more about how cask trading differs from cask investment and how some of the headlines around cask investment aren't all they're cracked up to be!

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This episode it's all about women in whisky. Rosalind is joined by Becky Paskin, drinks journalist, broadcaster and founder of Our Whisky Foundation which supports and promotes women in the whisky industry. Rosalind is also joined by Sarah Burgess, whisky maker for the Lakes Distillery.

The trio discuss the reasoning behind setting up the Our Whisky Foundation and what it's doing for women in the industry. This includes a very successful mentorship programme which is growing by the year. Sarah and Becky share their really positive experience being part of the initiative as well as the exciting opportunity to create a whole new whisky.

Earlier this year they curated the world's first whisky auction made by and dedicated to women. The Demeter collection was sold to raise funds for the foundation. Sarah developed a special whisky for the collection and Becky has been pivotal in ensuring the success of the auction which has proved to be a great triumph.

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To mark the 900th anniversary of the Royal Burgh of Stirling, Forth Valley Food and Drink has launched a series of four captivating short documentaries that delve into the lesser-known stories of Stirling’s rich food and drink heritage.

Rosalind wanted to learn more about this series so spoke to Lesley Wilkinson who researched and commissioned the films and Murray Cook, Stirling Council's archaeologist to learn more.

Lesley talks about why the films came about and some of the amazing finds they made in the process of researching the films including about a world-record breaking grape vine.

Stirling Castle and Bannockburn House feature in the series as do fascinating stories about how Bonnie Prince Charlie was treated for an injury there using a posset. Funded by Scotland Food and Drink’s Regional Food Fund, the films uncover a range of unexpected tales including how the first dram was drunk there by James IV in 1494 and how the first firework was also set off there. Murray also shares stories of beer witches and those being accused of witchcraft and the sad fate they met.

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It's that time of year again when team Scran cannot resist the temptation of the world's biggest arts festival. Rosalind went along earlier this week to enjoy a foodie's day out at the festival and bring you some top shows to consider if you're heading to Edinburgh this August. First up she hit C Venue for coffee, a croissant and Shakespeare for Breakfast. This show has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival for 33 years. Rosalind chats to Mary Gensich, Company Manager for C Theatre and Clare Louise Roberts, one of the performers, to hear about this year's show.

Then for something completely different Rosalind went to A History of Fortune Cookies performed by Sean Wai Keung. With an audience of ten this was a really intimate show where Sean shared his story about the influence of his Chinese grandparents all while baking the audience their own fortune cookies.

For many the festival is all about the Fringe and the laughs, Daniel Downie definitely brought those in his whisky-soaked show Daniel Downie: Dram(a)s which was Rosalind's third show of the day. 

Whilst many may start an evening at the festival with a glass of wine or 5 Rosalind chose to finish up with In Pour Taste - a wine tasting from Australian comedians Ethan Cavanagh and Sweeney Preston who have teamed up with local wine experts to produce a raucous one hour and 15 mins of entertainment (and some wine education). 

Make sure to check out The Scotsman's coverage of the festivals to be right up to date with reviews and recommendations.

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We've got something a little different for you today - the first ever Scran Live! which took place at this year's Royal Highland Show in Ingliston. The Royal Highland Show is such an inspirational and vibrant event it was wonderful to be part of it.

Our panel session looked at what it's like for small producers to get their products on to supermarket shelves. We welcomed back some previous Scran alumni Kim Cameron of Jam Bothy and Gin Bothy, and Tim Chisholm of Buck and Birch. And new to the podcast was guest Christie Clinton, a food and drink business consultant who previously worked as a buyer with Aldi.

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On this special partner episode of Scran Rosalind pays a trip to an historic hostelry in the South of Scotland - the one and only Globe Inn in Dumfries and Galloway. Famed as the favourite haunt and second home of Robert Burns, it was purchased by David Thomson and Teresa Church in 2018. Their investment in this famous bar and restaurant has seen it go from strength to strength. 

Rosalind's visit starts with a tour of this fascinating establishment, guided by Kathleen Cronie (Mostly Ghostly), the resident storyteller who regales her with stories of the Bard and his fondness for the inn. 

Following the tour Rosalind was treated to an outstanding tasting menu lunch prepared by Head Chef Fraser Cameron and Head of Cuisine at Annandale Distillery and The Globe Inn, Johnathan Brett. She talks to them about their experience of running the kitchen and what plans lie ahead for The Globe Inn and the 1610 restaurant. Michelin star anyone?

Finally, Rosalind sits down with owners David and Teresa to talk about the Inn's new lease of life. They fill Rosalind in on their relationship with this famous venue and how they have now become 'custodians' as they like to be called for this and future generations.

You can book a tour of The Globe Inn or a table in the 1610 restaurant by visiting www.globeinndumfries.co.uk

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The Scotsman's Scran Awards took place for the second year recently. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with the great and good of the Scottish food and drink industry. The shortlisted businesses and individuals are testament to the vibrant and thriving industry. Rosalind wanted to get a couple of the winners to come on Scran to talk about their business and explain what the awards mean for them and their teams.

First up she is joined by Chef Neil Forbes Cafe St Honore in Edinburgh whopicked up the coveted award of 'Outstanding Contribution to the Industry'. Neil talks about his long and varied career as well as his love for traditional Scottish fayre and quality local produce. Neil's not shy with his opinions on modern dining but his passion for his craft and his desire to create a rewarding dining experience for his customers is clear.

Blair Sterrick UK Sales Manager for Isle of Harris Distillers also joins Rosalind to chat about their wins. They picked up 'Best Spirit' for Harris Gin and 'Best Whisky' for The Hearach. Blair talks Rosalind through how the distillery was set up with the explicit intention of creating industry on the island to help sustain the working population and combat depopulation. They talk about their hugely popular Harris Gin both for the liquid but also that distinctive bottle and about The Hearach which is relatively new on the block and now too making waves in the whisky world. Rosalind also uncovers an exclusive story about a new bottle that will be available very soon.

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Back in May Rosalind took a trip to Speyside to witness some of the celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of The Macallan. As part of these celebrations they undertook an extraordinary collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. It would appear that more and more often these days whisky brands are going to extreme lengths to market and promote their products. Macallan has certainly become a part of the high end of the market so Rosalind set out to learn more about the celebrations and whether the industry is being changed by this drive to create luxury lifestyle products and more and more elaborate collaborations.

First up she spoke to Ruth Wylie who is Global Experiential Lead at Macallan who tells her about the celebrations which are afoot and the importance that nature plays for the distillery. She also chatted to Marie-Hélène Delage, Creative Director at Cirque Du Soleil about how they developed their show with Macallan.

Finally, Rosalind wanted to speak to a whisky expert about recent changes in the whisky market and how this is affecting sales and availability of certain brands. Mark Littler, Whisky Broker and Market Analyst, talked to Rosalind about the significant changes that have taken place since 2015 and how collaborations like this one are becoming more the norm for those interested in investing in whisky. It's a fascinating listen and a subject matter no doubt we'll be returning to again and again.

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First up Rosalind speaks to Louise Elder, Director of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland and Chief Steward of Scotland's Larder. Louise has been involved in the show for many years and talks about how it represents so many different things to so many different people.

Su Cox also joins Rosalind on this episode. Su who comes from some serious foodie lineage and is the Communications and New Business Development Director at Bakkafrost Scotland & Scottish Hebridean Salmon. Su has been involved with the Royal Highland Show in different ways over the years from simply attending to education and now as a producer and sponsor. She tells Rosalind about why the event as a gathering of rural communities is so important.

Rosalind's final guest is Aylett Roan, Director and Chief Steward of Scottish Championships at the Royal Highland Show. She also runs Roan's Dairy in Dumfries and Galloway. Aylett tells Rosalind about how she ended up in dairy farming despite the challenges it presented at agricultural college and talks about what it's like to judge food competitions and the Scottish Championships at the RHS which awards best cheese, dairy, butter, ice cream, honey and new for this year, milk and cream. And she has some great tips on buying vanilla ice cream!

The Royal Highland Show runs from Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd June 2024. You can find more information about it and buy tickets here. You may see Rosalind there with her microphone if you make it along!

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On this episode Rosalind chat to Rodney Wages, chef-patron of Avery, who is gearing up to fully open the doors to his restaurant in Stockbridge. 

Kansas native Wages moved to California as a young chef to work in the kitchen at The French Laundry. He honed his culinary skills in other popular San Francisco restaurants and in 2016, he launched his pop-up RTB, which would later evolve into the Michelin star-winning Avery Restaurant.

In 2022 he visited Edinburgh and, after falling in love with the city, decided to close the doors to Avery Restaurant San Francisco and move here with his family. He has taken over the Stockbridge Restaurant and, after a period of preview dinners, will soon open Avery in Edinburgh. 

Thanks for listening.

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