Join me today as I chat with Sam Staniforth (surname I consistently get wrong) a mum, whisky nerd, sensory rebel and a voice for women in whisky!

Sam set off on a pilgrimage many moons ago and took the giant leap over the pond to Scotland. Originally from the US she embraced a culture, industry and dialect to which many a song was written!

But how do you find your feet in an industry that has carved many a beaten track for us to follow?

The obvious answer is SUPER POWERS, right?

Sam invites us to rewire our prescribed sensory systems and embrace our individuality. With a little guidance she hopes to open the conversation, encourage shouting out loud and say the “wrong” thing. Her lived experience with synaestetia and  hyperphantasia are all the credentials she needs to create a new space in the drinks industry.

We meander through Sam’s journey, her company Vantage creative, OurWhisky Foundation, motherhood and of course a wee tipple. Pick a spot, take a seat and enjoy.

Slainte

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Join me today as I chat with Sam Staniforth (surname I consistently get wrong) a mum, whisky nerd, sensory rebel and a voice for women in whisky!

Sam set off on a pilgrimage many moons ago and took the giant leap over the pond to Scotland. Originally from the US she embraced a culture, industry and dialect to which many a song was written!

But how do you find your feet in an industry that has carved many a beaten track for us to follow?

The obvious answer is SUPER POWERS, right?

Sam invites us to rewire our prescribed sensory systems and embrace our individuality. With a little guidance she hopes to open the conversation, encourage shouting out loud and say the “wrong” thing. Her lived experience with synaestetia and  hyperphantasia are all the credentials she needs to create a new space in the drinks industry.

We meander through Sam’s journey, her company Vantage creative, OurWhisky Foundation, motherhood and of course a wee tipple. Pick a spot, take a seat and enjoy.

Slainte

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

Ey up!

Here we continue with Josh’s story through life and whisky. After part one took us extensively through his cancer journey - we now focus on the highlights over the last couple of years!

Ballindalloch, Balmenach and Glenmorangie Signet are a welcome line up for any drammer, so pop the cork and get comfy.

Slainte!

@whiskypilgrims

#whiskypilgrims

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We often talk about the connection between whisky and its ability to ground us in a specific time and place, which can be said for most sensory experiences. Here, I talk with Josh Lavers as he indulges me with some of the drams which have shaped his journey to date. A young man who found himself at a crossroads, when his ambition to jump headfirst into the industry he loved, was abruptly paused. Battling cancer at the beginning of his production apprenticeship wasn’t what he had planned, to say the least.

Josh shows us how keeping life simple and doing it with a smile is the fastest way to appreciating it. We explore some wonderful distilleries (Wolfburn, Ballindalloch, Balmenach Glenmorangie) and use each one as a marker on his linear timeline, endorse the wonderful charity Friends of Anchor, who supported Josh through his treatment, oh, and we drink some bloody good whisky.

Some stories need a few drams and time to savour them, that’s why this one will need a part two. It’s a rocky road ahead, let’s not rush it.

Slainte!

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

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

On location at Benriach distillery, we chat to Stewart Buchanan, their Global Brand Ambassador and one of the friendliest, straight talking, whisky experts you’ll ever meet. He started out hands-on in the distillery, learning every part of the process. He knows what makes Benriach tick because he’s lived it. No fluff or flannel just passion and pizzazz.

Now, as the face of Benriach around the world, Stewart shares that same enthusiasm wherever he goes. He’s all about keeping whisky fun and approachable, whether he’s pouring drams in Speyside or hosting tastings in Singapore.

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A marriage, a vatting, a blend — call it what you will.

Some folks still turn their noses up at them. Maybe they had a rough encounter once, or maybe someone told them “real whisky” has to be single malt.

But here’s the thing — there are millions who adore blends. 

Don’t let an old prejudice keep you from a new discovery. Not all blends are equal — and that’s the beauty of it. When the right whiskies come together, they can create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

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

Hugely proud to introduce young Sam Nettleship, recent graduate from Heriot-Watt University, now part of the production at Ballindalloch Distillery, where we all met in 2024. In this episode, we keep it real and raw, listening to Sam’s whisky journey so far, whilst enjoying the Seven Springs Edition One and one of the Thompson Brother’s Mystery Malts. 

Included are his insights into savouring drams, heritage barley, English whisky, low fliers and his other love; rum. 

(Coming soon is an episode when we grapple with what it means to Drink Responsibly.)

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There’s no doubt that living in Speyside is whisky heaven but this time, Andrew and Josh take a detour to explore the rich, world of Irish whiskey.

They meet up for a blether and uncork three bottles; one from the oldest licensed distillery in the world, another of the iconic John’s Lane release and a newcomer from the current whiskey renaissance

In just two decades, Ireland has gone from three distilleries to nearly fifty. It’s not just a revival — it’s a revolution. And while Whisky Pilgrims usually seek out affordable, accessible drams for everyday enjoyment, this episode is a celebration, and one particular dram makes an exception.

This isn’t Scotch versus Irish. It’s Scotch and Irish. Two traditions, two cultures, one shared love for whisk(e)y, so, whether your glass holds single malt or pot still, grain or blend, raise it high.

Sláinte mhaith.

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