Graeme Littlejohn from the Scotch Whisky Association
"It's a really challenging time in Scotch whisky at the moment," admits Graeme Littlejohn, Director of Strategy & Communications at the Scotch Whisky Association. "I guess we'd call it an inflexion point for the industry."That's a view we've heard from several contributors on the podcast in our previous 21 episodes.For instance, in Episode 15 Andrew Symington of Edradour Distillery told John the industry was facing "headwinds". Andrew identified the cost of living crisis; the effects of Brexit; global supply chain issues; international competition; and over production and over pricing. Whisky writer Charles Maclean also identified over production in Episode 7. He described it as a "whisky ocean".And in recent weeks there have been announcements of job losses and investments being postponed. So are we in a slow down?Perhaps.But while Graeme acknowledges that "Scotch whisky is under a lot of pressure in the global market place" and some smaller producers are "really struggling right now", he insists there's a "great deal of resilience" in the industry.There are, he says, over 150 Scottish distilleries producing 22,000 different "expressions of whisky" and exporting them to 168 markets worldwide at the rate of 44 bottles a second. It's a £7 billion plus industry, and £5.4 billion come from exports. Scotch whisky makes up 25 percent of UK food and drink exports. And the industry supports nearly 70,000 jobs.It's also a long-term game, with producers thinking 10, 20 even 30 years ahead. And with developing markets in India, China and South America to be cracked, Graeme says we might discover we don't have enough whisky to meet demand if we get it right.Join John as he chats to Graeme about the challenges and opportunities facing the Scotch whisky industry; the SWA's vision for the sector over the next couple of decades; the "symbiotic relationship" between Scotch and American whiskey; and what the UK and Scottish governments can to do to support the industry.Slàinte!-------Socials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Creator & producer: David HolmesArt work & design: Jess Robertson Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea CunninghamGuitars: John BeattieBass: Alasdair VannDrums: Alan HamiltonBagpipes: Calum McCollAccordion: Gary InnesMusic & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John BeattieRecorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, ScotlandSpecial thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, ScotlandFollow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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34:32
Bring on the Wallabies: The Lions Whisky Challenge
"There's a whisky for everyone," says former Scotland rugby international Ryan Grant and independent bottler with Unkiltered."Including the Welsh," he adds.Aye! You can pick a Scottish rugby player for the British and Irish Lions, but you can't take away the Home Nations rivalry.Ryan was on the last Lions tour to Australia, back in 2013. And as the 2025 Lions get set to embark on their latest tour down under, Ryan joins John, who toured with the Lions to South Africa in 1980 and New Zealand in 1983, for a 6 Nations vs Australia whisky tasting under the watchful eye of Master Blender and rugby referee Max McFarlane.Seven whiskies. One winner. All picked by Max himself.And the the line up?Coperies Single Malt French WhiskyPunic 4 Year Old 2012 Italian Blended WhiskyPendyren Madeira Finish Welsh WhiskyStarwood Nova Australian WhiskyEast London Liquor Company London Rye English WhiskyTullamore D.E.W Irish WhiskeyThe Famous Grouse Gold Reserve 12 Year Old Deluxe Scotch WhiskyBut what order will they finish in?Settle down with your favourite dram, and prepare yourself for descriptions like butterscotch, cream soda, Drumstick Squash Ems, fresh tar, damp tent, and popcorn; as well as a bit of rugby chat along the way.Slàinte!PS: No national rivalries influenced the making of this podcast. At least none that we are conscious or unconscious of. Honest!-------Socials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Creator & producer: David HolmesArt work & design: Jess Robertson Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea CunninghamGuitars: John BeattieBass: Alasdair VannDrums: Alan HamiltonBagpipes: Calum McCollAccordion: Gary InnesMusic & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John BeattieRecorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, ScotlandSpecial thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, ScotlandFollow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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41:58
Is that an Easy Question? Max McFarlane vs Google
Legendary whisky maker Max McFarlane is sought out the world over as consultant by other whisky producers.For over 25 years, Max was the Master Blender and later Keeper of the Quaich at Edrington. As such his nose provided the quality control for some of the best selling whiskies in the world: Famous Grouse, Highland Park, Cutty Stark, Bunnahabhain, and The Glenrothes. He's now the Master Blender for Ardgowan Distillery which officially opens on 20 June 2025.But is his whisky knowledge a match for his nose?In this episode John challenges Max to answer some of the most commonly Googled questions about whisky:When was whisky invented?What is whisky made from?What's the difference between whisky and whiskey?Where was Whisky Galore filmed?What's the best whisky for an Old Fashioned?Can you make whisky ice cubes?What should you take with your whisky?Which whisky is best for summer?And a few others to boot...Spoiler alert: you might want to ignore some of Max's answers and look them up yourself, especially when he tells John: "You can take your whisky standing on your head."But there are some top tips as John and Max try to outmatch Google.Somehow along the way they end up celebrating the Isle of Arran - "Scotland in miniature" - off the west coast of Scotland in the Firth of Clyde.In the nineteenth century there were at least 53 illicit stills in operation on Scotland's seventh largest island. Today there are two very legal, licensed distilleries. And the island is now populated with "honesty boxes" rather than moonshiners and bootleggers.So pour yourself a dram, tune in and match your wits against those of John and Max.Slàinte!-------Socials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Creator & producer: David HolmesArt work & design: Jess Robertson Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea CunninghamGuitars: John BeattieBass: Alasdair VannDrums: Alan HamiltonBagpipes: Calum McCollAccordion: Gary InnesMusic & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John BeattieRecorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, ScotlandSpecial thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, ScotlandFollow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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25:47
The Whisky Dramalista: Dave Alcock & the Power of Passion
"It was like a revelation," Dave Alcock recalls the moment he really got into whisky.The retired sports psychologist and self-styled "whisky dramalista" had always "liked a drop". But then one Christmas, after he'd "prepped the veg", he unwrapped the present his wife had bought for him.It was a bottle of Port Ellen third edition."I could feel it in my toes when I sipped it," he tells John in this episode. "It was just something else. I didn't know whether to sniff it or drink some more."A passion was ignited.And today some 20 years on, Dave now has more than 200 bottles in his "downstairs collection" - from "sherried drams" to Islays; to bourbons and Irish and Japanese whiskies.For him whisky's about friendship, connection, grounding, sharing, and being around other passionate people.Listen in as he and John talk about the psychology of whisky; whisky and memory; the power of passion; the price and value of whisky; the application of performance techniques to the role of whisky ambassadors; and why Dave spoilt himself with a Glen Grant 1958.Slàinte!-------Socials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Creator & producer: David HolmesArt work & design: Jess Robertson Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea CunninghamGuitars: John BeattieBass: Alasdair VannDrums: Alan HamiltonBagpipes: Calum McCollAccordion: Gary InnesMusic & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John BeattieRecorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, ScotlandSpecial thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, ScotlandFollow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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31:47
For the Love of Whisky: Friendship & Connection with Fred Maitland
"Nothing will get between a man and his whisky," insists Fred Maitland of East Coast Whisky.Fred's a psychotherapist.But he also provides whisky tastings and runs tours to distilleries around Scotland. And he believes whisky keeps us connected."It's about friendship and hobby," he tells John in this episode. "It's an incredible stimulant for conversation, for good feelings, for community, for warmth. And I've seen it time and time again."But it must be respected, he adds. It's not for "chugging back."Fred's tasted three to four thousand whiskies over the last ten years. Though he says: "I certainly haven't owned them all. But it's been an amazing adventure."So what does he recommend? "I always rate a Talisker 10, because I think it tells you everything about whisky."Of course there's also Highland Park, Glenfiddich, Springbank 10, Clynelish 14, Lindores (featured in episode 12)... And if he can get it Brora. Definitely Brora.And don't forget, he says, whisky goes well with food: scallops, oysters, venison. "You can pair a whole range of different foods with whisky of different kinds."So put you feet up. Pour yourself a dram. And tune in.Slàinte!-------Socials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Creator & producer: David HolmesArt work & design: Jess Robertson Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea CunninghamGuitars: John BeattieBass: Alasdair VannDrums: Alan HamiltonBagpipes: Calum McCollAccordion: Gary InnesMusic & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John BeattieRecorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, ScotlandSpecial thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, ScotlandFollow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do you take your whisky?Neat? Splash of water? Block of ice? Or even a mixer?However you take it, join John Beattie, former Scotland rugby international and semi-retired BBC radio and TV news presenter, as he celebrates the heritage and flavour of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit.Whether you call it whisky, whiskey, uisge beatha, aqua vitae, or the water of life... there's a story behind every dram; a craftsman behind every drop; an aroma with every nose; and a flavour in every sip.This is the spirit of Scotland: distilled in a place; shared around the world.What makes it so special? Why is it so loved? And who are the people that make it, and the aficionados who drink it?Join John every Thursday as he explores the alchemy that takes place from cask to glass.Slàinte!-------Host: John BeattieProducer: David HolmesSocials:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland