Not Another Whisky Podcast

A Mitch & Daz Production
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Not Another Whisky Podcast is your gateway to the whisky world, hosted by industry veterans Mitch Bechard and Daryl Haldane. With four decades of combined experience within the whisky industry for giants like Highland Park, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Johnnie Walker, Talisker, and Lagavulin, these guys know their stuff - and they're ready to share the insider secrets and stories that don't make it onto the distillery tours. ​ This is an informal show where you can learn about whisky without the stuffy attitude. Expect whisky facts, the latest news, terrible whisky jokes, and candid conversations with industry guests. No pretence, just a good chat about great whisky! Do you have a story to share, or are you curious about sponsoring the show? Drop us a line at whiskypodcast@gmail.com. And don't forget to peek into our mischievous antics on Instagram @notanotherwhiskypodcast or swing by www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. INSIDE THE SMWS VALTS DISCUSSING LEITHS WHISKY LEGACY

    5 days ago

    INSIDE THE SMWS VALTS DISCUSSING LEITHS WHISKY LEGACY

    Recorded in the historic Vaults in Leith, Mitch Bechard is joined by SMWS “chief storyteller” Richard Goslan and Kask Whisky founder Justine Hazlehurst for a deep dive into one of Scotch whisky’s most overlooked powerhouses. Leith was never just a port. It was a whisky engine room: bonding, brokering, blending, bottling and shipping enormous volumes of Scotch around the world. At one point, the area was home to around 90–100 bonded warehouses, yet its role in shaping the modern industry is often pushed into the background. Richard brings The Vaults to life, from its ancient origins and long links with the drinks trade to the birth of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in 1983. He shares how the Society’s single-cask ethos developed, why bottle 1.1 became legendary, how the tasting panel works, and how SMWS bottle names manage to be both brilliant and completely unhinged. Justine guides us through Leith’s boom-and-bust whisky past, from Pattison’s infamous 1898 crash, to wars, consolidation, the whisky loch, and the stories still hiding in plain sight on the Leith Whisky Trail. There are disputed parrots, a very real pub puma attack, independent bottling chat, festival stories, and a reminder that whisky history is always better when it hasn’t been polished to death. A proper sense-of-place episode from one of Scotland’s most important whisky rooms. 00:00 Welcome to The Vaults in Leith 00:48 Meet Richard Goslan and Justine Hazlehurst 02:46 Inside the history of The Vaults 05:57 Why Leith matters to Scotch whisky 08:46 The origins of the Leith Whisky Trail 11:06 Wild stories from Leith’s past 12:46 SMWS founding story and bottle labels 16:30 Whisky as a shared community 19:54 Leith’s boom-and-bust whisky timeline 26:02 The whisky loch and SMWS’s first cask 28:11 SMWS codes, flavour profiles and tasting culture 29:42 How the SMWS tasting panel works 30:47 The joy of flamboyant bottle names 31:25 Creators Collection and whisky artwork 32:28 Desert island dram: SMWS 1.1 34:54 Glenfarclas and Leith connections 35:50 The independent bottling boom 38:26 Fife Whisky Festival and modern whisky culture 40:39 Justine’s Pattison crash book 45:19 The Pattison parrots myth 48:01 Finding Pip Hills again 52:07 Vaults legends and wild old days 54:35 Where to find Richard and Justine Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  2. THE BATTLE OF THE STILLS - LIVE FROM SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE

    14 June

    THE BATTLE OF THE STILLS - LIVE FROM SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE

    This week, Not Another Whisky Podcast goes live from the Craigellachie Hotel for Battle of the Stills, recorded during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Daz is joined by three brilliant distillers: Euan Christie from The Cabrach Distillery, Polly Logan from Tormore, and Kristy Lark from Killara Distillery in Tasmania. Euan shares the story of The Cabrach: an area with deep illicit distilling roots, a shrinking population, and a new community-led distillery using whisky to support local regeneration. He also introduces The Feering, The Cabrach’s first blended malt, created with donated casks from across the industry. Polly takes us inside Tormore, one of Speyside’s most beautiful distilleries, as it prepares to launch its new core range. She talks about shaping the distillery’s fruity, floral style, the importance of American oak, and working with blender Oliver Chilton. Kristy brings the Tasmanian perspective, from growing up with a still outside her bedroom door to founding Killara Distillery. She shares how Tasmania’s climate shapes maturation and introduces a wonderfully unusual whisky inspired by a Black Velvet cocktail, finished through sparkling wine and stout casks. There are audience questions, festival chaos, whisky gossip, and at least one answer involving rum-infused Scottish tea that probably needs a legal disclaimer.  Featured Whiskies and links to where you can find them The Cabrach – The Feering Early Harvest A bright, bourbon-led blended malt with gentle peat and a strong community story. Tormore – Timeless Fruity, floral and elegant, showing orchard fruit, malt and honeysuckle notes. Killara – Black Velvet Inspired Single Cask A rich Tasmanian single cask involving tawny, sparkling wine, stout and glorious madness. Please subscribe, rate and review Not Another Whisky Podcast wherever you listen. Slàinte! Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  3. MITCH AND DAZ'S MAY BANTER

    7 June

    MITCH AND DAZ'S MAY BANTER

    Mitch and Daz catch up after a packed festival season, They recap Spirit of Speyside’s, Mitch’s chaotic-but-fun Tormore launch and plans to expand their sold-out “Battle of the Ambassadors” into a winter tournament, “The Road to Speyside,” with heats and a final at the festival. Daz recounts Fèis Ìle highlights at Laphroaig’s 40th anniversary tastings and Bowmore events, including a boat trip on Loch Indal and a 1969 Bowmore dram. They taste three whiskies: Chivas Charles Leclerc 16 (40%), Raasay Hungarian Oak (50%), and SMWS “A Belter for America” Tullibardine 10 (61%). They announce being shortlisted for the Scottish Podcast Awards, discuss Tormore’s new releases, the Bon Accord closing, Woven’s new Leith blending experience, and Glen Cairn’s leadership change, then tease upcoming episodes and a giveaway of a Ferrari cap plus whisky samples for reviews. 00:00 Whisky Stories Banter 00:48 New Theme Tune Debate 02:23 Show Intro and Catch Up 03:55 Festival Season Rundown 05:31 Tormore Launch Chaos 08:10 Road to Speyside Plan 12:24 Three Drams Lineup 13:51 Chivas x Leclerc Collab 17:52 Fèis Ìle Highlights 23:57 Feis vs Speyside Vibes 27:33 Raasay Island Escape 29:11 Hungarian Oak Tasting Notes 31:41 Warehouse Night Stories 32:53 Podcast Award Shortlist 34:35 Whisky World News Roundup 36:43 Edinburgh Whisky Experiences Boom 38:32 Glen Cairn Leadership Change 39:40 World Cup Whisky Bottling 44:28 Deep Dives and Cooper Traditions 46:57 Wrap Up and Listener Giveaway Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  4. NO CASK NO WHISKY: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ART OF COOPERING

    31 May

    NO CASK NO WHISKY: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ART OF COOPERING

    Mitch and Daz take a deep dive into coopering — the ancient craft behind every great dram. Recorded in Edinburgh over suspiciously large highballs, the episode traces the cask from Celtic barrel-makers and Roman trade routes to modern whisky maturation, wood policy, rejuvenation and the global cask trade. Mitch speaks with Ian MacDonald, former head cooper at The Balvenie, who started his apprenticeship in 1969 and spent over 50 years in the trade. Ian shares stories of rebuilding bourbon barrels into hogsheads, working alongside David Stewart, being paid per cask, apprentice initiations, and why coopering is far more than “just hammering bits of wood together." The episode also features Lawrence Proctor, manager of Camlachie Cooperage and president of the Coopering Federation, who explains the modern reality of running a cooperage: cask repair, rejuvenation, apprenticeships, bourbon barrel prices, industry slowdowns and why coopers are often the first to feel the pressure when whisky dips. FeaturingIan MacDonald — former Head Cooper at The Balvenie Lawrence Proctor — Manager at Clydeside Cooperage and President of the Scottish Coopering Federation Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 5min
  5. INSIDE LAPHROAIG: A CHAT WITH SARAH DOWLING, SENIOR WHISKY MAKER

    26 May

    INSIDE LAPHROAIG: A CHAT WITH SARAH DOWLING, SENIOR WHISKY MAKER

    Daryl interviews Sarah Dowling, lead whisky maker at Laphroaig, tracing her path from a genetics and environmental background to a 2012 Edrington recycling contract that turned into a long whisky career via sensory panels, Diageo, and nearly seven years at Cooley in Ireland (working on Connemara and other releases, and even managing the site). She discusses how her palate evolved from missing vanilla to treating smoke as a “neutral,” and how collaborative tasting works best when nobody gets told what they “should” taste. Sarah explains the organic Willem Dafoe collaboration (the “Unforgettable” campaign), built from pilot blends, repeated tastings, and an Oloroso-driven 14-year whisky bottled at 53.7% with rich texture. For Fèis Ìle’s 40th anniversary, Laphroaig’s Càirdeas is fully matured in French oak, noted for Lapsang souchong-like smoke and melon notes, and Sarah previews interactive Laphroaig Day tastings, parties, and Friends of Laphroaig camaraderie. 00:00 Welcome Sarah Dowling 01:09 From Sustainability to Whisky 02:59 Discovering Sensory Panels 07:03 Finding Flavor Blind Spots 11:53 Irish Whiskey Calling 16:41 Life at Cooley Distillery 17:55 Full Time Blender Role 18:36 Willem Dafoe Collaboration 20:34 Building the Oloroso Blend 23:47 First Tastes and Bold Character 24:28 Bold New Release 25:07 Willem Gets It 26:17 On Set Inspiration 29:05 Friends And Festivals 30:40 French Oak Cairdeas 31:58 Tasting Notes Tea Smoke 35:51 Feis Ile Tastings 38:04 Friends Stories And Farewell Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  6. CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 2

    24 May

    CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 2

    Gordon Dundas brings out Tamdhu’s Dalbeallie Dram, ninth edition — a natural-colour, first-fill sherry powerhouse sitting at 60.5% ABV. It’s everything you’d hope for from Tamdhu in full sherry beast mode: fruitcake sweetness, dark spice, espresso bitterness and a finish that somehow drinks far too easily for its strength. The panel get stuck into age statements, natural colour, value, pricing, and where the whisky market is heading after a few years of everyone releasing everything, everywhere, all at once. Then Stuart Buchanan steps up with the final dram: a newly shelved Benriach 2009 15-year-old peated whisky at 61.1% ABV, matured in refill hogsheads before spending six years in PX. Stuart talks through Benriach’s peated history, how cask choice shapes phenols, and why everyone apparently needs to save the hogshead. Along the way, the ambassadors talk favourite recent markets, from Japan and Turkey to Singapore and Australia, before looking ahead to what might be next for whisky: more highballs, more blends, more indie bottlers, and hopefully fewer releases that require remortgaging your house. The episode finishes with distillery recommendations from around the world, thoughts on new distilleries finding their feet, concerns around the pace of Irish whiskey growth, and the all-important audience vote. 00:00 Next Dram Setup 00:22 Dalbeallie Origins 01:41 Sherry Bomb Breakdown 03:44 Tasting Notes Banter 04:29 Editions and Value Talk 05:28 Age Statements Debate 07:13 Whisky Market Correction 10:06 Secondary Market Trends 11:16 Final Dram Dedication 12:17 Introducing Benriach Peat 12:58 Peated Release Details 14:50 Cask Strategy and Hogsheads 17:09 PPM and Peat Science 19:23 First Impressions Wrap 19:29 Sherry Cask Debate 20:14 Speyside DNA Explained 21:10 Glenglassaugh Coastal Dram 22:11 Travel Highlights Quickfire 23:49 Whisky Trends Next Year 26:41 Distillery Picks Worldwide 33:32 New Distilleries Growing Pains 34:59 Irish Whiskey Boom Concerns 37:41 Global Whisky Wrap-Up 39:39 Audience Vote Results Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  7. CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 1

    17 May

    CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 1

    Mitch kicks off a sold-out Clash of the Drams live recording, making it clear from the start that this is not going to be one of those polite Speyside tastings where everyone nods quietly and pretends to know what quince is. This year’s brave contenders are Stuart Buchanan from Brown-Forman, Gordon Dundas from Ian Macleod Distillers, Struan Grant Ralph from Glenfiddich, and first-time entrant Charlie Metcalfe from The Balvenie. The audience are given the terrifying responsibility of judging both the drams and the banter, before casting their final vote in the Quaich Bar. Part one features two outstanding drams. First up is Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix, created after the heavy winter snow of 2010 caused warehouse roofs to collapse, leading Brian Kinsman to vat together a unique selection of rescued casks. The panel talk through the story, the rarity, the price, and why it still holds such a special place for Glenfiddich fans. Dram two comes from Balvenie, with an 18-year-old finished for seven years in Pineau des Charentes casks. Charlie explains how ambassador-led ideas can help shape whisky projects, while the group get into cask influence, flavour development, market differences, and what happens when ambassadors are allowed anywhere near new liquid. And because this is Not Another Whisky Podcast, things naturally take a turn. The episode ends with the ambassadors being forced into celebrity-style whisky poems, including Daniel Craig and Jack Nicholson impressions that may never fully leave the room. Part two is where things get even more unhinged. 00:00 Welcome to Clash 01:37 How the Voting Works 03:11 Meet the Panel 07:16 Festival Banter 10:26 Ambassador Origins 12:47 Dram One: Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix 18:26 The Warehouse Roof Collapse 19:17 Snow Phoenix Price Talk 20:50 Tasting Notes and Vibes 21:54 Dram Two: Pineau des Charentes Cask 25:01 How Ambassadors Shape Whisky 25:38 Signatures and Fingerprints 29:48 Markets and Innovation 32:42 Envelope Impression Game 37:40 Part One Sign Off Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  8. THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY IS GIVING AWAY A CASK OF WHISKY!

    10 May

    THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY IS GIVING AWAY A CASK OF WHISKY!

    Mitch is joined by Ria McAdam, European Marketing Manager at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, for a dive into the world of SMWS — who chats about the current chance for members to win an entire Distillery 10 Islay cask. They get into the origins of the Society, from Pip Hills sharing cask-strength whisky with friends in the 1970s to the founding of SMWS at The Vaults in Leith in 1983, before moving into how it has grown into a global whisky membership community. Ria talks through the monthly outturn model, the coded bottles, the flavour-led approach, and the gloriously odd names that have become part of SMWS folklore. There’s also plenty on what membership actually gives you, from access to exclusive bottlings and Members’ Rooms to tastings, guest access, content and whisky education. Ria explains the crazy current May promotion where buying a festival bottle or activating a membership gets you into the draw to win a full Distillery 10 cask. The episode also touches on SMWS’s Scotland football-inspired release, A Belter for America, a 10-year-old Highland single cask bottled to celebrate Scotland’s return to the World Cup. Links SMWS website Join SMWS Win a cask / festival bottles Buy A Belter for America (28.118) 00:00 Welcome to SMWS 01:45 Origin story: Pip Hills 03:38 Global membership today 05:06 Ria’s role in marketing 06:27 How outturns work 10:11 Wild bottle names 11:52 What membership offers 13:19 Members’ Rooms and perks 15:14 Staff training and whisky culture 17:59 Ria’s own whisky journey 23:00 Events, outreach and content 25:36 Win a cask giveaway 29:03 A Belter for America 30:42 How to join and buy 33:24 Wrap up and thanks Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way. 🥃 New episodes every week(ish) 🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland 🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com 📩 Enquiries & partnerships: whiskypodcast@gmail.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
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About

Not Another Whisky Podcast is your gateway to the whisky world, hosted by industry veterans Mitch Bechard and Daryl Haldane. With four decades of combined experience within the whisky industry for giants like Highland Park, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Johnnie Walker, Talisker, and Lagavulin, these guys know their stuff - and they're ready to share the insider secrets and stories that don't make it onto the distillery tours. ​ This is an informal show where you can learn about whisky without the stuffy attitude. Expect whisky facts, the latest news, terrible whisky jokes, and candid conversations with industry guests. No pretence, just a good chat about great whisky! Do you have a story to share, or are you curious about sponsoring the show? Drop us a line at whiskypodcast@gmail.com. And don't forget to peek into our mischievous antics on Instagram @notanotherwhiskypodcast or swing by www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    A Mitch & Daz Production
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © A Mitch & Daz Production
  • Show Website
    Not Another Whisky Podcast

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