Cask to Glass

David Holmes
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

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 Beattie Producer: David Holmes Socials: @C2GWhisky @JohnRossBeattie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    Making Whisky Fun: Dawn Davies on the "Smoky Cokey" & Other Geeky Secrets

    Whisky should be fun, declares Dawn Davies, outgoing commercial buying director for global whisky retailer The Whisky Exchange. She wants to shatter many of the myths around whisky. Like you can't mix Lagavulin with Coca-Cola. She calls it the "smoky cokey". And "it's absolutely delicious," she says. Then there's the "geeky" stuff. "I'm a fermentation geek through and through," she admits, because different yeasts create different flavours. Before that there's the grain: barley, corn or rye... etc. Each gives a different flavour. Then there's the type of still that's used to create the new spirit. And finally the oak. "I could talk about oak for at least an hour and a half, minimum," Dawn gushes. "You get so much flavour from the oak. And it's not just about the wood giving the flavour, or what was in the wood before. It's also the interaction of oxygen on the alcohols, which gives you all these incredible characters and wood changes so much." Knowing about the geeky, technical side of whisky production, Dawn insists, can help you understand what whiskies you might like. So settle in for an unconventional take on what makes whisky great from a true whisky aficionado who "thinks about booze all the time". Join John and Dawn as they discuss: ➡️Dawn's journey from wine lover to whisky expert. ➡️The unsung heroes of flavour: Yeast and Fermentation. ➡️How different still shapes and oak types define your dram. ➡️The rise of global whisky and what to watch next. ➡️Breaking the rules: Whisky cocktails, ice, and pairing with food. ➡️How to bring the next generation of drinkers into the category. Whether you're a seasoned whisky drinker or just starting your journey, this conversation is packed with insights to help you understand and enjoy whisky even more. Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Aug 6

    DrinkAbility: Nicola McRedmond & the State of the Whisky Job Market

    Ever wondered what it actually takes to break into the whisky industry? John sits down with recruitment specialist Nicola McRedmond, founder of DrinkAbility, to discover the hidden roadmap for your career. From mastering the art of networking to the specific roles in high demand right now, this is your blueprint for landing your dream job in spirits. In this conversation with Nicola, we dive deep into the current state of the whisky job market. From the shifting roles of brand ambassadors to the "incestuous" nature of industry hiring, Nicola shares expert advice on how to stand out and build a career in the world of spirits. Whether you're looking to break into the industry or want to understand the business case for diversity and inclusion in whisky industry, this episode offers a candid look at the people behind the bottles. Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Jul 30

    Let Us Dram You: Susan Morrison & the Scotch Whisky Experience

    Step into "Scotland's greatest story" and discover one of the 7 Wonders of the Scotch Whisky World - the Diageo Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection - curtesy of Susan Morrison, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh. Let Susan "dram you" into discovering whisky for the first time or into expanding your whisky journey no matter how experienced you are. Over nearly 40 years the Scotch Whisky Experience, located at the top of Castle Hill right next to Edinburgh's iconic Castle, has played host to over nine million visitors from around the world. Its centrepiece is the legendary Claive Vidiz whisky collection - 3,384 bottles of Scotch whisky amassed by, and named after, the Brazilian businessman and whisky enthusiast. Ranging from the most humble supermarket blends to the rarest single malts ever produced, this priceless collection was once the Guinness Book of Records' largest collection of unopened whisky bottles in the world. The recipient of the 2024 Dr Jim Swan Award for Services to Scotch Whisky, Susan began working at the Scotch Whisky Experience as a university student when it first opened in 1988. Now the Experience's CEO, Susan's the perfect guide to take you on a celebration of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit. Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jul 23

    Liquid on Lips: How to Market Whisky with Nick Morgan

    How do you market whisky in the 21st century? Or as ex-Diageo marketing guru, Nick Morgan, puts it: How do you get "liquid on lips"? A Keeper of the Quaich and the 48th inductee in the Whisky Hall of Fame, Nick's written the definitive history of Johnnie Walker, the best-selling Scotch whisky in the world: Johnnie Walkder: A Long Stride - The Story of the World's No 1 Scotch Whisky. Red label. Black label. Blue label. Green label. Gold label... For over 200 years Johnnie Walker blended Scotch whisky has been the world's leading whisky brand recognised and enjoyed in over 180 countries. And, as Nick explains, for over a hundred years, Johnnie Walker has stuck to one abiding image and message: the Striding Man. In this episode, Nick explains what works and what doesn't work when it comes to marketing whisky. As a historian, Nick's studied whisky marketing techniques from the late 19th and early 20th century: "There was a lot of marketing [then]. People didn't call it that, but my goodness me, they were doing marketing of the most brilliant kind, some of the early brand owners, big brand owners. "I think one of the things then was that everyone really understood their product. They really understood what they were selling. They understood the whole whiskey thing." So join John as he and Nick discuss what works and what doesn't when it comes to marketing whisky; and what some of the new distilleries are getting right and wrong. Discover how sherry had an impact on the explosion of the whisky market in the mid- to late-19th century beyond providing casks. And learn how the prohibition movement in the UK between 1900 and 1935 led to an 80% fall in the consumption of spirits - most of it whisky - and how the how industry found new global markets. Could this provide a template out of the current slump in whisky sales. As Nick puts it, perhaps "some of the new market [for whisky sales] are talking to new consumers in old markets and finding relevant ways of talking to them." Slàinte! #whisky #podcast #interview #WhiskyMarketing #scotchwhisky #NickMorgan #CaskToGlass #johnniewalker ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 16

    Mythical Beasts & Tangible Assets: Spiritfield's Ross Archer & Russell Spratley

    Is whisky ownership the ultimate tangible asset? In this episode of Cask to Glass, we go behind the scenes of the whisky industry with Russell Spratley and Ross Archer from Spiritfilled. From their roots in finance to launching an award-winning independent bottling brand and an HMRC-approved bond, they share what it really takes to navigate the world of casks. We dive deep into: •The reality of whisky as a tangible asset vs. a financial instrument. •How the Braeside Bond is creating a new standard for transparency and "experience-led" storage. •The revolutionary NEOC (New Era of Cask) process that is transforming how spirits are finished. •How Scottish rugby legend Finn Russell became the face of their brand. •The current state of the global whisky market and why "time" is the most valuable ingredient. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just curious about owning your first cask, this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the craft and business of Scotch whisky. Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 9

    The Swallows' Tale: John Johnstone & the Spirit of Glenkinchie

    What does a 6,000-mile journey from Africa to a Scottish distillery have to do with a rare 30-year-old whisky? John Johnstone shares "The Swallows' Tale", a story of family legacy, natural cycles, and the spirit of Glenkinchie Distillery. From his roots in the mining community of Tranent to his transition from engineering into the heart of the whisky industry, John shares a deeply personal look at the people and history behind the "Lowland Legend." We dive into the arrival of the swallows at the distillery, the craftsmanship behind the legendary 30-year-old release, and how sharing a dram at the visitor center has a unique way of restoring faith in humanity. Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jun 18

    The Dram Queen: Ann Miller & the Demysification of Enjoying Whisky

    There are a lot of supposed "rules" when it comes to whisky. But for Ann Miller "rules are meant to be broken". AKA The Dram Queen, Ann's been demystifying the flavour and vocabulary of whisky for years, from explaining how a drop of water unlocks the taste of a dram to explaining the science of what goes on in the cask. In this episode of Cask to Glass, John Beattie chats to one of Scotland’s most esteemed whisky educators. With a career spanning from the Scotch Whisky Experience in the 1980s to Chivas Brothers, Ann shares her deep expertise on the heritage, science, and evolving landscape of Scotland's national drink. We dive into the fascinating chemical reaction that occurs when adding water to whisky, the rise of non-age statement expressions, and the innovative cask finishes shaping the market today. Ann also reveals her "Desert Island" whiskies and provides professional tips on how to truly assess and savour a high-end dram. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your whisky journey, this conversation is packed with insights to help you appreciate the "water of life" on your own terms. #whisky #scotchwhisky #podcast #DramQueen #WhiskyTasting #CaskToGlass #Speyside #singlemaltscotch Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jun 11

    The Art of the Dram: Tom Addy from the Fife Arms

    Would you pay £9,000 for a single nip of whisky? Today, we’re inside the legendary Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar, home to one of the world's most exclusive whisky libraries as John Beattie chats to Tom Addy about a whisky distilled in 1833 that was hidden behind a cellar wall for decades. What was his sales pitch to Jimmy Fallon? And did it work? Slàinte! ------- Socials: @C2GWhisky | @JohnRossBeattie   Creator & producer: David Holmes Art work & design: Jess Robertson   Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home) Vocals: Andrea Cunningham Guitars: John Beattie Bass: Alasdair Vann Drums: Alan Hamilton Bagpipes: Calum McColl Accordion: Gary Innes Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Trailer

About

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 Beattie Producer: David Holmes Socials: @C2GWhisky @JohnRossBeattie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    David Holmes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 830075
  • Show Website
    Cask to Glass

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