Not Another Whisky Podcast

A Mitch & Daz Production
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

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

    4d ago

    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.

    1h 5m
  2. INSIDE LAPHROAIG: A CHAT WITH SARAH DOWLING, SENIOR WHISKY MAKER

    May 26

    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
  3. CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 2

    May 24

    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
  4. CLASH OF THE DRAMS LIVE - PART 1

    May 17

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

    May 10

    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
  6. LIVE FROM THE SPEYBURN DISTILLERY AND SIPPING THEIR NEW 50 YEAR OLD

    May 3

    LIVE FROM THE SPEYBURN DISTILLERY AND SIPPING THEIR NEW 50 YEAR OLD

    Mitch takes Not Another Whisky Podcast on the road for a live recording at Speyburn, joined by distillery manager Euan Henderson and head of whisky creation Sarah Burgess—two people quietly shaping one of Speyside’s most underrated distilleries. They dig into Speyburn’s “hidden gem” reputation, what’s changed with the new visitor centre, and how the team balances consistency in new make with the creative chaos of building a modern whisky portfolio. There’s proper whisky chat too—none of that vague “notes of happiness” nonsense. The lineup starts with the Speyburn 10 Year Old (refill ex-bourbon, 40%), before moving through the range, touching on the 15 and 18 with their increasing sherry influence, plus experiments with rum casks and the slightly geeky (but very cool) world of dechar/rechar cask rejuvenation. Euan breaks down the distillery’s unusual setup—worm tubs, mixed condensers, and a blend of wooden and stainless steel washbacks—and how those choices shape Speyburn’s crisp, green-apple-driven spirit. There’s also a look at real-world challenges, including water supply issues that actually forced production cuts (because whisky isn’t always as romantic as we pretend it is). They nose fresh, fruity new make, chat about early peated runs now quietly maturing away, and then… land on something ridiculous: A 1975 vintage (53.4%), distilled in 1975 and re-vatted in 2017 into sherry-seasoned European oak butts—packed with rich, balanced old-whisky character and, somehow, still talked about as “good value” (which feels illegal). It’s part distillery deep-dive, part live tasting, part organised chaos—with a proper crowd in the room. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & warm-up 00:40 Meet the hosts 02:10 Speyburn: the “hidden gem” conversation 04:07 Who actually does what behind the whisky 08:03 First dram: Speyburn 10 09:12 Range breakdown & cask strategy 12:04 Distillery DNA explained 15:15 Inside Speyburn 16:18 Worm tubs, condensers & water realities 17:18 Drum maltings heritage 18:45 Old stock & shifting flavour profiles 19:56 Expansion vs consistency 20:47 Life as a distillery manager 22:05 Sustainability & water challenges 24:48 New make: green apple and freshness 26:19 Peated experiments & terroir chat 28:51 The 1975 edition story 31:06 Tasting notes & balance 33:46 Age vs flavour debate 36:24 Audience Q&A & wrap 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.

    42 min
  7. MITCH & DAZ CATCH UP

    Apr 26

    MITCH & DAZ CATCH UP

    Daz and Mitch are back—slightly dusty, fully loaded with stories, and picking up where they left off. They kick things off by chatting about the now-legendary two-part Thomson Brothers live episodes (and the ongoing failure to actually sit down and have a proper dram with them like normal human beings). Then it takes a turn… Mitch’s back garden goes full disaster movie. A neighbour’s shed fire spreads, wipes out half his own setup, melts the hot tub (yes, melted), and leaves about £10k worth of gear gone. It’s equal parts chaos and a public service announcement: check your insurance before your hot tub becomes modern art. From there, it’s straight back into work mode—hosting guests around Speyside and running Wildmoor experiences at the Fife Arms alongside Aldo Kane and a crew of Taiwanese influencers. Meanwhile, Daz has been living a completely different life—heading stateside from Savannah to Augusta for the Masters. Think whisky tastings, cigars, house parties, and somehow ending up in rooms with Dave Grohl and Brett Young. Casual. Back on home turf, there’s Islay, Jura, and a deep dive into the ever-divisive world of wine cask finishes—sweet wines, orange wines, weird experiments… and the occasional accidental success. They round things out with a look ahead at a stacked Spirit of Speyside lineup—live podcasts, events, questionable decisions—plus plans for Fèis Ìle and the gloriously named “Burning of the Bear” at Lindores Abbey. Standard service resumes. Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open (slightly chaotic, obviously) 00:09 – Back after a month: where have we been? 00:21 – Thomson Brothers live episode recap 01:36 – Mitch’s shed fire disaster (RIP hot tub) 04:08 – Hosting in Speyside & Five Arms Wildmoor experience 05:55 – Daz does the Masters (no phones, all vibes) 08:51 – Augusta afterparty madness 10:48 – Islay, Jura & battling the weather 11:51 – The great wine cask debate begins 14:46 – Weird casks & when port actually works 15:56 – Orange wine casks… seriously 16:20 – Listener poll on wine finishes 16:57 – Recent whisky highlights 18:02 – Highlander side-by-side tasting 18:45 – Listener shoutout (Roy 👏) 19:15 – Spirit of Speyside week preview 19:53 – Live events lineup 22:50 – Opening dinner plans 23:54 – Fèis Ìle plans 24:47 – Laggan Bay milestone 25:07 – Burning of the Bear (yes, really) 26:29 – Laphroaig celebrity collab chat 28:21 – Bottle chat & whisky gifts 29:29 – Wrap up 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.

    31 min
  8. THE THOMPSON BROS. LIVE - PART 2

    Apr 19

    THE THOMPSON BROS. LIVE - PART 2

    Part two of our live Not Another Whisky Podcast recording with the Thompson Bros at the Craigellachie Hotel picks things up mid-tasting — and it only gets better from here. We start with a chat on label design, working with artists, and the reality of constant releases, before getting into what life actually looks like running a distillery, a hotel, and everything else… in a whisky market that’s not exactly flying right now. From there, we get stuck into Sideburn — a 35-year-old Burnside — and unpack some of the wonderfully confusing, slightly ridiculous naming rules that still exist in Scotch whisky. The conversation drifts (as it should) into world whisky, market pressures, and then lands on the Mystery Malt concept — one of the most talked-about things the Thompson Bros are doing right now. Think scratch-card whisky, full transparency on the breakdown, and bottles that can massively overdeliver on the £65 price point — with a fan credited for the original idea. Across the episode, we taste: North British 33, Clynelish 12, Sideburn 35, Glenrothes 20, Glengoyne 27, and a Mystery Malt — before opening it up to the room for a proper audience Q&A. We cover everything from marketing and ballots to future bottlings and what the Thompson Bros distillery style is really aiming to become. If you enjoyed part one… this is where it really opens up. 00:00 Part Two Kickoff 00:47 Label Art Pressure 02:52 Busy Life Fundraising 04:31 Dram Four Sideburn 05:02 Teaspoon Naming Games 06:39 Burnside Trademark Lore 09:52 Tasting Notes Distillery Style 11:31 World Whisky Reality Check 14:51 Top Picks And Value 16:56 Dram Five Mystery Malt 19:41 How Mystery Malt Works 23:52 Scaling The Series 24:53 Live Guessing Game 26:44 Breaking Shelf Bias 27:29 Consumer Feedback Wins 28:17 Distilleries Get Competitive 30:29 Big Brands Buy In 32:27 Pricing Proof of Concept 34:34 Final Dram Glenrothes 36:03 Audience Q&A Bourbon Plans 38:15 Organic Marketing Approach 42:13 Favorites and Ballots Return 46:54 Future Spirits and Collabs 52:57 New Make Style Strategy 56:28 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.

    57 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
    213
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © A Mitch & Daz Production
  • Show Website
    Not Another Whisky Podcast

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