Gillian Kirkland never planned to run a whisky bar. But when her husband died in 2014, she inherited his pub on Glasgow's George Square and decided to keep it going.
Two years later, Gillian turned The Piper into a whisky bar. She knew nothing about whisky, so decided to learn.
And did she!
In 2024 Gillian was crowned Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2024 and The Piper Whisky Bar once again won Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year. An incredible double. And just a year after Gillian had been named Inspirational Woman of the Year at the same awards.
Join John as he speaks to Gillian about her whisky journey from a know-nothing to being able to pick out, not just the obvious flavours in a whisky like vanilla and dark cherries, but obscure flavours like frazzles... yes bacon fries. Find out what whiskies and styles Gillian recommends you try to start your whisky journey, and how she persuades her friends to give whisky a go.
\"Whisky's quite tough to get into,\" Gillian admits. \"But give it a chance.\"
\"A lot of people say they don't like whisky,\" she continues. \"I bet they do. They just haven't had a whisky they like.\"
Slàinte!
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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
Special thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Follow The Piper on Facebook to keep up to date about tastings and other events
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