Not Another Whisky Podcast

Mitch heads up to the Little Brown Dog HQ to sit down with Managing Director, DR. Andrew Smith for a properly relaxed, no-BS chat about independent bottling—and everything around it.They get into how Andrew went from hospitality (with a brief detour towards becoming a vet) to co-running one of Scotland’s more quietly interesting bottlers, what actually makes a cask worth bottling in today’s market, and why they’re not just sticking to whisky.From Scotch to rum to Calvados, this is a conversation about flavour over category—and whether whisky drinkers might need to start looking beyond their own glass.Andrew also shares the story behind starting Little Brown Dog, where they want to take it next, and how he sees the current state of the industry—especially the realities facing independent bottlers right now.There’s also an unsuccessful attempt to drag Chris onto the podcast, some rally driving chat, and a crash story that definitely wasn’t meant to be funny… but absolutely is.A loose, honest conversation with one of the good guys in the industry.

Arthur Motley on Cask Backrooms, Whisky Identity, and the Liquid AntiquarianArthur Motley joins Mitch & Daz in Bennet’s Bar for a cracking conversation on cask buying, whisky identity, and what happens when one of the industry’s most experienced retailers decides to go it alone. From his early days at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to 21 years at Royal Mile Whiskies — where he worked his way from cask buyer to managing director — Arthur has seen whisky from just about every angle.He talks about the wild early-2000s cask market, when buying stock was a very different game, and how things gradually shifted from open sampling and relationship-led deals to tighter supply and buying “off paper.” The chat also dives into why he left Royal Mile, what his consultancy work looks like now, and why brand identity and route-to-market matter more than ever.There’s plenty of whisky geekery too, including early Japanese SMWS bottlings, the rise of world whisky, and Arthur’s brilliant historical project The Liquid Antiquarian with Dave Broom. Expect big thoughts on the 1823 Excise Act, the speed of Scotch’s evolution, and the stories behind the liquid we all bang on about.00:00 Rolling and intro00:07 Meet Arthur Motley02:14 Bennet’s Bar and pubs02:40 Cornwall pub story04:38 Joining Royal Mile05:44 Early whisky scene08:20 Whisky passion sparked10:05 Cask buying then14:19 Single malt boom18:37 Leaving Royal Mile22:15 Consultancy focus now24:53 Identity and history work27:27 Whisky History Needs Stories29:50 Brand Identity Done Right30:43 Bruichladdich Under Remy34:37 First Japanese Bottlings36:55 World Whisky Boom39:36 Scotch as Global Style42:19 Birth of Liquid Antiquarian44:38 1823 vs 1494 Debate47:38 Biggest Research Revelations51:08 Patreon Plans and Community56:09 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Time For Whisky’s Martin Eber on Hong Kong’s Generosity, Japan’s Bar Magic, and Keeping Whiskey Blogs AliveDaz welcomes Martin Eber of Time For Whisky, an Australian whisky blogger he has known for about 11 years, to discuss his journey from collecting travel-retail bottles in 2008–2009 to starting the Time For Whisky blog in 2012 and moving to Hong Kong in 2014 as the scene rapidly expanded. They highlight Hong Kong’s uniquely generous whisky culture, where rare bottles are opened and shared, and discuss the decline of long-form whisky blogs amid social media and AI-generated content, with Martin aiming to keep authentic writing going. Martin recalls standout moments including a 2018 media trip for The Macallan’s new distillery launch, and hosting an early international Starward tasting. He names Japan as the best place to drink whisky for vintage selections and pricing, then shares updates on returning to Australia, growing Time For Whisky with contributors, and observations on Australia’s booming but crowded distilling scene.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:37 Whiskey Beginnings in Australia02:37 Starting the Time for Whiskey Blog03:51 Moving to Hong Kong Scene05:17 Hong Kong Generosity and Rare Drams06:48 Why Blogs Still Matter09:32 Standout Whiskey Moments14:37 Japan the Best Place to Drink17:56 Back in Australia Whats Next20:21 Australian Whiskey Boom and Challenges22:58 Tasmanian Highlights and Wrap Up

India is the largest whisky market in the world , yet Scottish whisky still represents only a tiny slice of what’s actually being drunk. In this episode, Mitch and Daz unpack the reality behind the headlines and explore how the Indian whisky ecosystem really works.From IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) and the role Scottish Whisky plays inside local blends, to changing consumer trends, tariffs, cocktail culture, and the rise of Indian single malts, this episode dives into one of the most complex — and fascinating — whisky markets on the planet.To get a proper on-the-ground perspective, Mitch speaks with two industry insiders working directly in the Indian drinks scene.First up is Angad Singh Gandhi, former Glenfiddich ambassador turned drinks consultant and founder of Drams With Drama, who explains how Indian drinkers are becoming more adventurous and how bars, whisky experiences, and local producers are reshaping the market.Then Fraser Morrison joins the show from just outside Delhi to discuss the reality of selling Scotch in India — from state-by-state regulations and pricing differences to the aspirational role single malt still plays for many drinkers.Along the way Mitch and Daz break down:What IMFL actually is and why it dominates the Indian whisky marketWhy India imports huge amounts of bulk Scotch for blendingThe impact of the UK–India tariff changesHow the middle class and travel culture are driving premium whisky demandThe rise of Indian single malts like Amrut, Paul John and RampurWhy India might become the most important whisky market of the next decadeIf you’ve ever wondered why India drinks so much whisky — and what that means for Scotch — this episode explains it all.GuestsAngad Singh Gandhi – Founder of Drams With DramaFraser Morrison – Whisky ambassador working in IndiaLive Podcast EventsJoin Mitch & Daz in person at one of our upcoming live whisky tastings.🎟️ Tickets & upcoming events:https://www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com/live-eventsFollow the PodcastInstagram: @notanotherwhiskypodcastWebsite: https://www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com

Nicholas Pollacchi joins Mitch and Daz for the 200th episode of Not Another Whisky Podcast — which feels equal parts milestone and minor miracle.We rewind to April 2021 when the audio was ropey, the format was loose, and Mitch decided he’d edit every episode himself (questionable life choice). From there, listener questions take over — which means things escalate quickly.We relive:A VIP bourbon night in New YorkTequila egg-white cocktails (don’t ask)A celebrity moment at The EditionCar-crash tastings in Campbeltown and Las VegasHecklers in VegasFestival highs in Chicago, Seattle, and TaiwanAnd tastings in Moscow… and a Siberian banyaThere’s debate on single grain, whether Fife counts as a region, innovation vs regulation, collecting vs opening bottles, dream guests, dream casks, and the ultimate “last bottle” gift.Mostly though, this one’s about the listeners. The people who’ve turned up, sent questions, bought tickets, and backed two Speyside lads talking whisky for far longer than anyone expected.200 episodes down. Still serious about whisky. Still not taking ourselves too seriously.Timestamps00:00 Cold Open Bar Banter 00:33 Episode 200 Kickoff 01:37 Roasting the Fits 03:29 How We Got Here 04:15 New York VIP Night 05:52 Tequila Egg White Cocktail 08:21 Afterparty & 30 Rock Cameo 11:19 Catching Up With Mitch 11:56 Early Podcast Days 14:18 Fan Questions Begin 17:58 Car Crash Tasting Stories 20:35 Vegas Heckler Showdown 24:42 Best Whisky Festivals 30:31 Is Fife a Region? 31:53 Rethinking Grain Categories 33:10 Innovation vs Regulations 35:22 Favourite Bottles 37:01 Snow Phoenix Alcatraz Story 39:54 Dream Distillery Manager Year 42:43 Celebrity Dream Guests 46:05 Last Dram Gift Picks 49:03 Tariffs & The US Market 50:23 Weirdest Tasting Locations 52:17 Siberia Banya Adventure 56:17 Owning a Dream Cask 01:00:49 Closing the 200th Episode

This week we welcome Ardnahoe distillery manager David Livingston to discuss the Islay distillery’s location, origins, and whisky style. Livingston explains Hunter Laing’s long-held ambition to create their own distillery, Ardnahoe’s opening in 2018, and his own third-generation Islay whisky background. He reflects on how Islay has changed with tourism and the rise of single malts, and why whisky is vital to the island’s economy as farming and fishing decline. The conversation covers Fèis Ìle’s growth and 40th anniversary, Ardnahoe’s early production moments, and the distillery’s approach to making spirit—slow mashing, fermentations over 70 hours, slow distillation, and worm tubs aimed at a sweet, heavy-bodied, fruity spirit with peat on the finish. We also discuss Ardnahoe’s core range (including Infinite Loch), cask strength releases, future aging ambitions, the visitor experience and staff, and how Ardnahoe benefits from Hunter Laing’s independent bottling heritage and bar selection, including the Kinship range.00:00 Welcome to Islay: Introducing Ardnahoe & Distillery Manager David Livingston00:49 That View (and the Coffee): Why Ardnahoe’s Location Is So Special01:35 How Ardnahoe Happened: Hunter Laing’s Dream Becomes a Distillery (2018–Now)03:26 Born & Bred Islay: David’s Whisky Upbringing and Peat-Bog Memories04:43 Islay Then vs Now: Tourism, Single Malts, and the Island Economy07:25 Fèis Ìle at 40: Music, Whisky, Culture—and 2026 Plans10:40 From Banter to Build: David’s Role, Arran Detour, and the First Spirit Run14:35 Making the Spirit: Slow Mashing, Long Ferments, Worm Tubs & Flavor Goals16:19 Tasting Notes & Core Range: Infinite Loch, Cask Strength, and Smoke Level (40 PPM)20:58 Production Split & Switching Styles: Peated vs Unpeated Campaigns23:23 Looking Ahead: Quality Over Quantity, Visitor-Centre Vibes, and Independent Bottlings27:40 Wrap-Up & Invitations: Ferry Logistics, Twin Rooms, and Final Thanks

This week Mitch sits down with David Stirk — whisky writer, independent bottler, whisky historian — for a wide-ranging conversation on Campbeltown, the rise (and early struggles) of indie bottlers, and where the Scotch industry is and might actually be heading.From his first life-changing dram of Glenlivet 21 in 1996 to building Creative Whisky, rewriting the history of Campbeltown, and diving into a Master’s in History to sharpen his research, this episode covers David's graft, controversy, and some properly strong opinions about surplus production and the future of Scotch.Before all that, though…Daz and Mitch chat about existential dread about Scotland’s rugby chances. Standard start to the week and kick of with with winter vibes, whisky chat, and a public service announcement about the pies at Glasgow’s Pot Still (worth the train fare alone).LIVE TASTING ALERTWe’re hosting the Thompson Brothers (Phil & Simon) at the Craigellachie Hotel on March 26th at 7pm. It will be loud, it will be chaotic, it will sell out. Tickets at notanotherwhiskypodcast.com or via the Instagram link.BUY TICKETS HEREWe also get into Spirit of Speyside prep — nine events hosted by us this year, four live podcast tastings, and listings landing mid-February. If last year’s sell-outs taught us anything… move fast.00:00 Snowy Speyside Catch-Up: Whisky, Fire & Winter Vibes00:23 Rugby Reality Check: Dreading the England Match00:43 Glasgow’s Pot Still Love-In: Pies, Beans & Whisky Bar Chat02:00 Valentine’s Weekend Welcome + A Pink Port-Cask Promise02:36 Big News: Thompson Brothers Live Tasting (Craigellachie, Mar 26)03:52 Spirit of Speyside Prep: Uploading Events & Hosting Nine Tastings04:47 Meet the Guest: David Stirk Returns to the Podcast06:32 How It Started: A Glenlivet 21 Dram That Changed Everything09:35 Breaking In: Speyside Festival Tastings to Whisky Magazine Days11:28 Detours & Turning Points: America, 9/11, Cadenhead’s & Campbeltown14:14 Writing Whisky Books: Campbeltown, Publishing Realities & Archives19:16 Where He’s At Now: Master’s in History & The Drive to Carve Your Path21:33 Next Up: What Exactly Is Creative Whisky?21:49 The cask sample that sparked the idea to create whisky22:22 Early indie bottling struggles: price pushback & skeptical drinkers23:48 Why indie bottlers are booming now (and how big brands see them)27:20 Back to uni: the whisky history books David wants to write29:57 State of the industry: SWA numbers, India, and the next-gen drinking shift34:15 Book plug: David Stirk’s whisky library (and what each one covers)36:41 What’s next: festivals, Little Brown Dog, and a Glasgow distilling dissertation39:47 Wrap-up & host banter: upcoming trips, Islay stories, and next episode tease

A lively kick-off of Season 6, the Mitch & Daz welcome listeners with a post-holiday catch-up. They contemplate the ideal cutoff for New Year greetings, and share their plans for revealing their weights in the next episode (maybe not!) They get into their festive adventures, from drinking boutique whiskies to escaping to sunny Portugal. The duo previews exciting plans for 2026, including 45 episodes, live shows, and their participation in the Spirit of Speyside Festival with industry heavyweights. They touch on Whisky news, including a trademark battle involving James Martin, changes in Whisky tourism with Clynelish's closure, and exciting new releases like Lochlea's 7-year-old and Highland Park's vibrant Heather. Additionally, they lament Meta's impact on Whisky communities, discuss the potential of aluminum Whisky bottles, and celebrate Rita Greenwood as the first female chair of the Scotch Whisky Association. 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings00:37 Holiday Recap and Personal Updates01:38 Whisky Talk and Festive Spirits03:15 Travel Tales and Whisky Prices06:25 Plans for the New Season10:53 Dry January and Burns Night15:32 Whisky World News17:31 Trademark Maintenance and Brand Transfers18:37 Whisky Tourism and Visitor Centers21:04 New Whisky Releases and Distillery Updates22:36 Meta's Alcohol Policy Changes25:34 Innovations in Whisky Packaging26:54 First Female Chair of the SWA28:28 Elixir's Trail Series and Global Spirits31:33 Highland Park's New Release33:46 Positive Outlook for the Whisky Industry34:37 Burns Night Celebrations and Farewell