Whisky Pilgrims

A chance encounter forged an instant friendship on the well-trodden path to liquid eutopia. One afternoon, I received an email from a lucky Springbank ballot winner that would not only result in a new pal - but another whisky pilgrim with a heap of stories.This episode is more akin to striking up a conversation with that stranger you meet in the pub, when you go for a quiet one. Michael paints a picture of his youth growing up around Aberdeenshire pre and post oil boom, its impact on the communities, their lifestyle and social structure. We get nostalgic about grannies cooking, debate the correct way to make Stovies and discuss a trail blazing new cocktail he has created. Like a good book this episode invites you to keep turning the page to see what is next, and honestly, we could have recorded for hours. He shares the love for his wife and family in supporting his whisky hobby – also how important it is to have balance and discipline when indulging in such a luxury. The craft and unique quality of whisky isn’t the only thing which is engaging here; he produces a series of hand crafted items from cask clocks, stave signs and Sgian-Dubh’s with immaculate workmanship! Ladies and gentlemen I introduce his side hustle “Scotland’s Cask” another feather in his cap, featuring annually at various Highland games. Honestly just listen with an open mind, treat it as a casual chat between two new friends and enjoy.Slainte!

Join me today as I chat with Sam Staniforth (surname I consistently get wrong) a mum, whisky nerd, sensory rebel and a voice for women in whisky!Sam set off on a pilgrimage many moons ago and took the giant leap over the pond to Scotland. Originally from the US she embraced a culture, industry and dialect to which many a song was written!But how do you find your feet in an industry that has carved many a beaten track for us to follow?The obvious answer is SUPER POWERS, right?Sam invites us to rewire our prescribed sensory systems and embrace our individuality. With a little guidance she hopes to open the conversation, encourage shouting out loud and say the “wrong” thing. Her lived experience with synaestetia and  hyperphantasia are all the credentials she needs to create a new space in the drinks industry.We meander through Sam’s journey, her company Vantage creative, OurWhisky Foundation, motherhood and of course a wee tipple. Pick a spot, take a seat and enjoy.Slainte

Join me today as I chat with Sam Staniforth (surname I consistently get wrong) a mum, whisky nerd, sensory rebel and a voice for women in whisky!Sam set off on a pilgrimage many moons ago and took the giant leap over the pond to Scotland. Originally from the US she embraced a culture, industry and dialect to which many a song was written!But how do you find your feet in an industry that has carved many a beaten track for us to follow?The obvious answer is SUPER POWERS, right?Sam invites us to rewire our prescribed sensory systems and embrace our individuality. With a little guidance she hopes to open the conversation, encourage shouting out loud and say the “wrong” thing. Her lived experience with synaestetia and  hyperphantasia are all the credentials she needs to create a new space in the drinks industry.We meander through Sam’s journey, her company Vantage creative, OurWhisky Foundation, motherhood and of course a wee tipple. Pick a spot, take a seat and enjoy.Slainte

Ey up! Here we continue with Josh’s story through life and whisky. After part one took us extensively through his cancer journey - we now focus on the highlights over the last couple of years! Ballindalloch, Balmenach and Glenmorangie Signet are a welcome line up for any drammer, so pop the cork and get comfy. Slainte!@whiskypilgrims#whiskypilgrims

We often talk about the connection between whisky and its ability to ground us in a specific time and place, which can be said for most sensory experiences. Here, I talk with Josh Lavers as he indulges me with some of the drams which have shaped his journey to date. A young man who found himself at a crossroads, when his ambition to jump headfirst into the industry he loved, was abruptly paused. Battling cancer at the beginning of his production apprenticeship wasn’t what he had planned, to say the least.Josh shows us how keeping life simple and doing it with a smile is the fastest way to appreciating it. We explore some wonderful distilleries (Wolfburn, Ballindalloch, Balmenach Glenmorangie) and use each one as a marker on his linear timeline, endorse the wonderful charity Friends of Anchor, who supported Josh through his treatment, oh, and we drink some bloody good whisky.Some stories need a few drams and time to savour them, that’s why this one will need a part two. It’s a rocky road ahead, let’s not rush it.Slainte!

An Irishman and a Yorkshireman meet up in the epicentre of Scotland for a few drams to celebrate 2025.

On location at Benriach distillery, we chat to Stewart Buchanan, their Global Brand Ambassador and one of the friendliest, straight talking, whisky experts you’ll ever meet. He started out hands-on in the distillery, learning every part of the process. He knows what makes Benriach tick because he’s lived it. No fluff or flannel just passion and pizzazz.Now, as the face of Benriach around the world, Stewart shares that same enthusiasm wherever he goes. He’s all about keeping whisky fun and approachable, whether he’s pouring drams in Speyside or hosting tastings in Singapore.

A marriage, a vatting, a blend — call it what you will.Some folks still turn their noses up at them. Maybe they had a rough encounter once, or maybe someone told them “real whisky” has to be single malt.But here’s the thing — there are millions who adore blends. Don’t let an old prejudice keep you from a new discovery. Not all blends are equal — and that’s the beauty of it. When the right whiskies come together, they can create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

Pilgrims can find themselves in unexpected places. Stay with us in this episode, as we discover what's behind Bogincur, a Wonderland in Moray; exploring water, coffee and whisky. We chat with Warren (aka The Wizard), a water engineer with many passions. He takes us on an adventure down the rabbit hole as we experience, among other things, a whisky that escapes the confines of time!