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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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

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Eight years, six prime ministers, a pandemic, a cost of living crisis, and now a heart attack."

No wonder two of the biggest names in the Scotch whisky industry told Martin McAdam, CEO of Ardgowan Distillery, "Just don't start!" when he first asked them for advice on building a new distillery.

Nestling beneath a volcanic rock near Inverkip on the south bank of the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland, Martin says Ardgowan is "at the nexus of Highland, Lowland and Island whiskies". Its first mashing is scheduled for March 2025. So we'll have to wait seven or eight years at least before we'll know...

But until then we can always try their award-winning Clydebuilt and Inverdaracht private bottlings, crafted by Ardgowan's Whisky Maker Max McFarlane, former Master Blender and Keeper of the Quaich at Edrington. Max has been shaping the whisky industry since 1974, contributing to iconic brands like The Famous Grouse, Highland Park, and The Glenrothes (producer Holmsey's particular favourite).

Join John as he speaks to Martin and Max about building a new distillery and establishing a brand; their infinity cask and sloping roof; and how they plan to break into a global market.

"Get good product. Get it it out there. Win a few awards. And bang!" says Max.

"Get a new pair of shoes," says Martin; advice he got from The Macallan's legendary Willie Phillips.

Simple really. So could the new, eco-friendly Ardgowan Distillery bring a slice of Speyside to Inverclyde?

Listen to find out.

Slàinte!

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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

Special thanks: The Strathduie Bar, Black Friars Street, Glasgow, Scotland

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the tipple in your glass just the product of the cask? Or does the still play some big part?

Join John as he and Master Blender Max McFarlane chat with Loch Lomond Whiskies' Gary Mills about Loch Lomond Distillery's three - or is it four? - very different stills, and the role of the distillery's onsite De-char / Re-char cooperage.

Oh and find out what Tintin - yes Herge's Tintin - has to do with it all.

Visit Loch Lomond Whiskies' online store at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and get 10% off with our discount code revealed in this episode. Terms and conditions apply*.

Slàinte!

*Terms & Conditions

10% off all Loch Lomond Whiskies products (up to 18 yr old) on Loch Lomond Whiskies site only.

Expiry date: 31 March 2025.

One time use per customer.

This offer can't be combined with any other discount code.

Limited to the first 100 users.

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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

Special thanks: The Strathduie Bar, Black Friars Street, Glasgow, Scotland

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Popcorn.

That’s right. Popcorn.

As the former Keeper of the Quaich at Edrington, Master Blender Max McFarlane has worked with some of the most famous whisky brands in the world, including The Famous Grouse, The Macallan and Highland Park.

He reckons he can persuade anyone to enjoy whisky.

And he says it all comes down to popcorn...

Now with Ardgowan Distillery and the nose behind Ardgowan’s Clydebuilt range of private bottlings, Max explains to John the best way to drink whisky: when to have ice; when to have water; what glass to use; and finally how to nose and sip your dram.

“The sweet receptors are at the front of your tongue,” Max says. “So don’t throw your whisky back. Bring it right round your mouth; bring it to the front of your tongue. Make it almost romantic and let it slip down gently.”

So join John and Max as they celebrate the heritage and flavour of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit.

Slàinte!

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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

Special thanks: The Strathduie Bar, Black Friars Street, Glasgow, Scotland

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Whisky and freedom gang thegither!,” declared Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet.

But why and how do they go together?

In this episode John Beattie speaks to Burns scholar and Scotland’s preeminent political commentator, Brian Taylor, about Burns, his work and legacy, and how whisky is rooted in a place that’s both Scottish and international.

Slàinte!

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Twitter:

@C2GWhisky

@JohnRossBeattie

Producer: David Holmes

Graphic 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 Strathduie Bar, Black Friars Street, Glasgow, Scotland

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Ice is for cocktails!” exclaims Scottish crime writer and whisky lover Val McDermid.

So how does she take a dram? And what does she take?

And if she loves whisky so much, why did Val create a leading character who enjoys gin when she personally hates it?

Join John Beattie as he and Val discuss “morning whiskies”, imposter syndrome and Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns.

And if you’re new to Scotland’s national drink and want to know where to start, Val has a recommendation.

Slàinte!

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Twitter:

@C2GWhisky

@JohnRossBeattie

Producer: David Holmes

Graphic 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 Strathduie Bar, Black Friars Street, Glasgow, ScotlandIce is for cocktails..."

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.