Whisky Unscripted Podcast

It’s a Rosebank Special and we are live at the opening night event featuring Managing Director and owner of Ian Macleod Distillers, Leonard Russell, Head of International Business Development Tom Russell, Gordon Dundas, and Distillery Manager Malcolm Rennie with a host of local Distillery Ambassadors giving us their take on the rebirth of this iconic distillery. Stephen Arnott and Rosie Murray in charge of delivering Tours and Experiences at Rosebank explain how after just one-week VisitScotland came calling and awarded them a Five-Star Grading. Local whisky collector Scott Jackson takes Gordon Dallas on a tour his hugely impressive Rosebank collection, one of the biggest private collections there is, before visiting the distillery for the very first time. Distillery Manager Malcolm Rennie and Assistant Distillery Manager Jason McCabe sum up a year since Cask 01 was filled and join in some election fun in Malt Manifesto. Best enjoyed with a large dram. Slainte`

The 2 Gordons welcome Ian Palmer of Inchdairnie, referenced in the last podcast. Ian talks about the wording on Scotch whisky labels and talks about his own journey in establishing this wonderful Fife distillery. Roland Grain is the man behind Ardgowan distillery in Inverkip who also hosted the Potstill Masterclass Festival in Vienna where Gordon Dallas caught up with him and Ian. The 2 Gordons talk about the Keepers of The Quaich Spring Banquet, finishing in whisky, the calorific value of a dram v a banana and lots more while sampling Tamdhu Dalbeallie 3 and Loch Lomond 12. Best enjoyed with a dram or three. Slainte`

The 2 Gordons start a New Year with a new series bringing interviews from a very snowy Baden in Switzerland which would have made a wonderful Christmas Special – all will be explained. Then it’s off to the capital of Scotland to visit Edinburgh’s newest whisky visitor attraction at the Scottish Whisky Experience and hear from the Chief Executive Susan Morrison. In between all that Gordon and Gordon debate the idea of a new whisky region for the Scottish Islands, have a quick ‘Mystillery’ challenge, and give a Rosebank update all while sampling a Glengoyne 6-year-old and a Lagavulin 16. Slainte`

Hold on to your hats! This is a specially extended installment of Whisky Unscripted and has what you might call a world exclusive as we were the only podcast at Whiskey on the Rocks drinks spectacular at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. We hear from the Rabbit Hole Distillery, The Oregon Spirit Distillers, Cody Van Dussen of Total Wine and More and some of the locals! Gordon Dundas is challenged to come up with an increasingly popular phenomenon in bars – whisky flights and has to choose 3 whiskies to showcase Ian Macleod Distillers, the Island of Islay and the category that is Blended whisky. We then travel to the Netherlands to capture some of the action from The Art of Drinks Wine and Spirit Festival including an interview with Stephen Cameron of the International Beverage Group, Joel de Kock of IMD and Guisi from Utrecht’s Malt Vault. Gordon Dundas lists what the best whisky festivals to visit in Europe are. We then travel to the north of Scotland for an impromptu interview with legendary barmaid Meg, inside Aberdeen’s legendary whisky bar, The Grill. Although its near midnight she talks about its long history, the regulars, and the changes she has seen in The Granite City after working for over 50 years as a barmaid. Plus, the whisky gameshow almost no-one is talking about, ‘You Have Arrived at Your Whisky Destination’: whiskies tasted are the Tamdhu 18 Cask Strength Special Release, and West Bottoms Kansas City Whisky. It’s a double length episode and you will certainly need a dram for this one. It's a biggie! Slainte`.

It's a bumper (which means longer than usual) episode featuring 'The Water of Life' director, Greg Swartz in conversation with roving reporter Mike Brown. The 2 Gordon's are at Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow chatting to Alistair McDonald ex-Auchentoshan manager now Clydeside Distillery manager before heading back to the studio to cover a whole range of whisky topics from China, Gordon and Macphail, Billy Walker, old whisky and new releases. Dallas pitches movie ideas to 'commissioning editor' Dundas while both enjoy a Glengoyne Teapot Dram and a Glengoyne Scottish Oak 15. This is one for that long dog walk. Enjoy!

There has been a bit of a gap between episodes, but the 2 Gordons are back with the usual mix of whisky chat and challenges. Gordon Dundas leads a tribute to the late Paul McDonagh of The Bon Accord while Mike Brown of IMD takes us through some summer whisky cocktails. There's a new Hashtag challenge, with the regular feature You Have Reached Your Whisky Destination all combined with some great whisky conversation about travel retail in airports this summer and much more. All best enjoyed with a dram. Slainte`

It’s The 2023 Spirit of Speyside Festival and the 2 Gordons bring you a very special podcast from the heart of the action from The Opening Gala Dinner via Tamdhu to The Friday Night Ceilidh. George McNeil the Festival chairman joins us for a chat to discuss the success and impact of the festival on the wider community. Dean Jode, Head of Whisky Creations at Murray McDavid talks about why they decided to become the official host of the event at Dallas Dhu and the difficulties involved being the auctioneer at the Gala Dinner! Tamdhu Manager, Sandy McIntyre, reveals what it was like being crowned Ambassador of The Year at the opening night Gala Dinner, (a complete surprise), as well as seeing his much-loved Tamdhu 12 and Tamdhu 18 picking up Gold Awards at the SOSF awards. Listen out for listener Alex from the Netherlands and Michael Brown the latest recruit to the IMD Ambassadorial team. Drams tasted Dalbeallie 6 and Cragganmore 12 Port Wine Finish. Best enjoyed wearing a touch of tartan. Slainte`.

The 2 Gordons pay tribute to Ian Macleod’s former Managing Director Peter Russell. George McNeil, Chairman of The Spirit of Speyside Festival gives us the low down on tickets sold as well as the preparations ahead for this year’s festival while Jason McCabe, Head Stillman at Rosebank Distillery gives us an exclusive update on progress of this legendary lowland malt as it reawakens back to life. Whiskies tasted are the Glengoyne 15 and The 8-Year-Old Isle of Skye Blended Scotch. Best enjoyed with a dram. Slainte`

It’s Part 2 of our travel special which starts with the 2 Gordon’s bringing their top Whisky Ambassadorial Travel Tips! We visit The Athens Bar Show and speak to whisky expert and lecturer at the University of West Attica Dr George Papadogoulas ahead of his masterclass on terroir. It’s then off to Budapest to speak to Gergely Racz of the Budapest Whisky Society who lifts the lid on the Hungarian whisky scene. Our travels end in Frankfurt at Germany’s oldest whisky fair, Interwhisky, as we speak to its organizer and chief, Christian Rosenberg who also publishes Germany’s most successful whisky magazine The Whisky Botschafter. We hope you enjoy this episode. All aboard! Slainte`

The 2 Gordons take on the theme of NEW! Interviews with Asko Ryynanen, Master Distiller at Valamo. Nick Binderer from Slyrs Distillery, and Dave Cummings the 50-year-old whisky virgin. There's the Innovations in Whisky Quiz and the 'You Have Reached Your Whisky Destination' challenge and plenty of whisky chat all around the theme of New. The Tamdhu Cigar Malt and The Lindores Cask Strength Bourbon Barrel release are tasted. Slainte`.

The 2 Gordons start the new series with a trip to Islay. Hear from Distillery Manager David Turner of Bowmore, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, Barry MacAffer, Bruichladdich Distillery Manager Alan Logan AND The Islay Boys - Mackay Smith and Donald McKenzie who talk exclusively about the plans for Islay's newest distillery. Mikey Sim of Smokehead joins in on the action too. Best enjoyed with a dram!

S5 Episode 6 - Becky Paskin in conversation with Gordon Dundas. The Campbeltown Festival, her online tasting business, as well as inclusivity in the world of whisky are just some of the topics discussed! The 2 Gordon’s engage in the ‘You Have Arrived at Your Whisky Destination’ challenge. The A-Z’s of whisky people is on the letter ‘C’. Whiskies tasted include The Benriach 12 and Glen Grant 10. Best enjoyed with a dram or two! Slainte.

Join the 2 Gordons as they bring you a flavour of The 2022 Spirit of Speyside Festival while working at Tamdhu celebrating the release of the new 18year old, their 125th anniversary and their 10th anniversary under Ian Macleod's ownership. Susan Colville from Benromach, Douglas Cook of Brown-Forman, James Robertson of Brindisa, Alistair Mateer @Spiritandwood, and of course Sandy McIntyre and several others join us for an out-and-about special as the eyes of the whisky world fall on Speyside. Slainte`