Cask to Glass

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

"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

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

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

“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!-------Twitter:@C2GWhisky@JohnRossBeattieProducer: David HolmesGraphic Design: Jess RobertsonMusic: Water of Life (Never Going Home)Vocals: Andrea

“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

How do you take your whisky?Neat? Splash of water? Block of ice? Or even a mixer?However you take it, join John Beattie, former Scotland rugby international and semi-retired radio and TV news presenter, as he celebrates the heritage and flavour of Scotland's national drink and the world's favourite spirit.Whether you call it whisky, whiskey, uisge beatha, aqua vitae, or the water of life... there's a story behind every dram; a craftsman behind every drop; an aroma with every nose; and a flavour in