Leo's
Journey
Chapter 38
A chat with...George Stewart (Stewart Whisky) - #34
Founded in May 2020 by George Stewart, Stewart Whisky Company is a small independent bottling company that wants to celebrate the essential elements that go into the crafting of great whisky; the forces of nature, hands and time.
I met with George during the Whisky Live London 2024 event.; where we had a nice chat about the brand and what they do. This interview is the outcome of our conversation started back then.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 37
A chat with...Georgie Bell (The Heart Cut) - #33
This time we focus on a new independent bottler called The Heart Cut, a single-cask and small-batch spirits company, releasing one-off bottlings from distilleries across the world.
Founded by Georgie Bell and Fabrizio Leoni, a wife and husband duo with a shared passion for whisky cocktails and travel. I have recently approached Georgie to know more about their project.
Let’s see what she told us…
Chapter 36
A chat with...Paul Dempsey (Brave New Spirits) - #32
Bottles with coloured labels definitely stand out on the whisky bar shelves. Behind quite a few of them there is the Glasgow-based Brave New Spirits.
During the 2024 edition of the Whisky Live festival in London I had the pleasure to meet with Paul Dempsey, Sales & Marketing Director at Brave New Spirits (small batch & single cask brands).
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 35
A chat with...Matthew Cordiner (Craigellachie Distillery) - #31
At present there are more than 50 distilleries in the Speyside whisky producing region. Among the many possible options to choose from, I decided to dedicate the first Speyside distillery interview of this series to Craigellachie Distillery.
We had the pleasure to chat with Matthew Cordiner the Global Whisky Ambassador for John Dewar & Sons Single Malts.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 34
A chat with...Andrew Morrison (A.
D. Rattray) - #30
A.D. Rattray is perhaps my favourite independent bottler. A company originally founded by Andrew Dewar Rattray in 1868, until it was acquired by the Morrison family, current owner, in 1993.
The company today is led by Stanley W. Morrison (Chairman), known as Tim, and his son Stanley Andrew Morrison (Director). We had the pleasure to chat with Andrew, who told us more about his whisky journey and his family business.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 33
A chat with...John Campbell (Lochlea Distillery) - #29
In this chapter we will talk about Lochlea, an independent family owned distillery from the Lowland whisky region.
Apart form their great whiskies tried so far, what moved my curiosity to develop this interview, is that the distillery is currently under the management of ex-Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell. His work at Laphroaig meant a lot to me and for my whisky journey in the early days.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 32
A chat with...Fiona McFadyen (Glengyle Distillery) - #28
Chapter 31
A chat with...Mariella Romano (Arran & Lagg distilleries) - #27
For this interview we are moving to the Islands whisky region, exploring two great distilleries located on the Isle of Arran, Lochranza (Arran) and Lagg distilleries.
Their Global Brand Ambassador Mariella Romano answered a few questions for us.
Let’s see what she told us…
Chapter 30
A chat with...Kaitlyn Tsai (Kavalan Distillery) - #26
This time we are headed to Asia, to discover Kavalan Distillery, opened in 2005 in Taiwan by entrepreneur Mr. Tien-Tsai Lee. The distillery is mainly known for its tropical-fruit style, and has won several awards attracting the attention of many whisky connoisseurs.
We wanted to know more about this brand and distillery, and have had a chat with Kaitlyn Tsai, brand ambassador and global PR officer for the distillery.
Let’s see what she told us…
Chapter 29
A chat with...Calum Lawrie (Fable Whisky) - #25
Independent single cask and blended malt whisky bottler founded by Calum Lawrie (formerly at Diageo and Copper Dog) and Andrew Torrance (formerly at Morrison Bowmore and William Grant & Sons).
The whole brand centres around storytelling, hence the name Fable. Calum took the time to tell us a bit more about Fable and the ideas behind it.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 28
A chat with...Gareth & Michelle McAllister (Ahascragh Distillery) - #24
Following from my last chapter, we remain in Ireland, to talk about Ahascragh Distillery. A new whiskey and gin producer based out of Galway on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland.
The distillery, founded by husband and wife Gareth and Michelle McAllister, is beginning production in 2023.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 27
A chat with...Mark Reyner (Waterford Distillery) - #23
This time we are moving to Ireland, and apart from changing whisk(e)y country of origin, we will also discuss a completely different way of conceiving it…
We are talking about the Waterford Distillery, created in 2015 by Mark Reyner, with the aim of approaching whiskey as it would be done with wine production, where the terroir is the main character. We found this an extremely interesting topic, and have asked some questions directly to Mark.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 26
A chat with...Blair Sterrick - Pt.3 (Morrison / Old Perth) - #22
Here’s the last part of this three-episodes series.
This time the focus is on Old Perth, a blend of sherry single malts from the Speyside region. Accompanying us, to discover this range, will be again Blair Sterrick, UK Sales Manager for Morrison.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 25
A chat with...Blair Sterrick - Pt.2 (Morrison / Mac-Talla) - #21
Welcome to the second part of this three-episodes series.4
This time we will focus on Mac-Talla, a range that features Islay’s whiskies. Accompanying us, to discover this range, will be again Blair Sterrick, UK Sales Manager for Morrison.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 24
A chat with...Blair Sterrick - Pt.1(Morrison / Càrn Mòr) - #20
We are back in Scotland, and this will be a series of three episodes, where we will focus on the three ranges of independently bottled whisky offered by the Morrison family, namely Càrn Mòr, Mac-Talla and Old Perth.
This time we will focus on Càrn Mòr, after having chatted with Blair Sterrick, UK Sales Manager for Morrison.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 23
A chat with... Joshua Hatton & Jason Johnston-Yellin (Single Cask Nation) - #19
This time around we are going to the US and chat with Joshua Hatton and Jason Johnstone-Yellin co-founders of the Single Cask Nation.
Founded in 2011, as a social fellowship and membership society, today SCN is indeed a reputable independent bottler which bottle great casks from Scotland, but also from America, and many other countries.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 22
A chat with... Andrew Macdonald-Bennett (Goldfinch Whisky) - #18
Based in Scotland, Goldifnch are independent whisky merchants, sourcing and bottling amazing single malt whisky.
The company was founded by Andrew Macdonald-Bennett together with his wife Ros, who both have over 20 years of experience in the industry. Andrew told us more about his background and about his present, and future, with Goldfinch.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 21
A chat with...Matt McKay (Bimber distillery) - #17
Based in London, Bimber Distillery earned a great reputation since its very early days. They are combining traditional distilling methods with passion and innovation, and 100% of their barley is grown at their single farm.
We had a chat with Matt McKay, he is the Bimber’s spokesperson, and he took the time to chat with us about this London jewel.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 20
A chat with...David Brodie (Bunnahabhain distillery) - #16
Bunnahabhain distillery, known for its delicious signature unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky fruity in style, and for its peated whiskies (mòine), which are more robust and smoky in character. All is presented in natural colour, without chill filtration and with a decent ABV (starting from 46.3% for the core range bottles).
No visit to the distillery is complete without meeting David Brodie, a proper Islay legend. We have recently reached out to him to have Bunna’ participating in this ongoing interviews project.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 19
A chat with...Julian Mithoff and Paul Jamieson (Glaschu Spirits Co) - #15
I initially came across these guys and their independent whisky online shop and bottling project when I noticed the artworks on their labels.
I approached them right away to have more information and develop my format ‘a chat with Glaschu Spirits Co’, which will be soon followed by ‘The art of Whisky labelling -Part 2’ (here’s the Part 1).
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 18
A chat with... Dougal Barr (Douglas Laing & Co.) - #14
Douglas Laing & Co established in 1948, as a family owned Scotch Whisky Distiller, Blender and Bottler, it still is now, and is in its third generation. Their bottling range and offer is almost limitless and consistently exceptional.
Dougal Barr, their Global Brand Ambassador spent some time to tell us a bit more about Douglas Laing & Co.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 17
A chat with... Alistair Walker (Alistair Walker Whisky) - #13
Alistair and its Alistair Walker Whisky Company are an old acquaintance here at Drampath, as I had already mentioned them in my Chapter 4.
The company is currently focused on bottling the Infrequent Flyers range, giving visibility and access to lesser known distilleries, which are not seen so often around, hence the name.
Alistair took the time to explain us how this is achieved through their bottlings.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 16
A chat with... Daniel Hendry (Murray McDavid) - #12
Murray McDavid, has always been a leading Scotch whisky bottler, since it was established in 1994.
After meeting ‘Dan’ Hendry (Brand Ambassador and part of the ‘Whisky Creation Team’) to a couple of recent whisky festivals, we decided to interview him and to know a bit more about this brand.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 15
A chat with...Phil & Simon Thompson (Thompson Bros/Dornoch Distillery) - #11
I had already (briefly) mentioned Phil and Simon Thompson in my Chapter 4 to talk about their amazing labels and graphic efforts.
They currently represent both the independent bottling market (as Thompson Bros.) and the distilling world (as Dornoch Distillery), by successfully, in my opinion, keeping up both the activities.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 14
A chat with... Anthony Wills (Kilchoman) - #10
Kilchoman, founded in 2005, was the first new distillery to be built on Islay in over 124 years. The distillery is a family run business established by Anthony and Kathy Wills.
They are a farm distillery with a mission to support the revival of single malt whisky being cultivated from barley to bottle in a single location, where nothing is outsourced. Anthony, whom we chatted with this time, is the Managing Director and Master Distiller.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 13
A chat with... Danny Saltman and Saul Taylor (DS Tayman) - #9
DS Tayman is an independent bottler, founded in 2020 by the Londoners, and long-time friends, Danny Saltman and Saul Taylor. All their whiskies are kosher and in conformity with the traditional Jewish dietary laws.
They only bottle malt whisky aged in single casks, paired with Israeli wine or port finish, to give each dram its own special character.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 12
A chat with... Kenny and Viktorija Macdonald (Dràm Mòr) - #8
Following from last chapter, I thought it would have been very interesting (and almost mandatory) to present another independent bottler lead by a husband and wife team.
This time I have chatted with Kenny and Viktorija Macdonald of Dràm Mòr Group Ltd., an independent single cask spirits bottler based in Dumbarton, Scotland. Their name means “big whisky” in scottish gaelic, and they indeed deliver big drams to their public.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 11
A chat with... Mark & Kate Watt (Watt Whisky) - #7
Independently bottled whiskies as it should (always) be done, with a focus on value and a dedication to quality. As the founders, husband and wife, Mark and Kate Watt often say, they only bottle what they like to drink.
Mark and Kate founded Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd in late 2019, followed by their independent bottling brand ‘Watt Whisky’ launched the following year.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 10
A chat with... Annabel Thomas (Nc'nean distillery) - #6
Officially operational since March 2017, Nc’nean is an independent whisky distillery located on the Morvern peninsula. Founded by Annabel Thomas in 2013, Nc’nean is today a certified B corp and eco-conscious distillery.
This time I have had the privilege to chat with Annabel and get her own answers about her personal journey and about this beautiful distillery.
Let’s see what she told us…
Chapter 9
A chat with... Dave Worthington (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) - #5
If your whisky journey is quite advanced, and you have already moved into the more refined world of the Independent Bottlings, you definitely already know That Boutique-y Whisky Company.
I had the pleasure to learn more about TBWC chatting with Dave, originally an engineer, now their Global Brand Ambassador.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 8
A chat with... Angus MacRaild (Decadent Drinks) - #4
Decadent Drinks is small company that does independent bottlings of fine spirits and other drinks.
Their name is not by chance, and reminds us that our hard and stressful lives can also have “little islands of decadence and joy that make life worth living”, such as a good moment of relax or a good drink, a decadent drink.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 7
A chat with... Selim Evin (Chapter 7 Whisky) - #3
When it comes to Chapter 7 in this industry, there is only one possible association to be made.
That’s why this time I had a chat (well, a few actually…) with Selim Evin, who’s the founder and Managing Director of Chapter 7 Whisky Ltd, independent bottling company based in Paisley, Glasgow.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 6
A chat with... Andrea Morisco (Morisco Spirits) - #2
Morisco Spirits, is an outstanding Italian Independent Bottler, and boutique to fine rare whiskies via their small online shop.
Founded by Andrea Morisco in 2021, still a relatively young brand but I am already a big fan of them.
Let’s see what he told us…
Chapter 5
A chat with... Malt Mates - #1
Joking with one of them while chatting I defined them “the Banksy of the whisky industry”, Malt Mates a.k.a. Whisky Banksy.
Let’s see what they told us…
Chapter 4
The art of whisky labelling (Pt. 1)
Well, if you read my previous chapters, you already know about my passion for arts and illustrations in general, and about my penchant for whisky bottles labels…
Chapter 3
Noted (Pt. 2)
What is then, other than whisky notes, that I look at when I sip my drams?
Chapter 2
Noted (Pt. 1)
Forgive me, but I’d rather be honest with you from the start rather than having to apologise or explain myself afterwards.
Chapter 1
A kid my age
When did my whisky journey begin? Sadly, I can’t really date a specific event or moment. This just began in a very spontaneous way, back when I was in my high school years more than 15 years ago…