Welcome to Whisky Centurion!
Join me on an adventure of discovery through whisky
Join me on an adventure of discovery through whisky
The golden age ends in catastrophe. We witness the devastating Pattison fraud of 1898 that bankrupted distilleries across Scotland, explore how corporate giants rose by absorbing struggling independents, and discover the unexpected boost from French brandy's collapse. Then came World War I, bringing government restrictions, distillery closures, and hostile politicians who saw whisky as wasteful. We'll see how the industry emerged from war battered and diminished, entering the 1920s fighting simply to survive.
The golden age arrives as Scottish whisky conquers the world. We discover how railways revolutionised distribution, connecting remote Highland distilleries to global markets in days rather than weeks. We'll explore Speyside's emergence as whisky's heartland, witness the blending houses like Johnnie Walker and Chivas Brothers transform whisky into a mass-market phenomenon, and see how British imperial expansion carried Scottish spirits across the globe. This was whisky's moment of triumph, but clouds were gathering on the horizon.
Campbeltown whisky has always intrigued me. Once the whisky capital of Scotland with over 30 distilleries, the region now boasts just three, and Glen Scotia is one of them. The 15 year old sits in the middle of their core range, and it's been on my radar for a while. There's something about Campbeltown malts that feels different — a distinct character that sets them apart from the mainstream Speyside and Highland expressions. Let's see if my first foray here lives up to the hype...
There's something quietly rebellious about Bunnahabhain. While most of Islay shouts about peat and smoke, this distillery on the island's remote northeastern shore takes a different path entirely. The 12 year old is their flagship expression, an unpeated single malt that lets sherry casks and coastal character take centre stage. I've been curious about this one for a while, particularly after reading so much about how it divides opinion amongst Islay purists. Let's see what all the fuss is about...
Aberlour returns to familiar territory, but this time with a twist. The A'bunadh Alba ditches the distillery's signature sherry casks for first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, showcasing a brighter, fruitier side of their spirit. At cask strength and naturally coloured, it's an interesting experiment that proves Aberlour can stand without the sherry blanket. But at more than £80, does this bourbon-forward expression justify the price, or does the youth show through too much?
When I reviewed GlenAllachie 12 as part of my journey toward whisky centurion status, I was impressed by Billy Walker's vision for this distillery. Since acquiring GlenAllachie in 2017, Walker has transformed it from a quiet producer of blending stock into a single malt brand with a genuine cult following. The 12 year old showed promise, but I've been curious about the 15 Walker's own favourite from the core range, which he describes as "the perfect representation of the distillery's DNA." That's quite a claim. Let's see if it holds up.
Sometimes a whisky takes you by surprise. I thought I knew what to expect from Speyside — the sweet, fruit-forward drams that have defined the region for decades. But Benromach has other ideas. This 10 year old sits somewhere altogether different, a throwback to an older style of Speyside that's become increasingly rare. I've been curious about this distillery for years, ever since I visited on that road trip through Scotland mentioned on my about page. Let's see if it lives up to the memory...
Everything changed in 1823. In this episode, we witness the dramatic transformation from outlaws to entrepreneurs. We'll follow George Smith's brave decision to take the first legal licence despite death threats, explore how railways and blending revolutionised the industry, and see how Scottish whisky evolved from illicit craft into the legitimate business that would conquer global markets.
The 18th century transformed whisky-making into an act of rebellion. In this episode, we journey through the golden age of smuggling, meeting legendary figures like Magnus Eunson who outwitted Excise officers with extraordinary cunning. We'll explore how Culloden intensified resistance, why the 1784 Wash Act backfired spectacularly, and discover how entire communities united against enforcement - setting the stage for inevitable change.
Before legal distilleries existed, Scottish whisky was born in mystery and tradition. In this episode, we explore how medieval monks brought distillation knowledge from Ireland, transforming medicinal spirits into cultural cornerstone. We'll discover how this craft spread through Highland communities, with each region developing distinctive character. Finally, we examine the 1644 tax that ignited a conflict defining Scotland for centuries - the battle for its spirit had begun.
Scottish whisky has one of the most dramatic origin stories in the world of spirits. Monks and smugglers, rebellions and revolutions, outlaws who became entrepreneurs, and a spirit that survived everything from government oppression to global catastrophe. It's an epic tale spanning centuries, filled with larger-than-life characters and transformative moments that shaped not just an industry but Scottish culture itself.
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Six decades of unrelenting crisis test whisky's survival. We navigate American Prohibition's rum-running trade, endure the Great Depression's poverty, and witness World War II's restrictions empty warehouses of precious aged stock. Through it all, blended whisky dominates whilst single malts fade into obscurity. Then in 1963, Glenfiddich makes a revolutionary decision to market single malt whisky, planting seeds for an unlikely renaissance. We'll discover how whisky endured its longest darkness, emerging battered but alive into the 1980s.