My interest in Whisky started around 1985, whilst travelling in the highlands with my wife for a few days, we stopped into Pitlochry for a spot of lunch, when leaving we drove past Blair Athol distillery and decided to take a tour, I remember the characteristic smells and noises and the free 3cl Miniature that you were given at the end of your tour, no tastings in these days, immediately, I was hooked.

I started to investigate what other distilleries I could visit. Most distilleries did not have facilities for visitors, however, I realised that some distilleries were happy to show you around, give you a small sample and explain some of the history of the distillery if you just turned up and knocked the door. First up were the Speyside distilleries of Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Tamnavulin and Glen Grant.

This interest meant we took a trip to the highlands at least once a year visiting distilleries. I started to educate myself in the world of Whisky, I attended Whisky tasting courses, Whisky schools and visited as many distilleries as I could over the next few years.

On a trip to America in 1988 I was introduced to the Scotch Malt Whisky society and single cask Whisky, on my return I visited the Vaults in Leith and my education in single cask Whisky began. Number’s instead of names, different casks and ages from the same distillery all tasting slightly different, this intrigued me and my quest began searching for the perfect Whisky.

In August 1995 I and some work colleagues were hosting a client dinner and tasting before visiting the Edinburgh Tattoo, the visitors arrived late and the society ambassador had another tasting to host, step up yours truly, my first taste of presenting and explaining Whisky to a group.

Since that first experience, I have hosted hundreds of Whisky tastings, master classes and Whisky education sessions all over the world, from America to Australia and most European countries, for individuals and organisation’s covering all types of occasions.
The quest for the perfect Whisky continues.