Ross MacPherson

On the Bourbon trail

The bourbon industry has faced challenges over the centuries. However today the industry is booming, and Briggs of Burton are supporting Kentucky distilleries steeped in history and tradition, as well as new businesses emerging along the Bourbon trail, to meet customer demand and prepare for the future. Guests Logan Cordle, Briggs of Burton, LouivilleLindsay Parker,…

Read More

Rutland Square Gin: the journey of 250 teas and a lot of sampling

There are two stories in this podcast. The first is Nishant Sharma, founder and CEO of Edinburgh’s Rutland Square Gin, and his journey into spirits. Back in India, a great-grandfather, whom Nishant never met, fell in love with whisky thanks to a Scottish officer and a mutual love of moonshine. What could Nishant do but…

Read More

The influence of distillery microbiota on whisky flavour

In December Brewers Journal and Distillers Journal will be having its Congress in London. This episode comes from our lecture series in Edinburgh held earlier this year. During Scotch malt whisky production, fermentation has been traditionally carried out in large wooden vessels known as washbacks. Although wooden washbacks are still widely used today, many distilleries…

Read More

Your gin can crack the hospitality trade

If you suspect big gin has a grip on the UK hospitality trade, you are correct. But this doesn’t mean you can’t get poured as well. Receiving the right data will help you understand your market – and competitors – as this episode will explain. Data collection agency Shepper sends its ‘Sheppards’ out to pound…

Read More

Greetings from the Republic of Brighton

A spirit by nature can have a smell and taste which reflects the natural area where it was distilled and aged. But a spirit can also reflect the vibe and feel of the city where it was made. Don’t believe this? Just ask Kathy Caton at Brighton Distillery. The lesson for all distillers to take…

Read More

Scottish rum distiller tells all

One thing that all craft distillers have in common – no matter what the spirit – is that they march to the beat of their own drum. But those who distil craft rum the hardcore way with molasses, now they truly seem to march to a beat that only they can hear. Our guest is…

Read More

First London absinthe distillery opens

If ever there was a spirit cursed with a double-edged sword, it’s absinthe. On one hand, its many nicknames include the Green Fairy and the Green Muse. Drinkers of it include such notables of potables as Edgar Degas, van Gogh, Gauguin, Ernest Hemingway, Picasso, Oscar Wilde, and maybe it’s most famous drinker of all, Henri…

Read More

Fresh juniper makes all the difference

Roger Jorgensen was minding his own business in South Africa when Guy Brennan contacted the master distiller and wine maker. He had heard of Roger and sent him some fresh African juniper berries from the mountains of Kenya and asked him if they could be used to make gin. Roger thought why not, scribbled some…

Read More

Putting the ‘shine’ in Blighty

Worldwide, every single culture that drinks alcohol, has an illegal stream of producers making high-proof booze that is way off the radar of authorities – as if they’re making it under the light on the moon.  However, in the States craft and big whiskey distillers are jumping on the legal moonshine bandwagon and making profits…

Read More

UK drinkers drawn to the MOTH

One of the fastest growing drink categories here and around the world is RTD – Ready to Drink – cocktails in a can. And exposure is only going to get even bigger thanks to the pairing of Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola. This will be the real think, marrying Jack and with Coke’s worldwide distribution network….

Read More