Jamie Forbes is Albannach’s young, gifted and enthusiastic bar manager, and he’s bringing malt whisky to a younger audience. Rob Allanson spoke to him
As he settles into one of Albannach’s comfortable sofas, and talks to you about his passion for whisky, you realise that the future of whisky is safe in this 22-year-old Scotman’s hands.
Jamie Forbes is fast becoming whisky’s crusader with his innovative cocktails and enthusiasm for the spirit.
Cu...
By Rob Allanson
from Issue 53 published on 12/01/2006
Grouse and the Gloags, part 1: Charles Maclean tells the history of a bird, a brand and a dynasty. For a profile of a thoroughly modern Matthew Gloag, see page 46.
My great-great-great-grandfather, Matthew Gloag the First, went into the wines and spirits trade in the early 1800s. Actually, he wasn't the first at all, since he had been named after his grandfather – and there were several other Matthews before that. But we call him the First because he was the f...
By Charles MacLean
from Issue 44 published on 25/11/2004
Adrian and Alison Murray are combining business and pleasure by selling whisky to tourists in England’s Peak District. Dominic Roskrow reports
It’s not actually what you might expect to stumble across after a hard day’s hiking in one of Britain’s most popular tourist resorts – a shop specialising in the finest malt whisky.
But everything about The Wee Dram in Bakewell, Derbyshire, defies expectations.
It’s the brainchild of Adrian and Al...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 42 published on 3/9/2004
Ian Bankier’s dream is to give whisky lovers a national retail chain of their own. Gavin D Smith spoke to the former Burn Stewart boss
In February of this year Ian Bankier became the proud owner of the Whisky Shop, and the former Burn Stewart boss has ambitious plans for his retail chain.
Bankier was born in Glasgow and educated at Edinburgh University where he read law. He subsequently returned to his native city to practice, spe...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 40 published on 4/6/2004
Caroline Whitfield decided to give up life in the fast lane in London and decided to set up a distillery in The Shetlands instead. Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports
One morning in June 2002, Caroline Whitfield found herself doing some internet research on the Shetland Isles.
Living in London with her Scottish husband and pregnant with child number three, she was searching for a bolt-hole –somewhere to escape from terrorist threats and dirty bombs.
She had be...
By Tom Bruce-Gardyne
from Issue 39 published on 1/5/2004
Dale DeGroff’s new book is the bridge between the tradi tional world of whisky and the trendy High Street cocktail bar. Dominic Roskrow explains why
When international drinks celebrity and writer Dale DeGroff started championing whisky as an ingredient in cocktails late last year, his intercession was as welcome as it was fitting.
He is known as the king of cocktails, he has dedicated his life to making great drinks, and he recently published w...
By Dominic Roskrow
from Issue 38 published on 7/4/2004
It was only amatter of time before Monarch of the Glen discovered whisky. Gavin Smith reports.
The scene: A Highland distillery close to the River Spey. The action: The distillery owner walks down the steps from the boardroom at the conclusion of a meeting, followed by a number of tweedy men.
So far, so traditional. But the owner is a beautiful young blonde dressed in a stylish cream trouse...
By Gavin D. Smith
from Issue 36 published on 28/12/2003
Frank McHardy has given his life to whisky. He’s now installed in the newest distillery in Scotland and he’s a proud man. Dave Broom spoke to him about his exceptional career
It’s hard to recall what it once looked like. The last time. When it was just a vast empty barn with no windows and a thick layer of pigeon guano.
Now we walk on a clanging metal floor hanging high above the floor heading towards the pair of stills framed at the end of this mezzanine platform.
He ...
By Dave Broom
from Issue 35 published on 17/11/2003
Robin Shields isn’t from Islay. He’s not Scottish. And he doesn’t have a distillery background. But as Martine Nouet finds out, he’s up for the challenge of protecting the reputation of Laphroaig
Robin Shields, Laphroaig’s new distillery manager faces more than a challenge: He’s taking over from living legend Iain Henderson, discovering a brand-new job after 25 years in the brewing industry, and shifting from a mainland urban way of life to an island community.
All challenging issues that Ro...
By Martine Nouet
from Issue 34 published on 5/10/2003
The hands-on whiskey makers who have helped re-shape Irish whiskey, in conversation with Michael Jackson
1: The distiller
He looks the part (a hint of the leprechaun?) but Barry
Crockett does not make his whiskey under a toadstool. He was born in a distillery – Midleton, in County Cork – and came of age when the industry wanted to re-create itself.
MJ: People ask me what makes a whiskey Irish. Ther...
By Michael Jackson
from Issue 22 published on 16/5/2002
Joanna Simon meets Jack and Wallace Milroy, single malt whisky pioneers, and finds them refusing ot live up to their reputations
I have seen the Milroy brothers as few others have. Now before you get excited, remember that Whisky Magazine is not one of those mags confined to newsagents’ top shelves. All I mean is that I have seen the Milroys on their best behaviour. They turned up for our interview at the appointed times: Joh...
By Joanna Simon
from Issue 5 published on 4/8/1999
Grouse and the Gloags, part 2: Margaret Rand meets the current Matthew Gloag, who had escaped the corporate rat race and handcuffs to live in France and have a reverse career pattern
Talk to Matthew Gloag about his life and the phrase ‘stabilising influence’ crops up several times. His wife, whom he married when he was just 23, was a stablising influence; having the same advertising agency for the brand for years and years was another. It struck me as quite telling: Gloag ‘went ...
By Margaret Rand
from Issue 4 published on 13/6/1999
