Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Whisky has been made in Scotland since (at least) the 15th century. But back then, it's highly unlikely much of it would taste as it does today. The whisky we enjoy today has been shaped by tradition, no doubt. But it has also been shaped by regulation, and refinements to definitions therein. It has been shaped by politics and technology, and it has been shaped out of necessity birthing invention.
But, as we take a snapshot in 2022, are we somewhat frozen now? Is whisky and what we know it to be fixed forever? Does it stand still as the world and life around it moves on?
If so, is that a good idea?
I welcome Roddy once more for a to-and-fro to consider these things. We might not have all the answers but we'll enjoy talking it through, especially because Roddy has threatened to bring along one of his famous boozy cocktails. He's promised something 'traditional' for this one. Being Roddy, that could mean literally anything. We’d love to welcome you there!
0:00 - Opening
1:24 - Intro to topic
3:42 - Welcoming the whisky folk (interrupted by...)
5:41 - Roddy delivers his Dickensian "Smoking Bishop"
8:10 - How the drinks of old inspired the topic
16:44 - Remembering the GWF Weekend
23:24 - Going back to what's defined Scotch
28:16 - 1644 Taxing whisky & The Excise Act of 1823
32:36 -The continuous still
36:30 - Lloyd George & 1915's unintentional quality control
45:55 - Our blind examples of Traditional vs. Innovative
53:20 - A discussion about yeast!
1:00:36 - Roddy's truck with "tradition"
1:05:04 - Roddy's blind drams
1:12:00 - What would we actually 'innovate'?
1:14:08 - The stills?
1:14:50 - Casks?!
1:23:00 - Inner staves?
1:28:52 - THE book excerpt
1:30:57 - What if an innovation arrived in 2022?
1:35:25 - Transparency!
2:03:06 - Distilled beer spirit
2:06:06 - Quiz at the End
Kennetpans information: kennetpans.info
SWA regs 2009: scotch-whisky.org.uk/media/1519/swr-guidance-for-bottlers-and-producers.pdf
Whisky has been made in Scotland since (at least) the 15th century. But back then, it's highly unlikely much of it would taste as it does today. The whisky we enjoy today has been shaped by tradition, no doubt. But it has also been shaped by regulation, and refinements to definitions therein. It has been shaped by politics and technology, and it has been shaped out of necessity birthing invention.
But, as we take a snapshot in 2022, are we somewhat frozen now? Is whisky and what we know it to be fixed forever? Does it stand still as the world and life around it moves on?
If so, is that a good idea?
I welcome Roddy once more for a to-and-fro to consider these things. We might not have all the answers but we'll enjoy talking it through, especially because Roddy has threatened to bring along one of his famous boozy cocktails. He's promised something 'traditional' for this one. Being Roddy, that could mean literally anything. We’d love to welcome you there!
0:00 - Opening
1:24 - Intro to topic
3:42 - Welcoming the whisky folk (interrupted by...)
5:41 - Roddy delivers his Dickensian "Smoking Bishop"
8:10 - How the drinks of old inspired the topic
16:44 - Remembering the GWF Weekend
23:24 - Going back to what's defined Scotch
28:16 - 1644 Taxing whisky & The Excise Act of 1823
32:36 -The continuous still
36:30 - Lloyd George & 1915's unintentional quality control
45:55 - Our blind examples of Traditional vs. Innovative
53:20 - A discussion about yeast!
1:00:36 - Roddy's truck with "tradition"
1:05:04 - Roddy's blind drams
1:12:00 - What would we actually 'innovate'?
1:14:08 - The stills?
1:14:50 - Casks?!
1:23:00 - Inner staves?
1:28:52 - THE book excerpt
1:30:57 - What if an innovation arrived in 2022?
1:35:25 - Transparency!
2:03:06 - Distilled beer spirit
2:06:06 - Quiz at the End
Kennetpans information: kennetpans.info
SWA regs 2009: scotch-whisky.org.uk/media/1519/swr-guidance-for-bottlers-and-producers.pdf
