Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I know, two weeks away is a poor show, but I really did enjoy myself. Anyway, back to the regular vPubs!
You may have joined past vPubs and been struck to discover Billy Walker or Charlie Maclean happily sipping on a JW Black. Perhaps we've discovered Julianne Fernandez on a supermarket Auchentoshan or James MacTaggart sipping a beer. Yet when you think about it, it makes sense. When they're sipping and analysing all day, maybe they just want to relax with something not too taxing. But what about the folks who taste and promote whisky all day?
There are many out there who are impassioned and really do value their dream job of travel and all the whisky they'll ever need. However, in quiet contemplative isolation - what do they drink? Do they stick to their own brands, mostly because they're free? Do they seek out other brands and styles? Do they compare? Or do they simply 'check out'?
This has always fascinated me. The more I talk to people who work in whisky, the more I'm struck by just how many love their job, but even more, love whisky. Discussions that should be about a quick and perfunctory information exchange quickly turn into an excited "have you tried...?" session. It's during these discussions I realised the things being discussed were worth sharing. It made me consider this could be a good way to introduce you to some of the enthused folk who work in whisky. Sure we can talk about their brands - if they like - but since they're "off duty" they can go anywhere they like. You might be surprised how many of them just love whisky - all of it.
You might also remember Stuart Baxter from a previous vPub in 2020. Back then, while he worked for Douglas Laing, we discussed why you would blend single casks of malt to make a blended malt. Now Stuart is working for Inver House distillers (International Beverage) he has some familiar favourites within his portfolio; Pulteney and Balblair as well as vPub gems anCnoc and Speyburn. So, given the choice, what would he pick and why?
Consider this informal session an “ask us anything” format, so bring along your drams and your questions.
Having missed you all these last two weeks, I can’t wait to welcome you there!
Stuart’s previous session: youtu.be/om8JnR8gEgI
Apologies for pixelated fszog during the first few minutes. It seems I'm still a noob.
0:00 - Opening
03:56 - Short recap & thanks re: trip away
06:40 - Welcoming the lounge
09:52 - Why are the vPubs so long?
17:49 - Why tonight's topic?
25:33 - Welcoming in Stuart Baxter
39:18 - 1) The staple pick for his "permashelf" - OP Huddart
1:19:00 - 2) The Crowd Pleaser - Timorous Beastie 18 WE
1:29:32 - 3) The decadent pick - AnCnoc 18
1:47:43 - 4) The VIP pour - Samaroli Orkney 2009
2:00:28 - 5) The Big & Bold attention grabber
2:12:15 - Is it a Speyside
2:22:03 - Quiz at the End
I know, two weeks away is a poor show, but I really did enjoy myself. Anyway, back to the regular vPubs!
You may have joined past vPubs and been struck to discover Billy Walker or Charlie Maclean happily sipping on a JW Black. Perhaps we've discovered Julianne Fernandez on a supermarket Auchentoshan or James MacTaggart sipping a beer. Yet when you think about it, it makes sense. When they're sipping and analysing all day, maybe they just want to relax with something not too taxing. But what about the folks who taste and promote whisky all day?
There are many out there who are impassioned and really do value their dream job of travel and all the whisky they'll ever need. However, in quiet contemplative isolation - what do they drink? Do they stick to their own brands, mostly because they're free? Do they seek out other brands and styles? Do they compare? Or do they simply 'check out'?
This has always fascinated me. The more I talk to people who work in whisky, the more I'm struck by just how many love their job, but even more, love whisky. Discussions that should be about a quick and perfunctory information exchange quickly turn into an excited "have you tried...?" session. It's during these discussions I realised the things being discussed were worth sharing. It made me consider this could be a good way to introduce you to some of the enthused folk who work in whisky. Sure we can talk about their brands - if they like - but since they're "off duty" they can go anywhere they like. You might be surprised how many of them just love whisky - all of it.
You might also remember Stuart Baxter from a previous vPub in 2020. Back then, while he worked for Douglas Laing, we discussed why you would blend single casks of malt to make a blended malt. Now Stuart is working for Inver House distillers (International Beverage) he has some familiar favourites within his portfolio; Pulteney and Balblair as well as vPub gems anCnoc and Speyburn. So, given the choice, what would he pick and why?
Consider this informal session an “ask us anything” format, so bring along your drams and your questions.
Having missed you all these last two weeks, I can’t wait to welcome you there!
Stuart’s previous session: youtu.be/om8JnR8gEgI
Apologies for pixelated fszog during the first few minutes. It seems I'm still a noob.
0:00 - Opening
03:56 - Short recap & thanks re: trip away
06:40 - Welcoming the lounge
09:52 - Why are the vPubs so long?
17:49 - Why tonight's topic?
25:33 - Welcoming in Stuart Baxter
39:18 - 1) The staple pick for his "permashelf" - OP Huddart
1:19:00 - 2) The Crowd Pleaser - Timorous Beastie 18 WE
1:29:32 - 3) The decadent pick - AnCnoc 18
1:47:43 - 4) The VIP pour - Samaroli Orkney 2009
2:00:28 - 5) The Big & Bold attention grabber
2:12:15 - Is it a Speyside
2:22:03 - Quiz at the End
