David Allardice

The folks at Glenfiddich describe David Allardice as a “globe-trotting Scotch whisky expert.” His business card says Glenfiddich Ambassador. Whatever you want to call him, he knows his whisky.
He was in Austin recently to show off some of Glenfiddich’s best whiskies, including the rarest, The Maltmaster’s Edition. Now, Glenfiddich sells an enormous amount of whisky in the U.S. But not everyone gets the chance to taste their best single malts. We try them here, as well as check into the whole concept of “peatiness” and to the house’s philosophy about how whisky should taste. We spent about 20 minutes talking, and for anyone interested in Scotch whisky, it’s well worth a watch.
As always, our goal in these interviews is to offer the reader access to folks they normally would not be able to converse with in order to further their knowledge about adult beverages.

In 1886, deep in the Scottish Highlands, William Grant was making history. Work began on his distillery in the Glen of Fiddich, Gaelic for Valley of the Deer. He knew pure Robbie Dhu spring water flowed there. He knew the valley had its own special microclimate. He knew it was perfect for making malts. From the start, William led from the front: resolute, resilient and resourceful. For a year he toiled. Overcoming obstacles. Pushing boundaries. Defying doubters. Never choosing easy. On Christmas Day 1887, Glenfiddich was born. Bright and bold, yet balanced with sweetness. A whisky that would go on to realise William’s dream of creating the ‘best dram in the valley’. Today, we are the world’s most-awarded single malt Scotch whisky. Like our founder, we’ve never stood still, constantly pushing boundaries with new innovations like Grand Cru and the Experimental Series. Being maverick is in our DNA. And we’ve made a promise to keep forging our own path in the category we created. Website:https://www.glenfiddich.com/

The Balvenie is unique among single malts. Our whisky-making process is dedicated to maintaining the Five Rare Crafts. We are the only distillery in Scotland that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both a coppersmith and a team of coopers on site. And, of course, our Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE presides over the all-important maturation process, making The Balvenie the most hand-crafted of single malts in Dufftown, Speyside. Our distinctive character imparts soft vanilla notes and rich spice, with depth and fullness of flavour. Website: https://www.thebalvenie.com/

Tullamore D.E.W. is the original triple blend of three great whiskey styles from Ireland. Distilled in the town of Tullamore in the heartland of Ireland, it is the world’s second largest Irish whiskey. The blending of the whiskey is an intricate process reflecting the beauty and complexity of Ireland, with its ancient traditions, poetic soul and rugged landscape. Golden grain Irish whiskey adds a vanilla sweetness, malt Irish whiskey offers nice fruit notes and pot still Irish whiskey gives a rich spicy flavour. When they are blended together they create Tullamore D.E.W, a whiskey of exceptional quality and unrivalled taste. Tullamore D.E.W’s triple blend offers a smoothness and balance of flavour like no other in the category. A deliciously versatile whiskey, it can be enjoyed in many different ways; whether it be neat, on the rocks or in our simple signature serve Tully & Tonic cocktail, garnished with an orange wedge. Website: https://tullamoredew.com/

Grant’s believes that great things happen when working together and it is through this power of collaboration and shared passion that Triple Wood is made. It takes 198 pairs of hands to make Grant’s whisky from grain to glass, with a totally shared commitment to the process. With six generations of the Grant family making whisky since 1887, Grant’s remains the only blended whisky producer to have its own Stillman (‘The Maker’), Cooper (‘The Muscle’) and Master Blender (‘The Master’) working together in one place. The deliciously complex taste and long smooth finish of our whisky is available in a range of exceptional variants. These include: Grant’s Triple Wood and Triple Wood Smoky are matured in three different types of wood, for a smooth, rich, more mellow taste. Our cask editions, including Ale cask finished, Rum cask finished and 8 Year Old Sherry cask finished, offer a scotch for every moment, from a mid-week treat to a something more special. Our premium range, including Grant’s 12, 18 and 25 year old is perfect for life’s celebrations. Website: https://www.grantswhisky.com/en/

Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins built his reputation as the father of the old-school tattoo by inking soldiers and sailors on shore leave in WWII-era Honolulu. He was an unapologetically independent spirit who fully threw himself into everything he pursued. His bright, bold iconic style is what most people think of when they think of tattoos. We make our rum to keep alive the all-in spirit of Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins. Sailor Jerry Rum, crafted by William Grant & Sons, was born in 2000. With Norman Collins himself as a role model, we’ve continued to grow the brand as a creative enterprise, allying ourselves with musicians, tattoo artists, mural artists, motorcycle builders, craft butchers and other renegade creative types who pursue what they love whole-assedly and whole-heartedly. We make our rum the old-school way. Website: https://sailorjerry.com/ We stay true to the tradition of spicing high proof rum results in a uniquely bold, smooth and balanced liquid - perfect in your favourite cocktails.

Drambuie is our whisky liqueur produced in Scotland. A delicious blend of aged Scotch whisky, spices, herbs and heather honey, its origins can be traced to a secret recipe created for Bonnie Prince Charlie by his Royal Apothecary in the 18th Century. The name Drambuie is derived from Scots Gaelic ‘An Dram Buidheach’ and means “The Drink that Satisfies”. The little kick of spice in the spirit then mellows and finishes with traces of heather, anise, nutmeg and saffron. Website: https://www.drambuie.com/

Monkey Shoulder is rooted in malt whisky history and inspired by the Malt Men who still turn the malted barley by hand. It is blended in small batches of Speyside’s finest single malt whiskies then married to achieve a smoother, richer taste. Monkey Shoulder is 100% malt whisky, made for mixing. Its richness and vibrancy combine with fruity aromas and mellow vanilla notes. Refreshingly approachable, with a playful attitude and commitment to the unconventional, we are bringing great scotch to a new generation of whisky drinkers. Website: https://www.monkeyshoulder.com/

No other gin tastes like Hendrick's because no other gin is made like Hendrick's. Hendrick’s Gin is infused with the curious, yet marvellous, essences of rose and cucumber, delectably supported by no less than 11 botanicals from the four corners of the world. This whimsical concoction produces a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully floral aroma. Hendrick’s Gin is created by marrying distillates from two types of still –a traditional copper pot still and a rarer Carter-Head style still. Combining the spirits from the different stills creates a singularly smooth gin that has both intriguing depth of flavour and a delicate floral aroma. Each batch of Hendrick’s Gin is crafted just 500 lovely litres at a time in Girvan, Scotland. Website: https://www.hendricksgin.com/uk/