Duncan Gorman

Traumatising first drams & debunking tasting myths | Brendan McCarron

Episode  |  28 January 2026  |  55 mins 41 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

In this episode we're joined by whisky expert and master distiller Brendan McCarron. Having spent time with Diageo, Distell, and Glenmorangie, Brendan has worked with some of the biggest names in Scotch whisky, and is no stranger to us here at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Listen in as he recounts his horrific first dram, offers up a whisky masterclass, and analyses today's industry.

Industry secrets & custom made casks | January Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  7 January 2026  |  44 mins 11 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

This month Calum and Duncan welcome in the new year by covering a great range of Society offerings. They uncloak a lesser-known industry secret with our two new 'Heresy' bottlings, get a taste for life down under with our latest Creators Collection, Fortified, and get stuck into some custom casks from a peculiar distillery.

Solera systems & unique distilling techniques | December Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  28 November 2025  |  39 mins 27 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

This month Duncan and Calum are joined by the Society's head of whisky creation Euan Campbell where the trio get stuck into all the best drams in the December Outturn. In this Christmas special we embrace the festivities, uncover some unsung heroes, and taste the first bottling to come from the Society's very own solera system.

The man who brought The Macallan to the world stage | Willie Phillips

Episode  |  18 November 2025  |  32 mins 13 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

As managing director of The Macallan in the 1970s, Willie Phillips helped to build its reputation at a time when the industry was in the doldrums and the market for single malts was still miniscule. After bringing The Macallan to the world stage, Willie went on to become chairman of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, collecting plenty of stories along the way.

The biggest Outturn of the year & Edinburgh whisky festival | November Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  4 November 2025  |  59 mins 29 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

This month Calum and Duncan head out to Edinburgh Whisky Festival where they get stuck in to the biggest Outturn of the year. Tune in to hear them chat with some familiar Society faces, uncover an entirely new cask type and get into the Christmas spirit with the perfect stocking filler.

Eight new flavour profiles & local whisky heroes | October Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  2 October 2025  |  40 mins 25 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

This month Calum and Duncan are joined by Mads Schmoll to uncover the Society's eight new flavour profiles. Working their way through each of the new profiles, the trio reveal what members can expect from this evolution and shine a light on a new Winter Series.

The perfect pairing & whisky that makes you go mad | September Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  3 September 2025  |  47 mins 42 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

Calum's gone AWOL in this month's Outturn Podcast, but Duncan and Anthony keep the show on the road! Tune in as the pair discuss how to pair whisky with food, taste a mystery single cask spirit and lose their mind over a wild final dram.

Taiwanese whisky & worm tub condensers | August Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  29 July 2025  |  44 mins 44 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

Episode 77: Brutal Islay weather, direct fired stills & peated Lowland whisky | July Outturn Podcast

Episode  |  2 July 2025  |  38 mins 14 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

This month Duncan and Calum are joined by Society brand ambassador and member services executive, Francesco Ramella. While finding out what's on offer in the July Outturn, the trio remember their favourite outdoor adventures and discuss Francesco's whisky journey.

Episode 76: Logan Shaw and SMWS June Outturn

Episode  |  4 June 2025  |  36 mins 50 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

This month Calum and Duncan are joined by Logan Shaw, the assistant venue manager at our Queen Street Members’ Room. With hip flasks in hand, the three get stuck into this month’s Outturn with plenty of adventures, stories and drams along the way.

Episode 72: Olaf Meier

Episode  |  15 May 2024  |  35 mins 17 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

Scotch Malt Whisky Society ambassador and Tasting Panel chairperson Olaf Meier is a fountain of knowledge, driven by a limitless number of whisky stories and a huge passion for the Society and the wider whisky world. Olaf now finds himself celebrating his 20th year representing the Society. Despite having more than two decades of whisky experience, Olaf started his journey with humble beginnings, as Duncan Gorman finds out.

Episode 67: Springbank

Episode  |  31 January 2024  |  1 hr 7 mins

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

In February, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society paid host to Melanie Stanger from Springbank distillery in Campbeltown, who visited our Members’ Room at The Vaults in Leith to tell us more about this legendary distillery and share a few special drams.

Episode 61: Denis Lesgourgues

Episode  |  31 May 2023  |  1 hr 18 mins

armagnac, cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

In this episode of Whisky Talk the Society strays from the familiarity of Scotland's malt whisky to the south of France for an insight into the world of Armagnac.

Denis Lesgourgues, a third-generation owner of armagnac house Château de Laubade, paid a recent visit to The Vaults to tell a packed Members’ Room about the beauty of this underappreciated spirit.

Episode 58: Falkirk Distillery

Episode  |  5 April 2023  |  22 mins 34 secs

cask strength whisky, scotch, scotch malt whisky society, single malt whisky, whisky

Stray just a few moments from the M9 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and you will discover Falkirk Distillery, a grand whitewashed building, complete with twin copper pagodas. Duncan Gorman sat down for a chat with co-founders George and Fiona Stewart, to discuss some of the bizarre obstacles they have had to overcome building the distillery from scratch - including complications from a certain Roman wall just a stone's throw from the site.