Episode Details

Five years ago, Dr Whisky joined us to talk about blending whiskies from 14 different countries. Five years later, he's back, and apparently he's still not run out of ideas. Or ways to get himself into trouble.

This week, Mitch catches up with old friend Sam Simmons, Head of Whisky at Atom Brands and the creative mind behind That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Wormtub, Darkness and a frankly ridiculous number of whisky releases.

And Sam's got a few things to get off his chest.

Are whisky shows actually putting people off whisky? Have enthusiasts become so obsessed with cask strength, single malts and age statements that we've forgotten how to simply enjoy a dram? And with warehouses full of whisky and consumers tightening their belts, has the industry got a little carried away with itself?

We also get into the changing world of independent bottling, Atom's return to independent ownership, the joys of blended whisky and why a Johnnie Walker Black Label on ice is sometimes exactly what the doctor ordered.

Then there's Dalry Milk. What started as an emotional love letter to Edinburgh turned into a whisky inspired by a chocolate bar, complete with a rather polite request from the lawyers to stop selling it. You couldn't make it up.

Throw in 21-year-old world whisky blends, worm tub condensers, exciting new distilleries, peanut butter whisky and Sam's new life in Norway, and we've got plenty to talk about.

It's whisky, friendship, a few strong opinions and absolutely no requirement to take any of it too seriously.

Welcome back, Dr Whisky.

LINKS & DRAMS MENTIONED

Want to explore some of Sam's creations? Here are the links to the brands, bottles and questionable ideas we talked about.

• Atom Brands – The home of Sam's whisky creations.
• Master of Malt – Where you'll find many of the whiskies discussed.
• That Boutique-y Whisky Company – Independent bottlings, brilliant labels and plenty of unusual drams.
• Wormtub Whisky – Big, bold, meaty whiskies, including the single cask releases Sam discusses.
• Darkness Whisky – Intensely sherried whiskies from Atom.
• 21 Year Old World Whisky Blend – Sam's latest adventure in blending whiskies from around the world.
• Dalry Milk (Removed by the Fun Police) – The infamous Edinburgh grain whisky that got the lawyers interested.
• The Islay Collection – A collaboration with Studio Minerva featuring 16, 20 and 30 year old Islay single casks.
• Master of Malt Flavoured Whisky Range – Peanut Butter, Mint Choc and Gingerbread.

If you've enjoyed the episode, give us a follow, leave a review and share it with a fellow whisky lover. Preferably one who doesn't insist everything has to be cask strength.

Hosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this