Glen Mhor Podcast
History can be dreary, whisky can be equally as dull to some out there. Combine both and it's a realm that isn't for everyone, or is it?
So, I felt it was worth a try and shake things up and bring this Glen Mhor project to life via another medium. As podcasting is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and fits in well with our daily lives, it seemed like a fertile ground and if anything sheds light on Glen Mhor (or any closed distillery for that matter), then I thought why not?
Our television channels are brimming with programming where we can follow detective work, mysteries solved etc. and it offers a welcome respite to all things superhero related. In this audio series we'll talk about the background to the distillery, the project and findings before moving into weekly discoveries and then who knows what else?
The series is available in several places:
Apple Podcasts - available if you search for 'Glen Mhor' via your Apple podcast app
If you have a specific podcast platform of choice and are missing out, please let me know and I'll investigate signing up.
The way I've devised this, is that Season 1 is the historical foundations, whereas Season 2 will be the updates, the news stories and weekly articles. If you're new to Glen Mhor, then Season 1 is the place to go and build up that initial appreciation.
Season 1
In this initial episode, I lay the groundwork as to why I picked the Glen Mhor distillery, given the more fashionable and better known closed options. My motivations and what to expect in coming episodes.
In this episode we delve into glenmhorwhisky.com and reveal the various elements and their purpose.
Episode 3 - The co-founders of Glen Mhor
In this episode, we walk through the timeline that led to the creation of Glen Mhor distillery. The meeting of the Mackinlay family (blenders from Leith, Edinburgh) and John Birnie (former manager of Glen Albyn distillery) who would become co-owners in this new venture.
Episode 4 - 1893 Glen Mhor Distillery Plans
In this episode we discuss the original 1893 distillery plans for Glen Mhor as designed by Charles C. Doig and documented on our website in a 3-part series:
So, pull up a chair, pour a dram and press play..
Episode 5 - 1914 Proposed Alterations at Glen Mhor distillery
In this episode we discuss the latest unearthed distillery plans for Glen Mhor, dating from 1914 and primarily focusing on new warehousing. As you'll hear and see, things are not what they seem, and we end up delving into a variety of sources to figure out when warehouses 7 & 8 actually were built.
Season 2
Episode 1 - The Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland Whisky History
On the eve of the publication of the Distilleries of Great Britain & Ireland by James Eadie Ltd., with the assistance of the British Library, we discuss the Glen Mhor article which dates from 1924. This includes 2 previously unseen photographs and a concise summary of the distillery itself.
My apologies as the audio cuts out at the end quickly, but I hope you enjoy this episode while it lasts. We'll also be publishing a more detailed look at the Glen Mhor chapter on our website next week and debating the information contained within. It certainly opens up new avenues of research and uncharted possibilities.
Episode 2 - 1904 Glen Mhor Workmen's Houses
In this episode, we discuss the latest update to the website which is the discovery of the workers houses that were on the distillery site.
What might seem a rather benign and insignificant find on paper, actually turns out to tell us much more than expected about Glen Mhor and the people who worked there to produce its whisky.
Episode 3 - A trio of newspaper articles
From across the decades, this trio of Glen Mhor related newspaper entries provides new insight into the distillery.
Episode 4 - Glen Mhor Logbook 22nd June 1937
What's in a distillery logbook? Well, there's only one way to find out and we're doing it page-by-page.
This entry from 1937 is discussed and deciphered in a specific article online, but it is indicative of the information and insight that these records contain and the real detail they add to the Glen Mhor legacy.
Episode 5 - William Birnie Talk of the Town and Mackinlay's Old Scotch Whisky
A duo of articles in this update with the Talk of the Town and Mackinlay's Old Scotch Whisky as we head back to the 1960s and 1970s respectively.
Episode 6 - Glen Mhor Logbook 15th July 1937
In our latest look at the Excise logbook for Glen Mhor, we have a fairly routine request that reveals an old approach to protecting the still.
Episode 7 - From Smark's Drinks to Supermarket protestors and Golden Promise
Just the three articles to discuss from the Glen Mhor website including a drinks writer from down under claiming Glen Mhor is his favourite whisky. Confirmation in the late 60s that Glen Mhor was using Golden Promise and the debate about the future of the site in the 1980s.
Episode 8 - Glen Mhor Logbook 13th October 1937
It all comes together in this episode in some form of spectacular plan - except it isn't like that whatsoever. Just good solid research and small details adding to the bigger picture as we discuss the latest Distillery Logbook discovery.
Episode 9 - Glen Mhor Logbook 17th January 1938
A new year and a new leak in the Glen Mhor Logbook, as we speculate as what else is to come.
Episode 10 - Glen Mhor Malt Whisky Yearbook 2023
In this episode we take a look at the Malt Whisky Yearbook and its spotlight section that highlights Glen Mhor. This article was debated in greater detail in our online article.
Episode 11 - Distillers to close Glen Mhor Maltings 1980
In this episode we discuss the news article from 1980, which confirms that the maltings at Glen Mhor (and Glen Albyn) are to be closed, which spells the end of onsite malting at both sites.
Episode 12 - Highland Malt Distilleries 'A Broadcast'
We discuss a previously unpublished interview from 1953 with William Birnie on all things Scotch. It's a fantastic find and full of nuggets of detail.
Episode 13 - Breaking Point for Whisky?
n this episode we discuss a newspaper article from January 1972 with William Birnie about the overproduction of the Scotch Whisky industry. Also, our forthcoming Glen Mhor tastings.
Episode 14 - Alarming Canal Incident 1904
A brief mention of flooding at the distillery is brought to light with a new discovery that gives the full details of what actually happened in the Muirtown area.
Episode 15 - Glen Mhor Footage 5th November 1949
An incredible discovery as we are able to appreciate the 'distillery end' of the neighbouring football stadium, which comprises of the warehousing.
Episode 16 - Glen Mhor Logbook 26th January 1938
What was a cancelled page in the distillery logbook, holds a tantalising detail regarding the stills and a retirement.
Episode 17 - Edinburgh Glen Mhor Tasting Revealed
Finally, the Edinburgh Glen Mhor tasting is announced, so get set for the 8th March 2023 and the 40th Anniversary of when the spirit last flowed off the stills. We'll be having a great evening to celebrate the distillery, its workforce and legacy, over five whiskies. Whisky history in liquid form! There will be an article on the Glen Mhor website from 9am on Thursday about the tasting as well.
Episode 18 - Exports of Scotch Whisky Soar 1968
Appearing in the Aberdeen Press & Journal on 23rd January 1968, we have another of these articles based around William Birnie's statistics and the boom in Scotch.
You can see the full article on the Glen Mhor website.
Episode 19 - Glen Mhor Logbook 9th June 1938 & Death of Charles W. Mackinlay
Two articles in today's podcast are discussed, a rather routine silent season request from 1938 and a look at the death of Charles W. Mackinlay whilst visiting Glen Mhor and Inverness in 1896.
Episode 20 - Glen Mhor Logbook 23rd November 1938
A great entry in the logbook allows us to talk about cock - that's a valve - and the old methods. It also highlights the maintenance work on the 3rd still at the distillery.
Season 3
Episode 1 - Stillman Wanted 1895 & John Birnie Golden Wedding
In this episode we discuss an 1895 job advertisement for a Stillman and what it tells us. We also take time to reflect on John Birnie's Golden Wedding anniversary in 1934.
Episode 2 - Glen Mhor Logbook 12th December 1938
A fantastic entry in the logbook from 12th December 1938 brings new light to the washback area, an accident and the possibility of unbalanced distillation.
Episode 3 - Glen Mhor Logbook 16th April 1939
A doubleheader in this episode with a very short and sweet entry in the distillery logbook from 16th April 1939, but one that reveals a vital fact. And an advert of employers from 1909 supporting the recruitment for the Territorial Forces.
Episode 4 - Glen Mhor Logbook 24th & 25th May 1939
A doubleheader with 2 entries from the Glen Mhor logbook, a routine Silent Season request from 24th May, followed by a revealing request to replace internal copper components in the Low Wines No.2 Still.
Episode 5 - Glen Mhor 1976 Hart Brothers & Friars' Court
I said to expect more Glen Mhor whisky reviews in 2023 and I meant it; the Hart Brothers 1976 21yo is up first. Then, we reference an 1882 Banffshire Fiars' Court article mentioning John Birnie at the beginning of his career.
Episode 6 - Gordon & MacPhail 1979 25yo Glen Mhor & Logbook 29th June 1939
A great doubleheader as we talk about another Glen Mhor review with a 25yo Gordon & MacPhail bottling, before discussing a great entry in the logbook from 1939 featuring an indulgence and the old Low Wines Still.
Episode 7 - Death of Inverness Ex-Provost & 1954 Cask Sale
Another doubleheader as we catch up with the relentless pace of the website. We touch upon John Birnie's passing via the Scotsman obituary and a recent auction of a bill of sale for 10 casks of Glen Mhor from 1954.
Episode 8 - Glen Mhor Logbook 28th June & 7th July 1939
Two more tales from the Glen Mhor logbook with an entry confirming the work to replace the copper plates has been completed alongside a very detailed report on the work around the Low Wines No.2 Still.
Episode 10 - Glen Mhor Logbook 27th March 1940
We're into the 1940's as we continue to explore the Customs & Excise logbook for Glen Mhor Distillery. In this entry, an indulgence around rule 162 of the distillery instructions is granted.
Episode 11 - Glen Mhor Logbook 4th April 1940
In this episode, we see the impact of new regulations on distillers in Scotland the actual versus predicted production at Glen Mhor Distillery.
Episode 12 - Glen Mhor Logbook 23rd April & 28th August 1941
Two logbook entries are discussed in this episode, firstly another appearance of indulgence 162 and then we're reminded of the business of filling and sending casks over the border and what happens when things don't go according to plan.
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