Why now might be the best time ever to plan an Islay whisky adventure I first started going to Islay in the early 2000s. Back then, it felt properly disconnected. No mobile phone signal worth speaking of, WiFi was definitely not a thing, and the whole island had that wonderful sense that you had genuinely left the mainland behind. You did not so much arrive on Islay as slowly detach from the rest of the world. For fans, that was part of the magic. Islay has always felt differ

There are whisky festivals, and then there is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. For a few glorious days each year, Speyside becomes the centre of the whisky universe. Distilleries open their doors, rare drams appear, whisky fans descend from all over the world, and the whole region becomes one big celebration of Scotch whisky, local stories, good people and questionable hydration choices. For CopperCairn and Not Another Whisky Podcast, Spirit of Speyside 2026 was our bi

Stories from the Malt Whisky Capital of the World When I bring guests into Dufftown, I usually start in the same place: standing beside the clock tower in the middle of the town. We stop for a moment and look around. To them, it looks like a quiet Speyside village. A few shops, a couple of pubs, and a great wee coffee shop (shout out to Beinn Books !). The hills rise up around it, creating a picturesque backdrop. But then I explain that almost everything they’re looking at ex

New Distilleries: Less Noise, More Intent There’s still plenty opening — but the tone has changed. A few years ago, it felt like every new distillery announcement came with a buzzword salad and a CGI visitor centre that didn’t exist yet. What I’m seeing now is quieter, more considered. The Cabrach is one of the distilleries that keeps coming up in conversations, and rightly so as it is community-run and harps back to the traditional style of distilling. Everyone I’ve spoken

Why I Wrote It Mitch Bechard with his book For years, I’d tell stories while showing people around Scotland's amazing scenery. I talked about the wins, the fails, the near disasters, the characters, and the unbelievable moments that somehow only happen when whisky is involved. Over and over again, guests said the same thing: “Stick this in a book.” So I did. Once I started writing, it turned into something much bigger. It wasn’t just my stories; it became an honest look at

Whisky is far more than just a drink, it’s a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and patience. Every bottle carries the essence of its origin, the skill of its makers, and the quiet magic of time itself. Understanding how whisky is made doesn’t just make you sound smarter at the bar — it deepens every sip. This is the journey from grain to glass — or as we like to say at CopperCairn , where science meets spirit. Understanding How Whisky Is Made: The Essential Steps The whisky-

Campbeltown – From Gritty to Great Campbeltown is a place that wears its history on its sleeve. When I first visited, the whisky heritage was evident, but the town itself felt tired. It was one of those places where you went for the distilleries and little else (when I first visited Springbank was the only one you could check out). The streets had a slightly grubby feel, and it lacked the buzz of a town confident in its future. That’s all changed. Today, Campbeltown feels cl

Whisky is more than just a drink. It’s a story, a tradition, and a community. This past May, we were honoured to take part in one of the...

One of the best and friendliest distillery teams in Scotland, and the drams aren’t too bad either!

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to give you a peek into how we put together our whisky experiences and tastings here at CopperCairn...

Tall glass, whisk(e)y, ice, and sparkling water—sounds like the recipe for a refreshing delight, but where did this simple concoction...

We rolled up to the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, a familiar haunt for Fraser and me. Normally, we'd kick back with a few drinks and groove...

Dive into our whirlwind adventure through the sun-soaked streets of Jerez and an adventure into sherry.

By Fraser Campbell It is truly amazing how a few invisible lines on a map can cause belligerent arguments at the pub, or you know,...

If you've ever taken a distillery tour or chatted with the incredible whisky heroes behind the scenes, this one's for you. Join me as I...

Welcome to CopperCairn, the epitome of immersive whisky experiences nestled within the enchanting landscapes of Scotland. We invite you...

When it comes to the world of distilled spirits, few drinks hold as much allure and tradition as whisky (or whiskey). However, have you...

By Mitch Bechard Mitch has worked as a Scotch Whisky Ambassador for 15 years for some of the largest and most awarded scotch whiskies in...

Over the past 15 years I have travelled to over 30 countries and seen 42 states in the USA all in the name of Scotch Whisky.