#19 | David Allardice | The Truth About Single Malt

Glenfiddich brand ambassador David Allardice on what makes single malt Scotch, why casks are filled at 63.5%, peat, Sherry casks, and why the giant ice cube is a myth. Based in Los Angeles, David is an accomplished brand ambassador for the iconic Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, owned by William Grant & Sons. Beyond more than a decade of experience educating people in the United States about the magic of single malt Scotch whisky, David is also an accomplished DJ and has a deep love of football (soccer). Chapters 0:00 Welcome David Allardice 1:01 Life as a travelling ambassador 4:16 Scotland, Dallas, Chicago, LA 6:23 The first pour 8:30 A birthday at the distillery 10:34 The occasion, not just the whisky 12:44 Growing up in a small Scottish town 14:50 Clubbing, techno and Glasgow 16:58 University friends 19:11 Old friends and bagpipes 22:23 Glassware and ice 24:36 First memories of whisky 26:41 Malort and other shots 28:48 The whisky that opened the door 31:56 Ryan's motorcycle ride across Canada 33:01 Cask strength and Madeira casks 37:21 Glenfiddich's on-site cooperage 39:29 The malt master 40:33 Why casks are filled at 63.5% 42:40 The angels' share in Scotland 44:42 Adding water and customising 46:49 Who says how to drink it? 49:59 Moving to the United States 52:09 Web design and finding his way 56:31 Into the whisky industry 58:35 Ryan's filming trips 1:01:49 Whisky on expeditions 1:05:03 Dark skies and a cigar 1:09:18 Barley versus corn 1:10:24 What peat really is 1:15:42 Parts per million 1:18:49 Fourteen years with one brand 1:20:56 Single malt's rocket ship 1:24:03 The five styles of Scotch 1:29:13 Tasting a Sherry cask 1:36:47 Dinners, tastings and events 1:41:44 The big ice cube myth 1:43:15 There are no rules 1:44:15 A family-owned distillery since 1887 1:49:38 Experimental releases 1:56:02 No whisky before 10am in Scotland 1:58:11 Rice spirits and drinking in China 2:01:16 Drink driving 2:04:30 Why not to chill whisky 2:07:46 Plans for 2024 2:13:02 Wrapping up The Ryan Pyle Podcast is ad-free by choice. If you enjoy these conversations, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/ryanpyle Ryan's TV series are streaming around the world. Follow the Podcast X: https://x.com/RyanPylePodcast Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpylepodcast Follow Ryan Pyle YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanjpyle Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanpyle X: https://x.com/RyanPyle Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryanpyle https://www.ryanpyle.com