Ballindalloch Distillery

Aidan Dunn and David Allardice from Ballindalloch Distillery in Scotland join Herlinda Heras and Daedalus Howell on Brew Ha Ha today. This is their first time on the show. Herlinda heard about Ballindalloch Distillery from her friend Dr. Hoby Wedler, who was a guest on Brew Ha Ha back on March 12, 2026, on this episode. He is a PhD organic chemist and a sensory perception expert. Also, Brew Ha Ha has featured distillers on the show before, the last time was this December 2025 episode with Young & Yonder. California is the first market where Ballindalloch is launching their single malt scotch whisky. Whisky is the umbrella term for a spirit that is produced from grains. The different whiskys around the world will be based on local grains. In Scotland they grow a lot of wheat and barley, while the US has predominantly corn and rye. ****** Visit our sponsor Pro Chiller online for all the info about their new CO2-based Pro Green Solutions. ****** David explains how to remember the spelling of “whisky” in the five top whiskey-making countries in the world. The countries that use the spelling “whisky” without the E, are Japan, Canada and Scotland. They have no E in their name. America and Ireland, with an E in the name, spell it “whiskey.” Ballindalloch Estate Aidan describes their production as very small, only about 50,000 liters per year. That is only about 3000 bottles per market country. That is about one day of production for the bigger distilleries. The Ballindalloch estate includes a castle and there is a golf course nearby. ++++++ Visit Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Check out their website and socials for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more. ++++++ Whisky in Scotland can be single-malt or blended and has to be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Ballindalloch bottles their whiskey at a higher ABV which produces better flavor. Herlinda finds this whisky to be smooth and delicious. The US market is so large that it takes a huge effort to enter, so they are starting in just California. Scotland is also known for cattle. The Black Angus breed is a cross between two types of short-horned cattle. The Macpherson. The 30,000 acre Ballindallock farm has been in the same family for 23 generations.