WHISKY TALES WITH ARTHUR MOTLEY: FROM BUYING TO CONSULTING

Arthur Motley on Cask Backrooms, Whisky Identity, and the Liquid AntiquarianArthur Motley joins Mitch & Daz in Bennet’s Bar for a cracking conversation on cask buying, whisky identity, and what happens when one of the industry’s most experienced retailers decides to go it alone. From his early days at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to 21 years at Royal Mile Whiskies — where he worked his way from cask buyer to managing director — Arthur has seen whisky from just about every angle.He talks about the wild early-2000s cask market, when buying stock was a very different game, and how things gradually shifted from open sampling and relationship-led deals to tighter supply and buying “off paper.” The chat also dives into why he left Royal Mile, what his consultancy work looks like now, and why brand identity and route-to-market matter more than ever.There’s plenty of whisky geekery too, including early Japanese SMWS bottlings, the rise of world whisky, and Arthur’s brilliant historical project The Liquid Antiquarian with Dave Broom. Expect big thoughts on the 1823 Excise Act, the speed of Scotch’s evolution, and the stories behind the liquid we all bang on about.00:00 Rolling and intro00:07 Meet Arthur Motley02:14 Bennet’s Bar and pubs02:40 Cornwall pub story04:38 Joining Royal Mile05:44 Early whisky scene08:20 Whisky passion sparked10:05 Cask buying then14:19 Single malt boom18:37 Leaving Royal Mile22:15 Consultancy focus now24:53 Identity and history work27:27 Whisky History Needs Stories29:50 Brand Identity Done Right30:43 Bruichladdich Under Remy34:37 First Japanese Bottlings36:55 World Whisky Boom39:36 Scotch as Global Style42:19 Birth of Liquid Antiquarian44:38 1823 vs 1494 Debate47:38 Biggest Research Revelations51:08 Patreon Plans and Community56:09 Closing Thoughts and FarewellHosted by Mitch Bechard and Daz Haldane, this is where the whisky world gets pulled apart properly, with stories, insights, and the occasional bit of chaos along the way.🥃 New episodes every week(ish)🎤 Live shows & tastings across Scotland🎟️ Web: www.notanotherwhiskypodcast.com📩 Enquiries & partnerships: [email protected]📲 Follow us on InstagramSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-another-whisky-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.