I am back at Jackie for the last of my residency here. And it has been amazing. So grateful to Dmitri Chekaldin and his team for the tremendous hospitality! Now today’s show — You all know I love a great story — especially when it’s poured into a glass.
Today’s guest brings us not just a story of Scotch whisky, but one of rebellion & innovation, — all bottled up on the rugged west coast of Scotland. Joining me is Chris Maybin, Nc’nean Distillery’s Head of Commercial and self-proclaimed Quiet Rebel — which, if you know Scotch, sounds a lot like a revolution in a Glencairn glass.
So what exactly is Scotch whisky? At its core, Scotch whisky is a distilled spirit made exclusively in Scotland from malted barley (and potentially other grains), aged in oak casks for at least three years, and bottled at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume.
But Nc’nean (that’s “Nick-knee-an” if you’re practicing your Gaelic) is rewriting that tradition — crafting organic, sustainable, and seriously sippable spirits that are as much about preserving the planet as they are about flavor.
It is a net-zero carbon emissions distillery & it’s also proudly female-founded, driven by Annabel Thomas, and powered entirely by renewable energy.
So pour yourself something neat, and we talk about what happens when you mix innovation with intention — and a little Scottish spirit — and then I catch up with Dmitri Chekaldin about what is happening here at Jackie.
Chapters:00:00 Food & Drink Media Highlights
04:33 "Journey to Hebrides via Sound"
07:44 Rethinking Traditional Whiskey Aging
10:12 Whisky Innovation and Relevance
13:46 First Fill Bourbon Cask Explained
16:11 Islay Distilleries' Unique Character
20:33 Organic Barley in Whisky Production
25:13 Collective Leadership in Sustainability
28:27 "Costly Initiatives in Distillery Setup"
31:36 "Crafting Young Whiskey Quickly"
32:20 "Enhanced Whiskey Aging Technique"
38:03 Whiskey Journey & McNeane Values
38:55 Whiskey's Generational Comeback Concern
41:52 Whiskey Cask Selection
47:39 Art Collection Discussion On Show
49:31 Art Inspired by Euronymous Bach
51:25 "Painting's Journey to Museum"
Key Takeaways:Overview of Scotch Whisky and Mc’Nean Distillery
Origin and Founding Story of Mc’Nean
Whisky Traditions
Core Traditions in Scotch Production
Mc’Nean’s Innovations
Production Approach and Tasting
Sustainability in Depth
Connect with Chris MaybinInstagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chrismaybin/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/ncnean/?hl=enFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ncneanWebsite:
https://ncnean.com/Twitter:
https://x.com/NcneanConnect with Dmitri ChekaldinLinkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmitri-chekaldin-83095457/Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/JackieRestaurant/Website:
https://www.jackiedc.com/Twitter:
https://x.com/DineAtJackieDCFeaturing Nycci...
