About US
I’m originally from the North East of Scotland and spent my secondary school years in Elgin, Speyside. Whisky, like fishing, forestry and farming, was one of the area's traditional industries, but it was simply part of the background and not something I paid much attention to at the time.
After moving to Edinburgh to study in the mid-1980s, whisky became a drink I enjoyed, though it still hadn’t developed into a real passion. Following graduation, a few different jobs and some travelling, I met my future wife before deciding to pursue a new career through teacher training.
While at teacher training college, I worked part-time as a barman at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and that’s where I truly caught the whisky bug. Rather than becoming a teacher after qualifying, I followed this new passion and was fortunate to secure a role managing the independent bottler Cadenhead’s shop on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It was there that I began hosting whisky tastings, and in 2026 I celebrated 25 years of sharing drams and stories with people from around the world.
After 15 years with Cadenhead’s, I moved a little further up the Royal Mile to Royal Mile Whiskies, where I now manage the original shop. The whisky industry is constantly evolving, which means there is always something new to learn. My enthusiasm has never faded, and I still get a genuine thrill from introducing Scotland’s national drink to curious travellers and interested locals.
Driven
By
Passion
For over 20 years Jolly Toper tastings have hosted whisky tastings mainly in Edinburgh. The usual format sees 28 attendees try 5 ‘drams’ in one of Scotland’s capital’s bars. The whiskies selected are not normally mainstream bottlings but rather limited editions often single casks. The selection is typically poured ‘blind’ meaning the drinker does not know any of the details. Once the glasses are empty and everyone’s opinion sought by the host the specifics are revealed. These events are open to all from novice to enthusiast.
No experience is required whilst established whisky drinkers can expect something new, interesting and even challenging. The plan is to come together in a social setting, try a variety of quality expressions of the national drink, enjoy some light hearted hosting and learn a bit about not just the Scottish Water of Life but occasionally whisky distilled elsewhere.
As well as the regular sessions Jolly Toper can organise private and corporate events.
