SHARE A DRAM WITH…

Gregor Forbes

Venue Manager, The Vaults, Leith

First whisky memory

As a very young child carrying dad’s odd smelling Coca-Cola back to the table at family gatherings. It looked like normal Coca-Cola but it certainly did not taste the same! He generally always drank whisky as a mixed drink, but I’m positive he had never been offered a Society dram.

Favourite album

Verve, Urban Hymns to name one but I have lots of favourites.

Fantasy whisky tasting companions

Billy Connolly (pre-teetotal days) and Dave Allen would be a special pair to share some stories and swirl a glass or five with. However my dad would probably pip them now that I appreciate the amber liquid a little more.

Most used emoji

I do use them, but don’t have a favourite 😊.

ABOVE: The entrance to The Vaults, the spiritual home of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Most memorable concert

Oasis at Balloch Castle on the banks of Loch Lomond or Prodigy at Barrowlands in Glasgow were special nights.

Guilty pleasure

Dark chocolate.

Dream destination

Capri.

First ever Society dram

Cask No. 35.131: Cherries, chocolate and chai – a toasted oak from this Speyside distillery. It was a very good place to start (thanks for the recommendation, Dean Marinello!)

Weirdest food

Haggis, I love haggis. But when we have to try and explain what it is to a visitor, their expressions and reaction tell me I must be weird!

Favourite bar

Café Royal, one of the first bars I went to in Edinburgh and has been the host of many memorable occasions. I am sure it will continue to do so once we can all meet without all of these current restrictions. It is yet another reminder of how we all took those very normal things for granted.

If you were a flavour profile, what would you be?

Spicy & Dry.