It would be fair to say that the Excisemen were probably some of the most hated figures in Scotland two hundred years ago. They played a game of “cat and mouse” across Scotland, first with illicit distillers and smugglers, and then laterally with distillery workers who strived to outwit them.

Your father is one of your first friends. He is your teacher, your supporter, and the hand on your shoulder that guides you through life. How do you thank the man that has taught you so much?

“The transformation of new spirit into mature whisky is as miraculous as the change from caterpillar to butterfly. The chrysalis is the oak cask.” – Dr. Jim Swan (or as Ian McDonald, our Head Cooper, put it to me recently, “It’s all about the wood, son!”)

Over the course of our travels on the Rare Craft Roadshow, we had the pleasure of meeting dozens of individuals that are keeping handcrafted traditions alive and well in every corner of the US. The passion and skill we encountered at every stop was inspiring, and made choosing finalists for our Rare Craft Fellowship Award a difficult undertaking.

Dufftown native Ian McDonald is The Balvenie’s Head Cooper. He oversees all coopering production and mentors two apprentices. Here he chats with The Balvenie Ambassador, Lorne Cousin.

New for 2013, this Single Barrel expression from The Balvenie has been aged for 12 years in a first fill Bourbon cask of a single distillation.