82 Whisky Magazine | Issue 167
Castaway Robin Coupar
R
obin Coupar, a native of
Edinburgh, Scotland, is
a leading whisky expert
who has dedicated more
than 26 years to the
industry. Robin is the Global Whisky
Advocate for the Campari Group’s
whisky portfolio that includes Glen
Grant single malt Scotch whisky, Wild
Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon and
Rye Whiskey, Russell’s Reserve Bourbon
and the brand's rye whiskey expression
and Forty Creek Canadian Whisky.
In 2016 he was inducted into the
Keepers of the Quaich.
Robin’s passion and knowledge of
whisky started in Scotland but extended
well past the UK borders.
Based now in California, his whisky
expertise and reputation was built
through a series of assignments and
creating consumer events with some of
the most renowned names in the world
including Diageo and Moet Hennessy
where he worked on many famous
spirits brands.
His experience has also seem him
work with Glenrothes, Bowmore,
Auchentoshan, and of course in the
realm of Bourbon.
At Campari he has performed several
marketing roles in the whisky category.
He has been heavily involved in the
Glen Grant brand, from writing tasting
notes and developing brand training
and stories.
He has also focused on innovations
and developing new liquid expressions.
Robin also leads the sensory evaluation
process for Campari whiskies.
WHISKY #1
Glen Grant
10 Years Old
This has been my
favourite for a while now.
It has consistently performed
well among those in the know and is
highly recommended by the experts. It
delivers strongly on nose, palate and
β
balance. It’s very easy to drink,
a beautifully well-crafted and
elegant dram.
WHISKY #2
Ardbeg
10 Years Old
I always have this at home and it’s the
polar opposite to Glen Grant. Big, thick,
oily, smoky but it’s quite a gentle spirit
once you get to know it a little better.
ǡβ
the distillation process to produce a
lighter style.
WHISKY #3
Black Bottle
Perhaps the most iconic whisky I
remember and still enjoy from my days
growing up in Edinburgh. I worked in
a few pubs in the city and was quickly
turned on to it by some of the regulars.
It’s a mainstay back home and I will
always covet Black Bottle. It’s rich,
complex, quite bold but marvelous.
WHISKY #4
Wild Turkey
101
Bourbon is a whole different beast to
Scotch whisky. This
one is made from
corn and equal parts of
malted barley and rye. For
a big, robust Bourbon it's very
balanced with toffee, vanilla, spice and
fruit notes.
WHISKY #5
Yoichi
16 Years Old
ǡβ
years ago when it was priced around
$80 a bottle. It was like drinking nectar.
I’ve never seen it in the market since
and if I did, that value would likely be
10 times the price now.
A BRIEF FINAL LUXURY
If I was on a desert island far away,
what I would take with me would be
my garden. It’s my sanctuary and it
actually kind of inspired me 10 years
ago when I started working for Glen
Grant. Having visited the distillery and
seeing what Dennis Malcolm had done,
he had made this beautiful garden, so
I thought I’m living in the country now
and I have this beautiful half an acre,
so I started to plant a garden and now I
have a pergola, about 15 fruit trees and
oak trees. When I get back from a busy
trip or if I’m working in a city and I
come back, I just love it. I love the peace
and tranquility and there is something
very spiritual about being in nature. So
β
my desert island and I think I would be
quite happy there with a few bottles of
Glen Grant.
We send some of the whisky world’s great and
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ISLAND LIFE
ile now.
Sc
on
corn
malted
a big, robus
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