Tim Foster

SMWS European Business Development Manager

First whisky memory

I was 17 years old and had travelled up to Mull to help my sister move to the Hebridean island. We ventured into Tobermory one afternoon to visit a friend, and not long after arriving I was asked if I liked whisky and promptly our host plonked a green bottle of Tobermory down in front of us. Being a fan of Jack and Coke I was excited by the gesture. All excitement evaporated when I got a whiff of the liquid being sloshed into my glass. A repulsive Scottish attempt at making ‘whiskey’ I thought. It wasn’t until I visited Dalwhinnie a few years later that the penny dropped and my love adventure with single malt began.

Favourite whisky-drinking music

This is as hard as being asked what my favourite whisky is. Music is one of my other true passions. The simple answer is, it depends on my mood and the circumstances. That said, recent ‘drum & dram’ experiences have been, BadBadNotGood ‘III’, DJ Shadow ‘Endtroducing’ or Artic Monkeys ‘The Car’.

Best box set

Wow, that’s tough. I really enjoyed Ozark but equally loved Schitt's Creek (ironically suggested by a Canadian whisky importer!) and am getting hooked on Succession.

Fantasy whisky tasting companions Easy. Bill Murray and Hunter S Thompson.

Most memorable dram Technically I should say it was the 27-year-old Cambus on my wedding day, but there have been so many. The sneaky hip flask swig when my daughter was born. Or sitting on the shore of Lochindaal with my wife and dog with the waves crashing against the rocks after Bruichladdich open day (Lochindaal in glass). There are so many great whisky memories it’s very hard to pin one down. That’s what whisky is about to me, making memories with friends and loved ones.

Most memorable society dram… easy – Cask No. G1.13: Summer Fete and Flower Shows – the key that unlocked the grain secret for me.

Most used emoji 😂

Guilty pleasure Reading the FT on a weekend.

Dream destination The Himalayas.

Strangest food

Rotten egg custard in rural Japan.

Favourite bar I’m supposed to say The Vaults right? The Bow Bar, Edinburgh, Bar Zoetrope, Tokyo or The New Union, Kendal.

If you were a flavour profile, what would you be, and why? I recently joked about this with our French country manager and said Oily & Coastal. In truth though I think Spicy & Dry is more fitting. I like to think I’ve got a zest for life and my sense of humour can be bone dry.