Six decades of unrelenting crisis test whisky's survival. We navigate American Prohibition's rum-running trade, endure the Great Depression's poverty, and witness World War II's restrictions empty warehouses of precious aged stock. Through it all, blended whisky dominates whilst single malts fade into obscurity. Then in 1963, Glenfiddich makes a revolutionary decision to market single malt whisky, planting seeds for an unlikely renaissance. We'll discover how whisky endured its longest darkness, emerging battered but alive into the 1980s.

The golden age ends in catastrophe. We witness the devastating Pattison fraud of 1898 that bankrupted distilleries across Scotland, explore how corporate giants rose by absorbing struggling independents, and discover the unexpected boost from French brandy's collapse. Then came World War I, bringing government restrictions, distillery closures, and hostile politicians who saw whisky as wasteful. We'll see how the industry emerged from war battered and diminished, entering the 1920s fighting simply to survive.

The golden age arrives as Scottish whisky conquers the world. We discover how railways revolutionised distribution, connecting remote Highland distilleries to global markets in days rather than weeks. We'll explore Speyside's emergence as whisky's heartland, witness the blending houses like Johnnie Walker and Chivas Brothers transform whisky into a mass-market phenomenon, and see how British imperial expansion carried Scottish spirits across the globe. This was whisky's moment of triumph, but clouds were gathering on the horizon.

Everything changed in 1823. In this episode, we witness the dramatic transformation from outlaws to entrepreneurs. We'll follow George Smith's brave decision to take the first legal licence despite death threats, explore how railways and blending revolutionised the industry, and see how Scottish whisky evolved from illicit craft into the legitimate business that would conquer global markets.

The 18th century transformed whisky-making into an act of rebellion. In this episode, we journey through the golden age of smuggling, meeting legendary figures like Magnus Eunson who outwitted Excise officers with extraordinary cunning. We'll explore how Culloden intensified resistance, why the 1784 Wash Act backfired spectacularly, and discover how entire communities united against enforcement - setting the stage for inevitable change.

Before legal distilleries existed, Scottish whisky was born in mystery and tradition. In this episode, we explore how medieval monks brought distillation knowledge from Ireland, transforming medicinal spirits into cultural cornerstone. We'll discover how this craft spread through Highland communities, with each region developing distinctive character. Finally, we examine the 1644 tax that ignited a conflict defining Scotland for centuries - the battle for its spirit had begun.

Scottish whisky has one of the most dramatic origin stories in the world of spirits. Monks and smugglers, rebellions and revolutions, outlaws who became entrepreneurs, and a spirit that survived everything from government oppression to global catastrophe. It's an epic tale spanning centuries, filled with larger-than-life characters and transformative moments that shaped not just an industry but Scottish culture itself.