Robin 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.
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 finish with wonderful complexity and balance. It’s very easy to drink,
a beautifully well-crafted and
elegant dram.
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. Like Glen Grant, purifiers are used in the distillation process to produce a lighter style.
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.
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.
16 Years Old
A unicorn, a one off find from about six 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.
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 that is definitely what I would take to my desert island and I think I would be quite happy there with a few bottles of Glen Grant.
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 finish with wonderful complexity and 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. Like Glen Grant, purifiers are used in 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
A unicorn, a one off find from about six 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 that is definitely what I would take to my desert island and I think I would be quite happy there with a few bottles of Glen Grant.
