It’s been over two years since I’ve been on a plane and at least five years since I’ve traveled internationally. For someone who used to make multi-European trips annually, along with scattered stops to Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Australia, being back on the road now seems like a strange proposition.

Moving over to tech, then the logistical side of the booze business, was a great career move looking back, but you obviously lose some of the perks. Traveling to Scotland was something I looked forward to every single year because it’s one of the most beautiful and calming destinations on the planet, let alone a great place to taste whisky. I’m very much looking forward to seeing it again this weekend when we head out on the road for our first Mission barrel trip.

We’ve got a lot on the schedule and it’s going to be a whirlwind of a week. Meetings in Glasgow at all the independent bottling offices to start, then a look at the new Clydeside distillery with the Morrison family. We’ll hop in the car soon after and make our way north to the Highlands for an appointment with GlenAllachie, before we stop in at Balvenie, Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Aberlour.

Per the norm, I’ll be posting photos here and on the Mission Instagram site with updates from the trip. Anything and everything is on the table. Private casks, private labels, secret blends—you name it! It’s all coming to Mission.

-David Driscoll