Fraser Campbell is the kind of person who will put in the work to help the drinks industry even when he'd rather go home to his dog or play guitar. When COVID hit and the UK government scapegoated hospitality with 10pm curfews, Fraser turned around Work From Bars in 24 hours. When Melbourne bartenders couldn't find staff in 2011, he created the Melbourne Bartender Exchange. It grew into the Global Bartender Exchange in 2012, reaching 150,000 members globally.

But what stuck with me most from our conversation wasn't the wins - it was his teaching philosophy: "I just make sure people have a laugh and a good time. No one wants to feel like they're sitting in a classroom being forced to learn." And this: "I love an honest weird tasting note or alternative perspective about whisky flavour. More of that please."

Fraser's approach to whisky education - making space for different experiences, encouraging conversation, celebrating the unexpected - is exactly what the industry needs. Here's what he taught me about building communities, going independent, and why whisky needs less gatekeeping and more honesty.