A Glasgow whisky blender has gone viral on social media for his legendary tasting technique.
Richard 'The Nose' Paterson is the master of Scotch, having worked in the industry for over 50 years. He has now reached a new audience after Australian Men's Lifestyle magazine, Boss Hunting, posted a video, originally shot in 2010, on TikTok of Richard trying some Whyte & Mackay single malt whisky.
The clip has racked up nearly 30 million views since April 24 and garnered 2.2 million likes.
READ NEXT: Laugh in the Park to bring top line-up of comedians to Glasgow's Queen's Park
Richard continues to utilise his skills and his technique hasn't changed.
The whisky connoisseur told Glasgow Live: "I did that video many years ago so I don't know how somebody has picked it up, but it is just amazing.
"It has been viewed millions of times now and it's just crazy stuff.
"What I said then is exactly what I would say today because some people don't have a clue when it comes to looking at whisky.
"Whether it is whisky, coffee or wine, some people just throw it down because it is liquid. If you really look at it and take your time you gain a lot of pleasure from extracting all the nuances and hidden flavours.
"That's the way I look it."
Richard begins by pouring the whisky and throwing out the first dram, immediately catching the attention of the viewer.
The master blender's personality shines through as he swirls the glass of alcohol. Some commenters dubbed him a 'true legend' and others felt like they 'couldn't stop watching'.
Richard hopes his video can help others appreciate the 'aqua vitae'.
He explained: "It is a luxury that should be savoured and revered in the best way.
"Hopefully the way I have done it in the clip can help people give whisky every bit of respect it deserves.
"There is still a mountain of people out there who are looking to sample whisky for the first time.
"Obviously there is a bit of fun in the video but the values are still there. Whisky is a personal thing, people can take it with ice or water, but I always say ice masks the flavours.
"It's a bit like coffee, cream and sugar, why do you need all that if the coffee is really great?"
The whisky expertise has passed down the generations of Richard's family, with his father and grandfather both renowned in the field.
The 74-year-old said: "I started with my father when I was 8-years-old.
"He took my brother and me to the pond in Stockwell Lane, which is where the St Enoch Centre is now. We were fooling around and he poured some out of the cask and told me to tell him something about the liquid, of course, I had no clue.
"He hit me in the back of the head and told me to look at it properly to figure out if it was sweet or dry. By nosing the whisky and being in the warehouse it stirred something in me.
"Since 1966 I have been studying whisky."
Through the decades Richard has sampled a variety of Scotch, however, there is one that sticks out.
The master blender said: "The one that I have always loved is the Dalmore King Alexander, which has six different finishes.
"It is like opening a box of chocolates and the flavours dance on your palate, it is always memorable.
"That is the one I really adore but it also depends on the moment, there are so many that provide warmth when taken at the right time in the right manner."
During his 57 years as a master blender 'The Nose', who has been awarded an OBE for his contribution to the industry, has seen a lot of change.
Richard said: "When I started working in Glasgow and I went to a bar, it was always filled with people.
"But what you'd find there would be beer and then you'd see the soda siphons for people to scoosh into their nips because quite often the whisky was very heavy.
"That's why it has the reputation of being a hard man's drink but that has all changed, it is more approachable. A vast number of people are now into whisky.
"The biggest change for me was the whisky festivals which started in 1997 in Frankfurt and they are now all over the world.
"They have brought greater awareness to Scotch whisky."
The master whisky blender is teaming up with fellow expert, Ian MacMillan, to release a rare 30-year-old Premium Blended Scotch Whisky from Wolfcraig Distillers.
READ MORE:
Football legends Frank McAvennie and Gordon Dalziel team up for music video for Glasgow singer
Flagship Glasgow Social Bite coffee shop opens on Sauchiehall Street
We tried Glasgow's Splatter Art Studio and it was riotous messy fun
Two seaside destinations near Glasgow named among 'least favourite' in UK
The colourful castle under an hour from Glasgow with walks, playparks and a music festival
