Whisky Investment Podcast S3 E3 – Industry Insights: Blending without borders with Pete Allison – Woven Whisky

In this episode, whisky journalist Alwynne Gwilt is joined by Pete Allison, whisky maker at Woven, an Edinburgh-based blending house that’s fast becoming one of the most talked-about names in the industry. From Nordic casks to English innovation, Pete shares how Woven is reshaping how we think about flavour, provenance and what whisky can be.

Whether you’re a collector, a curious drinker or an investor looking to understand the evolving world of global spirits, this episode offers a rare look behind the scenes of a whisky brand built on experimentation, storytelling and bold new ideas.

The Story Behind Woven

Founded in Leith, Edinburgh, Woven is a modern blending company rooted in tradition but driven by innovation. Pete describes it as a “lockdown project that got out of hand” — now a full-fledged whisky brand selling across the UK and internationally. Unlike distilleries that produce their own spirit, Woven sources aged whisky from large distillers, independent producers, and cask brokers, then blends them to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Pete, along with co-founders Duncan McRae and Nick Ravenhall, brings a unique mix of creativity, commercial insight and whisky knowledge to the brand. Duncan is a former Hendrick’s Gin marketer known for his foresight into spirits trends, while Nick brings commercial rigour and operational expertise to scale Woven globally .

Blending as a Creative Act

At its core, Woven believes blending is the most creative act in whisky making. Pete likens the process to painting — using distilleries as pigments and crafting new flavour narratives with every release. The team operates from a small lab in Leith, sourcing liquid from around the world to create proprietary blends. They rent warehouse space rather than owning it, which allows them to scale flexibly and focus on experimentation .

The three sourcing categories — multinational distillers, independent producers, and cask brokers — give them access to a wide palette of flavour, from structured grain to expressive small-batch malts. Their approach aims to highlight both texture and balance, creating whiskies that are soft, round and clear in flavour identity.

Exploring Global Whisky Frontiers

Woven is not just about Scotch. The team is passionate about exploring world whisky in all its diversity. Pete recounts visiting Nordic producers like Fedje in Norway, Kyrö in Finland and High Coast in Sweden — each offering unique challenges, climate conditions and resulting flavours. These distilleries became part of Woven’s “Friends in the North” release, which, while not unified in flavour, shared a common philosophy of craftsmanship and regional storytelling .

They’ve also created “Pastures New,” the first all-English blended whisky, drawing from standout English producers like White Peak, Cooper King, Cotswolds, Adnams and Fielden. From smoked bourbon barrels to trigrain distillates, the project captures the explosive innovation currently happening in English whisky .

The Philosophy Behind the Brand

The name “Woven” is more than a metaphor. It encapsulates the brand’s belief in connection — not just of whiskies, but of people, ideas and disciplines. Designed in collaboration with creative agency Freytag Anderson, the brand draws aesthetic inspiration from third wave coffee, natural wine, textiles and fashion. The stitched W logo references a Singer sewing machine — a nod to craftsmanship and continuity .

Pete emphasises that Woven is about more than just its founders. It’s a collaborative project that includes the distillers, designers, bottlers, and even the community of whisky lovers who help spread its message.

What’s Next: Experiments and Explorations

Woven’s focus is on experimental whisky. Pete shares that the lab in Leith runs ongoing tests throughout the year to push the boundaries of what whisky can be. The team is particularly interested in non-peated smoke — such as Manuka wood from New Zealand or seaweed-smoked barley from France. Their goal is to make the world’s most “yummy whisky,” blending texture, clarity and balance above all else .

Looking to the future, Pete is intrigued by emerging producers in countries like Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. As whisky-making becomes a global phenomenon, Woven wants to remain at the cutting edge — both in sourcing and storytelling.