When Richard Paterson tasted his first sip of whisky, he wasn't comparing the notes of the nip poured by his father to oak or cherry, rather the goodies from the sweet shop.

At just eight years old, he began what would become a five-decade career in the whisky industry, following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather.

That little snifter was the start of an established career as one of the world's top whisky tasters.

"My father took me to his place on Stockwell Street here in Glasgow with my twin brother," Richard explains.

"He wanted to show us his world but I was really annoying my father."

Deciding his young son needed to start his whisky education right there at the distillery, he drew a sample and gave it to Richard. After some protestations, he asked him to start thinking about the flavours in his nip.

"He asked if it was as heavy as my grandfather, as light as my mother, as sweet as my chocolate," Richard says.

It was the beginning of a love affair with malts and blends, starting out as a production assistant, learning the art of distilling and blending before becoming a master blender for Whyte and Mackay at just 26.

At one point, the 67-year-old even had his distinctive nose, his most precious asset, insured for more than £1.6m.

As for his moniker, he puts it simply: "Ninety-six per cent of what you need to know about whisky you can smell."

According to the Scotch Whisky Association, more than 40,000 jobs are supported by the industry, with 10,000 of those directly employed in Scotland, often in economically deprived areas.

Organisers behind World Whisky Day, which takes place on May 21, say 38 bottles of whisky are exported every second from Scotland, earning £125 for the Scottish Government.

While it may be known as liquid gold, Scotland is sitting on more than 20 million casks of it, equating to about four maturing barrels of whisky for every person in the country.

Richard explains the spirit has gained a new lease of life in recent years, citing whisky cocktails and festivals as factors in its resurgence for a new generation.

He says: "Scotch whisky is a great product, when we hit [the year] 2000, that was the start of whisky festivals.

"Whisky has become more popular. There are very different single malts in the industry now, not just ten or 12 year-olds. People are being stimulated through YouTube, the internet, [the media] and things like World Whisky Day which are adding to that."

Despite becoming a more accessible spirit, Richard adds its prestige has not been lost, recalling the whisky collection he helped collate for the Dalmore distillery in 2013, inspired by people who have influenced him throughout his career.

"My father and my grandfather would be turning in their graves at the Dalmore Paterson Collection, with 12 bottles at £987,500. But that's the prices people are willing to pay."

Throughout his career, Richard has been educating people across the world on how best to appreciate whisky, his showmanship often a huge draw.

Yet he recalls one instance where his knowledge of the water of life helped a man to rediscover his love of whisky - with an unconventional method of conviction.

"One classic was a guy in South Africa," Richard says. "I gave him a 22-year-old and he knocked it back. I asked him what he got from it and he said he didn't get very much.

"So I gave him a slap and told him you've got to hold it in the mouth. I gave him another and he knocked it back. I told him you've got to give it 22 seconds, one second for each year."

After heeding Richard's advice, the man listened to Richard and explored the taste of the whisky he had been given according to his instructions. He then stunned the 67-year-old when he began crying.

"He burst into tears, saying he had been abusing whisky for years, saying he had never given the taste any real time or consideration. Like food - to enjoy it you have to chew it slowly rather than wolf it down."

Richard adds: "You've got be be sensible, whisky isn't to be abused."

As people across the world celebrate World Whisky Day, Richard hopes the festivities will see even more people start to appreciate Scotland's national spirit.

He adds: "It's bringing awareness of whisky to the consumer to see the liquid in a new light."

World Whisky Day takes place on May 21. For more information, head to the World Whisky Day website.