Company:
The Macallan
Job:
Brand Ambassador
Website:
themacallan.com
How long have you been working in the
whisky industry?
I have been working in the whisky industry for over a decade now. My first job was as a tour guide at
Glenturret distillery in 2003 where I worked seasonally whilst studying for my
degree, I then moved into the industry full
time when I graduated. I have always had
a passion for whisky and I have been fortunate enough to turn that passion into
a career.
What has been your biggest career
highlight to date?
There have been numerous, but a real highlight for me is the role that I
have played in launching The Macallan 1824 Series. The launch of a new range of
whiskies is incredibly important to The Macallan, so to be an integral part of
the team from the commencement of the project has been a great experience. In addition to that, it has given me the
opportunity to travel and speak with whisky fans from all over the world,
including some of my personal industry heroes.
Can you remember your first dram and
indeed what it was?
My first ever dram was a Glenturret 12 year old.
What does whisky mean to you?
Whisky is a very important part of my life. My initial passion for whisky
has enabled me to follow a career path that I could only have dreamed of
before. One of the things that I love
about whisky is that it means so many different things to different people,
although its enjoyment can be a universal experience.
To me whisky represents
passion, quite simply I love it and everything it represents. I enjoy the
convivial nature of the drink, the way it evokes fascination and intrigue in
people and the different interpretations that people take from it. Whisky has
played an important role in my life, as my chosen career path, it has brought
me many wonderful experiences but it has always been at the heart of my
adventures so far.
Where would you like to see yourself in
five years time?
I’d like to see myself still heavily immersed in the whisky industry. In
whatever role I am working in in five years I would still like to be involved
in education, as I think it serves as the building blocks for an industry as
interesting and surrounded in myth and legend as this one.
What was your last dram?
My last dram was actually The Macallan Gold as part of an Old
Fashioned. Prior to that my last single
dram was The Macallan 15 year old fine oak.
Do you have a favourite whisky and food
pairing combination?
My absolute favourite whisky and food pairing combination is whisky and chocolate.
I find this pairing effortless and since these are two of my favourite things,
it’s a no-brainer really.
I must admit that I have tried some interesting combinations to find the
best complementary pairings and through trial and error have found some that I
think really do work well together. Two of my favourite are The Macallan Gold
paired with milk chocolate infused with toffee and The Macallan Sienna with rich
dark chocolate and spicy orange.
What’s your favourite time and place to
enjoy a dram?
My favourite time to enjoy a dram at this time of year is in the evening
sun in the beautiful Scottish countryside. I love to sit with friends and enjoy the long nights whilst looking
around and appreciating that the glorious dram in my hand is a product of the
country that I live in and love.
What do you think is going to be the next big thing
on the whisky horizon?
I
think that the whisky industry will continue to grow in the coming years and
that innovation will play a major role in attracting new enthusiasts. There are many different ways to make great
whisky and I think that the coming years will see the industry more open to
experimentation. Innovations in the market by The Macallan and other distillers
will see whisky being appreciated for its quality, character and flavour first
and foremost.
What’s the one dram you couldn’t live
without?
Right now The Macallan Sienna. It continues to surprise me with its rich
character and alluring complexity. I get something new from it every time I
drink it.