Name: Alwynne Gwilt
Company: William Grant & Sons
Job: The Balvenie UK Ambassador
Website: thebalvenie.com

How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I started writing about whisky back in 2011 through my website, Miss Whisky. While I wasn’t technically working in the whisky industry at the time, I was certainly immersed in it.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible experiences since entering the world of whisky, so there have been many highlights. Hosting the opening tasting at the Victoria Whisky Festival for almost 100 women is definitely one of them. I was on ‘home’ ground, having grown up in British Columbia, Canada, and the energy in the room was unbelievable.

More recently, having the opportunity to work with Michel Roux Jr on series two of The Balvenie Craftsmen’s Dinner has been fantastic. I’m a huge lover of food – travel and food are my next true life pleasures alongside whisky – and working with someone so well known, skilled and respected in his craft has been an absolute joy.

Can you remember your first dram, and what was it?
Technically, the first whisky-based drink that caught my eye was Baileys. My mum used to put it in her coffee as a special Christmas treat, and I remember trying to sneak tastes of it! I progressed on to whisky and cola when I was 18, and after a rather rough next morning, vowed never to drink the stuff again.

Luckily, a chance whisky tasting at Milroy’s in Soho in 2008 changed everything. While I don’t remember the exact whisky that altered my viewpoint, I do remember falling in love with whisky from that night onwards.

What does whisky mean to you?
Whisky means friendship, joy, opportunity, travel and beautiful memories. I met my partner on a whisky trip in Scotland and have made friends all over the world because of it, so it’s far more than just a drink to me.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
I’ve had quite an unusual career path – from being a journalist from the age of 16, to running my own business, and then taking on a full-time role within the whisky industry. The past five years have been filled to the rafters with incredible experiences and opportunities, so I hope that in another five years’ time I’ll be able to look back with the same sense of joy that I feel now.

What was your last dram?
A Balvenie Founder’s Reserve. I had been entertaining a group at our distillery and brought along one of our older bottles that we no longer produce, to give everyone the chance to try something a little different. It was delicious and incredibly drinkable – it’s no surprise that it’s a classic.

Do you have a favourite whisky and food pairing?
I love whisky and chocolate, something I’ve explored quite extensively over the past few years. I’m currently working with an amazing bean-to-bar chocolate producer called Pump Street Bakery, one of the only producers in the UK to carry out the full process in-house. I love exploring the flavours and terroir of different chocolates and how they pair with whisky.

I also won’t say no to whisky and ice cream – whether it’s whisky-infused ice cream or simply whisky poured on top, it’s delicious at any time of year.

What’s your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
I cherish those rare moments when I can switch off at home with my other half, read a book or watch a great film, and simply pour a dram. It’s often not in a nosing glass, but in a tumbler, and sometimes with a large chunk of ice – particularly if it’s a big, bold bourbon that needs a little taming.

I don’t get much time at home, and I love those moments of proper relaxation, without worrying about tasting notes. Just enjoying the space I’m in.

What do you think will be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
I’m as much a fan of something new as the next person, but I think whisky still has a long way to go before it achieves broad appeal across a wider demographic. Things are changing, but there are still many misconceptions about whisky.

Rather than focusing on the next big trend, I hope to see a continued growth in education and global appreciation of whisky. Education is the part of my job I enjoy most, and there are many fantastic ambassadors doing the same, so I hope that continues for a long time to come.

What’s the one dram you couldn’t live without?
An impossible question, Mr Rush! I could never narrow my love of whisky down to a single dram – which will come as no surprise to many. I’m the person who orders two starters instead of a main course because I like to keep trying new things, and that philosophy extends well beyond whisky.

Many thanks to Alwynne Gwilt. Who will be our next Whisky Insider? Check back soon to find out!