Company:The Glenturret Distillery
Job:
Global Brand Ambassador
Website:
Socials:
@drinkglenturret
How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I began working in the industry in 2015, my first role was
as a tour guide at The Glenturret, I laterally became Assistant Visitor
Attraction Manager and found myself enjoying the ambassadorial aspects of my
role. When the company was evolving under our new ownership in 2018/19 there
was an identified need for a brand ambassador and luckily my skillset and
experience suited the role well, I applied and well, the rest is history.
What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
If I can be cheeky and describe two…. Firstly, working as
part of an amazing team of highly skilled people to relaunch the brand onto the
world stage in 2020 was incredible. The hard work and dedication we all put in
to transitioning into the brand we are today was a great experience to be part
of. Secondly, this year I was asked to be a mentor as part of the Our Whisky
Foundation, which aims to empower more women into our industry. I was very
humbled to have been asked to share my experiences and help someone else on
their journey into our industry. I think that’s the best thing we can do, this
industry in my opinion, is all about sharing practice and of a very
collaborative nature.
Can you remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
I remember it like it was yesterday, I was in a local bar
with friends where I grew up in Falkirk. I was always intrigued by the plethora
of whisky bottles and labels. One night I decided to ask what was in that green
bottle there that someone ordered. It was Laphroaig 10 Years Old and I must
admit, first sip I was like wow this is intense, second sip I began to think oh
wait I like this. Whilst my peer group were into vodka and cocktails, I was
honing my experience of single malt, I never looked back. Although I do enjoy a
cocktail these days, not always whisky either!
What does whisky mean to you?
Tough question, whisky to me means sharing, it’s about
social occasions. Whether that’s sharing a very rare dram with close friends
and family at my wedding or celebrating someone’s life with a toast of their
favourite whisky. It brings people together; whisky is also fundamental not
only to the economy but our history as a country. Whisky has afforded me many
amazing experiences and I’m incredibly lucky to work in such a diverse,
fascinating, friendly & exciting industry.
Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
It’s no secret that I love my job, therefore, I’d hope that
I would still be working in the whisky industry in some form. Perhaps in a
different country, this is something that is part of my wife and I’s plan, so
you never know….
What was your last dram?
My last dram was a sample of one of the whiskies from our
new range for 2023 (coming soon). In my role I work closely with our
whisky maker and often get a wee sneak peak of what is coming. It helps me to
understand the liquid and then be able to talk confidently about it with our
consumers. It was a rather lovely sample too!
Do you have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
I do love a whisky and food pairing. I’d say one of my
most frequent go to would be The Glenturret Triple Wood paired with lemon
meringue pie. It’s a winner. Alternatively, I love a smoky whisky with roasted
nuts or a bit of charcuterie.
What’s your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
Another tough one, hmm favourite time is hard as it can
depend entirely on where I am or what I’m doing. If pushed, I’d probably say mid-afternoon
in the sun somewhere. I reckon my favourite place I’ve enjoyed a dram was the
first time I was sitting on the balcony with my father-in-law at their place in
Hyderabad India. It was a special moment for me.
What do you think is going to be the next big thing on the
whisky horizon?
I think the continuing evolution of more gender equality in
the industry will hopefully keep going. The industry has made some great steps
forward in this area and long may that continue. Another thing is the
innovation in sustainability which will become more and more significant. From
packaging to use of stock and distilling processes there is so much that can be
done and that’s exciting.
What’s the one dram you couldn’t live without?
I’m going to say The Glenturret Peat Smoked 7 Year Old. It
is everything I want from a dram, its delicately smoky with a tinge of
sweetness and relates to the character of our spirit DNA well. It's my go to
since its release last year and it is the one I keep coming back to time and
time again.
Many thanks to Jamie Morrrison. Who will be our next Whisky Insider? Click back
soon to find out!
