All change for production team at Speyside distillery
PERNOD Ricard has appointed a new team of whisky makers to oversee production at The Glenlivet Distillery as the brand’s former master distiller, Alan Winchester, retires from the company.
Production will now be headed by new distillery manager Lisa Glen and lead distiller Kevin Reid, along with Chivas cask expert Kevin Balmforth.
Glen was previously team leader at The Glenlivet, overseeing operations at the facility.
Winchester stepped down as master distiller in 2018, assuming an ambassadorial role for the single malt.
He retires from the business after 48 years in the whisky industry, having started as a tour guide at Glenfarclas before working at numerous Chivas Brothers/Pernod Ricard distilleries, including Strathisla, Glen Keith and Aberlour. In 2002 he became distilling manager at Chivas Brothers, before becoming master distiller of The Glenlivet in 2009.
Since 2018 the whisky has been produced by a team of distillers and managers.
“Taking on the role of master distiller of The Glenlivet was truly an honour,” said Winchester.
“Representing such a revered, quintessential single malt has been nothing short of a privilege.
“It has been a real joy to promote Scotch around the world, especially to a new generation of drinkers who have enabled us to broaden the boundaries of what Scotch whisky can be.
“Our audience is constantly evolving their ideas and attitudes which, in turn, pushes the industry to diversify and innovate the craft in new and interesting ways.
“The future of Scotch is very bright and I look forward to watching what happens next – with a dram in hand of course!
