Graham Eunson, master distiller and distillery operations director at Tomatin, has announced his retirement after 34 years in the whisky industry.
Graham joined Tomatin as distillery general manager in 2011, taking up the dual position of master distiller and distillery operations director in 2019.
In that role, Graham has been responsible for managing operations across the distillery, warehouse, laboratory, visitor centre and stock control teams, as well as overseeing Tomatin’s maturation process.
He has been watching over more than 156,000 casks each year, including the heritage casks in Warehouse 6 which play an integral part in crafting Tomatin’s oldest and rarest Highland single malt whiskies.
Over the past 14 years, Graham has led the distillery to achieve a series of award wins, including ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2022.
Last year, Tomatin 18 Year-Old also secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), elevating it to Platinum status.
As well as Tomatin 18 Year-Old, Graham is responsible for crafting the ditillery’s flagship single malt whisky, Legacy, and experimental lightly-peated single malt Cù Bòcan.
He also oversaw the relaunch of The Antiquary in summer 2024, revitalising that historic brand with the release of three age-statement blended whiskies in new packaging.
Graham’s responsibilities will now be shared between Tomatin’s distillery manager, Jamie Muir, HSQE director Fiona Birkinshaw, and blender and global brand ambassador, Scott Adamson.
To celebrate Graham’s contribution to the Scotch whisky industry, and his legacy at Tomatin Distillery in particular, a limited-edition single malt has been released to commemorate his career.
The Tomatin Legacy Makers – Graham Eunson edition single malt Scotch whisky is limited to only 514 bottles worldwide.
This release is crafted from whisky fully matured in two casks, each representing a chapter in Graham’s career. The first, a refill hogshead filled in 1990, marks the year Graham first stepped into the whisky industry. The second, a French oak barrique filled in 2011, commemorates the year he started at Tomatin Distillery.
Graham said: “Tomatin is an exceptional distillery, and my time working here is one of the high points of my career.
“I joined Tomatin with the idea that we are all just custodians, and with one goal – to leave the distillery in a better place than I found it. Through enhanced systems and improved approaches, there is definitely more consistency now.
“Our first-class wood policy, which is built on knowing as much as we can about the history of a cask before it is filled, is an example of this.
“I’d like to think the legacy I’ve left is a top-notch whisky which can be enjoyed around the world in the future. I’m also proud of the fact that both of my children, Scott and Kirstie, work in the industry as well, which is fantastic to see.”
Adamson added: “Working with Graham over the years has been an absolute privilege.
“His skill, commitment and knowledge are second to none, and he has made a remarkable contribution not only to Tomatin, but to the whisky industry as a whole.”
