Glenfiddich Announces Succession of New Malt Master

Brian Kinsman becomes sixth Malt Master responsible for producing the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky

Toronto, ON (November 5) – Independent, family-owned distiller, William Grant & Sons Ltd. has announced the succession of Brian Kinsman as Glenfiddich’s Malt Master.  He will take up his new post from 1st December 2009.

‘Apprentice’ Malt Master for the past eight years, Brian Kinsman succeeds David Stewart who has held the post for 35 years – the industry’s longest serving Malt Master. Brian becomes only the sixth Malt Master since the company was founded in 1887.

As Malt Master, Brian will be in charge of the time-honoured Glenfiddich whisky making tradition; from careful cask selection and overseeing the marrying process – a Glenfiddich speciality which ensures consistency in the quality – to the maturation process within the Dufftown warehouses, where every new year imparts different qualities to the liquid.

His predecessor, David Stewart, is one of the industry’s most loved and respected craftsmen. Working alongside him for the past nine years, Brian has not only learnt his craft but inherited an unrivalled passion for whisky and a deep respect for time-honoured techniques and tradition.

Brian studied chemistry at The University of St Andrews and first joined William Grant & Sons in 1997 to carry out analysis of spirit quality and study the maturation processes, having been attracted by the tradition, skill and craftsmanship within the worlds most awarded and distinguished distillery. Eight years ago he became David Stewart’s apprentice, embarking on a complex journey of learning about the production of single malt whisky which traditionally can take anything up to a decade to complete.  Although no formal qualification is required to be Malt Master, Brian’s scientific background comes in useful when understanding the character of a whisky and the effect of maturation. 

Brian said: “It’s an honour to join the exclusive roll call of Glenfiddich Malt Masters. Not only to be taking on the responsibility for producing the ‘best dram in the valley’, but to be taking over from David, who is the best nose in the business and has been for a long time.  I’ve been lucky enough to have learnt and benefited from David’s knowledge and years of experience in much the same way David did from his predecessor, Hamish Robertson. He learned from Gordon Ross and Gordon from John Grant. John learned from his father, William Grant, our founder.  My apprenticeship may be complete, but you never stop perfecting and exploring new possibilities for the time-honoured techniques that have been passed down – this is a lifetime of work and one I am looking forward to.”

David Stewart, who firmly remains part of the William Grant & Sons family, but will now dedicate his time to his Malt Master role at the company’s renowned Balvenie distillery in Dufftown, said: “I recall when I first took over the reigns as Malt Master in 1974 when I felt a personal responsibility for ensuring a continuity of skills and time-honoured techniques to ensure all our whiskies were as complex and characterful as the last. Having spent a significant period of time with Brian, helping him to refine his Glenfiddich ‘nose’ I am confident that he will take up the mantle with the passion and commitment required to guarantee excellence in all of our award winning single malts.”

William Grant & Sons Ltd:

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.  The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

 
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For further information or images, please contact:

Stephanie Charlton

Jesson + Company Communications

T: (416) 323-7828 ext. 22

E: scharlton@jessonco.com