
Gordon & MacPhail appoints new Finance Director

Premium spirits company Gordon & MacPhail has appointed Ben Cookman as Finance Director during a period of high growth, which sees the family-owned business working towards the opening of a new whisky distillery in the heart of the Cairngorms.
The appointment will see Cookman play an integral role in the organisation helping to shape and implement the Gordon & MacPhail business strategy, including delivering extensive capital plans and fuelling the growth of the companyâs brands: Gordon & MacPhail, Benromach, Red Door and The Cairn.
Relocating to the north of Scotland from Bedfordshire, Cookman brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous role as Finance Director at Greenwoods GRM LLP and, prior to that, his position as Head of Finance at McDonaldâs Restaurants Ltd.
Commenting on the appointment Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director, said: âBen joins us at an exciting time for Gordon & MacPhail as we work towards opening The Cairn Distillery in summer 2022.
âGordon & MacPhail is known for its commitment to creating the finest whiskies and now, as we look towards this new chapter of the company with the creation of a purpose-built distillery in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, it is more important than ever that we invest in not only our stocks and infrastructure but also the right people who will help us achieve our business aspirations.
âBen brings with him not only the technical skillset and knowledge required for the role but also a passion for the spirits industry and a desire to grow Gordon & MacPhail both domestically and in international markets.â
Finance Director Ben Cookman added: âIâm delighted to be taking on the role of Finance Director at Gordon & MacPhail and look forward to helping the company achieve not only its current objectives, but also to support investment decisions that will secure its long-term success. One of the elements that attracted me to Gordon & MacPhail is this commitment, as a family business, to remain focused on the long-term future of the organisation.â
Set in a stunning landscape, The Cairn Distillery will be Gordon & MacPhailâs second whisky distillery. The Cairn will not only produce the finest single malt Scotch whisky but will also be home to a high-quality visitor centre, offering tours and tastings which will attract visitors from around the world.
For more information about Gordon & MacPhail visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.
Further information about The Cairn Distillery can also be found here: www.thecairndistillery.com.
About Gordon & MacPhail
Gordon & MacPhail, a fourth-generation family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Renowned as a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the business also owns Scotch whisky distillery, Benromach, on the outskirts of Forres, and The Cairn Distillery near Grantown-on-Spey.
Scottish Gin brand, Red Door was added to the portfolio in 2018 and Gordon & MacPhail is the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits. A high-quality retail outlet in Elgin, continues to serve locals and visitors alike, since 1895 when the business was established.
Benromach Distillery
The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray. Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.
The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award-winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.
The Cairn Distillery
Work commenced in July 2020 on the companyâs second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms. The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the companyâs asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business. A high-quality visitor experience launching in summer 2022 offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.
Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies
Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin. The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the worldâs most unique and rare single malt Scotch whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.
UK wholesale
The companyâs wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Gordon & MacPhail whiskies, Benromach whiskies and Red Door gin into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents several âdistributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.
Retail
The retail shop in Elgin remains the âspiritual homeâ of the business, over 120 years after it was first established in 1895. The shop is home to a large selection of single malt Scotch whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.