ARDBEG COMMITTEE TOASTS TWO SPIRITED NEW LEADERS
< Distillery’s fans will be even closer to its drams, under Co-Chairs’ plans >
(Left to right: Jackie Thomson, Bryony McNiven and Gillian Macdonald)
The Ardbeg Committee today welcomes its next generation of leaders, as Distillery stalwart and Committee Chair Jackie Thomson passes the smoky torch to Master Blender Gillian Macdonald and Visitor Centre Planner Bryony McNiven, an Islay native. The first pair of Chairs in the Committee’s 25-year history, these peaty devotees seek to bring Ardbeg’s fans even closer to the Distillery’s whisky making, as they expound the joys of their smoky malt to whisky lovers everywhere.
The Committee was formed in 2000 to safeguard the future of Ardbeg, which had teetered on the brink of extinction just a few years before. Now more than 200,000 strong, it is made up of dedicated fans in more than 130 countries, all devoted to ensuring that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. This year, Committee members celebrate 25 years as guardians of the whisky they call The Ultimate Islay malt.
A mainstay at Ardbeg since its revival, Jackie has served as Distillery Centre Manager for 27 years, and Committee Chair for the last four. Renowned for her easy smile and relentless enthusiasm, she has welcomed visitors and championed Ardbeg’s cause in countless ways. Most memorably, leading the Distillery celebrations each year on Ardbeg Day, the annual celebration of all things Ardbeg, in her own inimitable way. Jackie’s extraordinary contribution to Ardbeg’s rise from the ashes has been duly recognised by her industry peers: in 2023, she was inducted into the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame.
Reflecting on her time at Ardbeg, Jackie said: “My mind is a-buzz with so many fantastic memories. From the outlandish costumes I’ve donned for Ardbeg Day to the musical extravaganzas we have hosted. We’ve survived power cuts, madcap experiments and a global pandemic. We have welcomed wedding parties, film crews and many Committee Members who have made the pilgrimage to Islay. It’s been a peaty privilege to get to know them all.
“I couldn’t think of two better women to pass the baton to. Bryony has worked alongside me as Ardbeg’s Visitor Centre Planner for the past seven years. And Gillian is Ardbeg’s Master Blender, no less. Together they have a shared knowledge of Ardbeg the whisky and Ardbeg the place, that is quite unique.”
As friends and colleagues who once worked side-by-side in Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team, Gillian and Bryony have bold plans to continue Jackie’s work – and to do even more to integrate the Committee’s views into Ardbeg’s whisky making. Gillian said: “It goes without saying that Jackie will be sorely missed by our Committee and by all at Ardbeg. Hers are big boots to fill, but Bryony and I will do our best as Co-Chairs – perhaps by wearing one each!
“In my role as Ardbeg’s Master Blender, some of my favourite moments have been creating Committee releases and letting them loose on the people whose opinion really matters. I’ve always loved meeting and talking to the Ardbeg faithful, then going back to the lab with their fiery passion ringing in my ears. As Chair, I’m excited to bring the fans and the drams even closer together.”
Following in the footsteps of her father, who worked at Ardbeg for 35 years, Bryony said: “I’ve lived and breathed Ardbeg all my life, being the daughter of a stillman. For a while I was based in Sweden as an Ardbeg brand ambassador, before working alongside Gillian in the Whisky Creation Team. But the Distillery is where my heart is, so now I’m back on Islay where my job in the Visitor Centre is to make Ardbeg the most welcoming Distillery on Earth. As Committee Chair, I can’t wait to pick up where Jackie has left off – sharing good drams, spreading the Ardbeg love and having fun!”
To play a part in the Distillery’s future and keep up to date with all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee for free at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee
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Ardbeg
Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well-established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.
The Ardbeg Committee
The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 200,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee is free to join at ardbeg.com.
Awards
Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013). At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100. Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg Ten Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. In 2023, Ardbeg was awarded four Gold and eight Silver medals at the International Spirits Competition, Silver in the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 25 Years Old was named the World’s Best Scotch Whisky at the 2023 New York Wine Spirits Competition, and received a Platinum medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
About Jackie Thomson
A leading light in the Distillery’s rise from the ashes to its cult status today, Jackie has been in charge of Ardbeg’s Visitor Centre since it officially opened its doors in 1998. Since then, she has been instrumental in creating an engaging and welcoming experience, making the Distillery a must-visit destination for visitors to Islay. What is more, Jackie has orchestrated the iconic Ardbeg Day celebrations for two decades, ensuring that it is one of the biggest days in the Distillery’s calendar and the crescendo of Islay’s annual Fèis Ìle festival of music and malt.
In 2021, Jackie became Chair of the Committee. Bringing her infectious enthusiasm to the role, she has inspired new single malt drinkers and Ardbeg enthusiasts across the globe. From her outlandish Ardbeg Day costumes, to her unusual choice of vessel from which to drink Ardbeg (a Viking horn), Jackie has set a high Ardbeggian bar for her successors.
About Gillian Macdonald
With 13 years at Ardbeg under her belt, Master Blender and Head of Whisky Creation Gillian knows more about creating the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt than almost anyone else. On a daily basis she ensures the quality of Ardbeg’s permanent whiskies, and noses hundreds of casks each year, destined for new releases. Gillian, who became the UK’s first female distiller when she joined the industry in 2003, holds a first-class Honours degree in Chemistry with Industrial Experience. A self-confessed “tramp-through-a-peat-bog” kind of Ardbeggian, she also has a real soft spot for Shortie, Ardbeg’s canine mascot.
About Bryony McNiven
Bryony’s ties to Ardbeg run deep — her dad was a stillman at Ardbeg for 35 years. A summer job during her chemistry studies led to roles as a brand ambassador in Sweden and six years in the Whisky Creation Team. She returned to Islay in 2018 as Visitor Centre Planner, where no two days are the same. From leading tours to sharing drams and keeping the visitor centre ticking over, Bryony is proud to call her favourite place in the world home.
The Glenmorangie Company
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.
