We’re on a journey of American discovery this month as we speak with our US Brand Manager Steph Ridgway. Steph fills us in on the benefits, difficulties and differences of working in the US of A – along with her tip for the perfect New York Highland Park dram.

The adventurous Americans

We have a superb team of ambassadors across the globe who work hard to spread the good word of Highland Park, each of whom has a unique story to tell.

Throughout the year we’re going to catch up with each and every ambassador and find out their own personal Highland Park journey. This month we have the lovely Highland Park Brand Manager, Steph Ridgway who is based in the ultra-cosmopolitan city of New York in the USA.

Steph, your role covers a large whisky drinking nation. What challenges does that have geographically? There are so many people who really, really want Highland Park to come visit and educate them. Fortunately, I’ve got a team of amazing colleagues around the country who are just as passionate about Highland Park as I am, so they’ve been incredibly helpful in spreading the gospel!

Being so far away from where this award-winning whisky is made, how do you introduce people to what Orkney is like? I’ve been blessed with the classic Scottish gift of storytelling so I put it to good use. And of course, you can taste a little bit of the island in every bottle!

Do you manage to visit the distillery often yourself? I get there between three or four times a year. If I stay away too long, I get withdrawal symptoms.

From coast-to-coast, are there differences in taste profiles of the American malt whisky consumer? By and large, the American single malt drinker is fairly adventurous and willing to try different things. I’ve met my share of whisky drinkers in sunny Los Angeles who just adore the big, smoky peaty drams and just as many drinkers from wintry Minnesota who like the light, delicateness of a Speyside dram. That’s why there’s so much love for Highland Park across the country, we deliver the best of both worlds in a single glass.

You are a member of the Les Dames de Escoffie (LDE). What is that and how do you use it to educate people about single malt whisky? LDE is a membership organisation for women in food. Having earned my culinary and restaurant management degrees, I spent many years in the hospitality industry before taking on this role. My background in food has enabled me to engage people beyond a normal nosing and tasting, rather offering unique pairings with food. This makes it a touch more relatable and less intimidating for folks who are new to Scotch Whisky.

How has it been to welcome the Norse gods (and goddesses) into the States? Wow – it has been such fun! Getting to tell the stories and watch how people react to the whiskies. The recognition that they’ve brought to the Highland Park brand overall has been incredible.

If you could take just one person to visit the distillery on Orkney, who would that be? I’d have to take two; 1) Anthony Bourdain, because he’d be an absolute blast to run around the island with, drinking drams of Highland Park and making new friends along the way and 2) My mum because, well, she’s my mum and she’s the one who got me into whisky in the first place. My mum’s really pretty cool.

Which city in the US would you say is the most Orcadian? Out of all the US cities that I’ve lived in or travelled to, I’d have to say Chicago. There’s a boatload of wind and the people are hardworking, friendly and fearless. And they love their whisky.

Finally, which warrior or god/goddess are you most like, from the Highland Park range? If I’m to believe what people say, I’m a cross between LOKI and FREYA… kind of like yin and yang. Just enough Freya to keep me honest and just enough LOKI to make it interesting.

Ambassador’s whisky of the month…

Living in New York, we asked Brand Manager Steph Ridgway what the ideal Highland Park to drink in an urban environment is? The response – “Loki, without a doubt. It’s the edgiest one in the bunch and it keeps you on your toes… just like New York!”

About: One of the most complex characters in Norse mythology, Loki constantly challenges the gods, questioning their order and hierarchy within Asgard. Yet with every treacherous situation he engineers, his actions ultimately create heroes amongst the other gods. Like its namesake, this whisky is unpredictable and impulsive, echoing the formidable weather of the Orkney Islands. It is a single malt which is both dynamic and energetic, with constantly evolving flavours and a fiendish inner complexity.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A spirited lift of dried bitter orange, which quickly turns into lemon peels. Cardamom notes trick then tease the nose, before an enticing hit of gingerbread develops. With water, liquorice and aromatic smoke are both unleashed.

Palate: The true shape-shifting ability of Loki springs to life on the palate: its waxy texture is amplified by an intense smoke that doesn’t appear on the nose, shattering the light citrusy illusion of the aroma. All is not what it seems. The smoke fades as liquorice and rich spiced apple flavours come out to play. Lemon and grapefruit are consistent throughout this elusive, yet intriguing character. With a touch of water, lingering notes of melted dark chocolate over spent embers leave a soft smoky impression.

Finish: As Loki departs, he leaves behind toasted cloves, hickory smoke and soft vanilla. It is constantly changing, from appearance to finish. Loki is an enigma and truly another whisky of the gods.

Have your own ‘ spirit’ in Orkney…
Orkney might be a just a tad too far away for a lot of you to journey to – but as part of the Inner Circle, we want to make sure you’re a firm part of the family. As we’ve mentioned before, we have an ever growing Mosaic on display in the distillery’s Visitor Centre which we would love you to be a part of.

All you need to do to join this divine piece of memorabilia is upload a photo of yourself – simply click here for the on screen instructions.