The World Whiskies Awards just lately unveiled the class winners and the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2025. In an awards ceremony at Signet Library in Edinburgh, Scotland, manufacturers, distillers, and expressions had been honored with accolades. The celebration included the announcement of the 2 latest inductees to the Whisky Journal Corridor of Fame.
So, who’re the brand new inductees into the Whisky Journal Corridor of Fame? And what impacts have they’d on the scotch whisky trade?
Whisky Journal Corridor of Fame Inductee No. 97 – Stephanie Macleod, Dewar’s
Stephanie Macleod is, undoubtedly, an icon of whisky. Grasp Blender at Dewar’s and Malt Grasp for Dewar’s single malt portfolio, Stephanie has an unparalleled eye, nostril, and palate for element. The World Whiskies Awards describes her as “achieved within the sensory analyses of whisky.”
Macleod started her profession in whisky on the College of Strathclyde as a sensory analyst. Whereas learning Meals Science, she was provided a chance to affix a analysis crew that concerned gaining a deep understanding of the scotch whisky maturation course of. This academic background allowed her to affix John Dewar & Sons in 1998, the place she labored within the spirit-quality laboratories in Glasgow.
In 2003, Macleod was made blender designate and commenced her three-year coaching program below grasp blender Tom Aitken. Upon completion of her coaching, Stephanie Macleod was named Dewar’s grasp blender, the primary feminine grasp blender within the firm’s historical past. She has held the function since then and has been named Grasp Blender of the 12 months on the Worldwide Whisky Competitors for the final six consecutive years.
In 2014, Dewar’s expanded its single malt portfolio which now consists of Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Deveron. As Malt Grasp for this portfolio, Stephanie is chargeable for overseeing single malt manufacturing.
Now, Stephanie is the Director of Mixing, Scotch Whisky, at Bacardi. With a profession spanning over 25 years within the trade, Macleod is trusted implicitly to deliver the most effective out of the whisky produced by John Dewar & Sons. She is the 97th inductee into the Whisky Journal Corridor of Fame.
Whisky Journal Corridor of Fame Inductee No. 98 – Leonard Russell, Ian Macleod Distillers
Whisky is in Leonard Russell’s DNA. The grandson of Leonard Russell, a famed whisky dealer, Russell was destined to proceed within the household firm: Ian Macleod Distillers.
Leonard Russell, the son of Peter Russell, joined the household enterprise in 1989, following the completion of an economics diploma and an MBA. He was initially named Enterprise Growth Supervisor, earlier than working his means up the corporate. In 1993, he was appointed Advertising and marketing Director, and have become Managing Director in 2000. His father, Peter, was appointed firm Chairman in the identical 12 months.
The legendary Peter Russell handed away in January 2023, and his son Leonard is now a significant shareholder, managing director, and chairman of Ian Macleod Distillers.
Beneath the management of Leonard and his father, Ian Macleod has gone from energy to energy, buying the Glengoyne Distillery in 2003, Tamdhu in 2011, Edinburgh Gin in 2016, and Rosebank in 2017. Avid whisky followers will know that Rosebank, initially mothballed in 1993, has just lately reopened, thrilling Lowland whisky lovers around the globe. This funding from Ian Macleod Distillers was an enormous milestone for the corporate, which has resurrected The King of the Lowlands.
Moreover, Russell is presently constructing a distillery in Laggan Bay on Islay, due for completion in 2025. Ian Macleod Distillers has additionally just lately accomplished work on an Indian whisky distillery, Una, positioned within the foothills of the Himalayas.
Via steadfast management and ambition, Leonard Russell has helped Ian Macleod Distillers construct a stable home and worldwide fame for producing high-quality whisky. His achievements make him the 98th inductee into the Whisky Journal Corridor of Fame.
World Whiskies Awards 2025
The World Whiskies Awards outcomes might be anticipated pretty quickly! World Whiskies Awards regional winners from Scotland will compete in opposition to counterparts from France, Eire, Canada, Japan, america and Remainder of World classes in March 2025, when the World’s Finest awards will probably be introduced.
Regulate the Finest Whiskies web page for updates on the outcomes.
