Hall of Fame

Alan has dedicated almost half a century to the Scotch whisky industry. It began with a summer job as a distillery guide in 1975, which quickly progressed to a full-time production role. During the ensuing 47 years, Alan has been involved with more than 21 distilleries.

This including taking responsibility for 14 malt distilleries when he was named distillery manager for Chivas Brothers in 2002, a role in which he also oversaw the re-opening of Glen Keith and the development of a new distillery in Speyside, Dalmunach.

During this time, Alan extended his influence beyond the distilleries and represented Chivas on a number of industry bodies, including as president of the management committee of the Malt Distillers Association of Scotland and as chairman of the Scottish section of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Upon leaving his role at Chivas Brothers in 2018, Alan moved to The Glenlivet, where he served as master distiller until his retirement in 2022. But this is not the end of the story: Alan is continuing his involvement with the industry as a distillery advisor, serving as a director at the Cabrach Distillery, supporting the owners of the Isle of Barra distillery in their mission to make whisky, and helping to run the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School.

In 2017 he was named master distiller of the year in the Scottish regional round of the Icons of Whisky awards. He is a master of the Keepers of the Quaich, holds a fellowship from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, and has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Spirit of Speyside and the International Spirits Challenge.

Throughout his career, one of Alan’s strongest interests has been in the history of the whisky industry, trading thoughts and discoveries with colleagues and journalists around the world. For many of his peers, Alan’s knowledge of and passion for the industry is second to none.