Meet
Profiles, interviews, and the people behind the dram. From local distillers to global icons, meet the people driving whisky forward, wherever it's made.
There’s a new US whisky on the block – and it’s not bourbon
The Virginia Distillery Co story started in 2011 with a simple vision: to create single malt whisky that can go head-to-head with the best of Scotland, and toe-to-toe with the best of Australia. Its climate is warmer and maturation is faster, meaning a higher share for the angels and a very different conversation around age statements. Its approach to cask finishing is fun and fresh, and new make is a key talking point... If this has given you a feeling of deja vu you’re not alone – Virginia Distillery stands for almost all the same things Australian whisky stands for, and proudly.
When stars align: How Amber Lane connected the dots between whisky and cognac
Rod Berry’s journey to founding and distilling at Amber Lane was far from traditional, even if his whiskies can be described that way. The story starts in 2017, when he was still running a successful law firm but decided to pursue a passion for whisky, despite neither he nor co-founder and astronomy club mate Phil Townsend having any prior distilling experience. And thus, Amber Lane was born. Fast-forward to April 2022, when its first whiskies hit shelves, and it became clear the stars had aligned.
Surf’s up: The new grom turning heads at Bondi
Surf’s up at Bondi and there is a new grom out in the lineup. His surfboard is still shiny and new, and his smile looks like it should be on TV. But the usual worries of being dropped in on quickly fade as set after set rolls in and etiquette prevails. And what’s more, he is going after waves the others have long since given up on.
Chris Thomson’s journey from rocking stages to rocking stills as Lark’s master distiller
On paper, Chris Thomson is one of the most revered forces in Australian whisky today. He has led the behind-the-scenes of the business that pioneered the industry we all love, helping it to take flight and sing its song globally for the past 19 and a half years. That’s more than half of the distillery’s total lifespan. But in person, the recently named Master Distiller of the Year - Rest of World is just a dude who really loves what he does.
How David Ridden and son Luke raised not just a glass but a distillery to Granddad Jack
To people in the Australian spirits industry, David Ridden will likely need no introduction. He is the President of the Australian Distillers Association and one of the strongest advocates for the golden nectar we all love. To everyone else, Ridden hopes it will be his whiskey that will tell his story, and his family's, for generations to come.
Fiona Coutts’ journey from microbiologist to Hellyers Road Head Distiller
Fiona Coutts on her career pivot, looking after Australia’s largest bond store of 18yo+ single malts, and playing "giant jigsaw puzzle jenga"
How many whisky-stained hats can one passionate ambassador wear?
Not only does Andrew Derbidge wear many hats within, and on behalf of, the Scotch whisky industry in Australia, but he has each type of hat in at least a handful of colours.
Getting to know the Australian Highwayman – Dan Woolley
Highwayman, the single-man whisky vision of one of Australia’s most influential whisky ambassadors, is celebrating its 10th anniversary
Why Scotch is for golf, not rugby, and manifesting the perfect ‘19th hole’ dram
In conversation with Iain Allan, the global ambassador for Glen Moray
How and why Deni Kay turned his whisky passion into a (not very profitable) business
What does the man behind the three oldest spirits ever bottled for Aus have to say about aged whisky? We decided to find out
Meet: In conversation with Bruichladdich’s Head Distiller Adam Hannett
From Islay roots to global innovation, Adam Hannett shares insights on Bruichladdich’s three distinct whisky styles and the ongoing evolution of Octomore.
Meet: Cask finishing bourbon with Angel’s Envy Master Distiller
Angel’s Envy Master Distiller Owen Martin discusses the brand’s Australian launch, cask finishing and the opportunity to premiumise bourbon in a growing local market.
Meet: Matt Bailey
Matt Bailey has been appointed to lead the European operations of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, marking a move from Sydney to the global home of whisky.
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There’s a new US whisky on the block – and it’s not bourbon
The Virginia Distillery Co story started in 2011 with a simple vision: to create single malt whisky that can go head-to-head with the best of Scotland, and toe-to-toe with the best of Australia. Its climate is warmer and maturation is faster, meaning a higher share for the angels and a very different conversation around age statements. Its approach to cask finishing is fun and fresh, and new make is a key talking point... If this has given you a feeling of deja vu you’re not alone – Virginia Distillery stands for almost all the same things Australian whisky stands for, and proudly.
When stars align: How Amber Lane connected the dots between whisky and cognac
Rod Berry’s journey to founding and distilling at Amber Lane was far from traditional, even if his whiskies can be described that way. The story starts in 2017, when he was still running a successful law firm but decided to pursue a passion for whisky, despite neither he nor co-founder and astronomy club mate Phil Townsend having any prior distilling experience. And thus, Amber Lane was born. Fast-forward to April 2022, when its first whiskies hit shelves, and it became clear the stars had aligned.
Surf’s up: The new grom turning heads at Bondi
Surf’s up at Bondi and there is a new grom out in the lineup. His surfboard is still shiny and new, and his smile looks like it should be on TV. But the usual worries of being dropped in on quickly fade as set after set rolls in and etiquette prevails. And what’s more, he is going after waves the others have long since given up on.