Meet The Distiller

They are responsible for some of the best loved tipples around but we know very little about the experts at renowned distillers Whyte & Mackay, and the work they do to keep alive the great name of this famous brand.

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller for Whyte & Mackay, shares with us the passion and pride he has for his work and explains how whisky is very much a family business for him.

How did you come to be a master blender?

I am a third generation master blender. My father and grandfather, who were both master blenders, introduced me to the art of whisky at the tender age of 8 years old. So you could say that whisky very much runs in my blood!

What do you like about working in the whisky industry?

In my capacity of master blender, I am given the freedom to create blends and single malts which I hope will ultimately stimulate and interest the palettes of whisky drinkers around the world. There is also the buzz and excitement of winning awards and being appreciated by your peers.

What is your proudest moment as a whisky distiller?

My proudest, but also my saddest moment, was in 1994 when I won the Spirit of Scotland trophy for creating the best blend. It was particularly special as it was to commemorate the first reference of Scotch whisky in 1444. This was an accolade I would have liked to share with my father but sadly I was unable to as he had died a few weeks previously.

What is unique about the whisky you bottle?

Our Whyte & Mackay whisky is given time to mature, double mature in fact. This double 'marriage' process allows the whisky to mature in specially selected sherry butts, resulting in its perfect smooth and mellow characteristics.

When I think of silk, I think of Glayva and the honey and spiciness attached to it as it has an outstanding aftertaste.

What advice would you give people when they are tasting whisky?

It is ultimately up to the consumers to decide how they enjoy it, however, I would recommend reducing all our whiskies with a splash of cold water. You should then hold it in your mouth to fully appreciate it. I would also recommend trying some of our whiskies after drinking a great coffee, then allow a bitter chocolate to melt in your mouth – it can turn a dinner into a really memorable occasion.

When you are not travelling around the world or blending whisky, what do you do to relax?

I love everything connected to Scotland. I love walking and falconry. I also love to read as I've got a real passion for history and exploration.

What are your predictions for the future of the single malt category?

With the amount of whisky festivals taking place all around the world, the position of malt whisky is assured. Every year sees new expressions and the thirst for knowledge is unbounded which is a really positive thing. This means other whisky distillers are constantly competing to produce the highest quality malt possible, which will ultimately benefit the consumer, as there will be even more great whiskies out there.

Find out about malt whisky and its producing regions

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