Chivas Brothers has announced that industry veteran, Sandy Hyslop, will be retiring from his role as Master Blender. Kevin Balmforth will step in as Master Blender, whilst Hyslop will continue as Master Blender Emeritus. The Pernod Ricard-owned Scotch whisky business announced the leadership transition on December 10, recognizing Hyslop’s 42-year career in the industry.
Hyslop will remain involved with the company’s prestige whiskies and global brand representation in his emeritus position.
“It’s been a real honour and a privilege to contribute to the quality, innovation and heritage of Chivas Brothers alongside my team,” said Hyslop.
The outgoing Master Blender joined the whisky industry in 1983 at Stewart & Son of Dundee. Throughout his career, he has overseen brands including Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, and Royal Salute.
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His product innovations include Royal Salute’s Polo and Fashion expressions, the Chivas Regal Extra Range, The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, and Ballantine’s 7 Years Old.
“For me, the joy of whisky making lies in pushing boundaries – uncovering new flavours and expressions that invite new audiences in, whilst staying true to Scotch’s legacy,” Hyslop added. Whisky has an incredible ability to bring people together, creating shared moments and connections across generations. Passing on the craft of blending is part of that same tradition. It has been the passion of a lifetime to teach and develop my team to continue that work. It is with great pride and confidence that I pass this privilege onto Kevin, who I have worked with for 20 years.”
Balmforth brings 25 years of experience with Chivas Brothers to his new role. He has worked closely with Hyslop for two decades.
“It’s an incredible honour to follow in Sandy’s footsteps as Chivas Brothers’ Master Blender,” said Balmforth. “I’ve had the privilege of learning from one of the industry’s true masters, and I’m committed to building on his legacy by exploring new dimensions of flavour while staying true to the heritage that makes our whiskies so distinctive.”
Brian MacAulay, Production Director at Chivas Brothers, praised Hyslop’s contributions to the company.
“Sandy’s legacy is distilled into every bottle he’s touched,” MacAulay stated. “His passion, attention to detail and generosity as a mentor have shaped our blending philosophy and left an enduring mark on the industry.”
MacAuley continued, “We’re grateful for [Sandy’s] continued guidance and expertise, celebrating this moment as an evolution as we welcome Kevin as Master Blender. Together with his exceptional team, Kevin will continue to push the boundaries of taste and craftsmanship, carrying forward the same creativity and mastery as his predecessors before him.”
The transition represents a continuation of Chivas Brothers’ blending traditions. Hyslop has expanded the blending team throughout his tenure, establishing standards that will guide future whisky production.
Chivas Brothers operates 14 malt distilleries across Scotland, including The Glenlivet, Aberlour, and Strathisla. The company’s portfolio spans from accessible blends to ultra-premium expressions, maintaining significant market share in key regions including Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
