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Record-Breaker, Stephanie Macleod, Wins ‘Master Blender of the Year’ For The Sixth Time

Macleod is also the Malt Master for the Dewar’s single malt portfolio: Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Deveron. 
  • Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash and a graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme. With over half a decade of industry experience, she is passionate about writing stories that highlight innovation, diversity, and sustainability across the global whisky landscape.
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Stephanie Macleod is the IWC Master Blender of the Year in 2024. Credit: Bacardi
Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi (John Dewar & Sons), was recently named ‘Master Blender of the Year’ at the International Whisky Competition (IWC) for the sixth consecutive year. 

Macleod is also the Malt Master for the Dewar’s single malt portfolio: Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Deveron. 

Stephanie Macleod’s Six Wins 

Macleod’s record-breaking win comes as the Aultmore Oloroso Sherry Cask 25 Year Old GTR Exclusive was named IWC ‘Whisky of the Year’, and the Dewar’s Double Double 37 year Old won ‘Best Blended Scotch’ for the second year in a row. These wins reinforce Stephanie’s stellar global reputation across the whisky industry. 

Stephanie joined Bacardi in 1998 and became Dewar’s Master Blender in 2006. Today, she leads a team of blenders in carefully curating blends and single malts under the Dewar’s portfolio. 

Speaking about her record-breaking title, Macleod said: “To be recognised for the work you do is incredible. To be recognised for what you love to do is quite simply a dream come true. Awards like this are a tribute to all those involved in our whisky-making, and it’s thanks to our passionate, highly-skilled team that our exceptional whiskies are enjoyed by new and existing whisky drinkers around the world.”
Aberfeldy Distillery is under the Dewar’s portfolio.

“We have bold ambitions and exciting plans for our premium and ultra-premium whiskies and judging by the acclaim our recent launches have received, it’s clear we are getting it right,” said Dave Ingram, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Bacardi. “Congratulations to Stephanie and her team – the work they’re doing leads to exceptional whiskies that appeal to new whisky drinkers and drives the entire category forward.”

Bacardi, Distiller of the Year

Adding to Stephanie’s success, Bacardi was named ‘Distiller of the Year’ by the IWC in 2024. Bacardi has numerous, globally successful brands under its wing, such as Grey Goose vodka, Bombay Sapphire, martini, and Angel’s Envy. 

Many of these brands were honored at the 2024 IWC. See below for the award-winning Bacardi brands: 
Bacardi Brand  Total Points  Ranking 
AULTMORE® 25 Year Old GTR – Oloroso Sherry Cask, Travel Retail Exclusive 98.31 1
DEWAR’S® Double Double 37 Year Old 96.37 3
DEWAR’S® Double Double 21 Year Old 95.46 5
DEWAR’S® Double Double 32 Year Old 95.36 6
DEWAR’S® Double Double 21 Year Old Magma Toast level 1 finished in French Oak Casks 95.22 7
DEWAR’S® Double Double 26 Year Old 94.95 10
DEWAR’S® Double Double 21 Year Old Magma Toast level 1 finished in American Oak 94.86 11
DEWAR’S® Double Double 30 Year Old 94.34 14
ROYAL BRACKLA® 25 Year Old 94.30 16
DEWAR’S® Double Double 36 Year Old 94.01 18
CRAIGELLACHIE® 37 Year Old 93.76 20

Beth Squires

Beth Squires is the Deputy Editor of The Whiskey Wash with over half a decade of industry experience. She possesses comprehensive knowledge of the global whisky landscape, spanning everything from heritage and production to complex market analysis. A graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation’s Atonia Programme, which champions women in whisky, Beth is a dedicated advocate for diversity and sustainability, focused on highlighting the innovation and storytelling that define the modern whisky industry.

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