At the recent Icons of Whisky Awards 2023, Whyte and Mackay’s Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass garnered the coveted Master Distiller of the Year award.
A statement from Whyte and Mackay noted that makes Glass one of the youngest recipients ever of this award, which is among the whisky industry’s top accolades.
Glass is known for his experimental and innovative approach to whisky making. He joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, and he had an immediate effect on the business and its portfolio of single malt distilleries The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin.
Whyte and Mackay officials noted that the team Glass created, shaped, and worked alongside is credited with the rejuvenation of the Jura and Fettercairn distilleries as well as the creation of the brand’s independent innovation wing, Whisky Works, in 2017.
Glass is also the creator behind Whyte and Mackay’s Scottish Oak Program, which aims to help establish the use of native oak as a quality raw material for the wider spirits industry, starting with Scotch. Last year, the Scottish Oak Program won The Spirits Business Award for Innovation in Production.
Glass grew up on the Black Isle, across the Cromarty Firth from The Dalmore distillery. He’s worked in the whisky industry for 24 years. Before coming to Whyte and Mackay, he plied his trade at Compass Box.
Presenting his master distiller award at the March 30th ceremony, Whisky Magazine’s Editor-at-Large Christopher Coates highlighted Glass’ passion for both nature and nurture, crediting him for charting an exciting course for the industry.
“As a whisky maker, to be recognized by our industry, in a room of peers, at a time when Scotland is alive with brilliant whisky making, is truly humbling,” Glass said, accepting the award. “This accolade is not mine alone, it is testament to the dedication of everyone within the Whyte and Mackay community, who give their all in the pursuit of creating the finest whiskies.”
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“It’s an absolute pleasure to be leading whisky making at five incredible distilleries on behalf of Whyte and Mackay. I cannot wait to share with you the fantastic whiskies the team have laid down, to be released when the time is right. Thank you to everyone at Icons of Whisky for this award – it is a real honor.”
Richard Paterson, Master Distiller at Whyte and Mackay and a winner of the Icons of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award and inductee number 15 into the Whisky Hall of Fame, said this is quite an achievement for Glass.
“From the moment I met Gregg, I recognized not only his talent for creating exceptional whisky, but for his unmistakable passion. That passion is everything – it is what defines the greatest blenders in our industry and this award is a tribute to his creativity as a whisky maker.”
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