Pioneering Whisky Maker Gregg Glass Named Master Distiller of the Year

Whyte and Mackay is celebrating after master whisky maker Gregg Glass was awarded Master Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards 2023. The whisky house, which is proud to count The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin in its portfolio, was also Highly Commended within the Icons’ ultimate Distiller of the Year* category.

Having joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, Glass has made a huge impact and is renowned for his innovative and hands-on approach to whisky making. Involved in every aspect of the process – even from acorn to glass through Whyte and Mackay’s innovative Scottish Oak Programme – Glass is credited with the rejuvenation of the Jura and Fettercairn distilleries and in 2017 launched Whisky Works, the brand’s independent innovation wing.

Since joining the house, his passion project has been the development of the industry-leading Scottish Oak Programme, which aims to help establish the use of native oak as a quality raw material for the wider spirits industry, starting with Scotch.

This year, Fettercairn released the first whisky from the Scottish Oak Programme, an 18 Year Old finished in locally-sourced Scottish oak, which marked an important milestone for Glass. The distillery is also the site for Fettercairn Forest; a replanting of an ancient forest which forms part of the commitment to develop a sustainable future for responsibly sourced Scottish oak.

Prior to Whyte and Mackay, Gregg Glass established his reputation as a pioneer at Compass Box. Joining the fifth largest whisky producer – Whyte and Mackay – in 2016, Gregg Glass has since led whisky making innovation across the portfolio which includes Woodsman, Whyte and Mackay Light and Whisky Works. 

Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass comments:

“We feel incredibly honoured to have been recognised by Icons of Whisky and to be Whisky Maker of the Year ’23 is a real honour. This is testament to the hard work of so many across the Whyte and Mackay team and our commitment to continue to innovate and create fantastic whiskies.

“Our collection of Single Malt Distilleries is really very special and I see every day as an opportunity to try something new and explore the diversity of flavour we can create as whisky makers. To be recognised in this way by my peers is truly humbling.”

Whyte and Mackay’s Invergordon Grain Whisky also received the top award in the Grain Whisky category, while Whyte and Mackay’s Kieran Healey-Ryder, was Highly Commended as Scotch Whisky Ambassador.