Revealing the industry’s first-ever panel of ‘Taste Masters’

We’re revealing the industry’s first-ever panel of ‘Taste Masters’ - whisky experts specifically chosen to draw from personal experiences in whisky and life to help categorise our whisky by mood.  

Dram lovers across the country sent applications in the masses as we announced we were recruiting for our first-ever specialist panel of ‘Taste Masters’ to help in the nosing, tasting, bottling and creation of our spectacular single cask whiskies.

A panel of eight whisky wizards have been hand-picked as the ‘best of the best’ and began work immediately. They will be working closely with our specialist whisky team, as an exclusive ensemble of flavour experts whose job is to tell the story behind each unique whisky they taste and help profile the whisky into a mood category.

MEET OUR TASTE MASTERS

Maria Scala

Maria dares to be different - that is her approach to the world of whisky. After graduating in Biological Sciences, she moved to London where her love of wine and spirits blossomed while working in various fine dining restaurants and completing courses successively at WSET, IBD, EWA and House of Lustao. She brings warmth, a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to our Taste Masters.

Steven Shand

Based in Edinburgh Steven has been working in the whisky industry for 13 years. Originally trained in visual communication, he creates whisky-related content for a wide range of spirits publications and brands as well as running his own marketing and design consultancy. His whisky journey began at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society before moving to Wemyss Family Spirits where he helped with their rebrand and the Kingsbarns Distillery inaugural single malt launch. We welcome Steven’s exceptional palate and creative flair to The Taste Masters.

Lucy Connor

A recent graduate of the OurWhisky Foundation mentorship programme, Lucy has been working in the whisky industry for 4 years, doing everything from bartending and selling whisky to tour guiding and introducing Scotch whisky to people across the world. The host with the most, Lucy loves everything about tasting and exploring unique whisky selections and will be right at home as part of our Taste Masters team.

Chris White

Dr. Christopher White is an award-winning whisky writer, presenter, and judge with over 16 years’ experience in the whisky industry. Chris has hosted events across the globe and won the inaugural ‘Communicator of the Year’ award at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards. He judges the World Whiskies Awards, Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Awards, and Scottish Whisky Awards amongst others. He has attended Diageo’s prestigious Malt Advocates course, gained the Diploma in Single Malt and the Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky from Edinburgh Whisky Academy, and sat on the Tasting Panel at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

 Imogen Russon-Taylor

Imogen is the Founder & CEO of Scotland’s very first fragrance house, Kingdom Scotland. Previously, she has worked in the luxury goods arena in Global Communications roles for over 20 years, working for some of the world’s biggest brands including United International Pictures, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, The Macallan, Chivas Regal, Sony, Rolls Royce and Hugo Boss. As a female founder, she has been recognised by Scotland is Now, Business Women Scotland and The Great British Entrepreneur Awards as Best Scottish start-up and Rising Star, as well as winning innovation awards for her business and perfumes.

Mark Watt

Mark has been working with whisky since he started behind the bar at Craigellachie Hotel in 1998. During his studies he worked at Royal Mile Whiskies and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society before moving to Duncan Taylor and then William Cadenhead, where he focused on cask selection, buying and maturation as well as selling the odd bottle. At the end of 2019, he and his wife Kate founded the Campbeltown Whisky Company, an independent bottling company bottling under the Watt Whisky brand. Mark's years of experience in cask selection and his love and enthusiasm for all things whisky make him the ideal candidate for our Taste Masters.

John Lamond

The Master of Malt and a Keeper of the Quaich, John has written a good few whisky books over the years as well as hosting many whisky festival masterclasses around the world. He’s well known within the whisky industry for running the Scotch Whisky Trail Certificate course for the last 26 years. He created the whisky course to educate bar staff but has seen numerous brand ambassadors complete his training. John’s passion and years of experience make him a welcome addition to our Taste Masters.