Famous Grouse master blender to retire
Published:  17 July, 2009

John Ramsay, master blender for The Edrington Group has announced that he will be retiring from his position on 31 July. Following a two and half year handover, Gordon Motion, will take over as the company’s new master blender. 

Since joining The Edrington Group in 1991, John has been responsible for overseeing the quality of the Group’s whisky portfolio, including The Glenrothes, The Macallan and Highland Park and The Famous Grouse.

The master blender role involves managing the laboratory and sample rooms as well as stock management and cask selection and overseeing the 8,735 quality checks from cask to glass.

More than 30 million bottles of The Famous Grouse are sold every year.

John Ramsay said: “Looking back there are a number of highlights that really stand out, from creating Highland Park 18, 25 and most recently 40 year old expressions and moving The Glenrothes whisky to a vintage.

“In particular I’m most proud of receiving the International Spirits Challenge trophy award in 2007 for The Famous Grouse 30 year old blended malt. Beating off competition from over 700 spirits, both single and blended malts, to be named “best overall malt whisky” by my fellow peers, was a real honour.

“I’ve had an immensely enjoyable career with The Edrington Group which has taken me all around the world and I would like to extend thanks to all of my colleagues who have been such a fantastic support.”

Gordon Motion, said: “It’s an incredible privilege to be the successor to John Ramsay, the doyen of blenders. John has been an inspiring mentor to me over the last ten years working as his assistant and particularly over the last two and a half years as I’ve stepped into the master blender role.”




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