The Scottish Gin Awards judging panel is an independently appointed panel. 

The panel is the largest and most experienced gin judging panel to meet in the UK and consists of industry experts from the gin sector who bring together experience, market knowledge and distilling expertise.

Thank you to the Judging Panel for their commitment and contribution to the competition.

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    Adam Hardie CHAIR OF THE JUDGING PANEL

    Johnston Carmichael are Scotland’s largest firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, advising over 500 food and drink businesses. They have a wealth of food and drink industry expertise...
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    Johnston Carmichael are Scotland’s largest firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, advising over 500 food and drink businesses. They have a wealth of food and drink industry expertise and use this knowledge to help business owners make better business decisions. 

    Adam leads Johnston Carmichael’s food and drink team, regularly advises clients on strategic growth and funding options.  Adam is very well connected across, spirits, brewing, the wider industry and regularly makes introductions across his network of business leaders, investors and intermediaries to help clients grow. 

    Adam is Chairman of The Scottish Gin Awards and a judge with The Scottish Beer Awards and In Drinks Catalyst, the drinks accelerator.

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    Adam Hardie

    CHAIR OF THE JUDGING PANEL
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    Gary Bradley TASTE JUDGE

    Gary has worked in hospitality for over 20 years and specialize in craft spirits He is currently General manager of 56 North gin bar in Edinburgh since its creation more than 14 years ago.  He owns...
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    Gary has worked in hospitality for over 20 years and specialize in craft spirits He is currently General manager of 56 North gin bar in Edinburgh since its creation more than 14 years ago.  He owns and runs Sip Antics Gin School Experiences formed 4 years ago in Edinburgh which is located in a private room at the Cumberland Bar in the city centre. Garys main knowledge comes from all things gin, especially Scottish brands, whether it is distilling in the gin school, creating new recipes for clients or using product knowledge to help run the brilliant gin masterclasses at 56 North Gin Bar or at Sip Antics. He has enjoyed distilling and creating spirits for around 6 years now; also enjoys visiting as many of the great Scottish Gin Distilleries as he can when he has time off from work.

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    Gary Bradley

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Marc Crothall BUSINESS JUDGE

    Marc Crothall is 61 years young, and started his working life in tourism, leisure, and hospitality industry at the age of 17. He has held a variety of front- line senior management and executive positions...
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    Marc Crothall is 61 years young, and started his working life in tourism, leisure, and hospitality industry at the age of 17. He has held a variety of front- line senior management and executive positions across different sectors of the tourism, hospitality, and leisure industry in various parts of the globe.

    In May 2012 Marc was appointed as the first CEO of The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) acknowledged as the overarching trade body for the tourism and hospitality sector.                

    In November 2022 he was appointed to co-chair the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (THILG) which act as the strategic guardian, think tank Scotland’s national tourism strategy, Scotland Outlook2030. He co-chairs the THILG together Scotland’s Minister for Business Richard Lochhead MSP. He is a very well-respected influencer spending much of his time engaging directly with senior ministers in both Scottish & UK governments making representation on behalf of the industry.

    He previously co-chaired the National Food Tourism Leadership Board  and was Scotland’s representative on the UK Tourism Industry Council . He is currently a board member of Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland Interface and an advisory board member to Springboard .

    In 2020 Marc was awarded the “Fellowship” by the Scottish Hotel industry for his outstanding contribution to the industry and in June 2022 was awarded an MBE in the Queens Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours for services to the Tourism Industry in Scotland. More recently in October 2023 he also received the Industry Contribution award.

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    Marc Crothall

    BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Jonathan Engels Taste Judge

    Scottish drinks entrepreneur Jonathan Engels has consistently been at the forefront of the industry. Creating one of the first modern craft spirits, Pincer Botanical Vodka in 2006, Followed by Crossbill...
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    Scottish drinks entrepreneur Jonathan Engels has consistently been at the forefront of the industry. Creating one of the first modern craft spirits, Pincer Botanical Vodka in 2006, Followed by Crossbill Distilling in 2012 where he pioneered the use of Scottish juniper in gin production and also created the Crossbill Gin School , Scotland's first gin school. In 2016 he branched out into beer production founding Hidden Lane Organic Brewery. Jonathan was also a founding member of the Scottish Distillers Association and inducted into the Gin Guild as Warden Rectifier in 2016.

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    Jonathan Engels

    Taste Judge
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    Rosalind Erskine TASTE & BUSINESS JUDGE

    Rosalind is a Glasgow-based magazine editor turned digital editor, content creator and broadcaster who is currently working at the Scotsman. After stints in London and Dubai she returned home where she...
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    Rosalind is a Glasgow-based magazine editor turned digital editor, content creator and broadcaster who is currently working at the Scotsman. After stints in London and Dubai she returned home where she has focussed on the fantastic produce available on her doorstep. Alongside her work as food and drink editor at The Scotsman, Rosalind hosts gin tastings, has been on tasting and judging panels for whisky and was the drinks expert on the inaugural series of BBC Scotland’s The Great Food Guys. As the host of Scran, The Scotsman’s award-nominated food and drinks podcast, she has championed all that Scotland’s larder has to offer, sharing stories with some of Scotland’s best loved producers, distillers and stars. When not working, she loves nothing more than visiting bars and restaurants in Glasgow, and travelling further afield for the many food and drink festivals that the country has to offer.

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    Rosalind Erskine

    TASTE & BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Jamie Faulds BUSINESS JUDGE

    Jamie has worked in and around the drinks and hospitality industry for over two decades on an eclectic mix of both Scottish and international drinks brands; covering areas including on-trade development...
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    Jamie has worked in and around the drinks and hospitality industry for over two decades on an eclectic mix of both Scottish and international drinks brands; covering areas including on-trade development and engagement, training and ambassador programs, activations and events, strategy and innovation.

    Since 2017 Jamie has worked alongside Gary Anderson on Edinburgh Cocktail Week driving business development and brand engagement, further extending his network amongst the UK’s drinks and bar trade. Edinburgh Cocktail Week, returning this October, is now the UK’s biggest such festival outside of London.

    Most recently, Jamie launched Edinburgh Bar Show alongside his fellow co-founders Iain McPherson (Panda & Sons) and Gary Anderson (ECW) – a major new international bar and drinks trade event shining a light on Scotland’s renowned hospitality scene and world class spirit brands through a programme of memorable takeovers from leading international bars, seminars, collaborations and experiences.  Edinburgh Bar Show returns in April 2025.

    An avid drinks enthusiast and regular business judge for the Scottish Gin Awards, Jamie enjoys the very best of Scotland’s vibrant bar culture and cocktail scene.

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    Jamie Faulds

    BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Ally Hardy TASTE JUDGE

    Ally has over 15 years experience working in digital marketing & ecommerce for a number of SMEs across a variety of sectors. In October 2017 he followed his passion for Scottish products and launched...
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    Ally has over 15 years experience working in digital marketing & ecommerce for a number of SMEs across a variety of sectors. In October 2017 he followed his passion for Scottish products and launched Craft56°, the first online shop and gin subscription club dedicated to Scottish small batch drinks. 

     

    Craft56° now stocks over 120 different gins as well as a range of other spirits, gift sets and mixers & soft drinks. In 2021, Craft56° won Scottish Gin Retailer of the year at the Scottish Gin Awards.

     

    After exiting Craft56° in 2023, Ally is now a Digital Market & Ecommerce Consultant and supports a number of businesses, including several the drinks industry.

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    Ally Hardy

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Annie Hill TASTE JUDGE

    Annie is Professor at the International Centre for Brewing & Distilling at Heriot-Watt University. She is Programme Director for the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Brewing & Distilling by Distance...
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    Annie is Professor at the International Centre for Brewing & Distilling at Heriot-Watt University. She is Programme Director for the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Brewing & Distilling by Distance Learning and her research interests currently involve distilled spirits production.

    Annie is cofounder of the Scottish Distillers Association and a member of the Scottish Government Cross Party Group on Scotch Whisky. She is the co-editor of the recently published Distilled Spirits text with Dr Frances Jack and has served as a judge for the Scottish Gin Awards since 2017.

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    Annie Hill

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Gregor Maclean TASTE JUDGE

    Gregor started his career in the drinks industry in 2013 working for one of the UKs largest drinks company’s which includes one of the worlds biggest gins in their portfolio. In 2016 Gregor and an...
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    Gregor started his career in the drinks industry in 2013 working for one of the UKs largest drinks company’s which includes one of the worlds biggest gins in their portfolio.

    In 2016 Gregor and an old school friend Ramone, set up Huffmans, a premium drinks distributor specialising in independent Scottish gins.

    Starting with only 7 products, Huffmans now works with over 150 Scottish based drinks companies and has over 1000 products (including 300 gins) in their range. They have on and off trade customers all over the UK and are always seeking out new and exciting drinks products coming into the market.

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    Gregor Maclean

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Sean Murphy TASTE JUDGE

    Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for the Daily Record and the Live sites and has recently published his first book. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and...
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    Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for the Daily Record and the Live sites and has recently published his first book. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them. 

    He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his drinks knowledge.

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    Sean Murphy

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Tom Nichol TASTE JUDGE

    Tom Nichol has been in the distilling industry for over 50 years and has an unrivalled knowledge in spirit making. His unique and specialised experience in whisky, vodka, neutral spirit and gin distillation...
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    Tom Nichol has been in the distilling industry for over 50 years and has an unrivalled knowledge in spirit making. His unique and specialised experience in whisky, vodka, neutral spirit and gin distillation gives him an expertise that is unparalleled in the industry . 

    Tom views his extensive experience to date as an extended apprenticeship for making spirits. By working with other spirits and mastering each trade, he has the unique understanding to take on the complexity of distilling gin. 

    Tom said: “Everything I had learnt throughout my career had helped me reach the ultimate pinnacle of becoming Master Distiller of Tanqueray. 

    Tom is now distilling gin for various other distillers since retiring from Tanqueray in July 2015.

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    Tom Nichol

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Desmond Payne TASTE JUDGE

    Celebrating more than 50 years in the drinks industry, Desmond is the world’s most experienced gin distiller, and whether he likes it or not, he’s a true icon of popular drinks culture. ...
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    Celebrating more than 50 years in the drinks industry, Desmond is the world’s most experienced gin distiller, and whether he likes it or not, he’s a true icon of popular drinks culture.  His unrivalled contributions to the current gin craze sweeping the world cannot be overstated, with drinkers tuning into the big tastes of a real London Dry Gin.

    From maintaining the consistently outstanding, award-winning quality of Beefeater Gin for over 20 years, to creating exciting, new expressions which have gone on to achieve global success, Desmond’s passion for heritage and innovation at the London distillery he calls home is second to none.

    Desmond kicked-off his impressive career in 1967 at Seager’s Gin Distillery where he began to develop the tasting and nosing skills that are so crucial to his work today.  In 1969, he moved on to the Plymouth Gin distillery where he worked his way up from Assistant Distiller to Distillery Manager.  He also undertook a short stint working in the Scotch whisky industry.  In 1995, Desmond joined Beefeater as Master Distiller, a position he shows no sign of giving up soon.

    In his capacity as Master Distiller, Desmond is involved in every aspect of the production process, from selecting the juniper berries and other botanicals at harvest to creating a vast array of distillates for blending together to produce a big, bold taste time after time.    He has the responsibility for guarding the secret of the Beefeater London Dry recipe, which was famously created by James Burrough in 1863.  The stills are managed by Desmond and the talented team, helping to ensure that every bottle of Beefeater that rolls out of London is of the same outstanding quality that drinkers expect from the world’s favourite premium gin brand.

    He’s evidently doing a great job as the many awards that Beefeater has won during his tenure go to show that Beefeater is the most awarded premium gin brand over the last 10 years, with Desmond’s distilling expertise resulting in Beefeater winning the prestigious IWSC Trophy for Best Gin eight times in the last 15 years.*

    Desmond’s passion for retaining tradition as well as championing experimentation saw his creation of the super-premium Beefeater 24 in 2008 - a gin inspired by rare teas and exotic botanicals and refined by time. In 2009, it was awarded Trophy Medal in the gin category at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and most recently another Gold Medal at the 2017 International Spirits Challenge.

    In April 2013, the iconic London brand announced that it was expanding the boundaries of the gin category with the launch of Desmond’s latest creation, Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve - an ultra-premium gin unlike any other. Distilled in a small copper still from the 19th century, the spirit is rested in Jean de Lillet oak barrels and is designed to be sipped neat, presenting an exciting new chapter for discerning gin fans.

    In November 2015, Desmond was recognised for his outstanding work and success in the industry when he was presented with a lifetime achievement award from The Gin Guild. He wears his silver juniper sprig badge with huge honour.  This was followed by a Lifetime Achievement award from the International Spirits Challenge in 2016 and, more recently, was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Gin Magazine.

    In January 2018, Desmond was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.  He was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the UK gin industry.

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    Desmond Payne

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Jim Rankin BUSINESS JUDGE

    Jim Rankin is Commercial Director and 6th generation owner of Rankin Brothers & Sons, supplier of corks and closures to the Beers, Wines, Spirits and Foods Packaging industries.  Having been...
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    Jim Rankin is Commercial Director and 6th generation owner of Rankin Brothers & Sons, supplier of corks and closures to the Beers, Wines, Spirits and Foods Packaging industries. 

    Having been born with a cork in his mouth, he spat it out, albeit temporarily, to make wine with Penfolds in Australia during the late 80’s. While down under, he honed his commercial skills selling encyclopaedia Britannica door to door and later, developed a fine eye for detail working in design with ad agency McCann. 

    A call to help resuscitate T Top Stopper supply to the Spirits industry, lead to a return to the UK in 1992 and to his appointment as Sales Director to the family business. 
    As custodian of 4,500 acres of cork forest in Portugal, Jim’s expertise in stopper design and function extends from `acorn to bottle’. 

    Jim remains fascinated by the myriad brands the company supports; his credo being that the commercial offer remains as relevant today, as is was when the business was founded in 1774. 

    A keen advocate of work life balance and exponent of the virtue of sedentary sports, Jim has swapped a rowing boat for a bicycle, which he has used to cross America twice.

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    Jim Rankin

    BUSINESS JUDGE
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    David Reid BUSINESS JUDGE

    David runs his own Edinburgh-based consultancy Because Brands Matter. The business has one sole objective; To make businesses become brands, and to make these brands become famous. With a career spanning...
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    David runs his own Edinburgh-based consultancy Because Brands Matter. The business has one sole objective; To make businesses become brands, and to make these brands become famous.

    With a career spanning 36 years, David has worked both agency and client side and has successfully assisted several food and drink manufacturers. These include
    names such as Glenmorangie, Drambuie, Smirnoff, Tennent’s, Lind & Lime, Kintyre Gin, Mother’s Pride, Border Biscuits and Walkers. Using his unique Brand Repositioning process, he has helped hundreds of businesses, across a variety of sectors, develop their purpose, reframe their proposition, hone their marketing strategies and finesse their messaging.

    David is the only person to have been awarded Agency Creative Director of the Year, Agency Managing Director of the Year and Scotland Food & Drink SME Client of the year. He describes himself as being “A promiscuous gin drinker” and is keen to assist any brand looking to increase their share of voice and capture market share.

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    David Reid

    BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Ciarán Russell TASTE JUDGE

    Ciarán is the Liquid Innovations Manager at Sipsmith, where he leads on new product development and quality control across the full product portfolio. Following several years working in some of...
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    Ciarán is the Liquid Innovations Manager at Sipsmith, where he leads on new product development and quality control across the full product portfolio. Following several years working in some of Scotland’s best bars, Ciarán completed his MSc in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University with a focus on new product development in gin, and flavour analysis of liquids. He began his career at Sipsmith as Assistant Distiller where he was part of the team conducting the day to day production of all distillates. Ciarán now works across several departments within the distillery to ensure that products are befitting of the company ethos and are being produced to the highest possible standard.

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    Ciarán Russell

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Pete Sherry TASTE JUDGE

    Pete has worked in the drinks trade since he was 18, having started in Oddbins. He then moved into the on trade part of the business to experience it from the other side and moved back to off trade after...
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    Pete has worked in the drinks trade since he was 18, having started in Oddbins. He then moved into the on trade part of the business to experience it from the other side and moved back to off trade after securing a position with a local independent beer shop in Edinburgh.

    He opened The Beerhive in 2011 and over the following years built up a wide range of Gin, constantly rotates this at around 40 gins to keep up with the increase in new openings of Scottish Gin distilleries and the rise in demand for quality gin. It has become a huge focus in the shop and Pete always endeavours to buy direct from the distillery so he can meet the producers and get to know the gin first hand. 

    The Beerhive also stocks over 700 Beers and 500 wines. In 2015 and 2016 The Beerhive was awarded Best beer shop in Scotland by Off Licence News. 

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    Pete Sherry

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Karen Walker BUSINESS JUDGE

    Karen is a highly experienced, accomplished and well-respected marketeer with global exposure, gained from roles within the spirits industry throughout her whole career. Now a marketing consultant, specialising...
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    Karen is a highly experienced, accomplished and well-respected marketeer with global exposure, gained from roles within the spirits industry throughout her whole career.

    Now a marketing consultant, specialising in the marketing of spirits, utilising 28 years’ experience, she is focussed on adding value to fledgling, growing or established businesses.

    Karen has recently worked on a number of gin brands, some international, some UK based, working on projects to maximise the distribution potential in the UK market, and beyond.

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    Karen Walker

    BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Alan Wolstenholme TASTE & BUSINESS JUDGE

    Alan is an Honorary Professor of Heriot Watt University’s International Centre of Brewing and Distilling, Master Distiller Examiner for The Institute of Brewing and Distilling and one of the longest...
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    Alan is an Honorary Professor of Heriot Watt University’s International Centre of Brewing and Distilling, Master Distiller Examiner for The Institute of Brewing and Distilling and one of the longest serving Keepers of the Quaich.

    Alan is Founder and Managing Director of Caledonian Solutions Limited and is a consultant to the Scotch Whisky, International Whiskey, and similar process industries. He works with clients in the USA, Ireland and the Far East as well as the UK.

    Alan entered the spirits industry, after leaving University, with Distillers Company Ltd. (now Diageo) and gained experience in a variety of technical and production management roles across Scotland.

    He is the former Distilleries Director for Wm. Grant and Sons operating both a large Grain Whisky (Girvan) and several Malt Whisky distilleries (Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie) with responsibility for sourcing all raw materials and processing them into distilled products (Malt and Grain Whisky, Grain Neutral Spirit and Gin), and also cooperage, maturation and blending.

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    Alan Wolstenholme

    TASTE & BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Debargha Ganguly TASTE JUDGE

    Debargha is a 2017 graduate of Brewing & Distilling from Heriot Watt University specialising in sensory analysis. His MSc. thesis was in collaboration with SWRI focusing on sensory profiling of bourbon...
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    Debargha is a 2017 graduate of Brewing & Distilling from Heriot Watt University specialising in sensory analysis. His MSc. thesis was in collaboration with SWRI focusing on sensory profiling of bourbon and rye spirts based on their grist composition and maturation in toasted and untoasted cask.

     

    He joined Cara Technology in 2018 as sensory scientist and then stayed as sensory manager till mid-2021. He has been part of an expert taster panel at Cara evaluating whisky, beer, gin, neutral spirits, tea, coffee, water and Aroxa flavour standards. He has also been associated with Scottish gin and whisky awards since its inception in 2018 and 2019. He is a certified Cicerone. He enjoys aroma of  β-Farnesene and α-Humulene in his beer and Guaiacol and 4-Methyl Phenol in his spirits.

     

    Presently he is Business Development Manager (Europe) at MMR Research focusing on innovations in FMCG. He is also pursuing his masters in Strategic Marketing from Imperial Business School.

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    Debargha Ganguly

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Andrew Gordon TASTE JUDGE

    Andrew Gordon - Founder at The Gin Den and The Spirits Explorer Blogs  With a significant passion for the spirits industry and supporting distillers, Andrew founded The Gin Den blog in early...
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    Andrew Gordon - Founder at The Gin Den and The Spirits Explorer Blogs 

    With a significant passion for the spirits industry and supporting distillers, Andrew founded The Gin Den blog in early 2018 and has spent the last five years consulting, writing and visiting distillers across the UK and hosting live and virtual tasting events with a high level of focus on the Scottish Gin Industry. In that time he has grown his personal collection of Gins to over 600 from around the world

     

    This year Andrew's Distillery visits will take him across Speyside through Skye, Raasay and the length of the Outer Hebrides.

     

    In 2023 he also founded The Spirits Explorer blog with a strong focus on the Scottish Whisky and Rum sector.

     

    Andrew is WSET Spirits Qualified, has over 30 years experience within the retail, hospitality and event sectors

     

    Andrew can be found on Social Media @the_gin_den  @thespiritsexplorer

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    Andrew Gordon

    TASTE JUDGE
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    James Porteous TASTE JUDGE

    James is the founder and distiller of the Electric Spirit Company, producing spirits in Leith, Edinburgh. As a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, James previously consulted on brand experience for...
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    James is the founder and distiller of the Electric Spirit Company, producing spirits in Leith, Edinburgh.

    As a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, James previously consulted on brand experience for numerous multi-national businesses, before returning to Scotland and enrolling on the Brewing & Distilling MSc at Heriot Watt. He graduated with distinction, receiving the Brewers’ Company Prize as the course’s top student, as well as the Watt Club Medal as dux litterarum in the School of Life Sciences.

    He founded Electric in late 2014, beginning production on a 20 litre still in a tiny industrial unit. The company has since increased capacity and expanded distribution around the world, winning at the Scottish Gin Awards and being named as the coolest spirit brand in Scotland by The Herald, with Ian Buxton placing Electric “at the cutting edge of the vibrant Scottish craft distilling scene” in 101 Gins to Try Before You Die.

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    James Porteous

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Kayleigh Johnston TASTE JUDGE

    Kayleigh works in New Liquid Development for Wm Grant & Sons Ltd, and has developed a wide range of products including gin, rum, whisky, tequila, vodka and low/no products during her career. Having...
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    Kayleigh works in New Liquid Development for Wm Grant & Sons Ltd, and has developed a wide range of products including gin, rum, whisky, tequila, vodka and low/no products during her career.

    Having started as a student in the lab, Kayleigh has now been in the industry for over 15 years. She is a qualified Master Brewer and has vast experience working across both technical and production functions.

    Kayleigh’s job is all about flavour and quality - blending science and art to create a seamless taste experience.

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    Kayleigh Johnston

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Jason Dobson BUSINESS JUDGE

    With more than 20 years’ experience in delivering NPD, creative campaigns and activations for Contagious, Jason is responsible for the delivery of business and brand strategic approaches. In partnership...
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    With more than 20 years’ experience in delivering NPD, creative campaigns and activations for Contagious, Jason is responsible for the delivery of business and brand strategic approaches. In partnership with the brand owners, investors, stakeholders and marketing teams of start-up, emerging and established brands, Jason develops drinks brands that challenge the status quo, have purpose and meaning and inspire better choices.

    A specialist in the drinks sector, Jason has delivered brand and product strategy and brand activations in the U.K, Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico, and the U.S. He has worked with some of the sector’s most recognised global companies including Pernod Ricard, Proximo, Diageo, Maison Ferrand and LVMH, alongside developing and launching new and maturing brands and products in the UK for Lind & Lime Gin, Ninefold Rum, Drop Works Rum, Burnt Faith English Brandy and One Point Six Whisky from The Spirit of Manchester Distillery.

    Jason also lectures at Heriot Watt University on Brand and Consumer Experience and Marketing and Brand Strategy, he is also a member of the faculty at the Moonshine University in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, Jason holds advisory board positions for the Scottish American Business Council and The Golden Moon Distillery in Golden, Colorado.

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    Jason Dobson

    BUSINESS JUDGE
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    Mark Billington DL TASTE JUDGE

    Mark Billington DL embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at Harrods, after 8 years leaving his buying position, he moved to Glasgow in 1996 to take on role of Managing Director of an Italian Restaurant...
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    Mark Billington DL embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at Harrods, after 8 years leaving his buying position, he moved to Glasgow in 1996 to take on role of Managing Director of an Italian Restaurant Chain, before founding Billington's Deli in 2012 with his wife Sue.

    Specialising in artisan and locally sourced products. His commitment to quality earned recognition, leading to accolades such as Glasgow's Best Deli and Single Outlet Retailer of the Year, at Icon of Gin Awards. Simultaneously, Mark serves as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, showcasing his dedication to public service. Mark teaches his knowledge as an approved programme provider for WSET for wines and spirits.

    In 2018, he expanded his ventures with the launch of Lenzie Gin, marking another milestone in his illustrious career. Mark's multifaceted achievements culminated in Lenzie Gin winning Gold for London Dry Scottish Gin of the Year and Gin of the Year in 2019 and Lenzie Gin Liqueur receiving Gold for Best Liqueur in 2022.

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    Mark Billington DL

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Simon Sharp TASTE JUDGE

    Simon Sharp started Nautilus Gin Experiences five years ago, initially setting up a gin subscription service and carrying out virtual tastings. These days he hosts nationwide gin tastings, does ambassador...
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    Simon Sharp started Nautilus Gin Experiences five years ago, initially setting up a gin subscription service and carrying out virtual tastings. These days he hosts nationwide gin tastings, does ambassador work for distilleries, and hosts and curates the London Craft Gin Cruise.

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    Simon Sharp

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Neil Colquhoun TASTE JUDGE

    Neil has worked in the gin and spirits industry for nigh on eighteen years: fueled by a love of all things alcoholic, and a fair few martinis. Though he has worked in a variety of locations, he is best...
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    Neil has worked in the gin and spirits industry for nigh on eighteen years: fueled by a love of all things alcoholic, and a fair few martinis.

    Though he has worked in a variety of locations, he is best known for his work at 56 North in Edinburgh.

    Neil also hates it when people talk in the third person.

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    Neil Colquhoun

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Paul Dempsey

    Paul is the Sales & Marketing Director for Brave New Spirits, the Glasgow-based Independent Bottler that currently constructing their first distillery, Witchburn, in Cambeltown.  Starting his...
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    Paul is the Sales & Marketing Director for Brave New Spirits, the Glasgow-based Independent Bottler that currently constructing their first distillery, Witchburn, in Cambeltown.  Starting his career in drinks over 20 years ago with a UK distributor for several whisky, gin & premium spirits producers, he’s spent the last 10 years working in international sales & marketing roles. Being an enthusiast for all things wine & spirits, he’s visited distilleries & wineries in over 20 countries, and holds the WSET Level 3 Spirits qualification.  He joined his first spirits judging panel in 2016, and has since judged or chaired at over 20 events in Europe, Asia and South / Latin America.

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    Paul Dempsey

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    Tomás Schaerer TASTE JUDGE

    Founder and master distiller of the Esenlid distillery in Santiago, Chile, and partner and master distiller of Goodwinds Gin in Llifén, Lago Ranco, Chile. With a deep passion for the craft of distilling,...
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    Founder and master distiller of the Esenlid distillery in Santiago, Chile, and partner and master distiller of Goodwinds Gin in Llifén, Lago Ranco, Chile. With a deep passion for the craft of distilling, he has dedicated his career to the science of spirit production. In 2017, he obtained an MSc degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Additionally, he holds the WSET Award in Spirits levels 2 and 3, both with the highest distinction.

    He has had the honour of serving as a judge in prestigious competitions both nationally and internationally, including Copa Argentina de Gin, Argentinean Spirits Awards, and Catad'or Spirits Awards, where he also contributes as a member of the technical committee.

    Beyond his distillery roles, he actively participates in cutting-edge R&D projects in the whisky industry at the Millennium Institute for Regenerative Biology (iBio) in Santiago, Chile. These projects involve pioneering research on using wild yeast strains and fermentation processes to enhance flavour profiles and production efficiency. His work also includes exploring sustainable practices in whisky production, such as the utilization of alternative energy sources and waste reduction techniques. This research not only contributes to the advancement of the industry but also promotes environmental responsibility within the field.

    He also serves as a member of the organizational committee at the International Diploma in Craft Distilling at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, where he also teaches, sharing his knowledge and passion with the next generation of distillers. Through his teaching, he aims to inspire and equip students with the skills and understanding needed to excel in the distilling industry.

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    Tomás Schaerer

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Andrew Mundy TASTE JUDGE

    Andrew, co-director of independent bottler Fib Whisky, has been a strong advocate for the Scottish craft spirits sector for the past six years. A self-taught distiller and blender with a real strength...
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    Andrew, co-director of independent bottler Fib Whisky, has been a strong advocate for the Scottish craft spirits sector for the past six years. A self-taught distiller and blender with a real strength in organoleptic assessment, he prides himself on his ability to seamlessly blend and balance big flavours. Starting in Eden Mill's Blendworks, before taking over management of the Aldi contract, Andrew then took on the head distiller role at Crossbill Gin. He is now forging an exciting path with Fib, in a mission to create one of Scotland's most innovative independent bottlers

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    Andrew Mundy

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Karen Crowley TASTE JUDGE

    Karen has worked in the Scottish drinks industry for over 20 years, working primarily in Marketing roles across a number of spirit, beer and cider brands such as Edinburgh Gin, Langs Rum, Aperol, Campari,...
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    Karen has worked in the Scottish drinks industry for over 20 years, working primarily in Marketing roles across a number of spirit, beer and cider brands such as Edinburgh Gin, Langs Rum, Aperol, Campari, Skyy Vodka. She has extensive innovation experience, developing new to world brands as well as line extensions for well known brands. Now a business and marketing consultant, Karen provides expertise to companies, across strategic development and marketing remits.

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    Karen Crowley

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Greg Benson TASTE JUDGE

    Greg is Head Distiller at North Point Distillery, based in Caithness in the Far North of Scotland.    Having both an MSc in Brewing & Distilling from Heriot-Watt, as well as a BEng Hons in...
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    Greg is Head Distiller at North Point Distillery, based in Caithness in the Far North of Scotland. 

     

    Having both an MSc in Brewing & Distilling from Heriot-Watt, as well as a BEng Hons in Chemical Engineering, Greg is incredibly passionate about every aspect of spirits production. He previously worked in a distilling role for LoneWolf (now BrewDog Distilling co), and in a brand advocacy role for Dewar’s & Bacardi in Delhi, India. Having won a whole host of awards for Crosskirk Bay Gin, including winning Best London Dry in the 2023 Scottish Gin Awards as well as 98/100 Gold Outstanding in the IWSC, Greg is delighted to return to the competition this year not as a competitor, but as a Taste Judge. 

     

    Greg is an advocate for Juniper-forward recipes, as well as single-shot production methods and louche.  He was “Highly Commended” in the Distiller of the Year category in 2024’s Icons of Gin awards. Sustainability is also a key focus for the North Point Distillery Team. 

     

    As well as gin, North Point distillery produces a range of rums, and have recently announced their Scotch Whisky brand, Dalclagie.

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    Greg Benson

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Stuart Caldow TASTE JUDGE

    Stuart has been involved in the gin industry for over 10 years from starting out as one of the founders of Glasgow Gin Club showcasing new gin brands at their highly successful nights and facilitating...
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    Stuart has been involved in the gin industry for over 10 years from starting out as one of the founders of Glasgow Gin Club showcasing new gin brands at their highly successful nights and facilitating brand activations around Glasgow
    Stuart then joined the team at Crossbill Distilling in 2019 where he has found himself taking on numerous roles from sales, brand home manger, and most recently, head distiller.
    He has a WSET Level 2 and is always on the hunt for new and exciting flavours.

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    Stuart Caldow

    TASTE JUDGE
  • Saniya Khot TASTE JUDGE

    I have done Masters from Heriot-Watt university. I worked on thesis to produce strawberry brandy with experimental method of Carbonic Maceration. Currently, I am a gin distiller and laboratory technician...
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    I have done Masters from Heriot-Watt university. I worked on thesis to produce strawberry brandy with experimental method of Carbonic Maceration. Currently, I am a gin distiller and laboratory technician at Angusdundee distillers. I have qualified WSET LEVEL 2 in wines and IBD sensory analysis in spirits. I also have experience of 3 years as sensory panelist with Diageo for whisky, vodka and gin brands. Experimenting different gin flavours is my keen interest. i enjoy mostly the floral, fruity and citrus flavours in gin

    Saniya Khot

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Jamie MacDonald TASTE JUDGE

    Jamie MacDonald is the co owner of Company of Dark Spirits and NBDistillery. Distiller, blender, ambassador.Scottish to his soul: he hails from the rugged smugglers coastline ofScotland’s North East...
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    Jamie MacDonald is the co owner of Company of Dark Spirits and NB
    Distillery. Distiller, blender, ambassador.
    Scottish to his soul: he hails from the rugged smugglers coastline of
    Scotland’s North East coast. Jamie has over 25 years experience in bars,
    restaurants, brand development and spirits.
    Based in North Berwick, East Lothian, NB Distillery makes small batch
    artisan Gin from pure grain spirit and organic spirit. Established in 2013, by
    2015 the London Dry Gin was voted the Best London Dry Gin in the world.
    Their artisan Navy Strength Gin followed suit awarded Gold and Silver
    respectively and most recently their Contemporary London Dry, NB
    Samphire Gin was awarded Bronze at the IWSC. 89 points!
    Jamie has elevated the classic recipes to include fresh organic lemon peel
    and distillery grown rosemary.

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    Jamie MacDonald

    TASTE JUDGE
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    Julia Nourney TASTE JUDGE

    With more than 30 years of experience in the drinks industry Julia is a reliable partner for quite a number of distilleries around the globe when it comes to product development, barrel management and...
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    With more than 30 years of experience in the drinks industry Julia is a reliable partner for quite a number of distilleries around the globe when it comes to product development, barrel management and contract blending.
    She has already created 80+ gin recipes which all became very successful and received important awards.

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    Julia Nourney

    TASTE JUDGE
  • Martin Luney TASTE JUDGE

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    Martin Luney

    TASTE JUDGE
  • Matthew Pauley TASTE JUDGE

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    Matthew Pauley

    TASTE JUDGE
  • Philip Harding BUSINESS JUDGE

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    Philip Harding

    BUSINESS JUDGE