Meet the Judges

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.

Annie Hill is a Professor and Programme Director for the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Brewing and Distilling by Distance Learning at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. She has a range of research interests including new product development and process optimisation working in collaboration with distilleries of all sizes and has been involved in the Scottish Gin Awards since 2017.

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.

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.

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. 

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 29 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.

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.

Andrew Gordon - Founder at The Spirits Reviewer Blog

With a significant passion for the spirits industry and supporting distillers, Andrew founded his blog in early 2018 and has spent the last seven years writing about, photographing brand content, and visiting distillers across the UK. In additional Andrew hosts live and virtual tasting events with a particular of focus on the Scottish Spirits Industry. In that time, he has grown his personal collection of spirits to over 750 bottles from around the world, which includes a significant presence of Scottish Gins, Whiskies and Rums.

This year Andrew's Scottish Distillery visits will cover Speyside, Edinburgh, and the Hebrides.

Andrew is WSET Spirits Qualified, has over 30 years' experience within the retail, hospitality and event sectors and can be found on Social Media @the_spirits_reviewer

Kayleigh has been in the industry for over 17 years. She currently 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.

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.

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.

Neil is the victor of over nine hundred gin and spirits classes, and has helped design over two hundred gins. A fifteen year veteran of the Edinburgh bar scene, he loves little more than a dry martini, a wee still, and a rack of botanicals to play with.

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

Paul is the Sales & Marketing Director for Brave New Spirits, the Glasgow-based Independent Bottler currently constructing Witchburn Distillery in Campbeltown.  Starting his career in drinks over 25 years ago with a US Winemaker, he began working with whisky & premium spirits producers in 2002,  with the the last 11 years dedicated to international sales & marketing roles. 

He is part of the team at BNS that selects casks for their own releases and as an enthusiast for all things wine & spirits, has  visited distilleries & wineries in over 20 countries.  Paul has served on / chaired judging panels for organisations & publications in Europe, Asia & Latin/South America  such as Concours Mondial Des Bruxelles, Meininger ISW, Whisky Magazine, and the Frankfurt International Trophy.  He holds the WSET Level 3 Spirits qualification &  is a two-time Whisky Magazine “Icons of Whisky” nominee.

With a Master’s in Brewing and Distilling and current role as a Gin Distiller and Quality Executive at Angus Dundee Distillers, have experience with the entire production process—from raw ingredients to the final spirit. Holding Qualification of WSET 2 in wines and WSET 3 in Spirits have deep knowledge in aroma and sensory profiling.  Has been involved with Scottish Gin & Rum Awards since 2022.

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.

Amelie Tassin is the Founder and Director of Tipple Marketing, a beer specialist marketing and strategy agency based in Edinburgh, Scotland. With over 15 years’ experience, Amelie has worked across several European sectors from retail banking and property development to cosmetics and food and drink. Her agency's work is truly 'the Swiss Army knife of marketing' and offers tailored services for all needs.

In 2018 she founded Women In Beer, a 'women who beer' group in Edinburgh -  the following year she launched the successful Women In Beer Festival (WIB Fest), a celebration of women in the industry with an impressive roster of events including tap takeovers, talks, and tastings.

In 2023 she launched the Women in Beer Mentorship Programme. Aimed at women who work in the beer and brewing sector, the programme allows them to be paired with experienced women of the industry who will share advice, skills, and access to a wider network.

Amelie has been a judge for many beer competitions in Scotland and the UK and is a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers.

Dawn Maskell is Professor of Brewing & Distilling Science at Heriot-Watt University where she is Director of the International Centre for Brewing & Distilling. In this role she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students on topics including yeast and fermentation, product quality, sustainability and aspects of packaging. Her research interests include co-fermentation for whisky, the valorisation of co-products, process improvement and sustainability and has multiple publications on distilling topics. Dawn is a member of the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers and sits on the Scottish Section Committee. She a Liveryman by Presentation of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and has been on the organising committees of the Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference and the Young Scientists Symposium in Malting, Brewing and Distilling. 

Steve has worked in the food and drink industry for over 35 years, ten years in the retail sector, twenty years as a buyer and the last five years as a consultant to the industry. He has been a national UK buyer at Waitrose & Sainsburys, responsible for categories such as Beer & Cider, Core Grocery and many more.

Steve also headed up the Sainsburys regional buying team managing all regionally sourced products and suppliers in Scotland, Northern Ireland & Yorkshire as well as Head of Food at Dobbies and Commercial Director at a specialist food and drink wholesaler.

In this time, Steve has built up huge experience and a proven track record with products, brands, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers and now uses this to help and support suppliers and retailers grow their businesses.

Steve is an experienced Food & Drink Awards judge having been a judge on awards such as Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, Champion Beer of Britain, IWSC Spirits Awards, North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards. Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards & more.

Alyson has degrees in languages and biochemistry and has worked with her husband Ross for over 29 years running an IT services business and for the last 10 years, Linlithgow Distillery.  She is responsible for creating the recipes for their gins which have enjoyed many a Scottish Gin Awards win over the 9 years the distillery has been operating.

2026 sees Alyson and Ross finally getting to retire and spend time on the other side of the tasting table!

Born into the spirits industry, Aaron’s formative years were spent living on site at Tormore Distillery at Advie, near Grantown-on-Spey. His school years would continue in Fort William sandwiching a couple of years living on site at Laphroaig Distillery on Islay. After leaving University, he went on to follow a career path working in the logistics sector prior to a “calling" to join his late father at Ben Nevis Distillery in 2016, discovering a passion for the spirits industry fuelled and driven by these early life experiences. Roslin Distillers was formed, launching the Award Winning Fassfern Gin Brand in 2021, finalists in the Scottish Gin Awards every year since! This year choosing to take on the challenge of judging instead of entering!

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.

After graduating from Heriot-Watt in 2013 with an MSc in Brewing & Distilling, I have been Edinburgh Gin's Head Distiller for over 10 years, developing and producing a wide variety of gins. Attention to detail regarding product development and quality control have helped to refine my sensory skills over that time.

Following her first sip of Hendrick’s Gin back in 2012, Kim has been a huge Spirits fan. After boring her friends by talking about gin on her personal social media profile, she started @houseofhutchginson on Instagram in 2020, reviewing global gins and other spirits. The obsession turned into a passion for the spirits world and Kim obtained her WSET Level 3 in 2023 which has led to Kim now being Master Distiller and Owner of Haven Distillery, a small Batch Artisan Spirits company producing spirits in the heart of Herefordshire, after taking over the business in 2025. 

I have spent over 30 years in the drinks industry and the last 12 years in premium gin distillation, production, supply and consultancy for many of the UK and the world's leading and highly awarded brands. Now a leading provider of consultancy, botanicals and ethanol. Back living in the North of England where I was born enjoying family life.

Stuart is the Store Manager of The Gin Company in Edinburgh, a premium spirits retailer known for its extensive and carefully curated selection of both gin and whisky.

He began his career in the spirits industry in 2018 as an independent tour guide in Edinburgh, where he developed an early appreciation for the quality and diversity of modern gin and whisky. In 2019, he joined Holyrood Distillery, where he spent five years gaining broad experience across multiple roles, including representing the distillery and building relationships with local businesses.

Following this, Stuart transitioned into retail, where he now leads The Gin Company, combining his industry knowledge with a passion for customer engagement. He is particularly known for delivering insightful tastings and educational sessions, helping customers explore and better understand a wide range of spirits.

Stuart is WSET level 2 qualified and has a strong interest in craft, independent, and innovative producers, bringing a well-rounded, experience-led perspective to the industry.

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.