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Macallan master distiller moves to Bladnoch
Lowland distillery Bladnoch has appointed The Macallan’s Nick Savage as its new master distiller.
Nick Savage will join Bladnoch Distillery as master distiller on 1 July 2019
Savage will take over the role from Ian MacMillan, who departed the 200-year-old site earlier this year. He will step into the new position on 1 July 2019, working alongside newly appointed distillery manager Neil Bullock and the rest of the Bladnoch team.
During his time as master distiller at The Macallan, Savage led the whisky-making team and had a key role in the brand’s new distillery and visitor centre, which opened in June 2018.
Prior to The Macallan, Savage worked with William Grant & Sons in brewing and distilling. He also previously worked at Diageo as technical lead in cask maturation. Savage has a PhD in engineering.
The Bladnoch Distillery was closed in March 2014, after its parent company, Northern Ireland-based Co-ordinated Development Services, went into liquidation.
But in 2015 it was revealed that the 200-year-old distillery was set to restart production after the site was acquired by Australian businessman David Prior.
“The vision and ambition shown by David Prior and the team at Bladnoch Distillery, together with the phenomenal efforts since 2015 with the re-generation of the historical site, played a huge part in my decision to join the Bladnoch business,” said Savage.
“The opportunity also allows me a new challenge in single malt Lowland Scotch whisky from a 200-year-old distillery. Combined with the passion and drive that the Bladnoch team have for the ultimate quality, I’m extremely excited to be a part of the amazing future of the brand.”
In June 2019, Bladnoch will open its “state-of-the-art” visitor centre to the public.
Prior said: “It’s a great privilege to welcome Nick Savage to the Bladnoch business. He has an impressive track record with a number of significant whisky companies and brands, most recently as master distiller for The Macallan.
“His youthful, positive and energetic approach will add great value to our team and business, as will his technical and operational skills.
“With the visitor centre opening in mid-June and Nick joining the business we are excited to undertake the final phase in bringing this amazing Lowland single malt distillery back to the whisky world.”