Midleton Distillery names new distiller

Jameson producer Irish Distillers has appointed Katherine Condon to the position of distiller at Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland.

Irish Distillers has appointed Katherine Condon (pictured) as distiller at Midleton Distillery

Condon will report to Midleton’s recently appointed master distiller, Kevin O’Gorman. She will be responsible for the production process from brewing to distillation.

Condon will also be tasting distillates daily and will oversee the quality of all new pot and grain distillates produced at Midleton, assessing each one to ensure the desired balance of flavours is present before maturation.

O’Gorman said: “Katherine has consistently demonstrated a passion and exceptional skillset for the art of distillation.

“Her inquisitive nature and constant pursuit of excellence has made her one of the rising stars of world distilling and we are delighted to announce her appointment as distiller at Midleton Distillery. I look forward to continuing to work with her as she joins a lineage of the great distillers who have gone before her.”

Chemical engineer Condon joined Irish Distillers in 2014 as part of the group’s Graduate Distiller Programme. After successfully completing the course, Condon took up the position of distiller at the microdistillery in Midleton, which is Irish Distillers’ facility for innovation and experimentation.

Condon then progressed to the role of process technologist at the main Midleton distillery, before moving into the role of production supervisor. While working with Irish Distillers, Condon has been involved in the production of numerous new innovative products, including the Method and Madness range of Irish whiskeys.

Condon has a bachelor of engineering degree in process and chemical engineering from the University of Cork, and a diploma in distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. She was awarded The Worshipful Company of Distillers Award in 2018 and 2019 for “outstanding achievement” by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

“This role represents a time-honoured craft and it has been a privilege to learn about the art and science of distilling from icons of world whiskey like Brian Nation and Kevin O’Gorman,” Condon said. “I look forward to using the wisdom and experience I have inherited to continue their legacy of quality, while driving innovation as I continue my career in Midleton. I am incredibly excited about the future of Irish whiskey and the role I can play in it.”

Nation has joined the O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company, which is set to open its distillery in Minneapolis in 2021, as master distiller.