Dunphail Distillery names director of whisky creation

Matt McKay has been appointed director of whisky creation and outreach at Dunphail Distillery, which is currently under construction.

McKay will step into the newly created position in March this year.

He will work alongside founder and master distiller Dariusz Plazewski to develop the distillery’s wood policy, create and manage Dunphail’s cask inventory, and mould the profile and quality of spirits made at the site.

In addition, McKay will also manage the production of whiskies sourced from distilleries worldwide for a new independent bottling programme, further details of which will be announced in due course.

He will also head all marketing and communications activities for Dunphail and London-based Bimber – also founded by Plazewski – as director of marketing and communications. McKay has already looked after communications and marketing at Bimber for a number of years.

“Over the last two and a half years, Matt has become an integral part of our team,” said Plazewski.

“His passion, knowledge, palate and pursuit of excellence marks him out as a rising star in the whisky world and it is therefore my great pleasure to welcome him into this new role supporting both the creation and the promotion of world-class whiskies.”

McKay has been working in the drinks industry for several years, and established thedramble.com website.

He has an IBD general certificate in distilling and is a founding chartered practitioner and chartered assessor at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

McKay said: “I am truly excited to have the opportunity to explore my passion for cask experimentation and to be able to develop and deliver new exceptional whiskies.

“I’m honoured to be continuing to work alongside Dariusz and to assist with defining and developing what we believe will in time become and iconic distillery house style.”

Construction of the Dunphail Distillery began in December 2021. Located on the Dunphail estate, south of Forres in Scotland, the build was forecast to take a year.

Once up and running, the distillery is expected to produce 200,000 litres of alcohol annually.