THE ART OF THE GRAIN

Awarded the title of Master Blender for the fifth year in a row, Stephanie McLeod's meteoric success in the whisky industry has opened doors for women keen to study the art of the grain.

- SWAROOPINI NAIR

Spearheading her path in a terrain so comfortably known to the older gentlemen in your family, Stephanie McLeod is the mould for how exceptional talent knows no boundaries, gender being the least of its worries. McLeod shares her insight into how she built herself up in an often-domineering industry of whisky blending and teaches us that a great tumbler of whisky is more than just its notes or image.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT WHISKY THAT FASCINATES YOU?

Working with whisky opened my eyes to its allure, particularly the maturation process and the cask's influence. The intricate variations in flavour resulting from factors like stills, fermentation, and mashing captivated me, and I found myself falling in love with whisky. Determined to pursue a career in the whisky industry, I seized the opportunity to join Dewar's, eager to immerse myself in this fascinating world.

HOW DID THE WHISKY INDUSTRY COME TO FIND YOU?