International Beverage, the global spirits company behind Old Pulteney, Balblair, and the Hankey Bannister blended Scotch, have revealed their new Master of Whisky Creation.
Sarah Burgess joins the company with more than 25 years experience in the whisky industry. Her career began at Cardhu distillery, when she joined the team on her 21st birthday. After taking on various different roles at a number of other Diageo-owned distilleries, Burgess joined Macallan in 2017 as their Lead Whisky Maker.
More recently, she was briefly Creative Director of The Craigellachie Collection before joining The Lakes Distillery in 2023. There she was responsible for all elements of distillation, maturation, and developing new whiskies, as well as overseeing the visitor facilities
The newly created position will see Burgess lead the spirits team across the company’s wide portfolio of distilleries and ‘drive International Beverage’s unwavering pursuit to crafting high-quality, flavour-led whiskies’. Her creative approach to both whisky making and the wider whisky business will be an asset to the company as they ‘explore new ways to evolve and expand the business.’
International Beverage is the international trading arm Thai Beverage Public Limited Company. As well as the aforementioned whisky brands, the group also owns Speyburn and AnCnoc Scotch whiskies, Caorunn gin, Larsen Cognac, Thai brands PRAKAAN whisky and Phraya Rum, and New Zealand’s Cardrona distillery.
Burgess expressed her excitement at the new opportunity: “I’m thrilled to step into this new role where I’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of International Beverage’s whisky creation. I’m hoping to bring a fresh new perspective along with a steadfast commitment to enduring quality.
“I’m also looking forward to working closely with International Beverage’s global brand advocacy team, leading training initiatives and bringing our extraordinary spirits to markets around the world.”
Speaking on Burgess’ appointment, Managing Director of International Beverage, Malcolm Leask, said: “International Beverage is entering an exciting period of growth and we are delighted to have Sarah at the helm of our Scottish spirits portfolio. Her vast industry experience, passion and creative flair, make her the ideal custodian of our award-winning premium spirits brands.
“As a business we are committed to employing the best people to help drive our business forward and Sarah certainly fits the bill. We are looking forward to seeing her talent shine.”
