Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky in Huntly, Aberdeenshire has announced Mark Thomson as Private Client Manager, to look after its range of cask sales as well as their impressive portfolio of high-end and rare whiskies. The 49-year-old from Edinburgh has moved from Glenfiddich, where he was Brand Ambassador for 10 years.
Originally from Dundee, Mark started his career in hospitality 25 years ago, quickly climbing the ladder into management and becoming a renowned drinks advisor. He honed his whisky skills at the 5-star One Aldwych Hotel in London at their trailblazing hotel bar, before he launched a career in drinks education, researching the history and hosting whisky tastings in London for up to 2,000 whisky fans every month.
Whilst at William Grant & Sons he was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich in 2019 and awarded ‘Ambassador of the Year’ no less than 3 times by Whisky Magazine, taking the global title just last year.
When asked about his new role, Mark said he was looking forward to bringing his experience and insight to the team and continuing to build their brand; “The phenomenal wealth of whiskies from across every region in Scotland that Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has within its broad portfolio, is what drew me to the job. I’m looking forward to showcasing these rare and luxurious liquids to many existing and new customers, both here in Scotland and across the globe.”
Senior Hospitality and Spirits Manager for Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, Ian Logan said; “I’ve known Mark for 15 years and he’s hugely respected in the industry for his deep-rooted passion for whisky. His wealth of knowledge is perfect for the new job that has been created within the team and he will play a fundamental part globally, in enhancing our reputation with high-net worth individuals.”
It’s been a very busy start to the year for famiily-owned Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky which was established as a cask broker and trading company on May 27th, 1938. The multi-award-winning company opened The Club Room in the former Bank of Scotland site in Gordon Street, Huntly, last month following a major 6-month refurbishment to the B-listed property.
It transformed the site into a venue with bar and seating for up to 50 guests which will used for private events, whisky tastings and as an additional space for diners during busier periods at The Bank Café & Restaurant on The Square, which the firm also owns.
The Club Room will promote the company’s vast range of rare, aged malts and blended whiskies as well as showcasing their selfserve cask dispensers which allow guests to imbibe their whisky of choice on demand with the use of a pre-paid card.
Chairman of Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky, Euan Shand says, “We had ambitious plans to invest in some of the beautiful old buildings that lay empty and disused in the heart of the town, whilst also helping to put Huntly on the map as a great place to eat and drink.”
Duncan Taylor which has built its reputation for its ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of some of the world’s most sought after vintage and rare whiskies and it continues to act as a reputable whisky merchant, blender, bottler and cask broker.
Its award-winning portfolio of brands include Black Bull® Whisky, The Octave®, The Rarest®, Tantalus, and Single Cask Collection, among others. Today, the company sits on the periphery of Speyside, in the heart of scenic Huntly, Scotland, where it has its own facilities of a cooperate, cask storage, blending and bottling hall.