Kevin Balmforth is set to succeed Sandy Hyslop as the Master Blender at Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard. Sandy, who is retiring after more than 40 years in the industry, will continue to support the business as Master Blender Emeritus supporting Chivas Brothers’ most prestige whiskies and represent its brands around the world.
Sandy joined the industry in 1983 at Stewart & Son of Dundee, and for 42 years, he has been the creative force behind iconic brands including Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and a wide range of single malt whiskies. Among his many achievements, he has been instrumental in developing iconic products such as Royal Salute’s Polo and Fashion expressions, the Chivas Regal Extra Range, The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, Ballantine’s 7 years old and many more.
“It’s been a real honour and a privilege to contribute to the quality, innovation and heritage of Chivas Brothers alongside my team,” says Sandy. “For me, the joy of whisky making lies in pushing boundaries – uncovering new flavours and expressions that invite new audiences in, whilst staying true to Scotch’s legacy. Whisky has an incredible ability to bring people together, creating shared moments and connections across generations.
“Passing on the craft of blending is part of that same tradition. It has been the passion of a lifetime to teach and develop my team to continue that work. It is with great pride and confidence that I pass this privilege onto Kevin, who I have worked with for 20 years.”
Brian MacAulay, Production Director at Chivas Brothers, “Sandy’s legacy is distilled into every bottle he’s touched. His passion, attention to detail and generosity as a mentor have shaped our blending philosophy and left an enduring mark on the industry. We’re grateful for his continued guidance and expertise, celebrating this moment as an evolution as we welcome Kevin as Master Blender. Together with his exceptional team, Kevin will continue to push the boundaries of taste and craftsmanship, carrying forward the same creativity and mastery as his predecessors before him.”
New Master Blender, Kevin Balmforth, has himself been with the company for 25 years and helped shape some of the business’s most recognisable whiskies.
He said, “It’s an incredible honour to follow in Sandy’s footsteps as Chivas Brothers’ Master Blender. I’ve had the privilege of learning from one of the industry’s true masters, and I’m committed to building on his legacy by exploring new dimensions of flavour while staying true to the heritage that makes our whiskies so distinctive.”