Meet
People of The Macallan:
The Whisky Mastery Team
Meet the Team
As a team they work to create and maintain our exceptional portfolio of single malt whiskies and build a legacy for the future.
Meet
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker
Kirsteen leads the Whisky Mastery Team, as well as working closely with a wide array of technical experts on whisky development, stock management and both brand and commercial development to drive the business forward.
This team oversees all aspects of the whisky making process to ensure the highest possible quality and consistency in the final product.
A Moment with Kirsteen
What is your favourite expression of The Macallan?
It is very difficult to choose my overall favourite, but I would say my favourite range is The Macallan Double Cask, which is created from the perfect balance of American and European sherry seasoned oak casks and imparts a combination of vanilla and subtle spice notes.
Meet
Stuart MacPherson, Master of Wood
Stuart has 40 years’ experience working with The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, and is the primary source of information on the vital influence they have on the character of The Macallan whisky. Together the Whisky Mastery Team oversees every step of the whisky making process to bring out the best of spirit and wood. The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours of our whisky.
Meet
Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker
Born in Speyside, Sarah has worked extensively in the whisky industry for 20 years, and is passionate about all aspects of whisky and the whisky making process - a passion which she loves to share with others.
In her role as Lead Whisky Maker for The Macallan, Sarah is a key member of the Whisky Mastery Team, focusing primarily on whisky range creation and innovation. Through her in-depth knowledge of the whisky making process, including a deep understanding of cask quality and selection, Sarah plays a valuable role in the quality control process at the Estate.
Since working with the Whisky Mastery Team, Sarah has been the Lead Whisky Maker for a diverse range of The Macallan whiskies including Rare Cask, 2020 Release, The Macallan Estate and in selecting Exceptional Single Cask expressions.
Meet
Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker
As part of the Whisky Mastery Team, Steven focuses on creating and sustaining our signature whiskies, developing new products and cask quality.
Joining The Macallan in 2016 as a sampling supervisor, Steven quickly progressed to Apprentice Whisky Maker within the Whisky Mastery Team in 2017, and played a key role in supporting The Macallan Whisky Makers in producing the highest quality single malts. Steven went on to take the role of Whisky Maker in 2018.
In his role, Steven - also an avid DJ- combined his two great passions in the creation of The Macallan Concept Number 2; an expression inspired by the similarities in the creative approaches of crafting whisky and creating music.
Meet
Polly Logan, Whisky Maker
She works with an amazing array of whiskies every day. This includes The Macallan Classic Cut - 2019 Edition, where Polly chose an ideal ABV of 52.9% as the optimum strength to bring forth the full character of the single malt.
Meet
Russell Greig, Sample Room Assistant
Joining the Whisky Mastery Team in 2018 as a Sample Room Assistant, Russell is charged with controlling all of the samples coming in and out of the sample room at the Estate, while also managing sample stock and equipment. Russell sees many variations of The Macallan whisky coming through the sample room and learns from the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and experience of our Whisky Makers.
