Bacardi's Stephanie Macleod makes history with fifth consecutive "Master Blender of the Year" title
Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi
For an unprecedented fifth year in a row, Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky at Bacardi, has been awarded the prestigious title of "Master Blender of the Year" at the International Whisky Competition (IWC) 2023.
Macleod made history in 2019 as the first woman to win the IWC’s Master Blender of the Year award, and has continued this winning streak ever since. As Master Blender for Dewar's Blended Scotch Whisky and Malt Master for the Bacardi portfolio of Single Malts – Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla and The Deveron – Macleod and her team continue to gain recognition for their consistent approach to crafting quality, exceptional tasting whiskies.
In the tasting categories the Bacardi portfolio, including Dewar's Blended Scotch Whisky and its Single Malts, won an impressive 22 awards, taking first, second and third place in 12 different categories. Dewar's won first place in six of those 12 categories, including first place in the Best Blended Scotch category for Double Double 37-Year-Old, a new release and the highest age expression released by Dewar's.
“What drives me and my team every day is to create exciting, interesting whiskies, that pioneer and provoke anticipation about what we might create next," said Macleod. "It is an honor to have our work and pursuit of innovation recognized in such a way by the International Whisky Competition – and for the fifth time. This accolade is not just mine, it is also the team’s. I’m incredibly proud of all the talented whisky-makers at Bacardi for their commitment to creating a consistent quality and standard of whiskies that are loved the world over.”
Dave Ingram, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Bacardi, added, “The Scotch whiskies in the Bacardi portfolio continue to achieve accolades and recognition, testament to the focus that we put on creating exceptional whisky that can be enjoyed by new and existing whisky drinkers. We’re expanding further into the premium and ultra-premium space, which takes time to let the whisky age; space for the casks to rest in; and the skill of our teams to manage the entire process. Congratulations to Stephanie and her team, who continue to drive innovation and push the entire Scotch category forward.”
A multi-award winning and highly respected figure in the whisky industry, Macleod became the first female Master Blender for Dewar's in 2006, following her official three-year training with the then Master Blender. She joined Bacardi, based in Glasgow in 1998, and began her career in whisky as a Sensory Analyst at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, working on a project which attempted to unlock the maturation secrets of Scotch whisky.
Recently promoted to Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky, to drive the premiumization of the Bacardi Scotch whisky portfolio, she leads a team of Blenders and Whisky Stocks Analysts who learn from her wealth of knowledge and expertise every day.
