|
From jeffersonhunt.co.uk Unique Malts Beam Global Spirits & Wine has announced the appointment of John Campbell as Distillery Manager at its award winning Islay malt distillery - Laphroaig.
An Islay man born and bred, his appointment not only fulfils a 12-year-old ambition for John, it makes him, at 35, the youngest distiller on the island and the first Ileach (native of Islay) to run Laphroaig in its 190 year history!
Since joining Laphroaig in 1994, John has worked across the whole distilling process both at Laphroaig and in distilleries previously owned by Allied Domecq including Tormore, Miltonduff and Ardmore, the latter of which now forms part of the Beam group.
In July 2001 John returned from Speyside to take up the post as Laphroaig’s Brewer. Keen to expand his knowledge and skill beyond his duties, John played a major role in helping Laphroaig to secure the industries first ISO14001 environmental accreditation. He has also taken the lead in producing a number of successful limited edition bottlings to support the ‘Feis Ile’ (Gaelic for Islay Festival) - an annual pilgrimage for thousands of whisky and music lovers.
In addition to his role as Distillery Manager responsible for the producing the best ‘Single Malt Scotch whisky in the world’*1, John will, like his predecessors, play a lead role in promoting Laphroaig around the world. This will include running the distilleries ‘Friends of LaphroaigTM’ programme, which today boasts a 250,000 strong membership from over 150 countries.
John who lives in Port Ellen with his wife and three children comments “The role of managing this truly unique distillery was nothing but a dream ten years ago and today it has become a reality. I feel humbled by the great names who have gone before me all of whom have sustained and emboldened the traditions and practice that have made Laphroaig the world’s number one Islay single malt scotch whisky. To be the first ileach to run Laphroaig is a special honour and one that will serve to reinforce the unique collaboration that exists between two icons of malt whisky – Islay and Laphroaig”. ~Ends~ Notes: *1 Laphroaig® Cask Strength - voted Best Scotch Single Malt Whisky in the World for 2005 by Whisky Magazine © Copyright 2003 by Jefferson Hunt Communication Consultants |