MASTERY, BOTTLED

For Glenfiddich's Malt Master Brian Kinsman, the literalisation of excellence lies not in invention alone, but in the timeless dialogue between science, spirit, and soul.

- INDRAN PARAMASIVAM

FEW CRAFTS DEMAND the sensitivity that whisky does—to both precision and poetry.

Brian Kinsman, who has helmed Glenfiddich's liquid legacy since 2009, understands that the pursuit of mastery begins with listening: to oak, time, and the quiet lessons of place. His stewardship of the world's most awarded single malt balances exacting science with intuitive art, ensuring that every expression honours its past even as it gestures toward the future. In his care, Glenfiddich remains what it has always been—not a brand, but a living conversation between heritage and heart.

To speak with such a man is to peek into the sacred space between craft and creation. Let's take it back to the beginning. What was the first whisky you ever tasted and how did it strike you?

Whisky has been a big part of the fabric of Scotland. I've been very aware of it even from my childhood and had always been drinking whisky because I played the bagpipes. Whisky grows on you. So, while I don't remember my first whisky, I remember the first time I drank whisky that resonated with me. It was during my first job. I don't remember the brand, but it was a single malt.

You've been Glenfiddich's Malt Master since 2009. What personal philosophy guides your stewardship of such a historic house?