Meet the

judges

Richard Joynson, Proprietor, Loch Fyne Whiskies

Family man, Keeper of the Quaich, co-founder of the SFWC, inaugural Whisky mag ‘Retailer of the Year’, current ‘Online Retailer of the Year’ and cult hero of the whisky buying public.

Richard, like his business, has earned a global reputation by sticking to his principals and telling it how it is, no matter the fallout – exactly what the SFWC is all about.

Joined SFWC 2001. Contact: www.lfw.co.uk ; shop@lfw.co.uk

 

Keir Sword, Proprietor, Royal Mile Whiskies

Stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Richard at the pinnacle of whisky retailing. Co-founder of the SFWC, Keeper of the Quaich, Whisky mag ‘Retailer of the Year’ and creator of Whisky Fringe, the UK’s most anticipated whisky event.

Keir’s no-nonsense, outspoken approach and enthusiasm for good whisky are what helps the SFWC stand at the pinnacle of unbiased whisky appraisal.

Joined SFWC 2001. Contect www.royalmilewhiskies.com; contact@royalmilewhiskies.com

Darren Leitch, Whisky Manager, Whisky Shop

Whisky retailing’s livewire. Darren’s needs his boundless energy as he’s responsible for fronting the 14 strong UK wide chain of Whisky Shops, which in many ways have established Single Malt as a viable high street product south of the border.

Hands-on, fun, hugely talented and has virtually dedicated his life to the whisky cause. Bravo.

Joined SFWC 2002. Contact: www.whiskyshop.com;  edinburgh@whiskyshop.net

Elaine Cruickshank, Whisky Manager, Gordon & MacPhail retail

Elaine’s seamless entry into our whisky panel is testament to the belief that G&M have in her abilities – the keys to their world famous Elgin whisky store aren’t given out lightly!  Elaine tutelage under the whisky heroes at G&M has involved working as a stillman (twice) to handling the company’s tastings to producing the official tasting notes for their benchmark Exclusive Range. Wonderful Speyside charm, intense commitment to malt and most welcome on the SFWC panel.

Joined SFWC 2009. Contect: www.gordonandmacphail.com, whisky@gordonandmacphail.com

Ronnie Routledge, Whisky Manager, Single Malts Direct

Huge character, staggering whisky knowledge and the unbridled passion for fine malt that you would expect from a proud Speysider. All at SFWC are delighted to welcome back our kinsman, now via his role at Single Malts Direct.

Ronnie’s service to whisky retailing has been recognized by Keepers of the Quaich and by the SFWC with a merited seat on our esteemed panel.

Joined SFWC 2001. Contact: www.singlemaltsdirect.com, enquiries@singlemaltsdirect.com

Regis Lemaitre, Proprietor, Regis Whisky Mad

Known to whisky fans through his past roles as head of bars at St. Andrew’s Old Course Hotel and The Gleneagles resort but now through his innovative Regis Whisky Mad enterprise.

The kilted-Frenchman (‘whisky kilts’ have arrived!) is a huge character and now a bottler in his own right. Gifted with the nose of a perfumier and the heart of a Highlander, Regis brings the pioneering spirit of whisky’s forefathers to the gang.

Joined SFWC: 2003. Contact: www.regiswhiskymad.co.uk, admin@regiswhiskymad.co.uk

Julie Trevisan Hunter, Manager, The Scotch Whisky Experience

Quite how Julie manages to balance being a doting young mother and a driving force behind the dynamic SWE is beyond me. Responsible for managing development at the Experience, which has included Amber restaurant, a relaunch of the globally renowned tour and now the astonishing Diageo Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection, the world’s largest. Alongside this Julie still finds time to take private tastings at the SWE – we are incredibly fortunate to have her onboard!

Joined SFWC 2008. Contact: www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk, info@scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk