With more than 20 years’ experience in the industry Sarah Burgess joined The Macallan’s parent company, Edrington, in 2017 and quickly became a key member of the team, focusing primarily on delivery of The Macallan’s core portfolio and innovation. She also plays a key role in quality control.

Born and brought up in Aberlour, Speyside, where she was surrounded by distilleries and where whisky is a way of life, Sarah began her career in whisky as a tour guide. Through explaining the processes involved in whisky making to visitors, her knowledge grew and, after studying Management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, she undertook increasingly senior operational roles. Over the years her responsibilities have included cask quality and consistency, site management, and supporting brand activity such as sponsorships.

She has also attained several professional qualifications including a General Certificate in Distilling.

To Sarah, working in whisky is the norm and she cannot imagine doing anything else. Complementing her passion for whisky, is her interest in art and she is an avid collector.

Kirsteen Campbell, whose signature is displayed on The Red Collection’s ongoing expressions, The Macallan 40 Years Old, The Macallan 50 Years Old and The Macallan 60 Years Old, is The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker.

With almost 20 years of industry experience she heads up the Whisky Mastery Team, using her skills, knowledge and craft to oversee key aspects of the whisky making cycle, from cask lay down and maturation through to bottling to ensure the quality and consistency synonymous with The Macallan single malt whisky.

Originally from Thurso in the Highlands, Kirsteen graduated with a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science from Glasgow Caledonian University before entering the drinks industry in 2001. While working in a spirits’ laboratory, it became clear she had a remarkable sense of smell - an essential skill for a Master Whisky Maker.

She has been at The Macallan’s parent company, Edrington, since 2007, working first as a Whisky Quality Technologist, before quickly becoming Master Blender for Cutty Sark. Over time she was promoted to Master Blender for The Famous Grouse and Naked Grouse and she was appointed Master Whisky Maker for The Macallan in 2019.

Kirsteen, who is the first female Whisky Maker in the almost 200-year history of The Macallan, takes great pride in being a custodian of The Macallan and appreciates the craftsmanship and foresight of her predecessors, who laid down the casks that form the basis of The Red Collection.

She aims to make her own contribution to The Macallan’s legacy by selecting and nurturing special casks for the next generation of whisky makers to craft their own unique single malts.

In her spare time, Kirsteen enjoys long walks, especially on the beach – which she attributes to being brought up on the north coast of Scotland. Eating out, catching up with friends, and visiting family are also high up on the agenda outside of work.

As a Whisky Maker at The Macallan, Polly works as part of the Whisky Mastery Team to create and enhance The Macallan’s exceptional portfolio of single malt whiskies and to drive forward The Macallan’s legacy for the future.

In her role Polly is responsible for crafting single-malt whiskies for the existing portfolio and exploring new product development. She also watches over the younger stock to ensure it is properly allocated for future products, carefully assessing the maturation in specific cask types.

Polly graduated from Heriot Watt University in 2004 with a BSc HONS degree in Brewing and Distilling. While at university, she completed two summer placements, one with Diageo at its Clynelish Distillery and Glen Ord maltings, and another with Whyte & Mackay at its Invergordon Distillery, where she set up a sensory analysis on the existing nosing panel.

Upon completing her studies, Polly joined Tomatin Distillery as production manager and she was responsible for various aspects of the production process, including buying barley, optimising production, new product development, and quality control.

Prior to joining The Macallan as a Whisky Maker in 2018, Polly worked as a site operations manager across multiple sites in Speyside, including Knockando, Benrinnes, Dailuaine, Glen Spey, Glenlossie and Mannochmore. She covered all aspects of the day-to-day running of the distilleries, from on- site health and safety, people management, production, and compliance with SEPA, COMAH and other regulatory bodies.

Polly loves her role as a Whisky Maker for The Macallan, where she has the opportunity to work with an amazing array of whiskies every day, alongside likeminded colleagues in the Whisky Mastery Team, who share her passion for whisky.

Catherine Stanton Schiff has spent the past two plus decades in sales and marketing management in the alcohol beverage industry working on dozens of powerful spirit and wine brands. Catherine is in her eleventh year with Edrington, currently as the Director, National Accounts On Premise - Americas, representing a portfolio that includes The Macallan and Glenrothes, Brugal Rum, Tequila Partida and Wyoming Whiskey among others. Prior to Edrington, Catherine held Regional Sales Management positions at Bacardi USA, Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine, Beam Wine Estates and Pete’s Brewing Company.

Edrington makes some of the world’s best-loved Scotch whiskies, including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes and The Famous Grouse.  The portfolio is complemented by Brugal, the leading premium rum in the Caribbean, and by Snow Leopard vodka, Tequila Partida, Wyoming Whiskey and Noble Oak bourbon.

Products & Services

The Macallan, Highland Park,  The Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, Brugal Rum, Snow Leopard Vodka, Tequila Partida, Wyoming Whiskey and Noble Oak Bourbon.

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