THE JUDGES
Meet our panel of experts along with our Scottish Field reader judges.
DOUGLAS WOOD Owner, WoodWinters Wines and Whiskies
Owner of the award-winning wine and whisky retailer and wholesaler WoodWinters Wines and Whiskies, based in Stirling with outlets in Bridge of Allan, Inverness, Edinburgh and London. Douglas was a senior judge at the International Wine Challenge and also for Decanter Magazine..
MARKANGUS Retail UK Sales Manager, Gordon & MacPhail
This year’s Challenge is Mark’s ninth. He is the Retail Sales Manager for Gordon & MacPhail, which has been awarded five stars by VisitScotland, and was awarded a Keeper of the Quaich in 2017.
VINCE FUSARO Owner, Luvians Bottle Shop
Vince has been in the whisky world since 1983. He has always felt very privileged to be in the industry and has tasted great whiskies, such as the 1938 Mortlach.
GILLIAN KIRKLAND Owner, Piper Whisky Bar
With over 250 whiskies on offer, Gillian takes care of bespoke whisky tastings in the bar. Whisky is her passion.
ROBIN RUSSELL Owner, Robbie’s Drams Whisky Merchants
Robin has spent his entire working life in the licensed trade and was one of the first people in the country to launch a whisky festival – the annual Whisky An’ A’ That festival in Ayr.
MANDY SILVER Owner, Curly Coo Bar
Owner of Curly Coo Bar in Stirling, Mandy has a fabulous range of over 120 whiskies, giving customers a tour of Scotland across the gantry.
MATTHEW MCFADYEN Co-founder, The Good Spirits Company
Matthew is one of the co-founders of The Good Spirits Company, Glasgow’s leading independent spirits specialist with three branches across the city.
BLAIR BOWMAN Author and Founder of World Whisky Day
Blair is an in demand whisky consultant. He is the author of the bestselling Pocket Guide to Whisky and he regularly hosts
whisky training sessions and tasting experiences around the world.
EWAN MCILWRAITH Owner, Robertsons of Pitlochry
Ewan took over the running of Robertsons of Pitlochry in 2013. As a family-run business, his focus is always on customer service, spending time talking to customers as they sample.
DARREN LEITCH (Not pictured) National Retail Manager, The Whisky Shop
Darren has been advising customers of The Whisky Shop for more than 20 years and has been involved with the Whisky Challenge since its second year in 2001. He has always championed it as the ultimate whisky contest.