THE READERS’ WHISKY CHALLENGE JUDGES 2020
Our panel of Scottish Field readers who tasted 35 whiskies to discover the finest dram in Scotland. See the winning whisky they chose on page 15.
Anna Miller
A single mother of three teenagers, Anna recently opened her own wealth management business. She has become more inclined to drink whisky without the addition of pineapple juice although does prefer it with a splash of water.
Graeme Dempster
Graeme is an experienced Chartered Commercial Insurance Broker. With a passion for all things whisky, he has developed an understanding of the unique risks associated with whisky production and maturation.
Jim Gillies
The whisky ambassador for Geraldo’s of Largs, Jim describes himself as a ‘malty old sea dog’. With a grandmother that worked for Cutty Sark, and an Irish great-grandfather that distilled his own poitín, whisky runs through his veins.
Magnus Wake
An award-winning film director, his thriller Dark Sense won Best International Film at the SENE Film Festival. He works for leading ad agencies, and his own BrightWolf Films company specialising in brand films for the whisky and drinks industry. Robin Howard
Robin finds the process of producing whisky and the potential to create so many wonderful aromas and tastes fascinating. Over the last five years his interest, knowledge and passion has grown thanks to being a member of a great whisky club in Ayr.
Colin Sim
Colin has always liked whisky, but only started to take a keen interest around six years ago. He came up with the idea of trying to cycle to all the distilleries in Scotland (currently stuck on 98) and has found the whisky community to be incredibly friendly.
Rosalind Erskine
Rosalind is an exmagazine editor turned food and drink writer for the Scotsman as well as the drinks expert on BBC show The Great Food Guys. Her love of whisky started a few years ago when she attended the Spirit of Speyside Festival.
Tony Graham
Brought up in rural Aberdeenshire but now residing in Cumbria, Tony loves cycling, the great outdoors and all things ‘Uisge Beatha’. As he gets older he’s gained a new respect for whisky and enjoys exploring with friends throughout the UK.
Mathew Thorburn
Born and raised in Edinburgh, Mathew has been drinking whisky for over ten years. He regularly attends warehouse, private and festival tastings, and really enjoys absorbing whisky knowledge from anyone he can.