Zoom in - Malt Master David Stewart

David Stewart MBE is a renowned figure in the Scotch whisky industry, celebrated for his long-standing role as the Malt Master for William Grant & Sons distillers. Born in 1945 in Ayr, Scotland, Stewart began his career with the company as an apprentice in 1962, at a time when single malt Scotch whisky was just starting to be exported outside of Scotland1.

After a 12-year apprenticeship mastering the art of nosing and blending high-quality Scotch whisky, he was appointed Malt Master in 1974, a title he has held ever since, making him the longest-serving malt master in the industry. His career spans over five decades, during which he has developed an award-winning range of single malts and blends, earning him numerous accolades and helping William Grant & Sons achieve the title of Distiller of the Year multiple times.

Stewart’s significant contributions include pioneering two cask maturation in the 1980s, a technique now widely known as ‘finishing’, exemplified by The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old. He also introduced the Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 Year Old, the first single malt to use the Solera maturation process1.

In 2009, Stewart passed on the roles of Glenfiddich Malt Master and Grant’s Master Blender to Brian Kinsman, but he continues to dedicate his time to his Malt Master role at The Balvenie Distillery. His passion for blending, coupled with a modest demeanor, has made him a beloved and respected figure in the whisky industry.

Outside of his professional life, Stewart enjoys spending time with his family, indulging in hobbies like curling and golf, and supporting his favorite football team, Ayr United.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Stewart_%28master_blender%29