As a newly-minted graduate, Stephanie MacLeod didn’t think much of whisky back in 1992, when she graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a degree in food science. “I didn’t know much about whisky until I started to study it, nor did I particularly enjoy it,” she says. Her first job, post-degree, was in soft drinks, but from there she accepted a position as a research assistant back at her alma mater. When a position in the quality department with Dewar’s came up in 1998, she applied for it.”

Over the next several years, MacLeod rose through the ranks. In July 2006 she took over the role of Master Blender. MacLeod is the seventh Master Blender in 170 years of Dewar’s history and the first woman to hold the role.

 There aren’t many downsides to my job, but the bit I enjoy the most is creating new blends and new single malt expressions,” says MacLeod.

The young woman who didn’t think much of whisky has vanished. MacLeod has completely converted.