Rachel Barrie
Rachel Barrie is Master Blender for BenRiach, The GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. Rachel is responsible for overseeing the maturation of newly-produced spirit into finished whisky, including vatting, wood selection, blending, quality control and regulatory compliance. She tastes, evaluates and allocates maturing inventory for the brands, assesses current blends and formulates new ones. Rachel also manages wood and maturation programs, including innovative oak and finishing processes.
Previously, Rachel served as Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore Distillers for five years where she led whisky creation for Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch, most recently including Laphroaig and Ardmore. Prior to joining Morrison Bowmore Distillers, she worked with the Glenmorangie Company for 16 years, eight of which were spent as Whisky Creator and Master Blender for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malts, as well as James Martin’s and Bailie Nicol Jarvie blended Scotch whiskies.
Rachel was educated at the Inverurie Academy and graduated with honors with a chemistry degree from the University of Edinburgh before beginning her career as a research scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. She has received numerous industry accolades for her work in developing award-winning whiskies in addition to judging international spirits competitions and serving on numerous industry committees.