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The Distilling Team

Production Director : Jim McEwan

Date of Birth 23/7/48.

Jim has over forty years of experience working in the whisky industry on Islay, starting at the age of 15 as a cooper at Bowmore Distillery in 1963. Jim is an Ileach ('eelock'), a native of Islay - born and bred. He worked his way up though the company, carrying out all aspects of the distilling procedure, from top to bottom. He married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara, in the church near Bruichladdich, perhaps an omen for the future.

He became Distillery Manager of Bowmore, including a three years stint as a blender - a highly skilled job for which he had a particular aptitude, and then ultimately worldwide Brand Promoter, enthusing on Whisky as globetrotting Ambassador for the Japanese owners - Suntory.

During his 40 years in the single malt Scotch whisky business his many titles include, among several honorary awards, and the hosting of numerous tasting panels, the honour of 'Industry Leader of the Year' (USA) - the first time it was awarded. He was appointed Distiller of the Year not once, but twice, both in 1998 and again in 2000. He has earned his title of Master Distiller the hard way.

Little did we all realise, while sitting on the wall outside Bowmore Distillery on a beautiful Islay morning in the late Spring of 1989, over looking Bruichladdich glistening on the far side of the loch, that one day all our paths would cross again in quite such a way.

Distillery Manager : Duncan McGillivray

Born in 1951 - is the younger of two brothers. He was brought up in Kilchoman. On leaving school he worked on Foreland Estate helping out at anything that needed to be done. In 1968 he took up the position of General Engineer for Tom Epps who owned farms and had fishing boats. In 1973 he went to Bruichladdich Engineering Co. and then in 1974 after he married the delightful Susan he was employed by Bruichladdich Distillery as a Stillman/Engineer/Lorry Driver! In 1978 he became the Brewer and because of short time working in 1984 he left and started his own garage business. He was asked to return to Bruichladdich in 1990 as the Brewer a position he kept until the Distillery was closed down in 1993. He then took up the post of Service Manager at the local Volkswagen Garage until he was once more sought out to return to Bruichladdich Distillery in February 2001 as the Distillery Manager. He has 3 daughters, one is married and lives in Australia, one employed in Glasgow and one at University. Duncan is a Gaelic speaker and enjoys hill walking when he gets time.

Allan Logan

Born February 1980 youngest of 3.  Left school 1996 to further his education as an apprentice painter and decorator.   Started with Bruichladdich Distillery March 2001 where he became the youngest Mashman at the age of 21 years.  Allan is the 4^th generation of his family in distillation.

The Budgie (Duncan McFadyen)

The Budgie who is 40 years old is a farmer's son. He is married to Arlene and they have a son and a daughter. The Budgie was brought up in the outskirts of Port Charlotte, but now lives in Bowmore. When he left school he worked in the Islay Creamery Co. for 14 years making the world unrenowned cheese. He joined Bruichladdich Distillery in 1989 as a Stillman. When the Distillery closed in 1994 he was kept employed doing general warehouse work, keeping the cased goods sales going and helped out in Jura Distillery driving the forklift truck when required. He will be a Stillman again when production starts. His hobbies are sea fishing and he helps out at the family farm.

James McColl

James is 40 years of age and is the eldest of five; he has three brothers and one sister.  Born on the island where his late father was well respected in the whisky industry having been employed by another distillery on Islay for 45 years and retired as the Manager.  Two of his brothers are also employed in the whisky industry on the mainland.

James has been fishing and farming on Islay and was in the construction business in Glasgow for several years before joining Bruichladdich Distillery.  His hobbies are shooting, sea and loch fishing.  Living in the capital of Islay, Bowmore - James and his partner have two girls.

Neil MacTaggart

Neil is 55 years of age and has a younger sister. He belongs to Port Charlotte and is married to Morag from Ballygrant. They have a son and a daughter. He first commenced in Bruichladdich Distillery in 1970 as a Mashman and one year later at the age of 26 became the youngest Stillman in Islay. He moved to Bunnahabhain Distillery in 1975 where he was a Warehouseman and Tunroom man. He returned to Bruichladdich in 1977 where he worked as a Mashman until it closed down in 1994. Neil was then employed by a local garage until he returned this Monday to the Distillery. He will be a Stillman when the production commences. His hobbies are peat cutting.

Peter McDermid

Peter was born and brought up in Bruichladdich. He is 31 years old and has an older sister. Peter is a crofter. He joined Bruichladdich Distillery in 1988 as a Mashman then was made redundant when it closed in 1994. He was re-employed in February doing engineering repair work around the Distillery. He will be mashing when in production. While across at the Fells of Jura Race 4 years ago he met Mairi who hails from Lewis and is a Gaelic Teacher. They are now married and have a son and daughter. Peter still operates his farm part time, and is the son-in-law of old Ruaridh McCleod, the 79 year old Bruichladdich ex-stillman - who is still going strong.