Bacardi’s Macleod Wins IWC Master Blender of the Year Award
The International Whisky Competition (IWC) 2024 has named Stephanie Macleod, Bacardi Director of Blending, Master Blender of the Year. The feat has added to her five previous crowns besides placing imminence on her expertise.
In addition, her success met a night of glory at the competition after several Bicardi spirits won medals and honors. Among them, the Aultmore Oloroso Sherry Cask 25 Year Old, Travel Retail Exclusive was named IWC Whisky of the Year. While Dewar’s Double Double 37-Year-Old won the Best Blended Scotch award for the second consecutive year.
Macleod became the first woman to win the Master Blender of the Year title in 2019. She is the Master Blender for Dewar’s Blended Scotch whisky. In addition, the Malt Master for Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and The Deveron single malt whiskies.
Bacardi’s Macleod Wins IWC Master Blender of the Year Award
Furthermore, Bacardi was named Distiller of the Year and its brands won six awards in the Top 10 whiskies of 2024.
Macleod said: “To be recognized for the work you do is incredible. To be recognized for what you love to do is quite simply a dream come true. Awards like this are a tribute to all those involved in our whisky-making. And it’s thanks to our passionate, highly-skilled team that our exceptional whiskies are enjoyed by new and existing whisky drinkers around the world.”
Bacardi Chief Supply Chain Officer, Dave Ingram said: “We have bold ambitions and exciting plans for our premium and ultra-premium whiskies, and judging by the acclaim our recent launches have received, it’s clear we are getting it right. Congratulations to Stephanie and her team – the work they’re doing leads to exceptional whiskies that appeal to new whisky drinkers and drives the entire category forward.”
In 1998, Macleod joined Bacardi in Glasgow, and in 2006, she became Master Blender for Dewar’s. She now leads a team of blenders and assistant blenders who learn from her experience.
