10 years at GlenWyvis for Craig MacRitchie – From Crowd funding to Distillery Manager

Craig, you’ve been with GlenWyvis for 10 years now. What do you think has been the most significant change or development you’ve seen during your time here?

There have been so many it’s hard to say, I remember so many hurdles that seemed almost insurmountable but we always managed to clear them. Probably the most significant development for me which brought everything home was when our Forsyth’s stills arrived on site, I was meant to be on annual leave that day but I made sure to be there to see them coming through Dingwall. This was followed by a close second of our very first casks filled (the first to be filled in Dingwall for almost a century!).

As Distillery Manager, what do you believe sets GlenWyvis apart from other distilleries, and how do you embody that uniqueness in your work?

One of our main things is our community values, we are always considering them in every decision. Also on the spirit side it’s the fact that everything we do is flavour led, quality over quantity, we don’t release anything we are not completely happy with and as a distillery of self-proclaimed whisky geeks that can be a high bar.

Can you walk us through a typical day at the distillery? What are some of the tasks and challenges you face on a daily basis?

I’m a great believer in there is no such thing as a typical day at GlenWyvis, always be ready for the unexpected! Normally though I would assist the operator Kev to get the plant up and running before returning to my office to go over records/paperwork. I am very lucky to have a good team around me so there is always someone to rely on but as we are a small team everyone must wear many different hats so I could be helping in production one day and working an event the next.

GlenWyvis is known for its community-driven approach. How do you see the distillery’s relationship with its members and customers evolving in the future?

We have already brought benefit via the goodwill fund to our local community and I hope as our whisky matures we only manage to bring more benefit and not just to Dingwall but the whole area. I hope we can also bring more benefits to our members via special releases of whisky and gin just for them.

What do you think is the best industry event you have ever attended?

I have attended a lot of industry events over the last decade but I do have fond memories of the old Scottish craft distillers association (sadly no longer in it) events, especially the AGMS held at Pitlochry as it was a great time to meet and chat with many likeminded distillers from all over Scotland. I also have a love for all events in Germany as I have made many good friends over there and it’s always good to catch up over a good pint of German beer!

You’ve worked in various roles within the whisky industry, from the Whisky Shop to Distillery Manager. How has your perspective on the whisky-making process changed over time?

I have always had a huge appreciation of whisky through my Grandfather who worked in many distilleries, this was only cemented when I first started working in The Whisky Shop in Inverness when I was 18. When I started working at GlenWyvis and learned to make whisky under Duncan Tait I really learned what an art it is to produce good single malt whisky and how much care and attention it takes.

What does GlenWyvis have coming up in the calendar that you are looking forward to?

I always look forward to our members’ special releases towards the end of the year, it’s a great time to show the versatility of the distillery.

As someone who’s been involved in the whisky industry for many years, what trends or innovations do you think will shape the future of whisky production?

I think you will definitely see more distilleries moving to greener energy sources for heating their stills be it hydrogen boilers or biomass (like we have here).

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own whisky journey?

Don’t let anyone else tell you what is a good or bad whisky, decide for yourself, everyone’s pallet is different. Also don’t feel like you have to stick to any one style and never be afraid to add a wee drop of water.

Looking back on your 10-year journey at GlenWyvis, what are you most proud of, and what do you hope the future holds for GlenWyvis?

I am most proud of our latest release, our Highland Legacy Series Batch 1 “The Drover”. It’s the culmination of what I see as years of work, having personally made most of the whisky that went into creating it, it also leans on the deep respect and passion I have for the Highlands and the culture that is so intertwined with the people and history.