Ardbeg Committee Toasts Two Spirited New Leaders

Photo:Jackie Thomson, Bryony McNiven & Gillian Macdonald - Photo credit Ben Shakespeare for Ardbeg

The Ardbeg Committee today welcomes its next generation of leaders, as Distillery stalwart and Committee Chair Jackie Thomson passes the smoky torch to Master Blender Gillian Macdonald and Visitor Centre Planner Bryony McNiven, an Islay native. The first pair of Chairs in the Committee’s 25-year history, these peaty devotees seek to bring Ardbeg’s fans even closer to the Distillery’s whisky making, as they expound the joys of their smoky malt to whisky lovers everywhere.

The Committee was formed in 2000 to safeguard the future of Ardbeg, which had teetered on the brink of extinction just a few years before. Now more than 200,000 strong, it is made up of dedicated fans in more than 130 countries, all devoted to ensuring that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. This year, Committee members celebrate 25 years as guardians of the whisky they call The Ultimate Islay malt.

A mainstay at Ardbeg since its revival, Jackie has served as Distillery Centre Manager for 27 years, and Committee Chair for the last four. Renowned for her easy smile and relentless enthusiasm, she has welcomed visitors and championed Ardbeg’s cause in countless ways. Most memorably, leading the Distillery celebrations each year on Ardbeg Day, the annual celebration of all things Ardbeg, in her own inimitable way. Jackie’s extraordinary contribution to Ardbeg’s rise from the ashes has been duly recognised by her industry peers: in 2023, she was inducted into the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on her time at Ardbeg, Jackie said: “My mind is a-buzz with so many fantastic memories. From the outlandish costumes I’ve donned for Ardbeg Day to the musical extravaganzas we have hosted. We’ve survived power cuts, madcap experiments and a global pandemic. We have welcomed wedding parties, film crews and many Committee Members who have made the pilgrimage to Islay. It’s been a peaty privilege to get to know them all.

“I couldn’t think of two better women to pass the baton to. Bryony has worked alongside me as Ardbeg’s Visitor Centre Planner for the past seven years. And Gillian is Ardbeg’s Master Blender, no less. Together they have a shared knowledge of Ardbeg the whisky and Ardbeg the place, that is quite unique.”

As friends and colleagues who once worked side-by-side in Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team, Gillian and Bryony have bold plans to continue Jackie’s work – and to do even more to integrate the Committee’s views into Ardbeg’s whisky making. Gillian said: “It goes without saying that Jackie will be sorely missed by our Committee and by all at Ardbeg. Hers are big boots to fill, but Bryony and I will do our best as Co-Chairs – perhaps by wearing one each!

“In my role as Ardbeg’s Master Blender, some of my favourite moments have been creating Committee releases and letting them loose on the people whose opinion really matters. I’ve always loved meeting and talking to the Ardbeg faithful, then going back to the lab with their fiery passion ringing in my ears. As Chair, I’m excited to bring the fans and the drams even closer together.”

Following in the footsteps of her father, who worked at Ardbeg for 35 years, Bryony said: “I’ve lived and breathed Ardbeg all my life, being the daughter of a stillman. For a while I was based in Sweden as an Ardbeg brand ambassador, before working alongside Gillian in the Whisky Creation Team. But the Distillery is where my heart is, so now I’m back on Islay where my job in the Visitor Centre is to make Ardbeg the most welcoming Distillery on Earth. As Committee Chair, I can’t wait to pick up where Jackie has left off – sharing good drams, spreading the Ardbeg love and having fun!”

To play a part in the Distillery’s future and keep up to date with all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee for free