Speyside whisky figures John Grant and Peter Gordon join prestigious ranks of Whisky Magazine's Hall of Fame
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TWO key players in Speyside's whisky sector have joined an illustrious list as inductees into Whisky Magazine's Hall of Fame.
John Grant, chairman at J & G Grant, and Peter Gordon, William Grant & Sons director, were recognised as industry icons at the Whisky Magazine Awards ceremony in Edinburgh on Thursday, December 2.
Between them, the duo have dedicated nine decades to local Scotch whisky companies.
The unassuming Mr Grant, inductee number 74, has spent 47 years serving his family's Glenfarclas Distillery at Ballindalloch. He still lives in his childhood home at Glenfarclas House.
He remains committed to the original vision for the firm set out by his great-great-grandfather 114 years ago.
Mr Grant became Glenfarclas managing director in 1979. Over the decades, alongside his father as chairman, he transformed the family's farm distillery which primarily produced spirit for blends into a globally renowned single malt.
He said: "I'll admit to being astounded by this accolade as the team managed to keep it a secret from me – but now that the shock has worn off I am genuinely honoured to join such prestigious ranks."
Mr Gordon, inductee number 75, was described by the magazine as "a whisky man through and through".
A fifth-generation member of the William Grant & Sons family, he started out in distillery work in 1976, aged 17, at Glenfiddich and The Balvenie at Dufftown.
The former chairman of the William Grant & Sons board and the William Grant Foundation has played instrumental roles in the wider Scotch whisky sector, including as chairman of the Scotch Whisky Experience and the Scotch Whisky Association.
Mr Gordon said: "This is a great privilege that reflects on the legacy of a Scottish company and the rare characters, past and present, who distil and create our world-beating liquids and brands."
The Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame was launched in 2004, with the first inductee being the late, great drinks writer Michael Jackson.
Christopher Coates, Whisky Magazine editor, said: "Michael set the bar for candidacy, as he quite literally 'invented' modern whisky journalism. Before him, people didn't write critically about whisky – wine was really the only drinks category assessed in such a manner.
"To be considered, candidates must have spent at least 20 years working in or with the whisky industry and, crucially, must have made a lasting impact on the world of whisky.
"Without these incredible individuals, whisky simply wouldn't be the same.
"Each of our Scottish inductees for 2021 has spent a lifetime guiding their respective family-owned businesses toward success, helping to build their brands into globally recognised bywords for quality.
"The team at Whisky Magazine is proud to induct them both to our Hall of Fame."
