Master Blender Honoured
Dr. Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his outstanding service to the Scotch whisky industry. In a career spanning almost four decades, Dr. Beveridge has established himself as one of the most highly respected figures in the industry, renowned for his skill and dedication to quality, as well as for his considered and unassuming manner.
The accolade comes as Johnnie Walker prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2020. Dr. Beveridge is only the sixth person in two centuries of Johnnie Walker’s history to have held the position of Master Blender, the first being the Founder John Walker himself.
Based at Diageo’s blending rooms in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, Dr. Beveridge leads a team of 12 blenders responsible for the quality and consistency of all the company’s Scotch whisky brands. He also works closely with distillers, coopers, coppersmiths and all the craftspeople involved.
Dr. Beveridge has been the recipient of several industry accolades, including being inducted into the World Whisky Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2016 he was named Master Blender of the Year by the International Whisky Competition for the second consecutive year; a first in the history of the competition.
