ABD appoints Dr. Martin Leonard to advise on Single Malts

Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD) has appointed globally respected Scotch whisky expert Dr. Martin Leonard as Consultant to support its entry into the single malt whisky segment. In this role, Dr. Leonard will advise the company on the commissioning of its malt distillery and guide its single malt whisky initiative, further strengthening ABD’s technical capabilities as it expands its premium whisky portfolio.

Dr. Leonard brings more than three decades of experience across the global Scotch whisky industry, spanning distillation, maturation, blending, bottling, and supply chain operations. He most recently served as Managing Director of Inver House Distillers, where he led five single malt distilleries in Scotland and managed large-scale whisky operations, including inventories exceeding 600,000 casks.

His previous roles also include serving as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. He is a recipient of the prestigious Master of the Quaich, recognising his contribution to the Scotch whisky industry. As Consultant, Dr. Leonard will work closely with ABD’s leadership and technical teams to support the development and long-term direction of its single malt business, with a focus on enhancing manufacturing capabilities and process quality.

Commenting on the appointment, Alok Gupta, Managing Director, ABD, said, “Allied Blenders and Distillers has taken important steps in building its presence in India’s premium whisky segment. As we move into the next phase of our single malt journey, Martin’s role will be critical in strengthening our technical depth and operational capabilities. His extensive experience across malt whisky production, maturation, and large-scale operations brings valuable expertise to our team. We believe his guidance will play an important role in shaping a robust, high-quality single malt business aligned with our long-term growth ambitions.”

Sharing his views, Martin Leonard, Consultant, ABD, said, “I am pleased to be associated with Allied Blenders and Distillers at this key stage of its growth strategy. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and technical teams to contribute my experience in malt whisky production and operations. I see a strong opportunity to support the development of a high-quality and sustainable single malt business at ABD.”

The appointment marks a significant milestone as ABD advances its single malt plans and prepares to move the business into its next phase of development.