Friends of the Whiskey Library are cordially invited to our private conversation with Dr. Rachel Barrie, Master Blender of BenRiach, to mark the occasion of BenRiach's brand relaunch. The Whiskey Library is delighted to host Dr. Barrie on Monday, October 19 at 1:45pm eastern.
This 30-minute event is free, but space is limited and RSVP is requested. We invite you to pour a dram of your favorite BenRiach for the event.
ABOUT DR. RACHEL BARRIE
As one of only a handful of female Master Blenders in the world, Dr. Rachel Barrie is creating some of the world’s finest Single Malt Scotch whiskies. With over 26 years of experience, Rachel joined the Brown-Forman family in March 2017 as Master Blender for The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.
Dr. Barrie has been in the whisky industry for 26 years. She first worked as a Research Scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute, optimising flavour character in distillation and maturation. She then moved into production at The Glenmorangie Company, where she worked on Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and Glen Moray single malts as well as Bailie Nicol Jarvie and Martin’s blends, becoming Master Blender in 2003. During this time she also managed the stocks for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, giving her a deeper insight into a great many more distilleries. She moved to Morrison Bowmore Distillers in 2011 where she developed the whiskies for Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch single malts. also working latterly with Laphroaig and Ardmore. Rachel has tasted over 150,000 casks and can intuitively bring together an expression. In July 2018, Rachel was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Edinburgh for services to the whisky industry and for her understanding of the alchemy of whisky.
Dr. Barrie is from Aberdeenshire in Scotland. She was educated at the Inverurie Academy and studied chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with honours before beginning her career as a research scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. She has received numerous industry accolades for her work developing award- winning whiskies, in addition to judging international spirits competitions and serving on numerous industry committees.
When she is not deciding on the composition of blended spirits, Rachel plays the piano, reads, cooks and loves the outdoors. She and her husband have a collection of seven vintage motorbikes.
Keep reading this profile in Dr. Barrie’s interview with Authority Magazine. Or read Five Minutes with Rachel Barrie, BenRiach from ScotchWhisky.com.