Blog Post
Slàinte mhath!
Stewart Christie • Oct 30, 2017
Mark Thomson is simply the best chap for the job - Ambassador to Scotland for Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky and a man of Distinction and Style
Name:
Mark Thomson
Occupation:
Ambassador
The Stewart Christie fitting room is now famous world wide for holding three different ages of Glenfiddich, and many clients have enjoyed a dram whilst being fitted. Out of the three, which age do you think echoes Stewart Christie most closely?
Well, although they are age statement whiskies, each a little older than the previous, it's incredible how different they are and how they appeal to a different palate - but I'd have to say our 15 year old solera reserve, because like Stewart Christie, it has its foundations firmly secured in tradition whilst being able to be creative and try new techniques. You see, the Solera vat is a large oak holding vessel of around 30,000 litres. It's not for maturing whiskies the rules state you can't age in anything larger than 700 ltrs, but we use it to "marry" three types of Glenfiddich - 15 from American oak, 15 year old from European oak and a small proportion of 15 year old is transferred from used American oak into virgin oak before all three join each other in the vat - which has never been emptied since 1998. It creates a nutty, dryer style of Glenfiddich - which is a little different from the light fruity or rich fruit of the 12 and 18 year old expressions. A sort of cousin in the family - fits, but a bit quirky. I see SC in a similar way - happy to provide the traditional but not fearful of trying new shapes and styles.
With the launch of the new Glenfiddich IPA does this spell a new direction for William Grant & Son's with modern twists on traditional ideas? And whose bright idea was this one?
In reality, the company has always been innovative. We were the first distillery to actively promote single malt outside of the UK - only as recent as 1963. We created the process of "finishing" (transferring matured whiskies to a second cask for an additional flavour spike such as rum/red wine) and as a family owned company we have the freedom to play. Experimentation is the key - challenging the norm raises opportunity for creative thinking and from this, new ideas are born. Brian Kinsman, our Malt Master, is tasked by the family to trial and test many different whisky innovations - some work, others don't but the learnings we take from this help us make informed, calculated decisions when the need arises.
The Experimental Series is just a way of us showing what we have always known or created. It's a side step from the core range you may recognise - a different bottle design, different liquids. Still Glenfiddich - but with twists here and there. It's far more accessible to the new whisky drinker, less "stuffy" and appeals to those with a curious mind. The IPA cask finish was actually born from a conversation with a local craft brewer over three years ago now - and after many attempts and dead end paths, Brian and the brewer got the balance of hops and brightness from the beer to marry perfectly with Glenfiddich. It's a great doorway whisky - light, round and with a familiar hoppy note to the nose.
We know that being with family and working for a family run business is very close to your heart, being back in Scotland it seems now you have your perfect balance?
Aye. I've been down in London for 16 years, but of course travelled a lot back home to the distillery - so I never felt disconnected. But having sold up and moved back to Edinburgh, there is such a difference. In the past, I was always at work when my feet were on Scottish soil. Always bringing Glenfiddich to life in a small bar or a large concert hall - but never just for myself. To be able to wander into my local bar now, and just have a dram for myself and maybe catch up with pals is just superb. I've fallen back in love with everything I forgot what was good and great about Scotland. From its cities to its hills, I just cannot get enough of it.
After spending many years south of the border, you have now seen sense and returned home, how does it differ promoting the Scottish Brand of Glenfiddich from home territory?
Terrifying - you can get away with just having a Scottish accent south of 'The Wall' but up here you have to know your stuff. It helps I've been in the industry for many years and have a technical and chemical grasp of production as well as knowing the history and styles of many of the world drams now. It's true that I've hosted events where guests have been drinking whisky longer than I have been alive - but those are sometimes the most revealing of events as you discover that many whisky drinkers would not dare dream of making a cocktail with their prized single malt - or even, heaven forbid - add water! Across the world, whisky is enjoyed in many different ways and I find it a shame that some individuals stick to just one way and one way only. That's like only ever having sex in the missionary position! Scotland obviously has a long relationship with the water of life, but it does shock a few to learn we didn't invent it - and neither did the Irish. I'll just leave that one there for now.
Glenfiddich gets involved with many smaller niche events, understanding your customer is as important in Whisky as it is in Tailoring. What has been you favourite event this past year?
Easy - the Glenfiddich Festival Experiment. At the start of the year, I wanted a way of bringing on-trade (bartenders) to the distillery in a different way - so 35 of us camped out at the water source of our distillery, the Robbie Dhu. Enjoying campfires, a star filled night, stories from distillery workers and a midnight outdoor cinema - it was magical. We had such good feedback from the guests at this first experiment, we wanted to scale it up, so in September we invited 350 bartenders to the distillery land to thank them for their support and energy. I think of it as a mini festival, with bands such as Twin Atlantic and The Fratellis playing, comedians, acrobats, food trucks and of course, whisky. At every turning point I saw familiar faces relaxing, laughing and enjoying the party which was over two days with everyone camping again. It was a very proud moment for us indeed. People are still talking about it now and we are looking to host it even bigger next year.
Tweed and whisky go hand in hand, if we were to create a cloth for Glenfiddich, what elements do you think it should contain?
It would need to be hardy - to stand up to what may be thrown at it. Glenfiddich is one of the few remaining distilleries to still be run by the same family that built it and we've had to stand many a challenge in our 130 years. Would it be possible to make it a little water repelant? Because, you know - I can be clumsy with my drink sometimes. A cloth which would seem at home in the rolling hills of speyside, but equally as comfortable at a London style bar. It would also no doubt have a few hidden tricks up its sleeve- perhaps looking ordinary, but far from it - An innovative weave with hidden talents.
If you were to open a bar anywhere in Scotland, where would it be and how would it be decorated? Are you more antlers and oak, or modern art and glass?
I've looked at a few places over the years and they have all been very different. From a truly remote bothy to a city centre skyscraper. I think I'd be more modern, but with a nod to the past. Clean lines, and wee booths to loosen the night in with pals. Some of the best whisky bars I've been in are some of the most traditional - and they always make me feel relaxed and at home. I think once a bar makes you wonder if you are wearing the right thing or cool enough to be there, it's lost the very essence of hospitality. Give me a barstool and a clean bar to lean on and I'm happy. Anyone can open a bar, and stock it to the rafters with all manner of whiskies but the best bars are run by those who can connect the customer to the whisky. With a story, a smile or some unheard of piece of historical fact about the dram they've chosen. It's this connection that makes it work and welcome. Makes it memorable and even if it's tucked away and not in the best location, customers will choose to make the trip to say hello and spend time there. I can list a few prime examples which may not ever make the pages of a glossy style mag, but would be in my top ten all time bars to drink in.
''I've worked closely with SC for a few years now - and every time I walk in, I get a lift of excitement to see what's new. What's changed and of course what's in my size. I've always liked tailoring and when SC started to make my suits, they approached it in a wonderful way - understanding my lifestyle and what inspired me to understand what would suit me, what I'd like and of course what it needed to stand up to! The history of the shop is magical but it's the confidence they have in weaving a new history into the SC fabric. Bold designs, new tweeds, sharp cuts or snazzy accessories, they have a great underlying passion to make every customer feel exceptional from the moment they walk into the store. This is how retail should be - passionate employees, looking to fulfil the requirements of the customer as best as possible, and focus for however long it takes on getting the right outcome. Of course, there is normally a queue for the fitting room, but I think that might be more to do with the whisky you'll find in there once you're in''. -
Mark Thomson
Tales of Tailoring
With Stewart Christie & Co’s ladies department about to have its own space on Queen Street, the idea of having a tailored garment is exciting but also perhaps a little daunting. Each commission will be a uniquely created garment with any number of style details.
Continuing our series in honour of the British icon Charlie Chaplin. Some wise and profound words from him below in such times. We need peace, not war. Our thoughts are with all of the Ukrainian people.
Nothing works together better than whisky and tweed, or rather a fine single malt and our bespoke tailoring. Both require time and knowledge to achieve complete perfection, along with an appreciation for the passion and the craftsmanship.
A collaboration with Araminta Campbell and Stewart Christie & Co. From the loom to the cutting table, designing your own cloth to the finest of tailoring. Create the whole process with us, for you and your family.
From the production team of STARZ who brought us all Outlander, comes ‘Men in Kilts”, a travelogue staring Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish in their funny exploits discovering the real Scotland.
A collaboration with Outlander vehicles. Customising the interiors of your treasured cars.
FIT FOR A CLAN CHIEF: LOT 2 , HIGHLAND DRESS ACCESSORIES FOR THE MACLEANS OF ARDGOUR, CIRCA 1871, SUPPLIED BY MILLIDGE & SONS OF EDINBURGH AUCTION
— The Art of Tweed — Tweed is one of Scotland's great gifts to the world. Woven into every strand of this most authentic and rugged of cloths is an extraordinary heritage of innovation and creativity. The Art of Tweed explores the landscapes, textures and patterns of this glorious fabric. From the rolling hills of Scotland's country estates to the rhythmic clatter of looms in our last-surviving mills. From artisan weavers on the Isle of Harris to the high fashion of international catwalks and urban designers reimagining tweed for the streets. Here is a story of romance, nostalgia, sustainability and style - of an effortlessly versatile cloth and its unique place in our lives. Whether fashioned into a flat cap or tailored into a cape, the story of tweed is a story to be shared. Having explored Scotland's boldest fabric in The Secret Life of Tartan, Vixy shares here her love of tweed, mixing her streetstyle background with traditional techniques to give a cutting-edge twist to old ways. Tweed has had its share of ups and downs, but remains steadfast as the countryside's cloth of choice hard-working, purposeful and with an understated style of its own.