Confidence, Community, and Craft: Ashley MacGregor’s life at Bruichladdich Distillery

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Ashley MacGregor from Bruichladdich Distillery. Ashley has been working for Bruichladdich for 10 years now, so it is definitely safe to say she is a well-known face around the distillery and the industry as a whole!

She has actually just come back from a trip to Switzerland where she hosted tastings talking all things Bruichladdich, so it has been so nice to get her insight into the distillery and the industry from her perspective!

Where do you work and what is your role?

I work at Bruichladdich distillery. I love how progressive Bruichladdich is, and I love the opportunities we are given here. I have been so lucky to have been given so many amazing opportunities here at Bruichladdich, and working here has really helped grow my confidence and helped shape me as the person I am today.

I am an Islay experience ambassador. I share my knowledge on whisky and Gin with customers from all over the world to give them a deeper understanding of what we do.

If you were to describe your personality using a dram, what would it be?

I would choose the Port Charlotte 10-year-old. It’s like sunshine on a winter’s day, as Adam’s character notes say. It’s heavily peated but surprisingly quite soft for being a heavily peated dram. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside, as I’ve always said about myself!

It would also be my desert island whisky! It’s my go-to dram. A great whisky to keep you company. It’s like a warm hug.

Has anything changed in the time you have been at Bruichladdich?

 I have been at Bruichladdich for 10 years now.  I don't feel a lot has changed.  We still carry the same values as we had back in 2001 when the distillery reopened.

We believe in our people, planet, community, and spirits.

Is there another aspect of the industry you would want to work in? 

I would say the production side for me. I would love more involvement in the making of the products.

Where is one place you would recommend everyone to go?

Glencoe. The views are absolutely stunning. It’s my favourite drive when heading up north.

If you weren’t working in this industry, what do you think you’d be doing?

Definitely something to do with Animals!

Me and Ash

I don’t even know where to start on how much of an inspiration Ashley is for me!

I was lucky enough to work with Ashley during my first-ever whisky job as a tour guide at Bruichladdich. She was also one of my mentors during my work experience I did through Islay High School.

When it comes to the Botanist, Ashley is a wizard with cocktails, always advocating for Islay’s unique flavour profiles throughout!

If you have the pleasure of coming over to Islay and getting to Bruichladdich, make sure you go and say hello to Ashley, she will always be happy to chat about all things Islay, Bruichladdich and animals!

Thank you so much, Ashley, for letting me tell your story!

All my love,

T x