Smoke, Sea & One Trailblazing Woman: Meet Kirsten Robertson
If you’ve ever wandered through Lagavulin’s iconic courtyard, that unmistakable smell of peat smoke curling around you, you’ll know the distillery has a certain magic about it. For Kirsten Robertson, Lagavulin’s Senior Operator, that magic started long before she ever stepped into the still house. In many ways, her career in whisky was written long before she realised it. This week I had the absolute pleasure to pick her brain over why she chose whisky and what her career means to her.
A Childhood Distilled in Smoke and Sea Air
Whisky has been stitched into Kirsten’s life from the beginning. Growing up with a father who was a devoted whisky enthusiast meant that distillery visits were part of family life—less an occasional treat and more a regular weekend activity. He even owned a cask over on Islay, so time spent nosing malts, swirling flavours, and absorbing distillery stories is rooted deep in her memory.
Her “lightbulb dram” came early too—a sample from her dad’s Port Charlotte cask. She remembers watching it open up with a splash of water, the flavours shifting, deepening, surprising her. It was the moment whisky went from familiar to fascinating.
From Fashion to the Still House
Fast forward to 2022. After the pandemic, like so many people reassessing their direction, Kirsten decided it was time for a change. She swapped fashion retail management for a leap into the whisky world and moved to Islay for a compliance role with Lagavulin and Caol Ila Brand Homes.
But it wasn’t long before the production side of the distillery captured her heart. The sights, the sounds, the rhythm of the process—she was hooked. By August 2023, she’d been offered the role of Senior Operator, becoming the first woman in Lagavulin’s history to take on the position. A milestone she carries with both pride and humility.
Why Lagavulin? “Because it’s iconic.”
Choosing Lagavulin wasn’t a difficult decision. It’s one of the most recognised names in the whisky world—a distillery with global reach and deep heritage. But for Kirsten, it isn’t just the fame.
Being part of Diageo means working somewhere that prioritises safety, people, and sustainability. Having values that align with her own is non-negotiable, and Lagavulin delivers on that.
“Lagavulin is known around the world, but what means most to me is how much the distillery cares for its people and the environment.”
A Job That Runs from Grain to Cask
Ask her what she loves about her work, and she’ll tell you it’s the whole process. Not one part—the entire thing.
From malted barley arriving at the distillery to filling the casks that will eventually travel the world, she’s hands-on with every step. Sustainability plays a huge role in that work: using ingredients and energy wisely, minimising environmental impact, and still maintaining the unmistakable Lagavulin quality drinkers expect.
The Versatility of Whisky (and a Misconception She’d Love to Banish)
If there’s one myth she’d like to put to rest, it’s that whisky is only for the stereotypical “country gent” in front of a fireplace with a cigar. The image makes her laugh.
In reality, whisky is wonderfully versatile. It shines in cocktails, works beautifully in highballs, and welcomes newcomers. If you think you don’t like whisky, she insists, you’ve probably just not met the right one yet.
If Kirsten Were a Whisky…
She admits it’s a hard question, but she settles on the Lagavulin 2023 Special Release. A 12-year-old finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, it balances youthful distillery character with unexpected, vibrant layers from the tequila influence. Familiar—but with surprises. And the artwork on the bottle is a favourite of hers too.
Dreams, Curiosity, and the Future
Though she’s firmly rooted in operations for now, Kirsten has a curiosity for liquid development—the alchemy of maturation, flavour evolution, and the skill of nosing casks with intent. It’s an area she’d love to explore more someday.
And if she hadn’t joined the whisky world? She jokes she’d thrive in a job combining fashion, travel, and whisky—“the dream trio”—but she has no plans to leave the industry anytime soon.
Life Beyond the Distillery
Outside of Lagavulin, Kirsten is happiest exploring Islay’s beautiful beaches with her partner Danny and their three wee dogs: Pacha, Clover, and Gigha. Travelling is another passion—whether it’s hopping to another Scottish island or flying somewhere completely new. She loves embracing unfamiliar cultures and landscapes.
And one place you have to go if you are in Scotland is The Banffshire coast from Findochty to Pennan. It has the most beautiful wee seaside villages. Cooried into their landscape, full of culture and delicious local restaurants.
And Finally…
Kirsten’s Desert Island Dram
Every whisky fan has that one bottle they’d take to a desert island, and Kirsten’s choice is full of sentiment: Port Charlotte PC12, Oileanach Furachail. A whisky tied to family, memory, and the journey that brought her where she is today.
