Richard Paterson
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Richard Paterson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard Paterson January 31, 1949 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Occupation | Master Blender |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Known for | Master Blender at The Dalmore; nicknamed "The Nose" |
Richard Paterson (born 31 January 1949), OBE is a Scottish author and whisky expert.[1] He is a master blender with over five decades of experience in the whisky industry.[2][3] In the industry, he is nicknamed "The Nose" and is seen as one of the most respected blenders in the Scottish malt whisky industry.[2][4][5][6][3][7]
Early life and education
[edit]Richard Paterson was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a third-generation master blender, as was his father and grandfather.[2][3] His father, Gus Paterson, managed the family whisky broker firm, W. R. Paterson & Co., which significantly influenced Richard's career path.
Career
[edit]Paterson began his career in 1966 at A. Gillies & Co., a whisky blending firm, where he started as an office junior and gained knowledge in whisky blending and production. In 1970, he joined Whyte & Mackay, becoming their master blender in 1975.[8] During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing and maintaining the quality of their whisky brands, including The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn, and Tamnavulin malts, as well as the Whyte & Mackay blend.[5]
He previously held a USD 2.5 million insurance policy on his nose with Lloyd’s of London but this has now lapsed.[3]
In 2011, he was responsible for creating a modern blend using a retrieved bottle of Ernest Shackleton’s whisky from 1907 that is now sold commercially.[3][9][7] To create the whisky, he spent up to six weeks in full laboratory conditions to analyse the whisky.[10]
In 2020, after celebrating his 50th anniversary with Whyte & Mackay, Paterson took on the role of master blender at Wolfcraig Distillery, a new venture aimed at creating a Highland single malt Scotch whisky.[11] He continues to serve as master blender for The Dalmore while contributing his expertise to Wolfcraig whisky.[6]
In 2023, he became a viral sensation on tiktok with tens of millions of views on the platform.[12]
Awards and recognition
[edit]Throughout his career, Paterson has received numerous accolades, including:
- Icon of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award
- Spirit of Scotland Award, International Wine and Spirit Competition[5]
- Induction into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame of the World Drinks Awards.[13]
In June 2022, he was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his services to the Scottish whisky industry.[14][2][15][16]
He is responsible for the International Wine and Spirit Competition Scotch Whisky Awards and is an IWSC judge.[17][18]
He is also Chair of the International Spirits Challenge.[19]
Publications
[edit]In 2008, Paterson authored Goodness Nose, a book that delves into the art of whisky blending and his experiences in the industry.[20]
Personal life
[edit]Beyond his professional endeavors, Paterson is involved in charitable activities, particularly with the Benevolent Trust in Scotland, supporting individuals in the drinks industry facing hardships. He is on the management committee of the society, Keepers of the Quaich.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ MacLean, Charles (2016-10-13). "Fifty Years in Scotch Whisky: An Interview with Dalmore's Richard Paterson". The Whiskey Wash. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b c d Hay, Katharine (2022-06-28). "Whisky master blender hopes father was 'looking down' as he was made OBE". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b c d e Bruner, Raisa (2016-08-31). "This Man's Job Is to Know Everything About Whisky". TIME. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Richard Paterson OBE on how to win IWSC gold: It's all about harmony". IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition. 2024-11-28. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b c "Interview: Richard Paterson, Dalmore". Scotch Whisky. 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b Edwards, Gareth (2020-10-22). "Scotland's most famous master blender has joined the project to create a new distillery". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b Morais, Betsy (2012-11-27). "Shackleton's Whiskey". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Brooker, Alice (2023-06-21). "Richard Paterson creates Wolfcraig Gin". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Shackleton blended malt inspired by explorer". Scotch Whisky. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Shackleton's South Pole whisky returns to Scotland". BBC News. 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Dalmore Master Blender Richard Paterson Has Signed on With A New Distillery, retrieved 2024-12-12
- ^ Smail, Alexander (2023-05-09). "Legendary Scottish whisky expert nicknamed 'The Nose' goes viral on TikTok aged 74". Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "World Drinks Awards". World Drinks Awards. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Hay, Katharine (2022-06-28). "Whisky master blender hopes father was 'looking down' as he was made OBE". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Green, Martin. "Richard Paterson awarded OBE in New Year's Honours". Drinks International. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Bowers, Donna (2021-01-12). "Richard Paterson awarded OBE in 2021 New Year Honours". The Worshipful Company of Distillers. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Scotch Whisky Awards". IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Richard Paterson OBE Judge". IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Media, Agile. "Whiskies". International Spirits Challenge 2025. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Paterson, Richard; Smith, Gavin D. (2008-10-23). Goodness Nose. New York: Neil Wilson Publishing. ISBN 978-1-903238-67-7.
- ^ "No 7 Keepers Bottling". Keepers of the Quaich. Retrieved 2024-12-12.