Category: Ian Urquhart

15 Years of Texas Whiskey

Texas is booming as a whiskey region, with distilleries all over the Lone Star State. That history only goes back about 15 years, when pioneers… Read More

Texas is booming as a whiskey region, with distilleries all over the Lone Star State. That history only goes back about 15 years, when pioneers like Balcones Distilling and Garrison Brothers started out. During the recent 15th anniversary celebrations at Balcones, Texas Whiskey Festival co-founder Jake Clements moderated a panel (and tasting) on the first 15 years of Texas whiskey. We’re bringing you that discussion this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, with panelists Jared Himstedt of Balcones, Dan Garrison of Garrison Brothers, Ironroot Republic’s Robert Likarish, and Ty Phelps of Andalusia Whiskey. In the news, The Lakes Distillery in England is being sold, while Edrington is selling off its Noble Oak American Whiskey brand.

Episode 1051: April 7: 2024

Links: Balcones Distilling | Garrison Brothers Distilling | Ironroot Republic Distilling | Andalusia Whiskey | The Lakes Distillery | Noble Oak | Highland Park | Gordon & MacPhail | Old Fitzgerald | Orphan Barrel | Booker’s Bourbon | Whiskey JYPSI | 2XO Whiskey | High West | Kavalan | High N’ Wicked | Torabhaig Distillery | Dewar’s

Ian Urquhart: 1948-2024

Ian Urquhart, a member of the third generation of Urquharts to lead Gordon & MacPhail, has died at the age of 76. Urquhart passed away… Read More

Ian Urquhart, a member of the third generation of Urquharts to lead Gordon & MacPhail, has died at the age of 76. Urquhart passed away March 15 in Elgin, Scotland. He was the eldest son of “Mr. George” Urquhart, and led the company as managing director from 1990 until 2007, when he retired to become non-executive chairman of the family-owned firm.

Ian Urquhart was responsible for Gordon & MacPhail’s acquisition of the mothballed Benromach Distillery in 1993 and its subsequent refurbishment. He presided over the distillery’s reopening in 1998 during a ceremony attended by then-Prince Charles, and was on hand when the first spirit flowed from the stills at the family’s new Cairn Distillery in 2022.

Urquhart also served as chairman for many years of the family’s other enterprise, the cashmere producer Johnstons of Elgin. He and his brother Michael were honored with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in Queen Elizabeth’s 2022 Platinum Jubilee honors for their services to the Scotch Whisky industry. Urquhart also received a lifetime achievement award from the Spirit of Speyside Festival, which he helped create 25 years ago.

Ian Urquhart is survived by his wife Nichola, his son Neil, who currently serves as non-executive chairman of Gordon & MacPhail, his daughter Jenny, his brother Michael and sister Rosemary Rankin, and five grandchildren.