Gilbert, who hails from Clackmannanshire, has been appointed to oversee the running of 223-year-old Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull. She will be responsible for production of more than a million litres of whisky and gin each year at the facility.

After graduating from a Biological Science degree at Heriot Watt University in 2017, Gilbert completed a Diploma and then a master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling. In February this year, she moved from working as process lead at Bunnabhain on Islay to Mull for a secondment in the same role at Tobermory. She then moved up the ranks to assistant manager in March before this week earning a further promotion to distillery manager—less than five years since she first started working in the sector.

Gilbert said: “It’s an honour to be given the opportunity take on this role, helping to etch the next chapter for such a historic distillery. In my head, I always knew I wanted to be in a managerial position before I was 30 and a combination of hard work, seizing every opportunity thrown my way and learning from the best has made this vision a reality.”

Overseeing the production of both whisky and gin, Gilbert will work under the guidance of master distiller Brendan McCarron, who said: “Cara’s absolutely bursting with talent, passion and knowledge about distilling so it’s incredible to watch her tick off another career milestone.”