After starting bartending during her sociology studies at the University of Edinburgh, Kirsten Ainslie volunteered at The Glasgow Distillery Company to learn her craft before becoming lead distiller at John Crabbie Distillery in Leith.

Of her new role at Brown-Forman, Ainslie says, “I feel very privileged to be taking on the role of Assistant Blender and working alongside Rachel Barrie who is renowned in the whisky industry...I hope to build on the legacy of maturing and marrying different casks, and crafting whiskies to be enjoyed by newcomers and connoisseurs alike.”

Barrie adds, “...welcoming Kirsten to the team signals our long term commitment to investing into and growing our wonderful single malts...Nurturing young talent is an important part of what we do at Brown-Forman and Kirsten has certainly proven she has the best nose for the job.”