With over 40 years of experience under his ‘nose’ it’s no wonder Richard Paterson is regarded as one of the world’s best Master Blenders.
He is responsible for Whyte & Mackay’s flagship blended whisky, the rare and exclusive Dalmore whisky collection, the varied flavour profiles seen in the Jura single malt range and he was the man who re-created a piece of history when he brought to life the 100 year old Mackinlay’s ‘Shackleton’ whisky. He also has a unique and one-of-a-kind whisky collection named after him – The Paterson Collection – that he created in partnership with premier retailer Harrods.
Being a third generation Master Blender, Richard quickly learned that the complex art of producing the perfect whisky is not one to be taken lightly.
He began his career as a general production assistant at A. Giles & Company Whisky Blenders & Brokers where he learned the art of blending before joining Whyte & Mackay, one of Scotland’s leading makers and distributors of Scotch whisky, becoming their Master Blender at just 26 years old. With a truly unique talent for ‘nosing whisky’, one of the main tasks of a Master Blender is often nosing hundreds of samples of whisky over the course of a day, and being able to distinguish each to maintain particular layers of flavour, aroma and depth. It is his skill that earned him the nickname ‘The Nose’ and so valuable is his nose that he has had it insured by Lloyds of London for £1.5 million!
When Richard isn’t in his sample room creating whiskies he is often out travelling the globe extensively as not just an ambassador for Whyte & Mackay but for the Scottish whisky industry as a whole. His entertaining presenting style coupled with his passion and knowledge for whisky has earned him a legion of fans across the world. He has been awarded The Spirit of Scotland Trophy at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, named Whisky Magazine Whisky Ambassador of the Year and has even had a series of Manga comic strips created in his honour! When he isn’t receiving plaudits for his work, Richard likes to spend his time getting other’s involved in his passion as he is a Diploma Lecturer for Scotch Whisky for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London. He also works extensively with the Benevolent Trust in Scotland, to raise money for those who have previously worked in the drinks industry and have fallen on harder times.
In 2008 he added author to his list of achievements when he published his very own book, Goodness Nose. He writes a regular column in Sweden’s leading whisky magazine, Whisky & Bourbon. He has also contributed to the Huffington Post, The FT How to Spend It and Whisky Magazine, as well as bringing his inimitable presenting style to life on programmes such as CNBC (US), Style TV (Russia) and STV (UK) to name but a few. Richard is also a keen tweeter and regularly discusses his love of whisky through his social media channels.
What the press say about Richard…
‘Paterson is at one moment, a dedicated curator of both whiskies and history, the next, an inspirational innovator with a completely unconventional approach to building a whisky, drawing on influences from gastronomy and astronomy, from folklore, from (whisper it) smoking. Above all, he takes his cues from life and the way that whisky fits into it. In either incarnation, his eyes sparkle with passion for his subject.’ Chris Madigan, Brummell Magazine
‘Paterson is a snappy dresser — tailored suits, pocket squares, shirts with French cuffs — and an obsessive reciter of dates and historical factoids. He seems less like a whiskey-maker than a high-end perfumer, and much of his job consists of sniffing and mixing flasks, flagons and vials of amber-colored fluid in a glass-walled room that is part laboratory and part museum… (he) also takes whisky drinking very seriously.’ Charles McGrath, New York Times
‘It’s the measure of the man that, after a distinguished career and 44 years in the whisky industry, he is still excited by Scotch whisky, and his energy and passion spill over because he wants you to be excited as well’ Ian Buxton, Tasting Panel
‘a huge and internationally renowned character’ James Davidson, WeHeart
‘Richard has been hugely, hugely helpful to me in whisky information, entertainment and education… I think it’s fair to say he is currently the best ambassador for scotch throughout the world’ Charlie Maclean, Whisky Writer
