Stephen Rankin has a passion for Scotch whisky and an in-depth knowledge of the product andindustry, having joinedfamily-owned whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail in 2000. Stephen is proud to be a fourth-generation member of the Urquhart family that owns the Elgin-based business, embracing the knowledge and expertise in whisky maturation passed down through the generations.
Following in his family’s footsteps, Stephen has dedicated his career to building his understanding of single malt Scotch whisky, travelling the world to share his passion for Gordon & MacPhail’s extensive portfolio.
Recognised for his contribution to the whisky industry, Stephen is a Keeper of the Quaich – an exclusive and international society that acknowledges those who have shown outstanding commitment to Scotch whisky – and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers in the City of London.
Over almost two decades,he has built his understanding of whisky and the wider wine and spirits industry through a range of advanced qualifications with the globally recognised Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Courses have included specific sensory analysis and technical trainingand he has won several awards as part of this process. It is this wider knowledge of wine and spirits that brings additional value to Stephen’s role within the business.
He furtherdeveloped his expertise in a range of sales-focussed roles with previous positions including Director of UK Sales, with responsibility for more than 2,000 customers,strategies and long-term forecasting.
Having gained a great understanding of Gordon & MacPhail’s unrivalled liquid library and its customers across the world, Stephen was appointed as the company’sfirst Director of Prestige in October 2017.
In this role- a position that is pivotal to the ongoing success of the business – Stephen identifies and forges relationships with lovers of the finest whiskies across the globe.He uses his passion and knowledge to introduce discerning whisky drinkers to Gordon & MacPhail’sunique range of single malts in the global luxury consumer market. He focuses on the rare and aged expressions which make up the company’s renowned whisky collection, including the‘Private Collection’ and ‘Generations’ranges of single malts.
Stephen manages various relationships whichinvolvetravelling to global conferences and events, delivering exclusive and intimate tastings of personally selected whiskies and directly engaging attendees with the story of single malt Scotchwhisky and Gordon & MacPhail.
He also hosts a limited number of events and master classes at high-end whisky shows around the world, including the Nth annual whisky and luxury spirits event in Las Vegas, introducing visitors to Gordon & MacPhail’s vintages from its portfolio and archives. In doing so, he brings to life the company’s skills as leading maturation experts and whisky creators.
In addition to conductingprestigious tastings, attending events and working closely with trade customers, Stephen welcomes the most discerning whisky consumers to Elgin to help build their knowledgeand collections ofsingle malts. Stephen hosts guests in Gordon & MacPhail’s historic homewhere they are educated and entertained during their stay in Speyside.
