In what’s been described as a creative shake-up by the company, The Lakes Distillery has appointed Sarah Burgess as its new whiskymaker as a replacement for Dhavall Gandhi.
Burgess previously worked in the same role at The Macallan, helping to design the brand’s Genesis expression, The Anecdotes of Ages Collection in collaboration with Sir Peter Blake, and establish a partnership with Pantone Color Insititute.
For over two decades Burgess spent also working at Diageo, managing the Oban, Glenkinchie and Clynelish distilleries.
Most recently, Burgess worked as creative director at The Craigellachie, creating a luxury lifestyle collection telling the story of Speyside.
Speaking on her new appointment, Burgess commented: “I was intrigued by The Lakes as a new distillery but one creating such high-quality whisky. I am excited to be part of a new and innovative operation and I am sure between my creativity and the quality casks we have in maturation that many great whiskies will follow.”
Co-founder Nigel Mills added: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah to our team. Not only does she bring a wealth of experience and creativity, but Sarah’s inclusive desire to guide, support, and develop our existing whiskymaking team is something we are very excited about.
“With an acute understanding of the complete whiskymaking process, Sarah’s hands-on approach to taking concepts from inception through to creation aligns flawlessly with our whiskymaking philosophy. It is a very exciting time for us all.”
Burgess began work at the distillery last week and is working closely with the outgoing Gandhi on The Lakes’ 2023 bottlings before gaining full responsibility on the whisky-making operations. Lakes Distillery chairman Tim Farazmand used the phrase “forever grateful” when discussing Gandhi’s “instrumental role” at the distillery over the last five years.
Burgess previously worked in the same role at The Macallan, helping to design the brand’s Genesis expression, The Anecdotes of Ages Collection in collaboration with Sir Peter Blake, and establish a partnership with Pantone Color Insititute.
For over two decades Burgess spent also working at Diageo, managing the Oban, Glenkinchie and Clynelish distilleries.
Most recently, Burgess worked as creative director at The Craigellachie, creating a luxury lifestyle collection telling the story of Speyside.
Speaking on her new appointment, Burgess commented: “I was intrigued by The Lakes as a new distillery but one creating such high-quality whisky. I am excited to be part of a new and innovative operation and I am sure between my creativity and the quality casks we have in maturation that many great whiskies will follow.”
Co-founder Nigel Mills added: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah to our team. Not only does she bring a wealth of experience and creativity, but Sarah’s inclusive desire to guide, support, and develop our existing whiskymaking team is something we are very excited about.
“With an acute understanding of the complete whiskymaking process, Sarah’s hands-on approach to taking concepts from inception through to creation aligns flawlessly with our whiskymaking philosophy. It is a very exciting time for us all.”
Burgess began work at the distillery last week and is working closely with the outgoing Gandhi on The Lakes’ 2023 bottlings before gaining full responsibility on the whisky-making operations. Lakes Distillery chairman Tim Farazmand used the phrase “forever grateful” when discussing Gandhi’s “instrumental role” at the distillery over the last five years.
