Kentucky Bourbon Maker’s Mark has appointed Beth Buckner as its new lead blender, working alongside new master distiller Dr Blake Layfield.

She’s the most accomplished whisky maker you’ve probably never heard of, the hidden nose behind The Dalmore’s success. Now, after 50 years in the industry, most spent as the right-hand woman of master blender Richard Paterson, Margaret Nicol finally has her name on a bottle.

Counting the likes of Rachel Barrie, Stephanie Macleod, Ron Welsh and Sandy Hyslop among her mentors, Loch Lomond blender Ashley Smith is one of Scotland’s most exciting whisky makers.