Richard Paterson
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January 31, 1949
Richard Paterson | |
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![](#/media/File:Richard_Paterson_auf_der_Messe_"Whisky_Live"_in_Verviers_(Belgien)_am_17._März_2006.JPG) | |
| Born | Richard Paterson January 31, 1949 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Occupation | Master blender |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Known for | Master blender at The Dalmore; nicknamed "The Nose" |
Richard Paterson (born 31 January 1949), OBE is a Scottish author and whisky expert.[1] He is a master blender with over five decades of experience in the whisky industry.[2][3] In the industry, he is nicknamed "The Nose" and is seen as one of the most respected blenders in the Scottish malt whisky industry.[2][4][5][6][3][7]
Career
Paterson began his career in 1966 at A. Gillies & Co., a whisky blending firm, where he started as an office junior and gained knowledge in whisky blending and production. In 1970, he joined Whyte & Mackay, becoming their master blender in 1975.[8] During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing and maintaining the quality of their whisky brands, including The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn, and Tamnavulin malts, as well as the Whyte & Mackay blend.[5]
He previously held a USD 2.5 million insurance policy on his nose with Lloyd’s of London but this has now lapsed.[3]
In 2011, he was responsible for creating a modern blend using a retrieved bottle of Ernest Shackleton’s whisky from 1907 that is now sold commercially.[3][9][7] To create the whisky, he spent up to six weeks in full laboratory conditions to analyse the whisky.[10]
In 2020, after celebrating his 50th anniversary with Whyte & Mackay, Paterson took on the role of master blender at Wolfcraig Distillery, a new venture aimed at creating a Highland single malt Scotch whisky.[11] He continues to serve as master blender for The Dalmore while contributing his expertise to Wolfcraig whisky.[6]
In 2023, he became a viral sensation on TikTok with tens of millions of views on the platform.[12]
Awards and recognition
Throughout his career, Paterson has received numerous accolades, including:
- Icon of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award
- Spirit of Scotland Award, International Wine and Spirit Competition[5]
- Induction into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame of the World Drinks Awards.[13]
In June 2022, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the Scottish whisky industry.[14][2][15][16]
He is responsible for the International Wine and Spirit Competition Scotch Whisky Awards and is an IWSC judge.[17][18]
He is also Chair of the International Spirits Challenge.[19]
Publications
In 2008, Paterson authored Goodness Nose, a book that delves into the art of whisky blending and his experiences in the industry.[20]
