Craig Johnstone Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

Scotland, United Kingdom

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Cambridge, Tasmania, Australia

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Responsible for GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh single malt whiskies into Asia/Pac/IMEA. Part brand ambassador, part business development my role saw me travel extensively to spread brand education and help markets develop brand strategies for new product launches and sell through of historical stock.

Responsible for full production cycles of Single Malt Whisky, Gin, Liqueuers and Rum at Lark Distillery, Tasmania's Original Single Malt Distillery and first licenced since 1839.We produce both peated and unpeated spirits, making whisky by hand in small batches relying on our senses to make our cuts and our natural environment when concocting our brews..

Dubai, UAE

Marketing Manager for 23 Single Malt Distilleries working directly with 11 brand owners to distribute and market their Single Malts in the Middle East. Commercial Responsibilities:Ordering, Forecasting, Reporting and Brand PlanningAmbassador Responsibilities:On-Trade and Off-Trade training, Writing Training Manuals, Curriculum Design and Conceptualising.

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Brand Development, Trade Training, Consumer Entertainment, Driving Growth and Sales through Relationships and Interactions, Adding Value through Staff Training and Events

• Member of Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) Tasting Panel
• Approve submitted whiskies for SMWS bottling
• Possess an expert whisky nose/paletteIn-House Taster/Presenter
• Plan, organize and host on and off-site, corporate, distillery, private and special events including Taste of Edinburgh
• Tutored tastings: 3 - 50 people, beginner to connoisseur levels, explain production process, SMWS, instruct nosing/tasting methods, answer questions, most requested staff member for tastings
• Plan, organize, and host Fringe Festival 2009 tasting program (10 tastings, 220 people)

• Conceptualize, organize and execute an Ambassador program for Western Canada, heightening the visibility and increasing awareness of The Edrington Group whiskies while managing a travel schedule within budget
• Personally trained by Gerry Tosh, Head of Brand Education for Highland Park
• Bar and retail Scotch whisky education and guided tastings of The Famous Grouse, Highland Park and The Macallan ranges for account management and staff to small (4 people) and large (50 people) audiences, building and.
• Retail consumer sampling events in partnership with provincial liquor control boards (i.e. L.C.B.O., B.C.L.D.B.) as well as small and large scale retailers (i.e. Liquor Depot)
• Masterclasses (up to 500 people) at all of Canada’s major festivals and events including Spirit of Toronto, Whisky Live Toronto, Victoria Whisky Festival, Vancouver Hopscotch, Canmore and Calgary Highland Games.
• In-home/private tastings for consumers (raffle prizes, serious consumers/collectors)

• Train distributors, retailers, SWA, Scotch Whisky Experience and Diageo staff on aspects of the industry and Glenkinchie
• Guided tours (groups of up to 30, all ages)
• Responsible for handling VIP visits
• Hosted tasting events for Foodies Festival Scottish Parliament, Stirling Castle, East Lothian Air Show
• Given the opportunity to question and tour with Global Brand Ambassadors, Tom Smith, Gordon Bell, Gregor Cattanach
• Personally trained by Distillery Manager Charlie Smith, Distillery Manager Kay Fleming, Operations Manager Duncan Tait, Operations Manager Bruce MacKenzie, Brand Home Manager Mary Darling, Brand Home Lead Guide Isobel.

• Hosted tastings and tutorials which included process of malt, grain and blended whiskies
• Barman experience with proprietary drams from across the industry
• On-site store customer service representative, cashier