This week’s guest on In the Drink is John Glaser, the founder and whiskymaker of Compass Box, a boutique Scotch whisky company widely recognised as the industry’s leading innovator. Formerly a Johnnie Walker Global Marketing Director, John also spent several years in the wine industry in both America and France. Scotch whisky is a passion for John. In 2000, this passion led him to leave Johnnie Walker and start Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home.

His idea was simple: create whiskies of unassailable high quality in a style that is more in line with the tastes of today. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most exciting whisky companies, re-establishing the standards for quality and style in the industry. Compass Box has won the “Innovator of the Year Award” four times from Whisky Magazine, an unprecedented feat, and the “Pioneer of the Year Award” twice from the Malt Advocate.

Compass Box whiskies have been awarded over 60 medals and prizes in its short history. John, an American, has lived in London since 1998. He resides with his wife and two young boys in Kew, on the Thames River.

“The world needs small spirit companies with real people behind them and real sincerity.” [10:00]

“Age does not necessarily mean quality [in scotch].” [17:00]

–John Glaser on In the Drink

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