Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador's Blog

Meet Dennis McBain

6 Comments

Posted on November 6, 2007 by Ludo

On October 1st, Dennis McBain started an incredible 50th year at Glenfiddich, making him our longest-serving employee. Today, I would like you to meet him.

Ludo - Dennis, when did you start working for William Grant & Sons?

Dennis - I started on the 30th September 1958.

Ludo - Can I ask how old you were?

Dennis – I was born in Dufftown on 23/07/1942, so I was 16 when I started working in the whisky industry.

Ludo - So that means you should have retired on July 23rd, when you were 65. Why did you decide to stay?

Dennis –Because I wanted to reach 50 years’ service.

Ludo - Why?

Because it’s a milestone. But more importantly, I don’t want to retire! I will probably have to retire next year but I must say that I’m not particularly looking forward to it. I’ll miss all the people here and I truly enjoy my job, even after 49 years!

Ludo - Would you say it’s also a matter of pride?

Dennis - Not really, it’s more about personal satisfaction.

Ludo – Will you be Glenfiddich’s first employee to have reached 50 years’ service?

Dennis – Yes, but I don’t think I’ll be the last.

Ludo - You must be one of the most experienced coppersmiths in Scotland?

Dennis – As far as I’m aware, yes.

Ludo - Have you always been a coppersmith?

Dennis – No, I began my career as a maltman, but I only stayed in the maltings for about a year, if my memory serves me correctly. When the company recruited a fully qualified coppersmith in 1958 or 1959, I was asked if I wanted to start learning from him. The pay was a penny more an hour, which was quite a lot of money in those days, so I said yes.

Ludo - And when did you become a fully qualified coppersmith?

Dennis - I was 23. The apprenticeship was 5 years in those days. I also had to prove to the company that I could do the work before I was recognised as a fully qualified coppersmith. That took another year.

Ludo - When did you build your first still?

Dennis - Around about 1964 or 1965 I believe.

Ludo – What are your responsibilities as Glenfiddich’s coppersmith?

Dennis – Simply to look after all the distillation equipment on site.

Ludo - Do you think the family’s decision not to change the size of our stills over the years was the right one?

Dennis – Absolutely! We’re selling more whisky now than we ever have, aren’t we! Seriously, the size, and don’t forget the shape, of a still play a key role in shaping the flavour profile of a single malt. It is very important not to change either of them.

Ludo - Looking back at your time at Glenfiddich, what are you the most proud of?

Dennis – (After a long pause…) I would say the friendship of all the people that I have met in the industry over the years.

Ludo - A final question Dennis, if you could have a dram with William Grant, what would it be?

Dennis – Glenfiddich 15 Years Old! Because I think William would be proud of the range we have developed over the years. Remember that during his life, William was only bottling one type of Glenfiddich.

Ludo – Indeed! Thank you very much for your time Dennis.

Please use the comments form below if there are any more questions you would like to ask Dennis. Dennis will personally respond to you.

Best regards,

Ludo