Upton, who has experience producing whiskies of his own and who has also consulted to independent bottlers, joins from the society, where he specialised in one-on-one tastings for high net-worth collectors.
He previously worked for the Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
Bunnahabhain, produced on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, forms part of the portfolio of the JSE-listed Distell Group.
In his new role, Upton will also represent Distell’s other acclaimed single malts, including Deanston, Ledaig and Tobermory. These special products are not currently available for sale in South Africa.
“Joining such an established whisky producer has been a long-term ambition of mine and I’m honoured to become a member of the team,” Upton said about his new appointment.
“Each of the malts I’ll be representing is unique. I’m really looking forward to working with them and sharing my love of quality single malts with consumers the world over.”
Bunnahabhain was recently crowned
Distillery of the Year at the prestigious 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Islay whisky's 25-year-old single malt was judged the competition's best Scotch overall, as well as the best performer in the category of single malt Scotch of 20 years and older, to bring home a double gold medal. Bunnahabhain's 18-year-old was also awarded a double gold medal, while the 12-year-old earned gold. All three products are sold in South Africa.
Domestically, the award-winning Bunnahabhain collection is exclusive to fine whisky outlets including Whisky Brother of Hyde Park, Johannesburg, Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom, as well as Makro and Norman Goodfellows outlets nationwide, and from www.vinoteque.co.za.
The price of Bunnahabhain ranges from R700 to R1499 and R3499 for the 12-, 18- and 25-year-old whiskies respectively.
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