Richard Paterson

Richard Paterson is the third generation of a Glasgow blending family and joined Whyte & Mackay in 1970. He built his reputation on sherry wood, negotiating access to rare Spanish bodega casks — including decades-old Matusalem oloroso butts — and using them to give The Dalmore its dark, marmalade-and-chocolate signature.

Known across the industry simply as The Nose, he became whisky's most recognisable presenter, famous for smashing a glass on the table to stop guests nosing too soon and for teaching a whole generation of enthusiasts how to taste. He also spent decades curating some of Scotland's oldest stock, releasing very long-aged Dalmore expressions and co-writing on whisky appreciation.