Glenturret appoints new md

Scottish distillery The Glenturret has appointed a new managing director as it looks to launch its first gin brand. 

Jennie Baernreuther is joining the distillery as the new md after 16 years at Speciality Drinks Group, which owns the The Whisky Exchange, where her most recent role was commercial director. She joined the company in 2007 as senior account manager and set up the company’s route to market (RTM) channel, growing the business to around 1500 on-trade and specialist retail customers from across the UK, as well as internationally. The business was subsequently bought by Pernod Ricard.

She joins as the distillery is set to branch into gin with the launch of the Aberturret Gin, its first foray into a different spirits category, as well as opening the former Dower house on the estate for private hire.

Baernreuther takes over from outgoing John Laurie, who has overseen the transformation of the Perthshire distillery over the last five years, following its purchase by the Lalique Group in 2019. He called the chance to relaunch The Glenturret as a single malt whisky and take it into that luxury space under the new owner as a “once in a career opportunity “. He moved it away from its previous incarnation as the home to the Famous Grouse Experience, building the Glenturret brand credentials, and establishing the 2-starred Lalique restaurant on site.

Laurie is returning to Edrington, who he worked for before it sold The Glenturret to Lalique, to head up The Glenrothes Speyside malt brand.

Baernreuther told Scottish newspaper The Herald that her predecessor and his team had done “an amazing job of building the business and brand credentials” and she was confident of delivering strong future growth and prosperity for the brand.

Her role at Speciality Drinks Group is being taken by Hazel Glen AIH.

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