Irish Distillers, producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, today announces the appointment of Billy Leighton to Master Blender Emeritus as Dave McCabe steps into his predecessor’s role as the new Master Blender at Irish Distillers.

Billy will remain at the business supporting Irish Distillers’ brands as Master Blender Emeritus following an incredible 47-year career at Irish Distillers. Billy originally started as a trainee accountant, in the then Irish Distillers owned Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim. He then moved into production, working in a variety of roles across bottling, warehousing, maturation and blending before being appointed Master Blender at Midleton Distillery in 2004.