34 BUSINESS WOMEN SCOTLAND profiles
Georgie Bell
Where did you gain your experience
and knowledge in whisky?
I’ve been working in the Scotch Whisky industry for the
last 5 years. While I was at the University of Edinburgh
I was a cocktail bartender and it was through this that I
learnt to appreciate every spirit on my back bar, including
whisky. When it came to writing my undergraduate
dissertation I studied whisky and regional identity and
its importance to the projected image of Scotland (I
was originally a Geography student). After I graduated I
realised that I wanted to pursue a career within the whisky
industry, and to aid with this I did a second degree in
distillation – a bio-chemistry and chemical engineering
course through the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. It
was through this study and my true passion for Scotch
that I started working for Diageo as the Global Brand
Ambassador for Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Is it predominantly a male drink or is
there an uptake of female drinkers?
Women have always been involved in Scotch whisky –
going back in history some of the most famous distillery
owners have been women, and at the moment we have
incredibly passionate women on site creating Scotland’s
finest – from Georgie Crawford, distillery manager at
Lagavulin distillery to Maureen Robertson in the whisky
creation team.
The stereotypes surrounding Scotch whisky are
changing. Consumers, regardless of gender, are realising
that there is a rainbow of flavours to savour in a dram,
it’s not just a one dimensional flavour. That Scotch
whisky can be enjoyed in cocktails, as a spirit & mixer
(whisky+soda and whisky+coconut water, both over
ice in a tall glass, are 2 of my favourite serves) as well as
straight up, and that there are a plethora of occasions to
have a whisky rather than just the ‘after dinner’ hour.
Whisky after all is an acquired taste, just like coffee or
olives as you mature your palate adapts and evolves to
enjoy them, and again, regardless of gender, younger
generations are realising that actually an Old Fashioned
after work is a delicious drink to end the day with.
There must be a few people quite
envious of your position?
The offer to ‘help carry my bags’ while travelling does
come up quite often.
You have travelled afar promoting
our national drink, any country you
would like to visit again?
All of them, and more! Every country has its own unique
culture and drinking style but one thing reigns true
throughout – that Scotch whisky is truly loved, savoured
and enjoyed world over. I’ve been fortunate enough to
travel to all four corners of the globe – through work
and personally - and enjoy each country for different
reasons, different experiences. I’d love to go back to
South Korea and Australia. India is an incredibly vibrant
market with a very vivacious attitude to Scotch whisky;
I’ve yet to go there with Mortlach but fingers crossed.
Closer to home I really enjoy working in Germany and
Stockholm – the launch of Mortlach in both markets has
been very successful, I love working with our Diageo
teams in both and look forward to putting some very
cool plans in place later in the year.
What is your work wardrobe?
My work wardrobe is a blend of business casual during
the day and cocktail dresses at night for events. I’m
quite partial to anything from Reiss, All Saints and Acne.
As I spend 8 months of the year travelling I’m often
picking up pieces while away; I love the business style in
Berlin and Copenhagen and have recently bought some
beautiful pieces from independent stores there.
Weekends, work or play?
Both! Work never sleeps – especially when I’m
travelling and based in different countries. In my free
time I do spend a lot of time exercising – I recently ran
the London Marathon and have a road bike so am now
exploring the beautifully flat (thank goodness!) Scottish
coastline. I love eating and drinking out, finding new
restaurants and when in Edinburgh frequenting old
favourites – a cocktail and aperitif at Lucky Liquor,
dinner at The Dogs or Timberyard and then a digestif at
Bramble is the perfect Saturday night.
Finally who would you like to share a
‘wee dram ‘ with?
My university and bar friends in Edinburgh and London
– I don’t get to see them enough so when I do a bottle
of Mortlach Rare Old is often present to savour. n