Brian Watts An Appreciation

The shock within the Irish whiskey world on hearing of the untimely death of Brian Watts has been immense and none more so than among the many small Irish whiskey and other spirits brands that Brian supported with his knowledge, experience and kindness.

Born and raised in Scotland, Brian Watts graduated from Dundee College of Technology in 1986 with an Honours Degree in Science and Mechanical Engineering. As a young graduate, he worked with Scottish Power on safety case arguments for major power stations, before moving to William Grant & Sons in 1992 to commence his career in whisky. He worked in a variety of project management and asset management-related engineering roles until 1995. He then took up a new role as a shift manager at the North British Grain Distillery before being promoted to production manager with responsibility for a plant and team producing over 68 million litres of alcohol annually.

From 2012 Brian gained experience in the food packaging and agri-food sector before he came to Ireland in June 2017 to take up the role of general manager and master distiller of the Great Northern Distillery in Dundalk. This is Ireland’s largest independent distillery. In this key leadership role in the Irish whiskey sector, he excelled as a mentor and friend to a great number of emerging small brands and start-ups that flowed from the Irish whiskey renaissance.

I first met Brian in May 2018 at a meeting between our start-up whiskey brand, John Teeling and the senior management team at GND. Little did we know then that this tall, genial Scotsman would become a valued friend and mentor. His experience, kindness and encouragement would guide us from laying down our first single cask of whiskey (and by single, I mean just one first cask), to building our brand, our own distillery and our visitor centre.

Our experience of working with Brian was not unique. Speaking with industry friends and colleagues in recent weeks, it is obvious that a great many new and small Irish whiskey and spirits brands owe their growth and success to Brian and his team. A common thread in conversation was that each of these brand owners was made to feel as if they were GND’s most important customer when they visited Ireland’s largest independent distillery, no matter how big or small their project. He cared a lot about his entrepreneurial clients and their crazy dreams, and he kept the fun in whiskey and industry alive.