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Q&A With Former Distillery Manager Barry
Our former Distillery Manager, Barry MacAffer gives us his view from the top.
Barry on⊠Islayâs distilleries.
There is a huge sense of camaraderie between all the distilleries on Islay. Itâs competitive but incredibly supportive. If I need anything I can phone any of the others and they can do the same to me. Itâs one big family really. Literally for me, as my brother works at Ardbeg. I definitely tend to overly talk up LaphroaigÂź when weâre together!
Barry on⊠the link between whisky and island life.
Whisky is the currency on Islay. We all grew up with it and itâs present at all the big momentsâŠbirthdays, weddings, births, funerals. Itâs a thank you, a gift, a trade for meat or seafood. Itâs woven into everyoneâs lives here. I personally never leave the island without a couple of bottles in the car in case I need to gift one as a thank you. In fact, after I broke down recently on my way to Glasgow, I was pleased to be able to give one to the guy who towed me!
Barry on⊠visiting Islay.
Itâs best to come in the winter months. The wet, windy days give the truest sense of Islay. Plus, staying by the fire with a dram of LaphroaigÂź is so much more magical when itâs lashing down outside. Also, donât be surprised if it takes a while to get here. Just treat the journey as part of the adventure and embrace any challenges that are thrown your way. It may not be the easiest place to get to but itâs so worth it.
Barry onâŠhis distillery life.
Before I joined in 2011, I knew people who worked at this distillery and they all talked about the great experience they were having. They werenât wrong! I loved the team straightaway. Such fantastic work colleagues and the job was great. I was on the malting floor for four years, then transitioned to learn mashing and distilling. Honestly, I always thought the role of Distillery Manger would be out of my reach. Then I asked myself âwhy?â and tried to work towards it, moved through more departments and here I am.
Barry onâŠFriends of Laphroaig.
I think the whisky incites such a passionate following because of its unique flavour and trueness to tradition. Plus, the lovely welcoming smile you receive when you arrive on Islay of course.
Having the community of Friends is invaluable. Itâs a direct link between fans and the distillery team, where can tell them what weâre up to and they give us honest feedback. Positive or not, itâs always constructive and comes from a place of passion and good intentions. Weâre always true to our past and traditions but the Friends of LaphroaigÂź are with us on the journey and we embrace all they bring to it.
âFriendship is about recognition, and acknowledgment of a special relationship, FOL cements the relationship between the distillery and our friends.â
MORE TO EXPLORE
31 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP AND COUNTING
We all know whisky is better shared. That's why we created something special over 30 years ago. A global community of Friends who love Laphroaig.
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