From Passion to Profession: My First Steps Into the Distillery Industry

Just a few months ago, I was working as a receptionist and lifeguard. Now, I find myself walking into some of Glasgow’s most exciting bars, restaurants, and shops, introducing people to the spirits we craft at North Point Distillery—talking about rum, gin, and soon to be released, single malt whisky. It still feels a bit surreal, but this journey has been in the making for quite some time.

My first taste of whisky came from my dad. It wasn’t anything dramatic—just a simple sip from one of the good single malt Scotch whiskies he kept around: Macallan 12 Double Cask, Glenfiddich 12 year old, and Ian MacLeod’s “As We Get It” Highland. He’s not someone who talks about whisky a lot, but he’s always appreciated it. That quiet appreciation rubbed off on me, and I found myself more and more curious about what made each whisky unique.

Turning 18 during the COVID pandemic made things a bit more difficult. I couldn’t just go into bars to try new whiskies. One Christmas, my Grandma gifted me a whisky advent calendar with twelve samples, and that really kicked off my interest. I remember writing notes on the box, picking up on the differences between regions and casks.

Then there’s David Morgan. He’s a very good friend and a long-time whisky lover. David also works closely with Diageo, so he knows the industry well from both a professional and an enthusiast’s perspective.

He introduced me to the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy. I didn’t jump in right away, still unsure of what I wanted, but when my Grandma passed away, she left me the money to take the course. She always believed in me and saw this as a new avenue for me to explore. So, in February 2024, I began the diploma at the Port of Leith Distillery. I was probably the youngest person there and definitely nervous, but that experience was a turning point for my career.

With over ten years in acting, I’ve always enjoyed performing and talking to people. After earning my diploma, I started thinking about how to combine those skills with my love for whisky. A brand ambassador role felt like the perfect fit—but nearly every job listing asked for experience I didn’t have.

North Point's core range of spirits in 5cl bottles

Things changed when I met Alex MacDonald, co-founder of North Point Distillery, at the Scottish Rum Festival in Glasgow. We had a quick chat, and he handed me his card. I followed up with him, and what was meant to be a short 20-minute call turned into an hour and a half. We stayed in touch over the next few weeks, while I launched my whisky Instagram account, @redheadmalts, to show my passion and start building a presence in the industry.

During this time, Alex mentioned that North Point wanted to grow their presence in the central belt of Scotland. With the distillery based in Thurso, accessing Glasgow isn’t the easiest. I told him I could help, that I believed I was the right person for the role, and despite my lack of experience, he was intrigued and set up a meeting with the rest of the team.

I spoke with Struan, Heather, and Greg—three key people at North Point. They asked some tough-but-fair questions about what I knew, why I wanted to work in the industry, and what I could bring to the team. Not long after, Alex called and offered me the job. I couldn’t stop smiling.

I started in February 2025 and spent my first week in Thurso, meeting everyone and taking part in our annual training. That’s when I really understood what we’re about and that we are a distillery that puts quality, sustainability, and taste at the forefront of everything we do.

At first, I thought being a brand ambassador was mostly about talking to people and sharing drinks. But it turned out to be so much more. My training included learning everything about our products, practising sales conversations, diving into cask sales, networking, and planning how to approach potential partners. It was a lot to take in, but incredibly rewarding.

What surprised me most was how much I enjoy cask sales. There’s something really fulfilling about not just buying a bottle, but being part of something from the start. Our upcoming whisky, Dalclagie, is a big part of that. Dalclagie isn’t just a name—it’s the expression of everything we’ve been working toward. It will be the first whisky release under the North Point label.

Oliver Duncan (left) with customers at a Barrel Top Tasting event at Billington's of Lenzie in Glasgow

It’s exciting to be involved at this stage, speaking to people who are looking not just to drink a great whisky, but to be part of its story from the very beginning. Whether that’s through buying a bottle when it launches or becoming a cask owner now, Dalclagie is our promise to the future of North Point—and I love sharing that story.

After a few weeks of training, I started visiting bars around Glasgow, encouraging people to try our Pilot Rum, Spiced Rum, and Crosskirk Bay Gin. I talked about who we are, what we stand for, and why we do what we do. It’s not just about making a sale—it’s about creating connections and sharing our vision.

Alongside these visits, I also take part in organising and supporting events, calling new venues to introduce them to our spirits, and managing existing accounts to ensure they have everything they need. Whether it’s planning a tasting event, reaching out to a new bar, or making sure our long-standing customers are well looked after, every part of the role brings something different and I love the variety.

The most exciting part is that we’re only at the beginning. With Dalclagie maturing, our team growing, and more people discovering what we’re about, the future looks incredibly bright. North Point is a young distillery with big goals, and I feel lucky to be part of it. I’m proud to say I’m part of this team, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.

Thanks for reading my story. If you’re curious about what we do, want to know more about our spirits, or are interested in cask sales, feel free to get in touch at oliver@northpointdistillery.com

Slàinte!

-- Oliver