Mark Riley, who has spent 30 years in the whisky industry across three continents, has been hired to head a fast-growing distillery close to Stonehenge in southern England.
Witchmark Distillery, founded in 2022 and now one of England’s largest and most sustainable whisky distilleries, is housed in a 17th-century Wiltshire barn etched with protective medieval witch marks.
Mr Riley spent a decade as managing director at Edrington, whose brands include The Macallan and Highland Park. His career also includes senior roles at Diageo, Beam Inc and Maxxium UK.
He now leads Witchmark’s ambitions to become one of England’s leading whisky producers. It filled its first casks in 2024, laying the foundation for single malts set to debut in 2027.
“After nearly three decades working across the great whisky traditions of Scotland, Japan and America, joining the English whisky revolution feels both energising and deeply meaningful,” said Mr Riley.
In its first year of trading, Witchmark secured an impressive range of listings spanning premium retail, regional pub groups and high-end cocktail bars. It is also the official spirits supplier to Bath Rugby.
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