There is a freedom an outsider has in a tradition-bound business. After many years in the wine trade, John Glaser entered the world of Scotch whisky through one of the industry’s largest companies. There he developed a passion for Scotch whisky and dreamt of starting his own small company, doing things on his own terms. In 2000 he started the Compass Box Whisky Company, fine-tuning the compositions of his first whiskies in his kitchen. He is known for seeking evolutions of traditional techniques, particularly in oak maturation, to create compelling whiskies. As he says: “Our role at Compass Box is to nurture the roots of tradition in order to grow the possibilities”. Today, John Glaser is considered one of the most respected whiskymakers of his generation.