As you’ve seen over the last few months, the Australia branch has undergone some changes, our incredible Membership Services superstar Suzy Tawse finished up in June after almost 20 years with the branch, and Matt Bailey returned to Aussie shores last month, permanently stepping into his SMWS ROW (Rest of World) Director role. But now, the final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place…
We’re now proud to announce that Zac Stanley has been hired for the role of Member Experience Manager to replace Suzy. Some of you may recognise Zac from around the whisky world at festivals, events, or even over the bar, having been with Alba Whisky for the last seven years wearing many different hats (as they say) across logistics, customer service, and marketing. On top of that, an impressive 30 years of hospitality experience (three years of which were spent behind the bar at Whisky & Alement) gives Zac an incredibly diverse background.
Adam had a brief moment to chat with Zac so you, our amazing members, can get to know our newest team member a bit more.
AI: So, straight off the bat — what draws you to whisky?
ZS: The thing I love most about single malt whisky is the incredible diversity of flavour available from what is essentially the same three ingredients used in every distillery around the world. The tapestry of flavour in a whisky is often cause for a discussion — a discussion the start of a conversation, a conversation the start of a friendship. It’s the differences in the whisky which bring us together around it.
AI: You’ve obviously had SMWS in your life in one form or another for a while — how does it feel to be on this side of the fence?
ZS: It’s an exciting opportunity! The SMWS is great at welcoming newcomers and making them feel like part of the group — so in one sense it doesn’t seem strange to be taking this next step, I’ll just be seeing more of this side of the family.
AI: Tell us a bit about your career highlights and why you love working in this industry so much.
ZS: Getting to work in whisky is a bit of a highlight in and of itself since I basically just chat to people about my hobby all day.
Specific highlights include: warehouse tours and being able to taste from the barrel to pick single-cask releases, sampling the oldest single malt ever bottled, planting barley which will one day be whisky, and, of course, the friends I’ve made along the way.
AI: What excites you about the SMWS?
ZS: The access! Building meaningful relationships in the whisky industry takes time, effort and dedication. Distilleries don’t entrust just anyone with their spirit. Our forebears at SMWS, starting all the way back with Pip, have done a stellar job of maintaining high standards and building relationships, which means that our members get access to some truly exciting single-cask single malts each and every month.
AI: What is one thing you’re looking forward to doing at the Society?
ZS: I’m looking forward to continuing to ensure that membership with the SMWS is meaningful and rewarding, and helping to foster that same welcoming environment for new and existing members that drew me to the SMWS in the first place.
AI: Who is your dream dramming partner? (Living or deceased)
ZS: I’d love to share a whisky with Anthony Bourdain — from what I’ve read, he wasn’t too into wine or spirits and preferred a simple, cold beer, but I reckon I could get him on board by the end of the night.
AI: What is your favourite style of whisky?
ZS: At the moment, I favour a stripped-back, spirit-forward whisky, usually from ex-bourbon or refill ex-sherry casks. Ask me again in a week and it will be different, though!
AI: What are your top 3 favourite albums?
ZS: Objectively, the best three albums of all time are (in no order):
- System of a Down — Toxicity
- Earl Sweatshirt — Doris
- Aqua — Aquarium
AI: What are your top 3 favourite movies?
ZS: Okay, so these are objectively not the best movies of all time, but three that I can always go back to:
- Constantine
- Snatch
- Little Miss Sunshine
If you’re calling the SMWS office or emailing us at [email protected], then you’ll be chatting with Zac from here on out! I’m sure all of our members will be giving him the warm welcome to the SMWS family he deserves.
