Meet the maker: John McCarthy

The Suffolk-based brewer, distiller and wine merchant, Adnams has collaborated with local artist, Maggi Hambling CBE to bring visual identity to a one-off triple malt whisky called “6PM”, released this week. Its name is inspired by Hambling’s working day, beginning at 6am in her studio, then ending at 6pm with a whisky. Only 187 bottles were crafted, with all profits going to The Adnams Community Trust. Douglas Blyde catches up with master distiller, John McCarthy to find out more…

Does your day, like Maggi Hambling CBE, tend to finish around 6PM?

I’m 5am to 5pm. I’ve always been an early riser so I’m out the door for a run most mornings at 5am, and hope for the day to done by 5pm.

What does the label represent?

It’s a self-portrait of Maggie enjoying a tumbler of 6PM whisky.

How much water would you add to a measure to best bring out its attributes?

I would add the same volume of water to spirit, so a 1:1 ratio. It’s too strong at 66% and the water allows the flavours to be expressed.

How did you decide on maturing the whisky for 10 years in first-fill American oak?

When I heard Maggie’s favourite Adnams’ whisky was our triple malt, I knew which cask would be perfect for this project. One (of just a few) which we had left for a special bottling.

Is it crafted from entirely local wheat, barley, and oats?

The barley and wheat, yes. The small amount of oats would have been grown in Scotland.

Tell us something really geeky about this release?

The cask, made of virgin American Oak has a M+ toasting (grilled and toasted notes, hints of spices and coffee, soft tannic structure) and was made at Speyside Cooperage.

How much of the proceeds from 6PM will go towards The Adnams Community Trust and what does this charity cover?

100% of the profits from the sale of this whisky will go to The Adnams Community Trust, which helps local organisations with bursaries for education, arts, conservation and health and social welfare, to name a few.

What is special about working at Adnams?

The location, the people and the work ethic. It’s a great place to come to every day, and we get to look out to the sea.

Do you often look towards the sea when assessing the whiskies under your care?

The distillery faces the sea, with large glass windows, so looking out to sea is happily unavoidable. I have a lighthouse in my view of my office window too.

Could you be poached from Adnams, or is it a job for life? 

I’ve been at Adnams for over 20 years. Retirement might be the next thing?

What is your career history?

I was a Control Systems Electrical Engineer for 15 years before joining Adnams as part of the Engineering team. By 2009, I had some brewing qualifications and was chosen as the best engineer to run Jonathan Adnams’ new Distillery project; to design and install a distillery. I guess it’s good to know how things work and my interest grew from there. I gained the IBD diploma in Distilling in 2013 and the role developed from being an engineer to engineer/distiller to Distiller only.

If not a distiller, what would you be doing?

I would still be an engineer.

Tell us something surprising about yourself?

I don’t like surprises!

6PM is available in a limited-edition run of only 187 bottles, from £350 at Adnams.co.uk and in Adnams retail stores from 15th December.