Mark Jennings

Hi, or Hej since I moved to Sweden. I’m Mark Jennings, a drinks writer for Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate, Allt om Whisky, and the Malt Whisky Yearbook, among others and I know why some people hate whisky. I was one of them.

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Since my ‘spiritual’ awakening I’ve mixed cocktails live on air for Monocle, explained cocktail trends on Bloomberg TV, judged for major spirits awards, led tasting events across Europe and North America, written for leading drinks publications—including Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate, and the Malt Whisky Yearbook—and even had a cocktail named after me. It’s been some ride, I can tell you.

My unexpected career in spirits began during my years in advertising. I got to see the craft and passion behind the bottles and meet hundreds of remarkable people who make, mature, market, and drink fine spirits. I fell in love, quit the ad world, and started making content and putting on events—once I finally started to enjoy whisky.

It was Alan Winchester, the now-retired Master Distiller of The Glenlivet, who told me it wasn’t a sin to add water. He helped unravel the years of excess ritual I’d absorbed growing up in Scotland—the rules, the snootiness, the unchanging narrative that whisky had hung its hat on for so long.

So I guess what started as a hobby took over my life. And I’ve not been passive. Along the way, I helped The Glenlivet create the world’s fastest-selling whisky, launched the world’s first cocktail subscription business—described by drinks legend Dick Bradsell as “the best idea I’ve heard in years”—and worked on developing new brands (some of which are still in business).

I’m still learning, but I know a lot more about booze now—from how brands work, to what bartenders love and hate, and what motivates consumers. I know how weird and scary a bad label or menu can be. And I know how wonderful, mysterious, delightful, and life-affirming a good spirit story can be—with just a little knowledge. It’s my job to change your mind.

“Leading voice in the world of cocktails”

^{– Andy Wallace, then Prestige Manager,  William Grant & Sons (Owner of Glenfiddich, Hendricks, Monkey Shoulder)}