One Last Tastival: Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane Announces Retirement!

Tastival Attendees Invited to Toast Willie’s Retirement with the Man Himself

Whisky lovers from across the globe are invited to join Willie Cochrane – Jura Distillery Manager and one of the industry’s best-loved characters – at his last ever Tastival from 25-26 May, as he announces his retirement after an incredible 39 year career.

Willie’s friendliness, expertise and passion for the job has made him a celebrated figure in whisky circles and to this day, he loves welcoming visitors from far and wide, guiding them through the craft and expertise that goes into producing each cask of Jura.

He hands over the reins to Graham Logan, a former Jura Mash / Stillman who has worked at Willie’s side for over two decades, helping Jura become the award-winning success it is today.

But before Willie departs, the pair will take attendees at Tastival – Jura’s annual two-day whisky festival – on a journey through the senses, as they help the island’s honorary Diurachs (the Gaelic term for the community of Jura) discover different ways to enjoy whisky.

Willie and Graham will be leading The Master’s Tour; a rare chance to experience the Jura still house, as seen through the eyes of the people who make it, including a whisky tasting and Q&A session.
The pair will be also be signing bottles of this year’s limited edition Tastival bottling at the event – where guests will be amongst the first in the world to try this special expression, the last ever festival bottling to be overseen by Willie.

Jura is just as important to me now, as it has been for the last 39 years. I’ll find it hard to walk away completely, so I’ll still be involved in promoting the whisky from time to time. Definitely not a quiet retirement but one I’m very excited about, especially as I’ll have more time for the grandchildren, and to take holidays abroad with my wife!

Graham and I have worked together for years and I know he’s the right man for the job. I’ll sleep well at night knowing the distillery is in capable hands, with someone who loves Jura just as much as I do.
– Willie Cochrane

Willie Cochrane will be a hard act to follow – he is something of a legend and rightly so. Willie played a huge part in making the distillery the success it is today and has been an asset to the quality of the whisky that we produce.

I hope to be able to put my own stamp on the distillery, while maintaining the same level of craftsmanship and, overseeing some fantastic new bottlings.
– Graham Logan