Sir Robin Knox-Johnston becomes Benromach ambassador

Legendary round the world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has become an ambassador for Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  The announcement was made in New York at the North Cove Marina whilst the yachts in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race berthed in New York for a two-day stopover. 

Sir Robin will undertake a number of ambassadorial roles on behalf of Benromach, including public speaking, product endorsement and hosting corporate promotional events.

Benromach is a Race Partner of the Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.  Earlier in the year at the London Boat Show, Benromach was unveiled as the Official Whisky Partner of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.

Located on the outskirts of Forres, Scotland, Benromach is Speyside’s smallest working distillery.  Only two experienced distillers hand craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach Hills.  Specially selected casks are then filled with the ‘new make’ spirit before being left to mature at the distillery for many years.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first man to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and single-handed when he arrived back in Falmouth on 22 April 1969, 312 days after setting off from the Cornish port in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. He was the only one of the nine competitors to complete the gruelling solo circumnavigation, the longest voyage ever undertaken. In 1969 he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) and knighted in 1995. He has been named Yachtsman of the Year an unprecedented three times.

In 1995 he founded Clipper Ventures, the marine events company that operates the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the sixth edition of which is currently bound for Nova Scotia, and the VELUX 5 OCEANS single handed race in which Sir Robin finished fourth in 2007, completing his second solo circumnavigation.

Michael Urquhart, Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, proprietors of Benromach Distillery says, “Sailing is an adventurous, challenging and aspirational sport that captures the imagination of people throughout the world.  In sharing his moments of determination, bravery and motivation, we feel Sir Robin’s stories will be of interest to the target market for the Benromach brand. We look forward to our continuing association with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race into 2009-10 and the opportunity to work with Sir Robin over the coming years.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says, “Benromach has been a fantastic support to the Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper over the past ten months and I was delighted to hear that they are coming onboard as the Official Whisky Partner of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race. Those who know me realise that I may be a little biased towards this sponsor given my long-running affair with ‘Uisge Beatha’ - or the Water of Life, as it is known to fellow whisky enthusiasts!”