After almost a decade as Master Blender, Billy became Master Blender Emeritus in November 2023, handing over the baton to David McCabe who stepped into his predecessor’s role as the new Master Blender at Irish Distillers. 

As Master Blender Emeritus, Billy remains at the business supporting Irish Distillers’ brands following an incredible 47-year career at Irish Distillers. 

Billy originally started as a trainee accountant, in the then Irish Distillers owned Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim. He then moved into production, working in a variety of roles across bottling, warehousing, maturation and blending before being appointed Master Blender at Midleton Distillery in 2004.