Billy Leighton, Master Blender Emeritus of Irish Distillers, visited Romania to celebrate the Jameson legacy

Billy Leighton, one of the legends of Irish whiskey and Master Blender Emeritus at Irish Distillers, visited Bucharest at the end of November to celebrate the art of blending and to spotlight Jameson Crested, a premium expression that brings together the tradition, innovation and refinement that define the Jameson universe.

Billy Leighton took part in the Caesar Luxury Summit Gala held in Bucharest between 20–21 November, a landmark event for Romania’s luxury industry, where he received the Hall of Fame distinction for his lifetime achievements.

While in Bucharest, Billy also hosted a whiskey masterclass in the vibrant atmosphere of Energiea. The evening was dedicated to the local community of whiskey enthusiasts, partners, and hospitality professionals, invited on a true flavour journey to discover the Jameson story alongside the master who gives it its voice.

Billy Leighton – the master who turned whiskey into an art of emotion

With a career spanning more than 49 years at Irish Distillers, Billy Leighton is an emblematic figure in the world of Irish whiskey. After nearly a decade as Master Blender, he took on the honorary title of Master Blender Emeritus in 2023, continuing to support the brands in the portfolio and to share his profound expertise in the art of distilling, maturation and blending.

His journey began in the 1970s as a trainee accountant at Old Bushmills Distillery, but his curiosity and passion soon drew him away from numbers and into the Vatting House — the place where whiskey takes shape before bottling. Over the years, Billy has been involved in every stage of the process, from maturation and warehousing to blending and distillation, becoming one of the defining voices of the industry.

“We are a serious whiskey, but with a family atmosphere: whiskey is at the heart of that family,” says Billy Leighton.

Jameson Crested: the story of a moment that changed the history of Irish whiskey

Launched to celebrate the year 1963 — the moment Jameson began bottling its own whiskey at the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin — Jameson Crested honours the bold decision to take full control of the process “from grain to glass”.

It is a premium blend with a high proportion of pot still whiskey and a subtle touch of grain whiskey, matured in sherry casks and first-fill bourbon barrels. Its aromatic profile is rich and intense, with notes of charred wood, fine spices, and dark chocolate, rounded out by a warm, smooth, lightly fruity finish.

At the private event in Bucharest, guests had the opportunity to discover the versatility of this whiskey through a guided tasting led by Billy Leighton, where Jameson Crested was enjoyed neat as well as reinterpreted in elegant, surprising cocktails.

An evening dedicated to the Jameson family

Alongside Jameson Crested, the event also showcased other blends that define the Irish Distillers universe:

* Jameson Single Pot Still – with notes of dark chocolate, spicy toffee and cinnamon, offering an intensely spiced and rich experience characteristic of Irish pot still whiskeys.

* Redbreast 12 – one of the most acclaimed single pot still whiskeys, matured for 12 years in sherry and bourbon casks, praised for its aromatic complexity and its balance of fruity, toasted and spicy notes.

Each expression reflects the same philosophy that Billy Leighton describes with modesty:

“We blend notes, ages and grains like members of a family — different, yet complementary.”

About Jameson

Jameson is the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey, produced at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork from both malted and unmalted Irish barley. Jameson’s blended whiskeys are triple-distilled, delivering exceptional smoothness. The brand has been part of the Pernod Ricard Group since 1988 and continues to expand its admired range to offer new taste experiences. Jameson Irish Whiskey is a blended Irish whiskey made from the finest ingredients and triple-distilled for its iconic smoothness. The whiskey is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of four years and can be enjoyed however you prefer — always best shared with friends.