Munro Bagger – Karen Fullerton
Sensorial appreciation is key to Glenmorangie global ambassador Karen Fullerton’s job – and she admits her senses are overwhelmed by the beauty of Scotland when viewed from the crest of Munro. She spoke to Fiona McDonald in the shadow of Table Mountain recently.
Just before the turn of the 20th century no-one was quite certain how many peaks in Scotland were over 3 000ft – or 914m in metric terms. Keen mountaineer Sir Hugh Munro took it upon himself to document and publish a list of these Scot- tish peaks in 1891 – and promptly sparked a quaintly Scottish tradition: Munro bagging. Basically keen hikers and hill walkers make it their aim to try and conquer as many of these Munros as possible – and since there are 283 according to the Scottish Mountaineering club’s 2009 list, it’s a pursuit which could keep one active for years. *
In an attempt to counteract the effects of a job that sees her eating and drinking well the world over Karen Fullerton, global ambas- sador for Glenmorangie, has taken to lacing up her boots and taking to the hills after joining the Scottish Ladies Climbing Club. She takes up the tale: “Prior to 1904 women were excluded from hiking or mountaineer- ing so a group of them decided to do something about it – and formed the Scottish Ladies Climbing Club. They’d be chauffeured to the bottom of whichever hill or mountain they wanted to climb, and dropped off, demurely dressed in their long skirts and so forth. As soon as the car was out of sight they’d slip off their skirts to reveal their sen- sible trousers and stout walking shoes!”
It’s no wonder that Fullerton identifies with the doughty spirit of those women who broke barriers more than a century ago since she’s also challenging opinions – that whisky is a male pursuit. Her time spent in the United States proved that not just perceptions but patterns are changing.
“The States was so different to the UK,” she says. Particularly in New York, which she nominally called her base since she covered the entire region from California to Hawaii and even as far south as Puerto Rico. “Men found it sexy when their part- ners or female colleagues drank whisky. In their minds it showed sophistication and confidence. And American women enjoyed it as a power thing, not only to prove they can mix it with the men but because they enjoyed it – and it was an interest they could share with their partners.”
Fullerton came to whisky via wine. Born in Scotland, she only lived there until the age of four. Her family moved to England: the northeast, northwest and finally settled in Suffolk. “But I’d go to Scotland for holidays every year – and my identity was always that of being Scottish.” After completing her studies she got involved in the wine trade and that put her on her “journey of flavour”. In 2002 she thought she’d landed her dream job – whisky sales based in Perth. “I was in heaven: driving around the Highlands, constantly surrounded by the stunning beauty – and involved with whisky which I love!”
It was at someone else’s urging that she applied for the position of Glenmorangie’s US brand ambassador. “I thought there’s no way in hell I’d get the job…” she candidly admits – but she did. “It was quite scary because I then had to move so far away from home, to a totally different country and culture – but I learned so much about myself as a result.”
What is immediately obvious to those she meets is that Fullerton possesses a natural vivacity, charm and warmth which has people automatically opening up to her – but that is allied with a solid core beneath, a competence, ability to get the job done and knowledge that people respect.
“I learned so much in my five years in the States, specifically about the whisky industry.” Fullerton wasn’t with Glenmorangie all the time. She left the company and worked for Dewar’s as well. “I had to admit to myself that I’d become a single malt snob! But that exposure to the blended whisky scene with Dewar’s taught me so much.”
It was with Dewar’s that she moved back to the UK, expanding her role of brand awareness to a more global one, working extensively in Asia. In October 2010 she rejoined Glenmorangie and her ambassadorial role now takes her to Europe, the Nordic countries, Eastern Europe and South Africa talking and tasting Glenmorangie and Ardbeg as she goes.
Her love for the products she promotes is tangible. The topic of finishes has her waxing lyrical about the differences between port barrels and those from the deliciously sweet wines of Sauternes which are used for her personal favourite, Nectar d’or. “It’s truly the liquid of the gods! For me, it’s the perfect expression of Glenmorangie.”
Fullerton finds South Africa fascinating – especially the mix of people she gets to interact with at Whisky Live and in training sessions. “The interest is amazing and so exciting. I visited South Africa for the first time for Whisky Live last year – and I couldn’t wait to come back! It’s a fantastic place.” But even more thrilling for Fullerton is the prospect of being able to walk up Table Mountain…
Lest anyone think Munro bagging is benign and genteel:
a number of deaths are recorded every year! Conditions in the Scottish hills can be atrocious – even in sum- mer with freezing wind, rain and thick mists adding to the challenge. The most well known Munro is Ben Nevis which tops out at 1 344m – just a few hundred metres higher than Cape Town’s Table Mountain (1 086m).
Short URL: http://whiskymag.co.za/digital/?p=1011
Posted by 
