Bill Ashburn says he can’t believe how quickly the time has passed.

“I swear I just walked in these doors five minutes ago, not 38 years ago,” said the master blender at Forty Creek Distillery.

Ashburn is retiring at the end of the year after nearly four decades with the Grimsby company, plus another seven years in the winemaking business before that.

“It has been absolutely a great ride and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Ashburn figures he has had a hand in developing about 100 whiskies, wines and other alcoholic beverages during his 45-year career.

That includes plenty of experimentation and tasting.

“That’s probably the most enjoyable part of the job, coming up with what’s next,” Ashburn said. “Coming up with flavours and new ideas for products and taking other people’s idea

See Full Page