Edinburgh-based Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), creator of limited-edition whiskies, said its chair Mark Hunter “has decided to step back from all formal business commitments for the foreseeable future due to health reasons.”

Hunter will not be standing for re-election as a director of the company at the firm’s May 19 AGM.

“Mark will continue in the role through to the AGM on 19 May 2026, following which Paul Skipworth, Deputy Chair, will assume Chair responsibilities on an interim basis until an independent Chair successor is appointed,” said Artisanal Spirits.

The firm said Gavin Hewitt has also made the decision to retire as a director of the company at the AGM after serving for just over 11 years.

The Artisanal Spirits Company is the owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), Single Cask Nation (SCN), J.G. Thomson and Artisan Casks.