We’ve been inundated with warm tributes to – and fantastic anecdotes featuring – our editor-in-chief, Alexander Smith, who passed away in late September. Here are some of your wonderful messages.
Al’s family kindly asks that anyone wishing to pay tribute to his memory makes a donation to Fight Bladder Cancer.
“Through his immense wisdom and infectious personality, Alec dissolved the frontier between the players in our industry and the observers. The companies, the media and the experts of the wine and spirits sector stand today as a community to pay tribute to one of ours; a friend whose emblematic laughter, strong handshake and sincerity will never be forgotten” – Alex Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard
“A great many people around the world share your pain at the passing of Big Al. As I have reflected on the times I was lucky to spend with Al, I have realised that he was one of the people I was always happy to see, whatever the moment, whatever the circumstances. He brought laughter wherever he went and was a guarantee of good times.
But there was much more to Alec than that. He was a fine writer and a driven and talented editor. He achieved a lot in his career and earned the respect as well as the affection of drinks professionals all over the world” – John Rimmer, MD of TFWA
“I first met Al in 1994, fresh-faced and just having left university. We were building a new IWSR model that linked the old paper files with a new forecasting tool for the markets globally. Al and I spent way too much time together doing it and then solving the intricate data issues in a nearby pub! He was a true gent with a very dry sense of humour and a self-effacing style that made him so good at getting to the bottom of whatever he was researching that week. I will miss my conversations with him. The industry has lost one of its most knowledgeable voices” – Simon Hunt, CEO of Catalyst Spirits
“I had to re-read the news several times – I just couldn’t believe it as I had no idea he’d been unwell. I could only see his beaming and friendly smile in my mind’s eye. Alec joined us for many of the popular Pernod Ricard UK Christmas lunches and was always an absolute joy to host. He will be dearly missed within the industry, both professionally and personally” – Fiona Taylerson, communications consultant at Fairways Communications (formerly with Pernod Ricard)
“I have worked with him for many years at Brown-Forman, and know he has helped us many times with our media training sessions. He was always such a joy to work with. I had no idea he was sick, as we had corresponded not too long ago about a possible story. Please know I am thinking of you all and wishing you peace and comfort during this time” – Tracy Frederick, public relations at Brown-Forman
“Very sad news. A great journalist, a huge character and a friend. Those shared moments in the bars of Cannes and London are now treasured even more. All my sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace big fella” – Andrew Carter, CEO of Chapel Down Group
“I had the pleasure of knowing Alec for many years. He was a talented and diligent journalist who earned the respect and affection of a wide cross-section of the drinks business. Spending time with Alec was always lively and illuminating and we will miss his company. We are keeping his family in our thoughts” – Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA president (formerly president of Maxxium Global Travel Retail)
“Such sad news. So brilliant, so talented, so young” – Peter Sant, MPC Global director (formerly with Rémy Cointreau)
“I am so sorry to hear this. He was a true gentleman and overall good guy” – Rob Rubenstein, Heaven Hill Brands national sales operations manager
“Alex was truly a great person, always good for a chat, ever jovial and fun. Deep condolences to all his family” – Rowan de Arkotxa Mackenzie, Asia-Pacific VP of sales for Thai Beverage/International Beverage
“I had the pleasure to work with Alec for many years. He was such a great guy and always so kind and friendly, with a great sense of humour. So sorry to hear this news. Sending love to his family” – Lisa Crane, Mondelēz International corporate & government affairs director (formerly with Diageo)
“This is so sad. Alex was a brilliant journalist, always curious and a beautiful writer. More importantly, he was a lovely person – supportive, generous and fun. I enjoyed our chats about the drinks industry, rugby and family. My thoughts are with them. Rest easy, Alex” – Maurice Doyle, Compass Box CEO (formerly with Bacardi and William Grant & Sons)
“Very sad to read this news. Alec was an incredibly highly respected and popular person within the GTR community. He will be sorely missed. Sincere condolences to his family and colleagues” – William Ovens, Ian Macleod Distillers GTR director
“I had been warned by my PR colleagues that a good journalist will sometimes leave their tape recorder running even after an interview concludes because they know that’s when they get the honest info. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened to me in London 16 years ago, the first time I met a journalist named Alec Smith. We’ve had many interviews since then, shared a few drinks and have always had a good laugh about that first meeting together. He was by all definitions a good man. Always informed, always fair, and always a lot of fun to be around. He’ll be greatly missed by us all” – John McDonnell, Tito’s Handmade Vodka MD of International
From former and current colleagues at Global Drinks Intel:
“Alec was a brilliant journalist, devoted father, superb rugby player and deeply loyal friend. Acknowledged as one of the leading writers in the drinks industry, he was a perfectionist, passionate about his craft; a hack through and through. He leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who knew him” – Kate Wake-Walker
“Alec was a great character and a true friend with a zest for life and a wicked sense of humour who lit up the lives of everyone who knew him. I first met Alec at DFNI magazine in the late 1990s and had the pleasure of working either with him or for him off and on for the next two decades. I will miss him terribly” – Joe Bates
“I knew Alec for more than 20 years. I first worked with him while at DFNI, then at IWSR, where it was good to have the chance to work closely with him on IWSR Magazine, and most recently at Global Drinks Intel. Alec always livened up any office he worked in and was the source of many amusing stories” – Sandra Newman
“There was never a dull moment with Alec! The original point of our calls was often derailed by lengthy and friendly political sparring but when we hung up, I always felt I had learned something, such was his intellect. He was a genuinely nice guy, too, and a pleasure to be around. I will miss him” – Kevin Rozario
“Alec was a giant of a man, always very loyal and kind to others, while full of love for his family and his work. His sense of decency and justice was ever-present. He had a very engaging writing style and his enthusiasm for a story was infectious. I can honestly say he was one of my favourite people” – Doug Newhouse
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