From Scottish strawberries to Japanese gin and tonics in Sydney, James Buntin has been celebrating shun without knowing it for his whole life.

For many, being a drinks ambassador sounds like a dream job — sharing a dram and a story with like-minded people. What could be better? And for James Buntin, it’s clear he’s in the career he was destined for.

“I’ve been in the industry, working for spirits’ brands, for what feels like my whole life,” shares Buntin. “My job is to inspire and educate people about the spirits I represent.”

He moved to Australia in 2000 from Edinburgh, Scotland, where he had been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years — only a short jaunt from some of the most famous distilleries in the world, which fostered in him a love of the dram early on.