Brian Ettles ‘jumped into a vat of water and yeast’, the Scottish Sun newspaper reported, although Grampian police have not revealed where the body was found.
The father of two was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics on Saturday night at the whisky-makers site in Dufftown, Banffshire.
Brian Ettles’ death shocked his fellow workers at the Glenfiddich distillery and occurred just a day after he celebrated his wife’s 46th birthday.
Reports have suggested that Mr Ettles scaled a 16 ft wooden tank before leaping into the vat. Local police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances regarding the death.
The Dufftown site closed as a mark of respect on Monday and Tuesday, but has now reopened.
Glenfiddich owner William Grant & Sons confirmed the sad news that Brian Ettles, a team leader at the company, had died.
Bill White, group operations director at William Grant & Sons’ commented: “Brian, who had loyally served the company for 22 years after joining in 1989, was a highly valued team leader for the last six years and a popular team member in the Dufftown process team before that.”
“Our heartfelt thoughts, condolences and sympathy go to Brian’s family, friends and colleagues and to those who worked so closely with him during his 22 years of service.
