After starting his career at The Scotsman, he has worked at The Times and FT before becoming the founding editor of Whisky Quarterly. He also writes for Whisky Magazine and Club Oenologique.

In his spare time, Hampden-White is a fine art photographer, working with Vogue Italia. He is represented by the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in London and New York, and has exhibited all over the world. He has won the Louis Roederer Award for Artistry and the Born Digital Award for photography.