BELOW ARE ALL OF THE AMAZING SESSIONS WE HAVE PLANNED FOR OUR 2025 SHOW. SESSIONS ARE FREE TO ATTEND.
2025 sees us revamping our main stage, with sessions now open for pre-registration. More informal than our masterclasses and free to attend, our talks will bring together some of the brightest minds in the industry, who will be sharing special drams that won't be available anywhere else at the show. Book your free tickets ahead of time to ensure your place!
FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER
5pm - Weird and Wonderful Wood
With Dave Broom, Neil Macleod Mathieson (Torabhaig), Alasdair Day (Isle of Raasay) and Billy Leighton (Irish Distillers)
The casks we use to mature whisky have an incredible impact on the final flavour. The vast majority are made from the American White Oak but there is a whole wide world of possibilities out there. Dave Broom is joined by Billy Leighton from Irish Distillers, Neil Macleod Mathieson from Torabhaig and Alasdair Day from Isle of Raasay to explore the wide world of wood.
6pm - Challenging The Status Quo: Asia-Pacific Whiskies
With Dawn Davies MW, Andrew Shand (Ki One), Mat Thomson (Thomson Whisky) and Brendan McCarron
On the opposite side of the world from Whisky Show, there is nothing short of a revolution underway in whisky making. With new and established distilleries in the Asia-Pacific region re-examining the foundations of whisky making as we know it. Dawn Davies MW is joined by Andrew Shand from Ki One, Mat Thomson from Thomson Whisky and industry veteran Brendan McCarron to explore one of the most exciting whisky regions out there.
7pm - Nordic Whisky: The Heart of Innovation and Storytelling
With Billy Abbott, Oskar Kalmaru (Agitator), Ásgeir Bergmann Pétursson (Kyrö) and Anssi Pyysing (Teerenpeli)
The cool north has long been a crucible for technology. That spirit of innovation, and the admirable way of communicating about it, is at the forefront of Nordic whisky. Billy Abbott is joined by Oskar Kalmaru from Agitator, Ásgeir Bergmann Pétursson from Kyrö and Anssi Pyysing from Teerenpeli as they take a tour of Nordic whisky.
SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER
12.30pm - Busting Whisky Myths
With Billy Abbott, Charlotte Barker (Diageo), Joel Harrison (Author) and Felipe Schrieberg (Author)
Whisky should be straight forward, and yet the more you learn the more there is that seems to confuse. With fallacies abounding, Billy Abbott, Felipe Schrieberg, Joel Harrison and Charlotte Barker take to the stage to tackle some of whisky myths and open up the secrets of the whisky cabinet.
1.30pm - Cutting Through Tradition: A New Take on Independent Bottlings
With Dawn Davies MW, Phil Thompson (Thompson Brothers), Alex Bruce (Adelphi) and Georgie Bell (The Heart Cut)
Indie bottlings have long been a brilliant way to discover a different side to the world of whisky. There is now a new generation bottling casks with their own interests and palates. Dawn Davies MW, Georgie Bell from The Heart Cut, Alex Bruce from Adelphi and Phil Thompson from Thompson Brothers will explore this new wave.
2.30pm - Ireland: Where History and Modernity Meet
With Dave Broom, Peter Cooney (Boann Distillery) Shane McCarthy (Two Stacks) and Brendan Carty (Killowen)
Dave Broom is joined by Peter Cooney from Boann, Shane McCarthy from Two Stacks and Brendan Carty from Killowen to look into the new wave of Irish distilleries that are looking back to the traditions of whisky making in Ireland challenging legislation and revealing historic flavours.
3.30pm - The Modern Era of American Distilling: The Changes and the Challenges
With Dawn Davies MW, Jane Bowie (Potter Jane) Rawnica Dillingham (New Riff) and Matt Magliocco (Michter's)
As anyone who reads the news knows, America is a country that is currently in a state of flux with its own series of challenges to talk. That is reflected in the drinks industry too. Dawn Davies MW, Jane Bowie from Potter Jane, Rawnica Dillingham from New Riff and Matt Magliocco from Michter’s will be discussing the state of play in American distilling.
4.30pm - The Importance of the Land
With Billy Abbott, David Smith (Fielden), Annabel Thomas (Nc’nean) and Frédéric Revol (Hautes Glaces)
The idea of a sense of place in spirits, or what the French call terroir, used to get laughed out the door. That connection between soil, grain, people and stills is now gaining a wider appreciation with a renewed focus on the farms and fields themselves. Billy Abbott is joined by Annabel Thomas from Nc’nean, Frédéric Revol from Domaine des Hautes Glaces, David Smith from Fielden.
SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER
12.30pm - Innovation Within a Traditional Framework
With Dawn Davies MW, Jota Tanaka (Fuji) and Magali Picard (Maison Lineti)
Sometimes the rich heritage that has come to define a spirit can leave contemporary makers trapped and creatively confined. Dawn Davies MW is joined by Jota Tanaka from Fuji and Dr Magali Picard from Maison Lineti to discuss how they have led change and development within the limits of tradition.
1.30pm - The Beauty and Diversity of the Highlands
With Dawn Davies MW, Stacy Longworth (Tullibardine), Ian Renwick (The Glenturret) and Greg Bruce (Diageo)
From rolling glens to misty lochs, to storm-battered coasts and vast, seemingly endless moors, the highlands of Scotland is breathtakingly beautiful with whiskies to match. Dawn Davies MW, Stacy Longworth from Tullibardine, Ian Renwick from Glenturret and Greg Bruce from Diageo will take to the stage to talk about what connects and distinguishes the many whiskies made in this wild, wonderful place.
2.30pm - Nordic Whisky: location, location, location
With Billy Abbott, Jakob Stjernholm (Thy), Aina Lemoen Lunde (Feddie Ocean) and Ingjerd Sorsand (Bivrost)
With the Nordic distilleries scattered across locations in some of the most remote corners of the world, it is little wonder that the whiskies have such a strong sense of place. Billy Abbott, Aina Lemoen Lunde from Feddie Ocean, Jakob Stjernholm from Thy and Ingjerd Sorsand from Bivrost dive into how the landscape and the locations of their distilleries shape their whiskies.
3.30pm - One Distillery Many Styles
With Billy Abbott, Kevin O'Gorman (Midleton), Jota Tanaka (Fuji) and Kirstie Eunson (Diageo)
Billy Abbott is joined by Kevin O’Gorman from Midleton, Jota Tanaka from Fuji and Kirstie Eunson from Roseisle to delve into the practicalities and the possibilities that these distilleries have. Typically, a distillery will have a single set up and produce spirits in a limited style, but across these three distilleries, there is a range of stills and distillates under one roof.
4.30pm - Island Distilling
With Dave Broom, Shona Mcleod (Isle of Harris), Mick Swanney (Scapa) and Henric Molin (Hven)
Across the globe, distilleries have sprung up on islands. Some of that was historically to provide a local supply, and some of it was to avoid the watch of the excise man. Modern Island Distilleries are still vital elements of their community but face very particular challenges. Dave Broom takes to the stage with Shona Macleod from Isle of Harris, Mick Swanney from Scapa and Henric Molin from Hven to talk about their island homes.