BELOW ARE ALL OF THE AMAZING SESSIONS WE HAVE PLANNED FOR OUR 2024 SHOW. SESSIONS ARE FREE TO ATTEND.

2024 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 6 SEPTEMBER

5pm - Whisky 101

With Alex Huskinson

Join Alex Huskinson for a journey of discovery, giving you the knowledge you need to explore Whisky Show with confidence. And a few drams…

6pm - Hebridean Distilling

With Dave Broom, Shona Mcleod (Isle of Harris), Neil Macleod Mathieson (Torabhaig) and Alasdair Day (Isle of Raasay)

The islands of Scotland are home to some of the country’s most exciting and innovative distilleries, building on the rich traditions of the isles as well as modern distilling technology. Dave Broom will be chairing this panel with Shona Macleod from Isle of Harris, Neil Macleod Mathieson from Torabhaig and Alasdair Day from Isle of Raasay.

7pm - Organic Whisky

With Billy Abbott, Annabel Thomas (Nc’nean) and Frédéric Revol (Hautes Glaces)

Sustainability is an increasingly pressing concern in the whisky industry and has seen several producers looking towards organic raw materials, both to limit their environmental impact and in pursuit of flavoursome whisky. Join Billy Abbott as he talks to Annabel Thomas from Nc’Nean and Frédéric Revol from Domaine des Hautes Glaces.

8pm - Finding Flavours

With Dave Broom, Kate Watt (Watt Whisky), Angus MacRaild (Decadent Drinks) and Mark Thomson (Duncan Taylor)

At the heart of whisky is flavour, and the pursuit of that flavour is what drives many independent bottlers.  With so many new indies now on the scene, what are the challenges and opportunities in finding new flavours and celebrating old ones? Dave Broom hosts this session with Kate Watt from Watt Whisky, Angus MacRaild from Decadent drinks and Mark Thomson from Duncan Taylor.

SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

12.30pm - The Past, Present and Future of Pot Still

With Dave Broom, Dave McCabe (Pernod Ricard), Peter Cooney (Boann Distillery) and Alex Chasko (Teeling)

For too long, Irish pot still whiskey was something of a curio, with its production limited to one distillery. Today pot still whiskies are on the up, with discussions about how they are defined and new players emerging all making it one of whiskies most exciting categories. Dave Broom is joined by Dave McCabe from Irish Distillers, Peter Cooney from Boann and Alex Chasko from Teeling to discuss the past, present and future of pot still.

1.30pm - Cross Country: The New Wave of Whisky Blending

With Billy Abbott, Jill Boyd (Halewood), Yumi Yoshikawa (Chichibu) and Dr Sam Simmons (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Whisky blending is no longer just about blending between distilleries in the same country.  With a host of new distilleries emerging worldwide blenders are looking beyond their borders for a whole range of flavours to combine to make their whiskies. Billy Abbott will be hosting this panel with Jill Boyd from Halewood, Yumi Yoshikawa from Chichibu and Sam Simmons from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

2.30pm - #WeAreWhisky: The New Generation of Whisky

With Dawn Davies MW, Fawn Weaver (Uncle Nearest), Grace Gorton (The Lakes) and Charlotte Barker (Diageo)

It feels like whisky is having a generational pivot, with new distilleries and styles developing and new people taking the reins. Dawn Davies MW hosts this panel with Fawn Weaver from Uncle Nearest, Grace Gorton from The Lakes and Charlotte Barker from Diageo to celebrate the new faces of whisky.

3.30pm - Yeasty Boys

With Dawn Davies MW, Max Vaughan (White Peak) Simon Thompson (Dornoch Distillery) and Calum Rae (Holyrood Distillery)

The unsung hero of whisky, yeast is behind so much more than the simple creation of alcohol. Different yeasts in different environments can create wild, varied and brilliant flavours. Dawn Davies MW hosts this session with Max Vaughan from White Peak, Simon Thompson from Dornoch and Calum Rae from Holyrood.

4.30pm - The Evolution of Blending

With Billy Abbott, James Saxon (Compass Box), Pete Allison (Woven) and Donal McLynn (Two Stacks)

Blending has long been at the heart of the whisky industry. From its historic roots to more modern takes, Billy Abbott will explore the rich history of blending and how it is developing in this session with James Saxon from Compass Box, Pete Allison from Woven Whisky and Donal McLynn from Two Stacks.

5.30pm - New Zealand

With Dave Broom, Mathew Thomson (Thomson), Matt Johns (Pokeno) and Isla Sherrington (Cardrona)

One of the most exciting whisky regions anywhere in the world right now, New Zealand is quickly establishing a reputation for serious whisky that draws inspiration from local traditions and the craft drinks scene. Dave Broom hosts this session with Mathew Thomson from Thomson, Matt Johns from Pokeno, and Isla Sherrington from Cardrona.

SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

12.30pm - Farming and Whisky

With Dawn Davies MW, Jakob Stjernholm (Thy) and Francisco Rosa (Fielden)

The ties between the soil and the bottle have been loosened by global supply chains, but we are seeing smaller scale distilleries that are looking to re-establish those connections and give whisky a sense of place. Dawn Davies MW hosts this talk with Jakob Stjernholm from Thy Whisky and Francisco Rosa from Fielden Whisky.

1.30pm - Super Geeky Distillation

With Billy Abbott, Michael Henry (Loch Lomond) and Scott Sneddon (InchDairnie)

At the heart of all whisky is the still. Somewhere between the alchemist’s magic, the scientist’s lab and grown-up Meccano, the whisky maker’s still can produce a dazzling array of different distillates. Billy Abbott is joined by Michael Henry from Loch Lomond and Scott Sneddon from InchDairnie as they explore the topic.

2.30pm - Show Favourites

With Dawn Davies MW, Dave Broom and Billy Abbott

Co-hosts Dave Broom, Dawn Davies MW and Billy Abbott share some of their favourite drams from across the show over the weekend and which distilleries they think are ones to watch this year.   

3.30pm - #WeAreWhisky: Celebrating our People

With Alex ‘Husky’ Huskinson, Corina ‘CC’ Casu, Madeline 'Ning' Heywood and Ashish 'A' Basnet

Whisky and Whisky Show are so much more than just liquid in a glass – at its heart are people. In this session, Alex ‘Husky' Huskinson talks to a trio from behind the scenes at The Whisky Exchange who have been at the heart of our #WeAreWhisky campaign, Corina ‘CC’ Casu, Ashish 'A' Basnet, and Madeline 'Ning' Heywood.

4.30pm - Lesser-Known Fortifieds

With Dawn Davies MW, Dave Broom and Richard Seale (Foursquare)

The wide world of fortified wine, and its role in the spirits industry, is broader than the limits of Jerez and sherry, the Douro and port. There’s Madeira, there’s Banyuls, Apera, the fortified Muscats and even in the more familiar styles there are more unfamiliar profiles to discover. Join Dawn Davies MW, Dave Broom and Richard Seale for this session exploring fortified wine.

5.30pm - The Big Whisky Game Show

With Dawn Davies MW and Alex Huskinson

To round things off, our final mainstage session for 2024 sees Dawn Davies MW and Alex Huskinson try their hand as game show hosts with prizes galore to be won in games of skill, knowledge and pure chance.