DramFest's Visiting Experts
DramFest is a unique opportunity to meet with overseas and local spirit experts including distillers, owners and brand ambassadors attending the event - these visiting experts are for many the highlight of the event, offering the chance to interact with those who are directly involved with the creation, selection and promotion of some of the whiskies on offer.
Our Visiting Experts who attended for DramFest 2025 are outlined below!
Dave Broom
- spirits expert, author + educator
With decades of experience in the industry, Dave has over a dozen publications to his name, has written countless articles and is an anointed Master of the Quaich. He also spends a lot of time teaching the growing whisky community and generally spreading the whisky love. We are delighted to have him back hosting The Top Shelf, Forums and Dream Dram Bar.
Anthony & Kathy Wills
- Founders + owners of Kilchoman Distillery
Anthony and Kathy have been attending DramFest since its inception in 2007. When they first came, they had only their new spirit to showcase along with their dream of taking Islay back to it’s distilling roots. Now, in it’s 15th year of production, Kilchoman is considered one of the stalwarts of the Scotch whisky industry and their 100% Islay is a reality.
The Hon. Alex Bruce
- Managing Director of Adelphi + Ardnamurchan distillery
Alex is one of the world's most respected whisky personalities and long-time supporter and friend of the whisky scene here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are delighted to welcome him back with his sensational single cask Adelphi offerings along with a very special arrival from Ardnamurchan Distillery.
Richard Seale
- Founder and CEO of Foursquare Distillery
Richard is the fourth generation to work in the family rum business, joining R L Seale & Co in 1993 before helping found the Foursquare Distillery in 1996 using groundbreaking engineering to create one of the Caribbean’s most renowned and admired distilleries. Richard is one of the most respected distillers of our time, with his wicked attention to detail and an unwavering passion for the rum industry. We look forward to welcoming his wealth of experience to DramFest.
Ian McWilliam
-Asia Pacific Consultant Glenfarclas Distillery
Ian McWilliam has been involved at the Glenfarclas distillery for close to 30 of its 150-year history and holds intimate knowledge and insight into this true gem of the Scottish Highlands. Ian grew up in the region near the distillery and spent 14 years on the production floor, before he moved into the sales side of the business. His intimate knowledge and experience with Glenfarclas makes him one of the most highly regarded, and entertaining, whisky presenters in all of Scotland.
Jenna McIntosh
-Export Sales Manager Wm. Cadenheads
Export Sales Manager for Cadenhead, has lived in Campbeltown all her life and started working for the company in 2009. She has held many different roles between then and now, until finding her way to the Cadenhead’s office. Previously serving as a Sales Executive responsible for the Cadenhead’s shops and then taking charge of it, she is now our Export Sales Manager.
Connal MacKenzie
- Sales Director Adelphi and Ardnamurchan Distillery
Connal has had a wealth of experience in a wide range of hospitality roles worldwide, including working for Whisky Galore in Christchurch. Connal joined Adelphi in July 2018 as their Sales Director, and can usually be found in either Inverness, Ardnamurchan, Adelphi HQ in Fife or in an airport somewhere across the world sharing his expertise and passion for his whisky. We look forward to welcoming him back to his home away from home here in Christchurch!
Lucy Ross-Stewart
-Global Business Development Executive, Raasay Distillery
Lucy started working for R&B Distillers Ltd in 2022, progressing to her current role as Global Business Development Executive where she manages to day-to-day communications with the distillery’s international trade customers. Lucy studied Spanish and Italian at university, and has lived overseas too so enjoys the travel involved with her role!
Lachlan Rooney
-Director of Sales - Asia Pacific Duncan Taylor
With a decade of hospitality experience across Europe and a deep knowledge of rare and exceptional whiskies, Lachlan is looking forward to sharing the curated selection of Duncan Taylor whiskies, with stories and insights straight from Scotland. We look forward to welcoming him to his first DramFest!
Ian Renwick
- Distillery Director at The Glenturret
Ian started his journey at The Glenturret as a Production Operator in 1996, his passion and expertise quickly saw him rise to Production Supervisor in 2000, before taking on the role of Distillery Manager in 2017 and Distillery Director in 2024. From the creation of the New Make Spirit through to overseeing warehousing and bottling, Ian is described as ‘the heart and soul’ of the distillery. We are honoured to have his wealth of knowledge at DramFest this year.
David Fergusson
-Commercial Director at Lochlea Distillery
As Commercial Director at Lochlea Distillery, David and his team have managed the conception and growth of this unique single-site whisky brand over the past 4 years. During that time Lochlea has won best single estate distillery twice at The World Whisky Awards, and is now sold across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. With over 10 years in the industry, we are delighted to welcome David’s wealth of knowledge for the first time to DramFest 2025.
Fiona McFadyen
- Export Sales Manager Mitchell's Glengyle
Home to the Kilkerran Single Malt, the Glengyle distillery of Campbeltown was re-established in 2004 after its closure in the early 1920’s. Fiona joined the J&A Mitchell team 3 years ago and has since spent her time learning and developing her knowledge at the distillery whilst also travelling to their key markets around the globe as Export Sales Manager.
William Dobbie
-Managing Director Raasay Distillery
William Dobbie is the Managing Director of R&B Distillers Limited and Isle of Raasay Distillery. He joined the business in 2019 and was initially the Commercial Director until January 2024. Before joining the whisky world, he previously spent six years as an investment banker in both London and New York. He holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Bristol. He is originally from Edinburgh and spends most of his time between there, London and Raasay, when not travelling for work.
Ethan Chai
-Asia Pacific Sales Director, Michter’s Distillery
Ethan focuses on all sales and marketing in the Asia Pacific region for Michter’s, covering over 20 different export markets. Previously he has played an integral role in developing world class bar projects such as Manhattan in Singapore, Charles H. in Korea and Bar Trigona in Malaysia. We look forward to welcoming him to his first DramFest!
Emma Kirk
Trade Sales Manager - Lochlea Distillery
We are delighted to welcome Emma from the Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire. Emma, is the Trade Sales Manager at the distillery, but like many smaller distilleries’, her role is a versatile one - from managing all of their UK on-trade sales, multiple export markets across Europe, brand collaborations and events. As a person who loves whisky, people, travelling, experiencing new cultures and creating lasting relationships, this role suits her down to the ground!
R
onan Currie
- Assistant Blender & Director of Sales for The Glenallachie distillery
Since joining The GlenAllachie Distillery in 2019, Ronan has played a pivotal role in the distillery's continued success. As Assistant Blender, under the tutelage of world-renowned Master Blender Billy Walker, he oversees the creation of GlenAllachie's distinctive single malt whiskies while also driving the brand's growth and market presence. We welcome him back to Christchurch for his 2nd DramFest.
David Allen
-Director of Sales & Marketing Springbank Distillery
David returns for his sixth DramFest, all the way from Campbeltown to share the history behind the whiskies made at Glengyle Distillery. David has been working with these whiskies extensively over the last 9 years or so, now heading up as their Director of Sales and Marketing. We are delighted to have his depth of knowledge and experience at DramFest once again along with, no doubt, a few good yarns from Kintyre.
Ross Blainey
- Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador Australia
Ross grew up near Glasgow and has always had a passion not only for whisky but for the culture behind his beloved national spirit. With qualifications across the whisky category, Ross has a deep understanding of the production process but has also become one of the most well-known storytellers and creatives in the industry, winning Brand Ambassador of the year 2020 as well as being a finalist in the Icons of whisky award.
Carlie Dyer
-Head Distiller Starward Distllery
Originally from Waikato, Carlie has called Melbourne home for the past 10 years. Beginning her career in wine, Carlie quickly developed a passion for the science and art of fermentation during her time as a winery technician. After seven years in the wine industry, her love of creativity and experimentation inspired her to transition to the spirits industry. Now as Head Distiller & Head Blender at Starward, Carlie oversees all aspects of liquid production, from distillation to bottling.
Shane Batchler
-Australian Brand Ambassador, Bladnoch Distillery
Shane has over 10 years working in the whisky industry and has been working with Bladnoch since February 2020. As Bladnoch is the only distillery in Scottish history to be privately owned by an Australian, it felt fitting for him, a passionate Scotch whisky enthusiast to represent the brand nation wide. We are delighted to welcome him back for his 2nd DramFest.
Ben Meehan
- Regional Director, Loch Lomond & Glen Scotia Distilleries
Ben has worked in the Spirits Industry over the last two decades, working his way up from a Sales Merchandiser to a Sales Rep for the likes of Glenfiddich, Macallan, Laphroaig and Glen Grant. This journey has brought him to this current role as Regional Director here in Australasia for Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia Distilleries - we are delighted to welcome his experience and knowledge to our Fest!
from Aotearoa, New Zealand…
Mathew Thomson - Thomson Whisky
Mathew Thomson is the co-founder and head distiller of Thomson Whisky New Zealand. Based on the outskirts of Auckland, Thomson Whisky is one of the pre-eminent New Zealand whisky distilleries, creating award winning single malts and blends that reflect the natural world around the distillery. The whisky Mathew is most proud of is Thomson Manuka Smoke single malt, for its uniquely New Zealand take on a smoked whisky, and for its recognition as a new flavour profile on the global stage. Made using native Manuka wood fire for the smoke aspect it exemplifies the ethos of using what is in abundance around you and the New Zealand approach of living close to nature.
Antony Michalik - Divergence Whisky
Antony founded The Spirits Workshop Distillery in 2015 along with three friends in Christchurch. For the first two years they partnered with Kenny Beverages, learning the art of distilling and contracting the established (Workshops Whisky) stills to produce their new make. After those stills were sold to another spirits producer in 2018 they purchased their own still and have been producing the multi award winning Divergence NZ Whisky from their unique urban distillery in Sydenham and aging it in their barrel store next to the Waimakariri River, ever since.
Patrick Newton - Waiheke Whisky
Patrick Newton is renowned as both a winemaker and a distiller. Firstly, with two decades of experience crafting premium wines, including being crowned Young Winemaker of the Year twice, then NZ Winemaker of the Year.
Transitioning from winemaking to the art of distillation, Patrick has made all of the award winning whisky as the Head Distiller at Waiheke Whisky. His profound understanding of all of the elements from raw ingredients, through ferment and wood selection, and pursuit of quality, has allowed him to create whiskies that are not only reflective of Waiheke Island but New Zealand.
Michael Byars - The NZ Whisky Co
An ex-winemaker, Michael has been in the alcohol manufacturing industry for over 20 years, internationally and domestically. Michael's distilling career started while in Finland in 2017 with Helsinki Distilling Co before being 'pinched' back home to NZ in 2021. Michael assisted in completing the commissioning of The NZ Whisky Co's new stills (installed in Speights Brewery) in 2021 with a passion and dedication to produce whiskies that are 100% kiwi produced and recognised.
Desiree Reid - Cardrona Distillery
In May 2013, Desiree Reid sold her farming business to move to Wanaka, ultimately finding the distillery site at Cardrona. On 23 October 2015, the spirit flowed for the first time and on 5 November, the first cask was laid.
The Distillery has designed its craft process around the deep single malt traditions, starting from scratch with malted barley from the plains of the South Island and the purest water from Alvins Well. We look forward to welcoming Desiree and the team back to DramFest to showcase their Cardrona Single Malt Whisky.
Rob & Toni Auld - Auld Distillery
Ten years ago wife Toni and Rob realised farming isn’t getting easier, and if they wanted the farm to be there for another 100 years, they needed another legacy business to operate in parallel.
They grow all their own barley, and learned some of the distilling processes in Tasmania which is like New Zealand, but unlike Scotland in having regular changes in temperature which can help in maturation. We look forward to welcoming them back to DramFest with their homegrown whiskies
Blair Nicholls - National Distillery Co
Blair Nicholl, founding partner and head distiller at NDC (National Distillery Company), has long had a passion for all things beverage coming from a bar tending background, discovering his passion for distilling at home in his kitchen, on a 1L still back in 2018
Hoping to do this much-loved spirit justice, vindication came when his first attempt won NZ’s Best Rum at the New Zealand Spirit Awards. And the wins kept coming. Now, also expanding into brandy and whiskey, Blair continues to craft spirits that showcase innovation, precision, and passion.
Gareth Morgan, Disitllery & Patsy Bass, Founder - Moonlight Creek Whisky
Reefton was an entrepreneurial and prosperous place in its early days, and Patsy Bass plans to add the success story of Reefton Distilling Co. to the history books. They use locally sourced malted grain and West Coast spring water to craft its Moonlight Creek Single Malt Whisky.
With the appointment of Scotch Whisky industry expert, Gareth Morgan, to its team as Head Distiller, we are excited to follow along on the Reefton journey - go see them at stand 55.
Matthew Johns - Pōkeno Distillery
Matt has worked in the Global Whisky Industry for over 25 years. Together with his wife Celine, he founded the Pōkeno Whisky Company in 2017. Dedicated to crafting only the finest single malts out of local ingredients, Matt and the team pride themselves in creating innovative and creative whiskies, which are a reflection the culture and climate of New Zealand.
Soren Crabb - 1919 Distilling
While sailing abroad, Founder & CEO, Soren Crabb, noticed that there were fewer than a handful of New Zealand distillers with a focus on traditional methods. Inspired by the oceans and New Zealand’s rich maritime history, he sought to create something entirely new, and 1919 Distilling was born. While we respect the traditions of the past, we are proud to chart our own course to create bold, robust, and delicious New Zealand whisky and spirits.
Dan & Mark - Scapegrace
On the cusp of unveiling their new spiritual home in Central Otago, we are delighted to welcome the team from Scapegrace to DramFest 2025!
After celebrating 10 years in the liquor industry, we are excited to see how their new distillery on the banks of lake Dunstan, the largest distillery in New Zealand, shapes their spirit going forward. Curious? Go see the team at DramFest, stand 31.
