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.

Previous spirit experts over the years have included:

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.

charlie maclean - whisky expert, author + educator

desiree reid - founder + managing director of the cardrona distillery, new zealand

mark gillespie - founder, host + executive producer of whiskycast

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.

ian burrell - global rum ambassador, author + presenter

alan winchester - previous master distiller at the glenlivet + production manager for pernod ricard

ranald watson - director of sales + marketing at springbank, kilkerran and wm cadenhead

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.

brendan mccarron - master distiller for bunnahabhain, tobermory +

global brand amabassador the benriach, the glendronach + glenglassaugh

ronan currie - assistant blender + director of sales for the glenallachie distillery