Anthony Wills (MQ) & Kathy Wills, Kilchoman Distillery (Scotland)

We are delighted to welcome back to their 7th DramFest, Anthony and Kathy Wills, founders of Kilchoman Disitllery on Islay.

Known as Islay’s Farm distillery, Kilchoman's traditional barley-to-bottle approach to whisky is unique, making it the only distillery of its kind in Scotland. For one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, they have a big story to share, and as ever a warm welcome awaits the Wills family and their whisky.

Dave Broom (MQ) - Whisky Author (Scotland)

One of the worlds most accomplished and award-winning whisky writers, Dave Broom returns to DramFest once again to share his passion, knowledge and expertise.

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, just another reason we are thrilled he will be joining us in 2020!

Mark Gillespie - Whisk(e)y Journalist (USA)

Mark Gillespie is the host and executive producer of WhiskyCast, now in its 15th year of providing whisky lovers with news and interviews from the world of whisky each week. With over decades of experience in the industry, Mark has most recently been inducted into the Kentucky Distillers Association’s Order of the Writ for his contributions to whisky-focused journalism.

Mark will be traveling from New Jersey to attend DramFest for the first time, we hope you will all join us in welcoming him to New Zealand.

David Allen, Springbank Distillers Ltd (Scotland)

David Allen returns for his third DramFest, all the way from Campbeltown to share the history behind the whiskies made at both Springbank and Glengyle Distilleries. David has been working with these whiskies extensively over the last 7 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.

Charlie Maclean (MQ) - Whisky Author (Scotland)

Charles MacLean has been writing about Scotch whisky for nearly 40 years, and has published seventeen books on the subject. He sits on several judging panels, including that of the International Wine & Spirits Competition, has chaired the nosing panel of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society since 1992, and advises many whisky companies on cask selection and flavour profiling.

We are delighted to welcome his vast knowledge and expertise back to DramFest once again.

Hon. Alex Bruce (MQ), Adelphi Disitllery Ltd (Scotland)

The Hon. Alex Bruce, Master of the Quaich is the managing director of Adelphi, one of Scotland's premier independent bottlers, as well as the Ardnamurchan distillery.Alex is one of the world's most respected whisky personalities and long time supporter and friend of the New Zealand whisky scene. Alex's iconic single cask and small batch selections will be on offer, along with news of the continuing exciting work taking place at the Ardnamurchan distillery on the remote west coast peninsula in Scotland.

Alan Winchester (MQ), Glenlivet Disitllery (Scotland)

With a career in Scotch spanning more than 40 years and 20 different distilleries, we are delighted to welcome for the first time to DramFest, Alan Winchester.

In 2009 Alan was appointed Master distiller of The Glenlivet and overall production manager for Pernod Ricard, managing 14 of the spirit giant’s malt distilleries. He was made a Keeper of the Quaich in 2005 before becoming a Master in 2015 - and in 2018 he was awarded one of the most prestigious industry accolades, the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) Lifetime Achievement Award. We are very honoured to have his knowledge and experience at DramFest 2020.

Stewart Buchanan, BenRiach Distillers Ltd

Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, Stewart has held many different roles and titles, from Stillman to Global Ambassador. He join the team at BenRiach distillery in 2004, performing tasks as varied as painting the walls to fixing the boilers. His work took him from warehousing, then to hosting tastings, production manager and eventually Global Ambassador in 2012. We are delighted to welcome him back to Christchurch and for DramFest 2020!