
THE
PROGRAMME
MAIN STAGE: WHISKY TALES
Hear from leading experts and get the lowdown on whisky from across the globe. As this is a live event, please understand that exact programming may be subject to change. All times BST.
DAY ONE - FRIDAY 14 MAY
19:00 | Whisky tales!Welcome from our hosts Gerry McLaughlin and Blair Bowman. |
19:10 | How to drink whiskyAn introduction to the fine art of whisky tasting. |
19:25 | Distillery tourA virtual tour The Singleton Distillery at Glen Ord in the Scottish Highlands. |
19:30 | World Whisky Day’s Official Cocktail: The Sunrise HighballCelebrate world whisky day with our official World Whisky Day Cocktail. Brought to you by Johnnie Walker, and presented by Johnnie Walker Global Ambassador Ervin Trykowski. |
19:50 | Panel: Sustainable whisky distillingWith the climate crisis being a hot topic on everyone's agenda, we speak to three whisky distilleries to hear about what initiatives they have adopted with a view to making themselves as sustainable as possible. Hosts: Arbikie Distillery, Cardrona Distillery and Nc’nean Distillery |
20:20 | Panel: Welcome to the New WorldDistillers and brand ambassadors from “lesser known” whisky producing countries share their perspective on making whisky. Hosts: OurWhisky with Aurora Spirit Distillery (NOR), Cardrona Distillery (NZ), Starward (AUS) |
20:50 | BREAK |
21:00 | The BIG FAT WHISKY QUIZ LITETake part in our global quiz testing your knowledge on all things whisky! |
21:35 | What happens when a billion dollar Scottish brewery gets the urge to make whisky?Renegade, transparent and ballsy – you’d expect nothing less from the distilling arm of ‘punk’ brewery BrewDog. Its BrewDog distillery is a testbed for exploring the boundaries of whisky. |
21:55 | The nightcapGerry McLaughlin and Blair Bowman sum up day one of World Whisky Day. |
22:00 | End of day one |
DAY TWO - SATURDAY 15 MAY
18:00 | Whisky tales!Welcome from our hosts Gerry McLaughlin and Blair Bowman with a World Whisky Day welcome from Jackie Kay, poet and former Maker of Scotland.. |
18:15 | How to drink whiskyAn introduction to the fine art of whisky tasting. Before we get started, let's make sure we know how to make the most of whisky |
18:30 | Whisky stories from the four cornersFrom the four corners of Scotland, to the four corners of the world… join a host of new age Scotch experts as they share incredible stories about the distilleries that make the iconic Johnnie Walker. |
19:15 | BREAK |
19:20 | Distillery Tour - AberfeldyA virtual tour of the Aberfeldy Distillery in Perthshire. Located at the foot of the Scottish Highlands near the banks of the River Tay, whisky has been produced at this site since 1898. Watch out for our Meet the Makers session on Sunday for more on Aberfeldy. |
19:30 | Panel: Meet the global makersWe speak to Scotch, Irish whiskey and Bourbon producers about the subtle and not so subtle differences. Hosts: Angel’s Envy (USA), John Dewar & Son’s (Scotland), Teeling Whiskey Company (Ireland) |
20:10 | BREAK |
20:15 | La WhiskeriaIt's a city known for many things. But whisky isn’t normally one of them. A guided tour of the best places in Barcelona to drink whisky. |
20:25 | Whisky tasting (LIVE)A whisky tasting through the amazing Cardrona range of whiskies. |
21:00 | BREAK |
21:05 | Panel: The best job in the world - How to work in whiskyHave you ever imagined what it's like to make whisky, or even talk about it for a living? For many whisky lovers a job in the industry would be a dream come true, but how do you get started? |
21:35 | The World Whisky Day Official whisky tasting (LIVE)Grab your bottle of Johnnie Walker and join Whisky Blender Dr Emma Walker as she hosts a unique tasting of the Johnnie Walker core range before creating a series of Johnnie Walker Highballs based entirely on her intricate knowledge and understanding of the blending process. |
22:15 | The nightcapGerry McLaughlin and Blair Bowman sum up day two of World Whisky Day. |
22:30 | End of day two |
DAY THREE - SUNDAY 16 MAY
18:00 | Whisky tales!Welcome from our hosts. |
18:15 | How to drink whiskyAn introduction to the fine art of whisky tasting. |
18:30 | Distillery Tour - Royal BracklaWe head north of the Cairngorms to take a virtual tour around Royal Brackla Distillery in Inverness-shire. The distillery was first established in 1817 and produced the first Scotch whisky to receive a Royal Warrant. |
18:40 | Meet the Makers – AberfeldyIf Saturday's virtual distillery tour whetted your appetite, join us for the story of Aberfeldy as told by those who make the whisky. |
19:05 | Panel: Brand ambassadorsA panel of whisky brand ambassadors lift the lid on their roles promoting their whisky brands. |
19:40 | What makes a million pound bottle of whisky?Experts from the Whisky Auctioneer, The Balvenie and The Macallan share the stories behind the bottles making the headlines. |
20:00 | Break |
20:10 | Panel: Indie whiskySmall batches and big ideas. |
20:40 | Distillery Tour - BrewdogA virtual tour of whisky newcomers, Brewdog's distillery. |
20:50 | The story of Japanese whiskyA walk through the rise and rise of whisky in Japan and why it’s winning so many awards. |
21:15 | Panel: The art of whisky storytellingCreating a stand-out whisky is a multi-pronged effort that needs a focused and organised approach. What is it that helps our fantastic product fly off the shelves? Hosts: IronSmoke Distillery and Wemyss Family Malts |
21:45 | Nightcap recapBlair Bowman takes us on a look back at WWD 2021 and the amazing reactions from the people that make it – you. |
21:30 | END – Slàinte mhath! |
PLUS: SESSIONS ACROSS OUR OTHER THREE STAGES
IN THE MIX
Laugh, dance, mix and get all caught up in whisky culture
Beer. But with a hint of whisky
Scotch Tapes: From drams to disco
Mix with our amazing mixologists
Tam o’ Shanter performed by Billy Kay
The Immortal Memory to Rabbie Burns, performed by Alistair Whyte
THE NOSEY LOUNGE
Where you will find a dozen or so whisky tastings and whisky pairings
Tastings each day
BONUS Distillery tours
DISTILLER'S DEN
Where you will find a dozen or so whisky tastings and whisky pairings
A chance to meet and chat with some of our speakers
BONUS Distillery tours