7:00 to 7:45

Ronnie Cox, Director, The Glenrothes
The Glenrothes...A Sensory Journey
The whisky industry has recognized the tireless work of Ronnie Cox by awarding him the accolade of Ambassador of the Year (Scotland) at the Icons of Whisky 2007. The judges paid tribute to Ronnie’s "outstanding contributions to promoting Scotch, particularly Glenrothes, around the globe." Ronnie travels throughout the world to communicate The Glenrothes story and the brand’s remarkable quality, variety and unique range. Each Glenrothes Vintage has a story to tell. With Ronnie in the lead, every sampling of the brand becomes a sensory journey into the extraordinary tastes offered by the individual marques. Whether accompanied by the sound of specially-selected classical music, the taste of fine chocolates or simply on their own, the distinctive characteristics of each Vintage of The Glenrothes are brought to the peak of enjoyment under his careful guidance.

Ian Millar, Global Brand Ambassador, Glenfiddich
The Incredible Influence of Wood at Glenfiddich
The importance of wood is never underestimated at Glenfiddich. Ian Millar, Master Distiller and Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador, will present various components from the barrel recipe for Glenfiddich 12 and 18. We will nose and taste cask strength samples, aged in first fill American oak and first fill European oak casks. We will also compare the vatted cask strength, and commercially bottled at 40% ABV variants, illustrating how, at Glenfiddich, Every Year Counts in the development of fine single malt whisky.

Simon Brooking, Global Brand Ambassador, Laphroaig and Ardmore
Bernie Lubbers, Whisky Professor
David Mays, Whisky Professor
The Great Whisk(e)y Debate
You are invited to The Great Whisk(e)y Debate to discuss and debate the merits between Bourbon and Scotch. The event will sample two bourbons, Basil Hayden's and Knob Creek, alongside two scotches, Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Ardmore, and will let the audience decide once and for all, which is the world’s premier whiskey.

7:45 to 8:30

Lincoln Henderson, Whisky Expert, Suntory
Yamazaki Time: The Art of Japanese Whisky
Renowned whisky expert Lincoln Henderson returns to lead his popular tasting of a full flight of Yamazaki whiskies. Handcrafted at the oldest distillery in Japan, Yamazaki is made from the purest natural ingredients in perfect harmony with nature. Discover the smooth, honeyed taste and uniquely Japanese characteristics that have made Yamazaki an international award-winner as you experience Yamazaki 12-year, and 18-year. Yamazaki Time is not to be missed.

Martin Duffy, Master of Whisky
The Bushmill’s 400th Anniversary Seminar
The Bushmills 400th Anniversary Seminar, featuring the 5 marques of Bushmills (Original, Black Bush, 10 year old, 16 year old & 21 year old) and introducing the limited anniversary release of the Bushmills 1608.

Simon Brooking. Global Brand Ambassador, Laphroaig
Laphroaig: An Islay Tradition
Please plan on joining Simon Brooking as he takes you on a bit of a journey through the history and art of Islay's most richly flavored whisky. Of particular interest will be the tastings featuring Laphroaig 10 year old, 15 year old, and Quarter Cask. Also experience a bit of Islay in a highland malt through Ardmore. Ardmore is a fully-peated highland malt, that has just been introduced in the United States. Join us for a dram of this unique whisky.

8:30 to 9:15

Willie Tait, Master Distiller, Brand Ambassador, Isle of Jura
Taste Island Life
At Willie Tait’s seminar you will learn about the Isle of Jura - what makes it special and the distillation process that makes Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch whisky special. Willie will discuss the impact the stills have on the finished spirit. Taste two unique single malts from Jura that have never been sold in the U.S.

Greg Hall, Brewmaster, Goose Island Brewing
Brewing the Best from the Barrel
At Goose Island, we pride ourselves on being innovators and leaders in the craft of brewing. We create beers that define styles, win awards, and capture the hearts, minds, and palates of beer drinkers. We have been barrel aging our beers since 1992 and have been honored with gold medals at both the Great American Beer Festival® in 2007 with our Bourbon Wheatmiser (Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer) and at the World Beer Cup® in 2006 with our Bourbon County Stout (Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer). Join me in a discussion regarding the revival of this fascinating tradition. Cheers.

Craig Beam, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill Distilleries
A Taste of Heaven-the Rare Export Bourbons of Heaven Hill Distilleries
Join seventh-generation Master Distiller Craig Beam for a tasting of four rare Small Batch export-only Bourbons that all scored higher than 91 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2007. From the 7-Year-Old Virgin Bourbon (Australia and Japan) to the 23-Year-Old Evan Williams Blue Label (Japan, UK and France), take a once-in -a-lifetime journey through rare, aged Bourbons that very few will ever see, let alone taste, with the Master Distiller. These Bourbons, all bottled at 101 proof or higher, are some of the most highly-acclaimed whiskeys in the world-by those lucky enough to have encountered them. Join us for a special tasting of these very memorable, very Small Batch Bourbons.