After starting his career in the whisky industry as the Visitor Centre Manager at The Macallan Distillery, Iain moved to Glen Moray Distillery in 2005 to manage and develop the Visitor Centre there. As Brand Ambassador Iain brings Glen Moray to both the UK and international markets. He conducts various VIP tastings around the world and hosts masterclasses at trade and whisky shows throughout the year.

Having passed the General Certificate in Distillation Iain continues to develop his knowledge with study of the Diploma in Distillation by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. After many years working alongside Glen Moray Single Malt Master Distillers, Iain has first-hand experience and insights into Glen Moray's finest whiskies. Iain worked on the development and release of a number of limited editions, including some award winning whiskies.

Continuing to grow and develop the visitor experience at the home of the distillery is still important to Iain. The Visitor Centre is frequently nominated for awards and has a reputation as a first class experience in Speyside. As a Director of the Malt Whisky Trail, Iain also ensures the promotion of the distillery and Speyside as the place to visit for Scotch whisky.

Global Brand Ambassador for Douglas Laing & Co. for the last 4 years, he started his whisky career with Auchentoshan, spending time working in the distillery before progressing to represent the other Beam Suntory brands including Bowmore and Laphroaig at events as Distillery Ambassador.

Now splitting time between Glasgow and many, many airports, he gets to spend plenty of time with the Douglas Laing 2nd and 3rd generations Fred and Cara, diving into cask samples and new product development.

Having hosted tastings and masterclasses across the world from Asia to North America to Europe and with a Masters Degree in Scottish History, he is happy talking all things Whisky, Scotland and anything else that might come up. Questions and conversation always welcome.

Carl Crafts works as International Sales Manager for Ardnamurchan Distillery and Adelphi Selection. He spent 17 years in the alcohol industry in the USA across a wide variety of roles. Ultimately, his career-long passion for the best spirits in the world facilitated a move to Scotland in 2023 to become the sixth member of the company's Sales & Marketing Team. Early last year, Carl was honoured to be invited into the company's blending team, which is responsible for the creation of every drop of Ardnamurchan liquid that goes into bottle. Being a member of the AD/ team is incredibly dynamic - the company truly incorporates its employees into every part of the business. Carl feels incredibly fortunate to represent Ardnamurchan and Adelphi across the globe in collaboration with amazing partners like ImpEx Beverages in the USA and Burke Distribution in Massachusetts.

Nestled on the ruggedly beautiful coastline of Loch Sunart in Scotland's Western Highlands, Ardnamurchan embodies the spirit of its namesake peninsula, renowned for its wild landscapes and untamed character. From traditional double distillation to blockchain technology, we embrace heritage, innovation and sustainable practises

Tristan is an experienced professional in the beverage alcohol industry, with a strong background in restaurant management and cocktail program development across Atlantic Canada. His hands-on experience in high-paced, high-end bar environments has honed his skills in crafting innovative beverage offerings and enhancing customer experiences.

Currently he serves as a sales representative for Suntory Global Spirits, where he leverages his industry an spirits knowledge to drive brand visibility for renowned products such as Hibiki. With a passion for spirits education and the art of mixology, he's excited to showcase Suntory's Japanese spirits at this year's New Brunswick Spirit Festival!

Emma's career in the food and beverage industry began at 15 years old and has grown into more than a decade of experience in hospitality, sales, and brand development. With a degree in International Marketing and Sales and Spanish, she blends business expertise with a passion for people, culture, and communication.

As part of The Shed Distillery team, Emma has represented the brand on a global stage for 2 years, sharing its story with new audiences while showcasing its signature spirits worldwide. She also brings her creativity to the On and Off Premise of Ireland where she develops innovative cocktail menus and collaborates with chefs to craft unforgettable food & drink pairings.

Whether leading tours, managing events, creating cocktails, or presenting at international shows, Emma thrives on connecting with people through flavour, storytelling, and hospitality. She is passionate about the art of mixology and its power to transform a simple drink into an experience.

From the Scottish Highlands to the heart of Ireland - and now across Canada - Joe Duffy has been chasing the perfect drop and the stories that come with it. A law degree may have been his first calling, but the lure of oak casks and copper stills proved far stronger.

His whiskey journey began at Glengoyne Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, where he was drawn in by the history and intrigue the craft of whiskey-making has to offer. Soon after, he crossed the Irish Sea to join the team at the legendary Midleton Distillery - home of Jameson - learning from the masters who guard centuries of Irish craft. As Jameson's Brand Ambassador for the West of Ireland, Joe used this unique experience to turn tastings into tales, weaving history, flavour, and a dash of adopted Irish wit into every glass.

Now, as Irish Distillers' Whiskey Ambassador in Canada - overseeing brands such as Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare and The Spot Range - Joe's mission is simple: to share the warmth, heritage, and joy of Ireland's finest spirits — one drop, one story, and one connection at a time.

Conor Eglington is a Production Manager and international brand ambassador at HYDE Irish Whiskey. He has 6 years of experience in the whiskey industry working various roles within the HYDE brand. Conor's work focuses on planning and executing HYDE 's production, alongside promoting the brand at national and international events.

HYDE Irish Whiskey is a multi-award-winning premium range of Irish whiskey matured and finished to perfection in the idyllic landscape and temperate climate of County Cork, Ireland. The HYDE Family have been aging fine Irish Whiskey for over twelve generations since 1640. The HYDE family pub at Tinkers Cross just outside Bandon in West Cork was famous for the quality of its cask aged whiskey that it matured in a shed out the back of the HYDE family pub.

Our focus at HYDE is on the art of Wood Management and Cask Maturation to create exceptional, small-batch, hand-crafted Irish whiskey. We hand select only the very finest oak casks from around the world to age our whiskey.

Rhiann's first introduction to whisky was at a young age, with fond memories of gifting her grandfather a special bottle every Christmas. Her interest was piqued when she studied a module on food and fragrance chemistry, whilst studying for a Master's Degree at the University of St Andrews.

During which, she became fascinated with how the molecular structure of compounds can create a different sensory aroma. Her sensory skills really began to develop when she began a student placement, which eventually led to Rhiann working alongside the Johnnie Walker team. Moving to William Grant & Sons, where she conducted blending and distillery innovation trails, was instrumental in a number of exciting projects and wrote a Technical White Paper for Single Malt brand relaunch.

Having honed her sensory and blending skills, when a role came up to work for Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod, she couldn't say no. Since joining John Dewar & Sons in November 2020, Rhiann has been instrumental in various Cask Series, where she leads many of the exciting experimental cask projects. In addition to this, she helps run the Cask Purchasing Programme for JDSL, helping to uphold our rigorous Wood Policy.

A born and bred Scottish Highlander, Scott has been with the Isle of Raasay team for 5 years and in the whisky for industry for 10 years.

When not talking about Scottish spirits he can be found on a tennis court or hillwalking.

Host of WhiskyCast. Journalist, podcaster, photographer, & writer.

WhiskyCast began in 2005, and has become one of podcasting's longest-running shows, along with a global online whisky community. In addition to the weekly podcast, Mark also hosts the monthly WhiskyCast Tasting Panel podcast and WhiskyCast HD video segments.

Mark was previously a contributing editor to Whisky Magazone and is also a veteran broadcast and electronic journalist, having worked directly or as a freelancer for Bloomberg News, The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, The Gallup Organization, MSNBC, and several television and radio stations.

Miranda Hayman is 5th generation and co-owner of Hayman's Gin.

Their story started in 1863 when her great-great grandfather re-defined gin and pioneered the London Dry style we enjoy today. Working alongside her brother James and father Christopher, she is proud to be celebrating 20 years with the family gin business this year.

Miranda is passionate about preserving the integrity of London Gin as well as innovating for the future whilst reflecting her family's traditions. Sustainability is close to her heart, and she played a large part in achieving Hayman's B Corp certification looking ahead to the next generation.

Miranda's go-to is always a refreshing G&T but is also partial to a Gin Sour or a classic Martini.

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Simon Hooper has spent the past 18 years immersed in the spirits industry, sharing his passion for whisky through education and storytelling.

An avid traveller, Simon has visited distilleries across the four corners of Scotland, gaining first-hand insight into the landscapes, traditions, and people that create this iconic spirit. Having spent the last 10 years working exclusively on the Diageo Luxury Portfolio, Simon brings a wealth of experience to help whisky lovers deepen their knowledge of whisky.

His favourite scotch cocktail? — a Talisker Rob Roy with a side of salted dark chocolate

Emmett Hossack's whisky journey started when he made his first trip to Scotland in 1966. It wasn't until 2002 that he began to seriously taste whisky. He is currently a member of whisky clubs in Ottawa, Cornwall, Montreal, Vancouver and Scotland.

His enthusiasm for whisky led him to start taking notes and assigning scores in 2011. He has tasted and scored over 4,000 different whiskies since then.

He has also organized and led a number of Master Classes in person and virtually across Canada. Since the pandemic, he has served on the Ottawa Whisky Guild Planning Committee which has organized and delivered over 50 virtual Master Classes, with half of them featuring renowned presenters from Scotland, Canada, and the US. He is also currently a judge for The Whisky Explorer Society Awards. Emmett is passionate about whisky and the friendships it nourishes.

Toronto-based Jamie Johnson, is a highly-respected whisky champion and conversationalist. She is widely known for hosting tasting events and masterclasses across Canada, as well as co-hosting the popular whisky podcast, The Whisky Topic. She has also written extensively about whisky, and whisky culture for publications like Relish & Whisky Magazine and whisky.buzz to name a few.

Jamie's in-depth knowledge of whisky began with a personal passion project when she invited (i.e. forced, in her words) friends to her Toronto home to share different bourbon drams and have spirited conversations about flavour, taste, production, and so on. This informal gathering grew, as interest in whisky spread , and soon Bourbon Thing became a real thing, with events in bars and restaurants, a fully-fledged website and partnerships with some of the city's most well-respected bartenders.

In 2018 Jamie enhanced her whisky knowledge by completing the renowned General Certificate in Distilling, building on her home-grown knowledge "with all that unromantic but crucial stuff". This gives her a qualification with international recognition underpinned by scientific knowledge and principles of distilling operations.

Carmanah Judith is the Western Canada Sales Manager with TS Global, where they focus on Japanese and Craft Whisky, Asian Liqueurs, and other farm-to-bottle spirits. Carmanah's journey into the world of spirits began as a cocktail bartender in 2011, and since then they've grown to represent some of the most unique offerings in Canada.

With a reputation for being approachable and non-judgemental, Carmanah brings a deep knowledge of Japanese Whisky and passion for farm-to-bottle spirits to their work. At this year's festival, they will present a series of expressions from Shinobu, Kujira, and Glasgow 1770, guiding audiences through a global journey of whisky.

Robin is native born Scots Man, multiple disciplines enthusiast - with music and single malt whisky amongst them.

While much of his repertoire reflects the influence of singer/songwriters including Paul Simon and the late Stan Rogers, Edinburgh-born and Lanarkshire, Scotland-based guitarist and vocalist Robin Laing is at his best interpreting traditional Scottish ballads, fiddle tunes, and the songs of Robert Burns.

Folk Tap described Laing as possessing, "a pleasantly melodic voice and a beautifully clear guitar..., a touch of Ralph McTell wi' an accent" while, Folk Roots called him, "a very sincere, likable and polished performer."

- Quote by musicgateway.com

Ben began bartending in North London after moving there in 2011. Graduating from pubs to craft cocktail bars, he eventually returned to his native Montreal, where he spent a year at the Cloakroom Bar, one of Canada's Top Five.

Following a move to Toronto in 2017, Ben served as Bar Manager at the Maple Leaf Tavern, which was shortlisted for a Spirited Award for Best International Restaurant Bar. In addition to his diverse bartending background, he holds WSET Level 2 for Wine & Spirits, Certified Scotch Professional from the Council of Whisky Masters, and has appeared in national cocktail competitions in both Canada and the UK. Since 2019, he has served as Diageo's Luxury Ambassador team, based in Toronto.

His favourite whisky cocktail is a Mint Julep.

John Leroux has practiced in the fields of art history, architecture, visual art, curation, and education, and is currently the Manager of Collections and Exhibitions at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in his hometown of Fredericton. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from McGill University, a Master of Arts in Art History from Concordia University, and a PhD in History from the University of New Brunswick.

He has worked at several award-winning architecture firms in Toronto, Atlanta, and Fredericton, and has taught at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, the University of New Brunswick, and St. Thomas University. He has won many awards for architectural and public art projects throughout Canada, and he was a team member of Canada's entry at the 2012 Venice Biennale in Architecture. A passionate advocate for the arts and for architectural conservancy, John has authored 16 books on architecture and visual culture. He is also a proud member of the Fredericton Whisky Tasting Society.

Steven has served on the organizing committee of the New Brunswick Spirits Festival and is a member of the Whisky Tasting Society of New Brunswick. Along with his wife Stacy, he has toured numerous wineries, breweries and distilleries in Canada, USA and UK.

Steven has a degree in Philosophy from Saint Thomas University and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick.

Manon has always been immersed in the world of Wines & Spirits, traveling across the globe to discover diverse terroirs and dynamic markets.

She describes herself as a true Wine & Spirits hedonist, drawn by the sense of conviviality the industry fosters, the pleasure it brings, and the endless opportunities for learning it offers.

Her career has led her through renowned winemakers but also Cognac House, Whisky & Rum iconic brands. In 2025, she joined Terroirs Distillers Artisanal Brands as Export Manager for the Americas, where she is dedicated to promoting the authenticity and richness of their terroir-driven spirits portfolio including Tullibardine Whisky, Louis Royer Cognac, and Ballina Irish Whiskey.

Originally from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Jack's journey took him to Glasgow, where he trained in Acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Today, he channels those storytelling skills into the world of Scotch whisky - bringing heritage, flavour, and craft to life in unforgettable ways.

As Chivas Brothers Brand Ambassador, Jack spent two years in Speyside, hosting bartenders, collectors, influencers, and even a Formula 1 driver, all eager to hear the stories behind Scotland's national spirit. His role carried him from Scotland to Toronto, where he now shares his passion with Canadian audiences.

Jack is dedicated to sharing the stories of Chivas Brothers' brands and their makers, whether educating newcomers or engaging with whisky connoisseurs. He looks forward to sharing a dram of The Glenlivet, Chivas Regal, Aberlour or Royal Salute in Canada.

Slàinte Mhath!

Freelance whisky writer and editor of the Whisky Explorer Magazine.

Johanne has been a long time friend of the New Brunswick Spirits Festival. Armed with an educational background in spirits she regularly travels the world and presents masterclasses in the UK as well as North America.

Johanne's masterclasses are always entertaining due to her knowledge, passion and sense of humour.

Mike McLean is the Canadian Whisky Brand Ambassador with Suntory Global Spirits.

In this role, Mike represents the whole SGS portfolio of award winning Canadian Whiskies, including the iconic Canadian Club brand, plus the full range from Alberta Distillers Ltd featuring Alberta Premium and Reifel Rye.

With over thirty-five years of experience in the hospitality industry, including the past fifteen as the Program Coordinator and Lead Trainer for the Mixxit Canada program by SGS, Mike is known as an entertaining and educational presenter for industry events, media appearances, trade shows and bartending competitions.

Pierre has served on the organizing committee of the New Brunswick Spirits Festival for over ten years. He is also a member and past president of the Whisky Tasting Society of New Brunswick.

In addition to hosting past NBSF master classes over the years, he has worked with Frank Scott on many local whisky tasting events, most of them being fundraisers for charities and non-profit organizations.

Along with his wife Donna, he has attended the Spirit of Speyside festival several times and made a point of touring distilleries and wineries in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and the United States.

He has a degree in computer science from the University of New Brunswick, and in his day job, he manages several global software development teams that are focused on developing and delivering utility energy management solutions that enable the clean energy systems of the future. He has also served on the boards of various technology industry organizations.

James Neil joined the Beam Suntory family in 2017. Prior to joining the organization he had spent 10+ years running his own hospitality consulting business along with his restaurant in the Vancouver market. His business took him across the nation, focusing on quality cocktails, wine and whisky programs. Upon his arrival in the Hamilton region he created groups such as the Hamilton Cocktail Showcase - a platform for bartenders to showcase their craft while giving back to community - which has donated over $5000 to local charities.

Since taking on in his current role, James has been featured on many podcasts and in publications: Gentolagie Magazine, The National Post, Cool Hunting Magazine as well as our dear friends at Ciders, Sodas, and Cocktails on Sportsnet 650AM with Darryl Lamb and Joe Leary to name a few.

Spending the recent years absolutely immersed in the World of Whisky, he has focused on Single Malts and Irish Whiskey. Visiting and working with the teams at each distillery, he has been able to bring life to brands such as Auchentoshan, Bowmore, Laphroaig Kilbeggan, and Tyrconnell as he shares their stories and liquid across the nation.

Martine is one of the world's leading whisky writers and a specialist on the pairing of whisky and food, Martine particularly enjoys writing about (and of course enjoying) Scotch Whisky. A regular contributor to Whisky Magazine, she launched the Whisky Magazine French edition in 2004 and continues to provide her perspective and tasting notes on spirits from around the world.

She has hosted whisky dinners in France and in Scotland and judged at the annual International Wine & Spirit Competition in London. She is also the author of "Les Routes du Malt". In France, Martine is known as La reine de l'alambic (The Queen of the Still!), and she was "The whisky chef" on singlemalt TV, a webTV channel dedicated to whisky.

Martine Nouet travelled the whisky trails intensely in 2009 with French Canadian film maker Bruno Carrière who produced a fourteen hour program on whisky for Evasion channel, "Passion Whisky".

Martine was born in Normandy, and after living on Islay for a number of years, recently returned to retire in her homeland. We're honoured to have her back as our special guest.

Michael Oxner is the founder and resurrector of the James Roue Beverage Company, Nova Scotia, producer of East Coast Jamaican forward style rums.

James Roue Beverage Company specializes in producing high-quality Nova Scotian rum. Their products embody the spirit and taste of Nova Scotia, appealing to customers who value local craftsmanship and unique flavors. The company emphasizes responsible drinking, with a minimum purchase age of 19. They offer a range of products available for online shopping.

Martin Pineault is a seasoned hospitality professional and National Brand Ambassador for Patrón Tequila, where he represents the brand across the country through education, events, and partnerships. With almost two decades of experience in hospitality and customer service, Martin has cultivated a career defined by creativity, leadership, and a dedication to elevating guest experiences.

Before joining Patrón, Martin established himself as an award-winning mixologist, recognized for his innovative approach to cocktails and his ability to balance artistry with precision. His deep understanding of flavor, service, and storytelling has earned him respect not only behind the bar but also as a mentor and advocate for the next generation of industry talent.

As a brand ambassador, Martin embodies the heritage and craftsmanship of Patrón Tequila while inspiring both professionals and consumers to appreciate the culture and creativity behind every pour.

Cody Reynolds is Brand Ambassador for Angus Dundee Distillers, one of the leading independent Scotch whisky companies with two incredible single malt distilleries, Tomintoul and Glencadam

With a deep passion for Scotch whisky, Cody began his career at the renowned Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh, where he educated global whisky enthusiasts.

Now, he internationally, training bar staff, retailers, and hosting tasting events to promote these rising single malts. Recognized as a leading ambassador in the industry, Cody is dedicated to sharing his extensive knowledge and love for Scotch whisky in a fun and engaging style.

Jacine Rutasikwa is the co-founder of Matugga Distillers, which launched the first rum distillery in Central Scotlan in 2018. Alongside her husband Paul, Head Distiller, she produces a multi-award-winning range of artisanal rums crafted from scratch at their family-owned distillery near Edinburgh.

Matugga is inspired by a rich "Rum Triad", blending Jamaica;s time-honoured rum-making traditions, the vibrant flavours of East Africa and Scotland's proud distilling heritage. The result is Matugga Rum - a distinctive collection of adventurous expressions that shine on the global stage.

Born in London with proud Jamaican roots, Jacine is the first Black woman to own a distillery in the UK. She is delighted to present the first rums from Scotland at the New Brunswick Spirit Festival.

When Frank pours a single malt, a look of satisfaction and contentment crosses his face. No wonder. As one of Canada's most respected Scotch connoisseurs, whisky is his passion.

Frank co-founded and is former co-owner and manager of the Lunar Rogue, an award-winning pub in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. With more than 500 whiskies on the gantry - one of the best selections in North America - the "Rogue" is a favourite destination for whisky lovers. Whisky Magazine calls it one of the "great whisky bars of the world".

Born in Fredericton, Frank's 46-year career as a publican began in 1976 when he opened his first pub. Ten years later, he developed an interest in Scotch whisky, and, ever since, has devoted himself to expanding and sharing his knowledge about how it's produced. Since 1992, he's hosted many whisky seminars and tastings for corporate groups and charitable events.

Frank is a member and past president of the Whisky Tasting Society of New Brunswick. He has toured more than 70 distilleries and each year attends the Spirit of Speyside Festival, which named him International Ambassador during the 2014. In 2016, he was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich.

Bryan Simpson has been a part of the Scotch Whisky community for over a decade, both in his native Scotland and his new home of Canada. Born in Glasgow, but now living in Toronto, he has ignited thousands of Canadians' passion for Single Malt before being appointed Canadian Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg and Glenmorangie.

Back in Scotland, Bryan combined his love for the Highlands with his whisky tasting zeal and formed a whisky club that experienced Scotch in the heart of Scotland's wilds. His well-honed palate was developed pairing whisky drinkers with their perfect dram where he gained a reputation of hosting engaging presentations to both those new to Scotch and experienced malt enthusiasts.

Bryan's obsession with Ardbeg and Glenmorangie is not just what's in the glass, but the history of both brands and how it ties to Scotch Whisky as a whole. His interest in the scientific aspects of Scotch making is clear, but just as important to him is the social world that exists around his favourite drink and how it brings people together.

Cooper began in the beverage alcohol industry at 19, working on the bottling line for Sleeman Breweries. After completing his undergraduate degree at Queens University, Cooper started in Sales with Sleeman, working in a variety of different territories including; Toronto Core Retail, Sudbury/North Dual, and Kingston Dual. In these positions, Cooper worked closely with Product Consultants, and Managers at many LCBO locations.

Cooper started working at Spring Mill Distillery in May of 2018, where he worked with Doan Bellman, the Master Distiller and VP of Operations, to help assemble the equipment. This is where he learned most of his distilling knowledge, which assists him in his current position, Director of Sales and Marketing.

Cooper also opened the Ward Bar. A Liquor Licenced establishment at the distillery that offers a wide selection of wine, beer, hand made cocktails, charcuterie boards.

Working for the family business has always been a passion for Cooper, he hopes to continue to grow Spring Mill Distillery into one of Canada's leading spirit producers.

At 23 he launched his first business, a British-style pub and subsequently founded The Imported Beer Company. He restarted family brewing business in 1985 and successfully expanded the business across Canada by taking the company public in 1996. In 2019, he relaunched the Sleeman family spirits business, Spring Mill Distillery with authentic Scottish stills and original oak barrels from cooperages in Kentucky and Canada to age the whiskies.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including Outstanding Business Achievement, Top 100 Entrepreneurs, 50 Best Managed Private Companies, Top 200 Fastest Growing Companies, the Mayors Award for community contributions, American Marketing Association award, and a Lifetime Achievement award from the Guelph Chamber of Commerce For services rendered, John was granted his family Coat of Arms and received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee medals. He received an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Guelph. In 2019, he was a proud recipient of the Order of Canada.

Past Director and Chair of Beer Canada, past Director of Brewers Retail. Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Charter for Business and is active in various charitable foundations.

Formerly of Hawksworth Restaurant in Vancouver, BC, Jonathan Smolensky is the proprietor of Sovereign Canada, a purveyor dedicated to working with independent suppliers and manufacturers that are keen to share their liquid expressions with a Canadian community of wine, spirit and cocktail lovers alike. In addition to supply chain solutions and brand management, Sovereign is a platform for educational development and consulting opportunities for young bartenders across the nation.

An oenophile by nature, Jon's academic immersion into the world of spirits and cocktails has grown into a passion during his bartending career. Born and raised in Vancouver, he has been part of the Canadian hospitality community ever since graduating university.

As one of the few Bar 5-Day Graduates-With-Honour in Canada, Jonathan's command and knowledge of the spirits sector is extensive. With one of the largest independent r(h)um portfolios in Canada, Jon's command of the category and education-first speaking style is aimed to give his seminar followers the tools needed to help make sense of one of the most convoluted spirits categories in the world.

Nicholas represents the next generation of the Stirling family, whose farming and distilling heritage at the Arbikie Highland Estate spans over four centuries. As Brand Ambassador for Arbikie Distillery, Nicholas plays a vital role in sharing the story behind the distillery's field-to-bottle spirits with customers, partners, and the wider industry.

With a deep personal connection to the brand and its values, Nicholas is actively involved in sales and outreach, helping to grow Arbikie's presence both locally and internationally. Passionate about sustainability and innovation, he communicates Arbikie's commitment to crafting premium spirits with minimal environmental impact. Whether hosting tastings, engaging with trade partners, or representing Arbikie at events, Nicholas brings energy, authenticity, and a strong sense of purpose to everything he does - embodying the distillery's vision for a more sustainable future.

Adrienne Stoner is the Rum Community Liaison for Maison Ferrand, producers of Planteray Rum, Canerock Spiced Rum, and co-owners of National Rums of Jamaica.

With nearly two decades of bartending experience, including behind two of the most notable rum-focused bars in the world, Chicago's Three Dots & a Dash and Lost Lake, Adrienne stepped out from behind the bar to manage Maison Ferrand's On-Premise business in the Midwest US for 6 years.

Today, she travels throughout the Americas to advocate & educate on the ever-growing spectrum of rums from Maison Ferrand, West Indies Rum Distillery, and National Rums of Jamaica. Adrienne devotes special attention to the diversity of sugarcane distillate, from cane-to-bottle, and now takes her passion for the history, culture, and future of rum wherever glasses are raised.

Have Rum, Will Travel!

Falling in love with whisky at first sip, Chris Thompson aspires to share the Forty Creek story with whisky fans everywhere. With an extensive background in relationship building and creating brand experiences, his current role allows him to develop partnerships with key influencers and consumers, while sharing his love for the brand known for its range of complex, yet approachable whiskies.

Thompson has been an active member of the Forty Creek team, and played a key role in creating the distillery's on-site experience. Starting as a retail manager, he gained a rich understanding of the brand's offerings and was eager to share his passion for the Forty Creek portfolio with colleagues and customers.

Prior to joining Forty Creek, Thompson began his career in the entertainment industry, working on the road with Canadian and international artists, producing award shows, music festivals and corporate events. Living in Niagara, the heart of Ontario's wine country, he landed in the tourism and wine industry, helping build award-winning attractions and wineries from the ground up. When he's not working, an ideal day for Thompson entails putting on a record (yes, vinyl one!), time with family and enjoying a glass of Forty Creek.

Dan is a 20 year veteran of the Atlantic hospitality industry, much of that time spent as the GM of Hopscotch Whisky Bar, in Saint John, New Brunswick. He has travelled to Scotland, Kentucky and Jamaica to experience distillation firsthand and has met some of the best distillers in the world.

He has hosted countless whisky and spirit tastings over the years, and has garnered a reputation for being passionate and knowledgeable. His events are informative, and entertaining without an ounce of pretension or snobbery.