WHISKY & DREAMS (Previously Independent’s Day) is back for 2018, with a new name, new date, more sessions and some BIG names headlining the event.

In 2018, WHISKY & DREAMS will be held over 2 days, with 2 sessions each day. The event will bring the best whisky and spirits to the whisky community, in a fun and exciting festival format.

This year we are excited to add masterclasses to the event, be sure to secure your ticket to these classes ASAP as tickets are very limited.

EXHIBITORS

All exhibitors have been hand chosen by the Whisky & Dreams organisers, making sure that each year the selection of whisky & spirits on offer is always changing, always exciting and most importantly, always delicious.

Confirmed exhibitors are:

Adelphi
North Star
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Rest & Be Thankful
Diplomatico Rum
Asta Morris

INTERNATIONAL GUESTS

Dave Broom

Dave Broom was born in Glasgow and has spent his whole working life in the world of drink, from a whisky bottling line, to wine merchant Oddbins, a real ale pub, Off-Licence News, and Australian wineries, before finally, in 1995, becoming a writer specialising in spirits.
Since then, he has written regularly about all spirit categories. Of his twelve books, two: ‘Drink: Never Mind the Peanuts’ and ‘Rum’ won the Glenfiddich award. His Whisky: The Manual was awarded Best Spirits Book at the Spirited Awards in 2015 and the ‘World Atlas of Whisky’ has been called “a landmark publication”. His most recent book, “The Way of Whisky: A Journey into Japanese Whisky’ appeared in 2017.
He is chief engineer for the go-to online site scotchwhisky.com, and writes for a large number of international titles.
Around half of his time is spent teaching and talking. He writes the on-line spirits training courses for global hospitality training group Lobster Ink, is a member of the Taste & Flavour education team, and designs in-house training courses for distillers.
He was one of the team which developed (and continue to maintain) the Single Malt Flavour Map and is regularly spotted at various international trade and consumer fairs.
He’s also been a judge at various cocktail competitions such as Havana Club Grand Prix, Bacardi Legacy, Beefeater 24, Nikka Perfect Serve, and Diageo’s World Class.
In 2013 he was awarded the Communicator of the Year at the ISWC awards and in 2015 was voted Best Spirits Writer at the Spirited Awards. He is a Master of the Quaich and a Kentucky Colonel.
He lives in Hove, England with his wife and daughter.

Charles Maclean

Charles Maclean has been researching and writing books & articles about the subject since 1981, he shares his enthusiasm and knowledge by giving talks & tastings around the world and by presenting training programmes and Masterclasses for whisky companies, clubs and individuals.

Alex Bruce

Managing Director, Adelphi & Ardnamurchan Distillery. More information to come…….

Luigi Barzini

Regional Sales Manager, Asia BB&R and Agency Brands. More information to come…….

MASTERCLASSES

This year, Whisky & Dreams is introducing 2 exciting Masterclasses per day. These masterclasses will feature our 2 headlining international guests, Charles Maclean, Dave Broom, plus other guest presenters.

Masterclass 1

Old School Vs New School

Charles Maclean & Dave Broom will go head to head presenting their top whiskies from traditional styles through to new world whiskies, all while sharing their personal experiences in the industry.

Duration: 90 mins

Session 1 time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Session 2 time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm

ONLY 15 TICKETS PER SESSION

Masterclass 2

The Fusion

Adelphi’s famed Glover Series of “Fusion Whiskies” have been a great success ever since the original Glover 22 was released in 2015. A fusion of Scottish & Japanese whiskies.

Join a panel of 4 as they take you through a deconstructed look at the latest release in the Fusion series, one which is rather close to home.

Duration: 90 mins

Session 1 time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm

ONLY 15 TICKETS AVAILABLE

Ticket Options

Package 1 - $65 + booking fee

Inclusions

• General Admission to Whisky & Dreams

• Unlimited (responsible) tastings of whiskies on offer

• 1 x Branded Speigelau whisky glass & lanyard

• 1 x Pen

• 1 x Food voucher (to redeem at on of the food trucks during Whisky & Dreams)

• 1 x Whisky & Dreams program

• 1 x bottle of Whisky & Dreams water

Package 2 - $115 + booking fee

Inclusions

• General Admission to Whisky & Dreams + 1 x masterclass

• Unlimited (responsible) tastings of whiskies on offer

• 1 x Branded Speigelau whisky glass & lanyard

• 1 x Pen

• 1 x Food voucher (to redeem at on of the food trucks during Whisky & Dreams)

• 1 x Whisky & Dreams program

• 1 x bottle of Whisky & Dreams water

Package 3 - $165 + booking fee

Inclusions

• General Admission to Whisky & Dreams + 2 x masterclass

• Unlimited (responsible) tastings of whiskies on offer

• 1 x Branded Speigelau whisky glass & lanyard

• 1 x Pen

• 1 x Food voucher (to redeem at on of the food trucks during Whisky & Dreams)

• 1 x Whisky & Dreams program

• 1 x bottle of Whisky & Dreams water

FOOD

Melbourne is renowned for it Food Truck scene, being home to some of the world’s best.

2 of Melbourne’s best food trucks will be on site to serve you during Whisky & Dreams.

Food trucks to be confirmed.

VENUE

In November 2017, Australia’s most celebrated whisky, Starward moved homes from Essendon to a much larger, state of the art facility in Port Melbourne.
Whisky & Dreams is honoured to once again use Starward’s new Port Melbourne home as its stage. 2018 will see the addition of an outdoor food & cocktail area, not only giving guests a place to take a break from tasting whisky, but also increasing the indoor floor space for more exhibitors.