Words on Whiskey - Ep. 60 - James Doherty of Sliabh Liag Distillers

Belfast Whiskey Week is back and running from 23rd - 29th July with over 100 LIVE events showcasing the very best of Irish whiskey. Founder Paul O'Cahan will give us an insight into what promises to be a great event.

On this weeks Words on Whiskey, Irish whiskey historian Fionnán O'Connor chats with Drew Mayville, a titan of the American Whiskey industry. Drew has over 40 years experience and has been the man behind some of Americas most iconic whiskeys, Buffalo Trace and Pappy Van Winkle just to to name a few. We'll get a great opportunity to learn about American whiskey as well as his interest in Irish whiskey.

With Whiskey Live Dublin returning after an absence of over 2 years we are delighted to welcome Katie who will give us an insight into what to expect and a behind-the-scenes account of what it takes to organise Ireland’s greatest whiskey show.

Join us for what promises to be a fascinating chat with Sabine Sheehan (Global Brand Ambassador) and Yonael Bernard (Master of Maturation/Production Manager) at Lambay Island Whiskey Company. We’ll discuss their signature Cognac heritage, their new and upcoming releases, as well as their plans going forward.

PLUS a chance to WIN an amazing Lambay Hamper!

Excited to be back and looking forward to chatting with Sarah Kennedy, Brand Ambassador at Belfast Distillery Company. We'll get an insight into her role and learn about the revival of the old McConnell's Irish Whisky brand.

oung veteran of the Irish whiskey sector, John Cashman has spent the last twenty years at the forefront promoting Irish whiskey both at home and internationally. We'll discuss how the Irish whiskey landscape has changed over that time and how his role within it has developed. We'll also find out what his new role at Powerscourt Distillery entails.

We very much look forward to our chat with Nick, a writer, strategic thinker, scholar and sceptic. With over thirty years in the whiskey sector, he recently published the must-read for whisky lovers, Everything You Need To Know About Whisky (But Are Too Afraid To Ask).

Having taught Scottish History at the University of Glasgow he joined United Distillers (now Diageo) in 1990 to create what has become the world’s most comprehensive spirits archive, before moving on to direct Diageo’s global malt whisky marketing team.  He retired from Diageo in December 2020 following the publication of his acclaimed book, A Long Stride, the Story of the World’s No 1 Scotch Whisky, written as part of the bicentennial celebrations of John Walker & Sons.

Nick has been recognised with the IWSC trophy for Outstanding Achievement in the Scotch Whisky Industry (2017) and inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame (2018). He is a Master of the Quaich.  He has served as a Trustee of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust since 2017.  In 2021 he was appointed Honorary Fellow in the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London.

James Doherty, Founder and Chief Executive at Sliabh Liag Distillers, joins us to share the insight into establishing Ireland's newest distillery, Ardara Distillery in County Donegal, and what direction they will take.

We're joined by Founders of Lough Ree Distillery, Michael, Peter and Sheila who will share their story and future plans for the distillery. In a world premier, they will  also unveil details of  their new release, Bart's Irish whiskey.

We are privileged to welcome John Quinn, Global Brand Ambassador at Tullamore D.E.W. and Chairman of the Irish Whiskey Association, the predominant representative body of Irish whiskey producers. Wearing his IWA hat, John will share with us the proposed amendments to the Irish Whiskey Technical file (now called the Product Specification) that the IWA have submitted to the Government Department of Agriculture. We'll learn what it means for Irish whiskey, consumers and producers.