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Livery Court Trip To Lyon: 17th – 21st May 2026
Each year the Master of the Distillers Company arranges for the Livery Court to go away on ‘The Trip’, not least in some small way to say ‘thank you’ to Court colleagues for efforts expended in their support of him/her. Usually this involves a visit to a place of high resonance for the Master and […]
A More Connected Livery
One theme emerged consistently throughout my year as Master: the true strength of the Distillers’ Company lies in its people. Across our Livery we possess an extraordinary breadth of experience, wisdom and friendship – collectively representing over 10,000 years of knowledge across the world of spirits, business and public life. Yet, many members have told […]
DCC Visit to Gaydon Motor Museum & Blenheim Palace
Just before Easter, a small and very enthusiastic group from the Distillers Car Club set off for Gaydon, just outside Banbury to explore what is proudly known as the world’s largest collection of historic British cars. Withover 300 beauties on display—from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Jaguar Heritage Trust—it was a petrol-head’s […]
Master’s Bar – Soho Whisky Club
The third Master’s Bar event of the year took place at the Soho Whisky Club in London on Monday April 27th. Attended by The Master and Mistress, Livery Members, new Freemen and industry guests, 25 in all, the focus of theevening was on English Whisky, in recognition of English Whisky Week which took place 19th-26th […]
Master’s Bar – Scotland Edition
The first Master’s Bar in Scotland took place at the Port of Leith Distillery on the evening of Weds March 18th. This was the second event to be organised by the New Livery Members Committee, formed last year with the purpose of organising more informal events for the Company, especially those new to the Livery […]
Thank you HMS Queen Elizabeth
On a cold wet and very windy afternoon of Wednesday 11th March 2026, I was honoured to represent the Worshipful Company of Distillers and attend a thank you reception, from HMS Queen Elizabeth to all the people and organisations that had helped her during her time at Rosyth. We were welcomed onto the very impressive […]
New Members’ Briefing 2026
For anyone considering joining the Worshipful Company of Distillers, the New Members Online Briefing offers a welcoming and accessible introduction to the Company and the wider livery movement. Held online every other month, this short informal session is designed for prospective members who want to better understand what the Company is all about, whether they […]
The Distillers’ Charity releases its 2025 Impact Report
Transforming Young Peoples Lives The Distillers’ Charity hosted its 4th annual Impact Report in Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh on Tuesday 10th March. With some 100 people in attendance, from charity delivery partners, media, Distillers One of One Donor & Sponsor companies and from across the Scotch Whisky Industry, the attendees heard from a series of speakers and took […]
Income Generation update
The ‘income generation task force’ was set up in January as part of the ambition to fulfil one of the Master’s three objectives. With the brief to find new sources of income, the group is led by the Master himself and includes Garvin Brown, Nick Carr, Damian Riley-Smith, Andrew Cox and Beanie Espey. Reviewing the […]
Wine And Spirits Committee Update For 2026
Movements of stock has been quite low for the Wine and Spirits Committee. The reason that not a lot is happening is a mix of factors. Partly, it is because of increased costs, together with tax hikes. But also the fiscal pressures around the Livery, as elsewhere, has demanded a need to carefully monitor expenditure […]
Scottish Committee – February 2026 Report
It’s been an unusually busy few days for the Scottish Committee this February. On Wednesday 4th February the Scottish Committee were hosted by Glencadam Distillery for their first meeting of the year. Established 200 years ago, Glencadam, located in the town of Brechin on the east of Scotland, came into the ownership of Angus Dundee […]
Assistant Clerk Vacancy
The Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) gained its Royal Charter from King Charles l in 1638 to, amongst other things, regulate the distilling trade within 21 miles of the City of London and the City of Westminster. The Company ranks 69th in the order of precedence of the (currently) 113 Livery Companies of the City […]
An Evening in the Company of Indian Single Malts
An Evening in the Company of Indian Single Malts was the inaugural event for the Worshipful Company of Distillers’ New Livery Members Committee (NLMC), held at Diageo’s London headquarters on 3 December 2025 A world‑first for Indian Single malts The inaugural NLMC event brought together newer Liverymen and industry guests for a brand‑agnostic exploration of […]
Scottish Dinner 2025
It was a mild evening for September in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town as The Master, Wardens, Liverymen and honoured guests gathered at the beautiful Signet Library on Parliament Square. The fabulous surroundings always add to the sense of occasion and so it proved again this year as 220 finely dressed people (another full […]
The Sparkling Story of Hambledon Vineyard
Set in the heart of the South Downs lies England’s oldest commercial vineyard and home to award winning sparkling wines. This was the backdrop for the recent Distillers Car Club visit this month. Standing amongst the rows of neatly manicured vines, just about to be harvested, twenty of our members enjoyed a very convivial day […]
Scottish Committee Meeting – Ballindalloch Distillery
The Scottish Committee met at Ballindalloch Distillery kindly hosted by Liveryman Guy MacPherson-Grant and Past Master Kenny Mackay. The distillery is part of the Ballindalloch Highland Estate, which dates back to 1499, and owned and managed by the MacPherson-Grant family to his day, encompasses a magnificent castle, farming and forestry, a hotel, golf course, and […]
Industry News
Dunphail’s Matt McKay to join the London Distillery Company
McKay will depart Bimber and Dunphail distilleries to become managing director and whisky maker for the revitalised London Distillery Company
Fortitude Spirits appoints CEO
Fortitude Spirits Group, which was launched in October 2024 by Kliro Capital Partners, has appointed Ed Cottrell as CEO
Fever-Tree toasts bumper US performance in 2021 – trading update
A combination of continued off-premise strength and a returning on-premise have boosted Fever-Tree’s sales for 2021, led by the US. In a trading update today, the mixers company said that sales in the 12 months to the end of December, reached GBP311m (US$416.7m), a 26% increase on 2020. US sales for the year were up …
The post Fever-Tree toasts bumper US performance in 2021 – trading update appeared first on Just Drinks.
Britvic upbeat on 2022 as Omicron fails to dent pre-Christmas growth – trading update
Strong at-home consumption has bolstered Britvic’s performance in the closing three months of last year, despite the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Two months after reporting a near-7% rise in 12-month sales to the end of September, the UK-based soft drinks group today posted sales from fiscal-Q1 – to the end of December – …
The post Britvic upbeat on 2022 as Omicron fails to dent pre-Christmas growth – trading update appeared first on Just Drinks.
