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The Craft Distilling Expo returns to London
London’s Old Truman Brewery will host The Craft Distilling Expo 2022, a two-day conference offering a series of talks and discussion panels alongside networking opportunities.
The Expo will run from 7-8 October, with masterclasses starting from 9.30am (BST) each day.
The organisers have taken over a larger space at the Brick Lane-based venue in order to accommodate more exhibitors, panels and masterclasses.
Co-founder and Global Spirits Master judge David T Smith said: “Gin continues to be popular with distillers around the world, including in the UK, but we’ve also seen the firm establishment of the UK rum category. Momentum is really picking up in the English rum scene, and this year we’ve partnered with Exploring English Whisky to provide some exciting sessions.”
Smith will be hosting a masterclass called ‘The Drinks of James Bond’ on 6 October at 4pm.
On 6 October, Richard Foster of Exploring Whisky will be hosting the English Whisky Panel, while acclaimed drinks journalist Millie Milliken will lead a masterclass on new make whisky in association with Holyrood Distillery.
The Expo will also offer sessions that focus on sustainability in distilling.
“Rising costs have been hitting distillers hard over the last year and we’ve been putting together sessions to discuss options to help,” Smith continued.
“From optimising gin production to reduce costs to looking at more sustainable and affordable ways to heat your still, all will be featured at this year’s Expo. We already have an online talk discussing the savings that can be made from introducing a closed-loop cooling system.”
Prior to the Expo, Smith will be hosting two online workshops alongside independent spirits consultant Julia Nourney.
Principles of Whisky Maturation will take place on 3 October, and will cover topics including: toasting and char levels, barrel sizes, storage and considerations for laying down barrels; while Advanced Gin Distilling, held on 4 October, is a talk aimed at botanical distillers who are in their 2nd-5th years of production. Topics covered will include third-party distillation, development of house style and maintaining consistency and quality control through expansion.
In addition to the talks and masterclasses, attendees will be able to explore a variety of exhibitors who will provide insight into the latest developments in their fields.
This year’s exhibitors include the Expo’s platinum sponsor Istill. Founder Odin van Eijk will be holding a talk on a piece of new equipment that the company has developed.
Day passes are available from RRP £79 (US$84.34) + VAT per person and include access to the the keynote speech as well as and all talks and panels.
Masterclasses are not included in the day passes and are charged at an additional cost.
The Spirits Business is currently offering a 10% discount on all entry passes, masterclasses, and workshops with the code: SB22.
Attendees can also claim a 25% discount on a limited number of Gold Passes, which will gain holders entry to both days of the Expo, as well as access to all eight masterclasses.
To receive the Gold Pass discount, use GOLDCDE2022 at check out.