The Worshipful Company of Distillers

26/02/2026

The Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Business of Spirits team recently returned to Heriot-Watt to run our annual course, giving students a glimpse into the business side of the drinks industry.

This year saw a a number of new talks added to the day, as well as an alcohol-free tasting session, part of a thread looking at the future of the alcohol industry.

Presenters: , Nick Carr, , .j.wilson , and

25/02/2026

It was an honour to attend the City Food and Drink Lecture this week – the event is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We are one of eight livery companies who support the lecture, bringing together thought leaders across the food and drinks industry from within the City of London and beyond.

Professor Susan Jebb, the keynote speaker, gave a thought-provoking talk about the issues of and potential solutions to the obesity epidemic in the UK, with a focus on what food and drink companies can do to help. With a wide-ranging panel discussion and final thoughts by the Princess Royal, the 25th instalment of the lecture continued its reputation as an important part of the City’s year.

In pictures: The Guildhall; the Princess Royal wrapping up the lecture; the Master ( ) being asked for his thoughts on the evening; and liverymen Michael Vachon ( ), Annabel Meikle ( ) and Billy Abbott ( ), who attended the lecture.

03/10/2025

With the auction just a week away, a group from the Livery attended the preview of the lots at . Past Master Richard Watling ( ), Clerk James Bryan, Assistant Clerk Bill Collier and Liveryman Vicki Rimell were joined by Beanie Espey ( ), MD of Distillers Ventures Ltd and the Distillers One of One auction itself, to experience the whiskies and their incredible presentation in person.


You can find out more about the Distillers One of One auction and view the lots, as well as find the link to watch the live stream of the auction from 2pm on 10 October 2025, on the ’s profile.

12/05/2025

Introducing our Trustee – Georgie Bell, co-founder of . A part of the livery since 2017, she is dedicated to furthering drinks education and now helps guide the WSET and our work with them.

12/03/2025

Another successful trip to Heriot-Watt University to deliver the livery’s Business of Spirits course to students studying at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling – a day of knowledge exchange and education covering the business side of the drinks industry.
Heriot-Watt University

09/01/2025

We’re celebrating a successful year of working with the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust and The Drinks Trust to provide bursaries to support students in studying WSET’s spirits courses. We helped 25 students over the past year, offering both financial assistance and professional development through the livery’s mentorship program.
Read more:

The Worshipful Company of Distillers works closely with a number of educational bodies including the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET) to provide

08/12/2024

On a slightly cold November afternoon 153 Distillers and their guests came together in the warmth of Vintners’ Hall to witness the installation of the Company’s new Master, Nicholas Carr.

After an excellent dinner, the Master spoke and highlighted the Company and Charity's excellent work over the year and how he wanted to champion this in the year ahead.

We have an exciting year ahead!

Read more: https://www.distillers.org.uk/2024/12/08/installation-dinner-2024/

08/11/2024

The third Master’s Bar, Livery members and guests, took place at Soho Whisky Club on 4th November.

We got to chat to our peers and sample some excellent liquid, including Tobermory Ledaig from the Sinclair Series, Raasay single malts, Masthouse from Copper Rivet, and Armorik (Whisky Breton) Single Malt - among many other!

Look out for news of our next Master's Bar in January 2025 on our website.

Sláinte 🥃

07/11/2024

The Master attended the London Scottish Regiment’s annual Hallowe’en dinner with Liveryman and former Officer Commanding of A (London Scottish) Company the London Regiment, Major Jamie Barklem.

The Pipes and Drums, who we enjoy the company of at the majority of Livery events, were in fine fettle and Major General Marc Overton, President of the London Scottish Regimental Association reaffirmed the important relationship between the London Scottish and the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

As the London Scottish motto goes, STRIKE SURE!

04/11/2024

A day before Hallowe'en, a really terrific eve was enjoyed recently by one hundred or so Liverymen and guests of the two Livery Companies of Distillers and Marketors for the fifth in the series of annual "Panel Events" answering "Will the Rising Sun Continue to Rise in 2025?"

Our esteemed moderator, David Wethey, posed some carefully crafted questions for the expert panel comprising:
Nick Temperley – MD UK & NI, Suntory Global Spirits
Erika Haigh – British Sake Association, founder of Mai Sake and co-owner of Moto
Bruce Perry – Brand Ambassador for Marussia
Bob Burgess – past Director of Asahi UK, and lover of all things Japanese

The panel agreed that sake should be a choice with food on every dining table especially nasi goreng! Nick Temperley then provided a commercially-informed backdrop of the phenomenal growth of Japanese spirits. He mentioned the extraordinary care of Japanese distillers to produce quality – upholding 'Kaizen', the pursuit of maximum quality with minimum waste and 'Monozukuri', a work ethic that emphasizes deep knowledge, multiple skills, and a passion for achieving perfection.

Read more on our website: https://www.distillers.org.uk/2024/11/04/joint-distillers-and-marketors-panel-event-2024/

30/10/2024

The Distillers gathered at Drapers’ Hall with an hundred or so other supporters of Dagenham’s Future Youth Zone. Past Master Kenny McKay and Kathie, are pictured with Gavin Evans, CEO of Dagenham’s FYZ - also attending was Honorary Steward Graham Franklin and Sandra, and Development Director, Clive Bairsto.

After learning of the £800k fundraising target laid down by Gavin, the Mayor and the Drapers’ Charity Committee chair, we heard some poetry by one of the FYZ students - fluent as could be in the overwhelming grandeur of Drapers Hall - under the watchful eye of the ‘red’ portrait of King Charles III.

It was an inspiring evening - and wonderful to hear of the real effect being achieved to young people’s lives in Dagenham as a result of auction monies and Liverymen’s charitable contributions.