The Gin Summit – 2024

Thursday 29th August 2024

Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor

Thursday 8/29/24 9am – 5pm

Registrations are available as part of the 2024 ADI Conference ($180) 0r independently ($250). Registration Link

The American Distilling Institute’s Gin Summit returns by popular demand. Playing host to some of the world’s most renowned gin experts, the summit will feature a range of engaging talks and discussions looking at both the technical and business sides of the gin industry, as well as a gaze into what the future may hold.

09:00 Keynote Speaker: Xavier Baker of Mermaid Gin and The Isle of Wight Distillery
09:30 Contract Distilling: A Guide to a Successful Partnership – Panel Discussion
10:00 Distillation of Floral Botanicals with Stephen Gould
10:30 COFFEE BREAK
10:55 Have you got the minerals? An investigation into minerality in gin with Henric
Molin
11:30 An Audience with…. Jon Hillgren
12:00 Gin: Ask us Anything with Eric Kozlic of The Modern Bar Cart and Special Guests
12:45 LUNCH
13:30 The Chemistry of Botanicals with Sara Sergent
14:00 Botanical Blurb: The Language of Gin Flavors and Ingredients with Virginia Miller
14:30 Spread the Word: Selling Your Brand to Bars, Restaurants, and Beyond with
Natasha Bahrami
15:00 TEA BREAK
15:30 Maryland Gin Finale with David T Smith
16:00 Gin & Tonic Networking
* Please note that times and topics may be subject to last-minute adjustments.
09:00-09:25

Keynote Speaker: Xavier Baker from Mermaid Gin and The Isle of Wight Distillery
Join Xavier Baker from The Isle of Wight Distillery, winners of multiple trophies from the American Distilling Institute’s International Spirits Competition. Based on a small island just over three times the size of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, they are certainly punching above their weight!

They will discuss their approaches to making gin, vodka, and rum, as well as their
thoughts on environmental matters and – of course – the story and success behind their
stunning bottle.

09:30-09:55 –  Contract Distilling: A Guide to a Successful Partnership – Panel Discussion
Independent, third party, or contract distilling is something many spirits brands and
distillers will likely experience at some point, either as a provider of the service or as a customer. We take an overall perspective with a panel of experts experienced in all
aspects of contract distilling.

The challenges and benefits for all parties involved will be discussed, along with topics
such as how you transfer from third party distilling to setting up your own distillery.

Panelists include:
Joe Barber – Stargazey Spirits and Wrecking Coast Gin
Sara Sergent – Alpine Distillers, Utah
David Boyd-Armstrong – Shortcross Gin

10:00-10:25 – Distillation of Floral Botanicals
with Stephen Gould
Master of distillation, Stephen Gould, shares some insight into the intricate world of
distilling floral botanicals, perhaps the most intricate and fiddly botanicals to work with. But don’t worry, you’ll be safe in the hands of this expert speaker!

10:30 Coffee Break

10:55-11:25  – Have you got the minerals? An investigation into minerality in gin
with Henric Molin of Spirit of Hven
Henric Molin returns (by popular demand) all the way from Sweden to present what is
sure to be another insightful session full of scientific facts, this time looking at minerality in gin.

11:30-11:55 – An Audience with Jon Hillgren
Join David T Smith in conversation with distiller extraordinaire Jon Hillgren of the award- winning Hernö Distillery, producers of “The World’s Best Gin Since 2015”. Find out about the gin’s origins, recent updates, and what the future holds. A session that will inspire distillers big and small.

12:00-12:45 – Gin: Ask us Anything
with Eric Kozlic of The Modern Bar Cart

Join Eric Kozlic of the world-famous Modern Bar Cart podcast as he leads a discussion
with our expert panel that will answer your questions on anything and everything to do
with the world of gin.

Panelists include:
Virginia Miller
Natasha Bahrami
Jon Hillgren
Reece Simms

12:45 LUNCH

13:30-13:55  The Chemistry of Botanicals
with Sara Sergent
Distiller and scientist Sara Sergent provides an accessible guide to the chemical
compounds that make gin botanicals taste and smell the way that they do: pinene,
limonene, linalool, and more. A great fundamental session to help you understand
where notes come from and how they can complement each other.

14:00-14:25 – Botanical Blurb: The Language of Gin Flavors and Ingredients
with Virginia Miller
A great gin is a complex and harmonious combination of different botanicals, often
sourced from far-flung locations around the world and sometimes sourced right outside the distillery door. But how to explain these flavors to consumers on an international level? Why should they buy your gin over others? This session will discuss the science and art of gin tasting notes, as well as how to better communicate your gin on the front label, back label, and online.

14:30-14:55 – Spread the Word: Selling Your Brand to Bars, Restaurants, and Beyond
with Natasha Bahrami
An insightful session designed to help you amplify your gin sales and expand your
brand’s presence in bars, restaurants, and beyond. Hosted by Natasha Bahrami, the
esteemed founder of Gin World, this talk will provide you with invaluable strategies and practical tips to effectively market and sell your gin. Whether you're a gin producer, distributor, or marketer, learn how to navigate the competitive landscape, create compelling brand narratives, and build lasting relationships with key industry players.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights from one of the leading voices in the gin industry and take your brand to new heights.

15:00 TEA BREAK

15:20-16:00  – Maryland Gin Finale with David T Smith
The final session of the day: David T Smith conducts a tasting of local gins, discussing
their individual characteristics and the variety of different production techniques used.

16:00 Gin & Tonic; Tonic Networking

* Please note that times and topics may be subject to last-minute adjustments.