Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor

Monday 8/26/24 9am – 5pm

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

The American Distilling Institute’s Whiskey Summit returns for its fourth year and, once again, will feature a wide range of speakers covering Bourbon, rye, malt, and whiskey in general. A great opportunity to dive into the exciting world of American and world whiskey.

Agenda as of 4/1/2024 – Please note that speakers, subjects, and timings may be subject to change.

Differentiating your Whiskey in a Crowded Market

With Tracie Franklin: Founder, Get Spirited Consulting

We are perhaps in a golden age of whiskey, with a huge range of distillers, ages, finishes, and blends available. Bars and consumers alike are perhaps spoilt for choice. So how can a whiskey set itself apart from the crowd and appeal to new and existing drinkers? This talk will highlight best practices for selling your product to the on-trade and examine various points of differentiation that can be explored in today’s market.

Regional Styles – Clarity or Confusion? – Panel Discussion

With Herman Mihalich: Founder, Distiller, Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye; Allen Katz: Owner, New York Distilling Company; David Weglarz: Owner, StilL 630 Distillery; Robert Likarish: Head Distiller, Ironroot Republic Distilling

 Empire Rye, Certified Texas Whiskey, or Missouri Bourbon – some of these regional styles will likely be familiar, whilst others may not; the world of regional US whiskey is certainly a hotbed for debate. Join our panel of experts as they discuss what the various concepts mean and their impact on the wider whiskey market.

Whiskey in Baltimore & Maryland Tasting

with Eric Zandona: Founder, EZdrinking

International whiskey expert and author of The Atlas of Bourbon & American Whiskey, Eric Zandona, takes a closer look at the heritage of whiskey-making in the local area, as well as – more importantly – the taste of local whiskey.

What’s on a bottle? What does your label and package say about your brand?

With Reece Sims: Founder, Flavor Camp

 Distillers spend a long time producing a delicious whiskey: from fermentation and distillation, through to maturation, proofing, and bottling. Once all this time and expense has been spent, it’s important that the bottle itself, including the label design and text, doesn’t let the product down. Is your wordy bottle putting off consumers? This talk will address it all.

Breaking the Taboo: Flavored Whiskey – Panel Discussion

With Sara Sargent: Co-Owner, Alpine Distilling; Kevin Szady: Head Distiller, MurLarkey Distilled Spirits; Brad Nichols: Director, Business Development, Flavorman

Flavored whisky might not be the first choice for the self-appointed connoisseur but is an important and growing part of the global whiskey market. Join our panelists as they discuss a more nuanced and quality-driven approach to flavored whiskey

Single Malts and GCMS

with Lauren Patz: Master Blender, Redwood Empire Whiskey

A technical look at the variations of different malts through the lens of a microscope (well, via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). This analysis helps to identify different substances (and aroma and flavor compounds), so not only will you understand how different malts differ, but why, too.

The Distiller’s Little Helper: Using enzymes in your process

with Haley Churchill: Technical Sales Manager, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits

Join our speaker for an introduction to enzymes and how they can aid the distilling process.

Single Variety Rye: A discussion of the varietal characteristics

with Braeden Bumpers: Owner, McClintock Distillery

Braeden Bumpers of McClintock Distillery takes a closer look at individual varietal types of rye and how each of these vary in key characteristics when fermented, distilled, and matured. A deep dive into rye’s terroir and how to use this to influence and differentiate your whiskey.

Beyond Scotch: International Single Malt – Panel Discussion

Moderated by Eric Kozlik: Founder, Direct Fire Consulting with Reece Sims: Founder, Flavor Camp et al.

Our final panel of the day will see an international mix of panelists discuss the recent developments in the world of Single Malt whiskey (exclusive of Scotch). This includes the growing interest in American Single Malt and the rise of English and Irish distilleries to rival their cousins across the border, as well as all of the exciting things happening in Australia, the wider Pacific, and beyond.