Independent bottlers are responsible for some of the most exceptional and interesting whisky in the Australian market.

But how does a cask leave the distillery and end up in the hands of an indie bottlers? Why do we see some distilleries more than others? And what will we be seeing in the future. Featuring Ciara Hepburn (North Star), Dave Worthington (That Boutique-y Whisky Company), Alistair Walker (Infrequent Flyers) and Eamonn Jones (Rest & Be Thankful).

Founder Alex Bruce and Sales Manager Connal Mackenzie will take us through a discussion about sustainability, transparency and great casks as we look towards the very first whisky release from Archamurchan.

One of Scotland’s most exciting and anticipated new whisky distilleries, we’ll also look at the independent bottling arm Adelphi. There are a very limited number of tasting packs available to purchase.

For the late start on Tuesday, we welcome Japanese whisky expert – and author of Whisky Rising – Stefan Van Eycken onto the stream to discuss the current state of Japanese whisky.

A constant topic of discussion, delight and intrigue, we’ll look at the challenges facing Japanese whisky, how the big guys are doing and where the next great Japanese break-out is coming from.

Our annual check-in with Heartwood and Tasmanian Independent Bottlers’ Tim Duckett – looking at what’s good (and what’s not so good) in the Tasmanian scene.

Expect opinions, insight and rants from both Tim a special guest Bill Lark, an icon of the Australian whisky industry.

There are a very limited number of tasting packs available if you don’t have something Tasmanian open to drink at home, featuring Heartwood, Tasmanian Independent Bottlers and a brand new Lark.

We’re going live into the homes of whisky distillers around the country instead of getting them to a Sydney restaurant, to talk about the realities of running and owning a whisky distillery.

We’ll be able to offer a limited number of tasting packs from the distilleries, featuring new releases (which would have launched at Fair), barrel samples and rarities.

Featuring: Sullivan’s Cove, Backwoods, Timboon, Chief’s Son and Otter Craft Distilling.

Do you treat a whisky the same way when you haven’t seen the bottle that it was poured from? A look into the art and experience of tasting whisky blind with help from our friends at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 

We’re able to offer a limited number of tasting packs for purchase, so you can taste along at home while we go through each of the whiskies. With experts from the SMWS as well as the wine industry, where blind tasting is a big part of that culture.

A parade of distillers and whisky experts answering any and all of your questions about whisky, life and themselves.

Submit questions beforehand or live during the stream.

A discussion with three established Aussie whisky distilleries – McHenry, Belgrove & Black Gate – with a companion tasting of three unicorn whiskies, one from each distillery.

Only 14 tasting packs to sell as we discuss each of these very rare drams and also discuss the three very different journeys of each distillery.

The second week will kick off with Whisky Round Table, a light-hearted and jovial look at whisky. 

Featuring regular panelists Alexandra Dahlenburg (Speakeasy), Andrew Milne (Southtrade), Matt Bailey (SMWS) and Scott Fitzsimons (The Oak Barrel), they’re going to pick something to fight about and then fight about it.

UPDATE: Delayed due to shipping. New date to be announced.

We’re excited to reveal a 14-year-old single cask, cask strength whisky from BenRiach – bottled exclusively for The Oak Barrel and Sydney Whisky Forum.

Join us as we go live with the distillery to launch the cask. With special guests, we’ll talk through the whisky, the distillery and also look at the process involved with selecting a single cask.

A very special bottling, a very special evening and a very special distillery, we’re excited to confirm that in partnership with Sydney’s Archie Rose Distillery we’re able to offer an Oak Barrel Exclusive Single Cask whisky and a physical tasting event to launch it!

A release years in the making, we are beyond excited for you to try Archie Rose cask R125 – the first single cask rye whisky they’ve released. This is their classic Rye Malt Whisky (the one named best Rye In The World) in single cask format, it is weighing in at cask strength 52.4%.

A very special bottling, a very special evening and a very special distillery, we’re excited to confirm that in partnership with Sydney’s Archie Rose Distillery we’re able to offer an Oak Barrel Exclusive Single Cask whisky and a physical tasting event to launch it!

A release years in the making, we are beyond excited for you to try Archie Rose cask R125 – the first single cask rye whisky they’ve released. This is their classic Rye Malt Whisky (the one named best Rye In The World) in single cask format, it is weighing in at cask strength 52.4%.