More Than Just Whisky: Lessons from the Melbourne Whisky Show
On 11 July 2026, I attended the Melbourne Whisky Show at the Pullman Albert Park, an event organised by The Whisky List. Bringing together distilleries, independent bottlers and whisky lovers from across Australia and beyond, it provided the perfect opportunity to continue my learning journey.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that a whisky show is about far more than tasting great whisky.
Of course, discovering new drams is part of the experience, but the real value comes from the people behind the bottles. Standing across the table from the distillers, founders, blenders and passionate brand ambassadors gives you an appreciation that simply can’t be found on a label or in a tasting note.
Every conversation tells a story, why a distillery was started, the challenges of producing whisky in Australia, the decisions behind cask selection, and the pride that goes into every bottle. Those stories transform a whisky from a drink into something much more personal.
The Melbourne Whisky Show also reinforced something I’ve come to appreciate about the Australian whisky community: it is remarkably welcoming. Whether you’re completely new to whisky or have spent years exploring it, everyone shares the same curiosity. Conversations begin with a simple question about what’s in your glass and often finish with a handshake, a shared recommendation, or even a new friendship.
As The Whisky Warrant, I don’t attend whisky shows to chase rare bottles or prove what I know. I go to learn. Every conversation, every tasting and every connection adds another piece to my understanding of Australian whisky and the passionate people who make it.
If you’re thinking about attending your first whisky show, my advice is simple: don’t try to taste everything. Slow down, ask questions, listen to the stories, and enjoy meeting the people behind the spirit. The whisky will always be memorable, but it’s often the conversations and friendships you’ll remember long after the final dram has been poured.
Because in the end, whisky is about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about the people who make it, the community that surrounds it, and the friendships that grow one dram at a time.
Distilleries I Had the Opportunity to Meet
One of the highlights of the Melbourne Whisky Show was spending time with the people behind Australia’s whisky industry. Every distillery had its own story, philosophy and approach to making whisky, and each conversation added something new to my understanding of the craft.
Throughout the day I had the opportunity to meet and learn from representatives of:
The Gospel (Melbourne, Victoria)
Derwent Distillery (Hobart, Tasmania)
Cut Hill Distillery (Hindmarsh Valley, South Australia)
Spring Bay Distillery (Spring Beach, Tasmania)
Western Port Distillery (Blind Bight, Victoria)
Callington Mill Distillery (Oatlands, Tasmania)
Kangaroo Island Spirits (Cygnet River, South Australia)
Corowa Distilling Co. (Corowa, New South Wales)
Amber Lane Distillery (Yarramalong Valley, New South Wales)
Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co. (Tasmania)
Lark Distillery (Pontville, Tasmania)
Woodwater Distillery (South Australia)
Morris Whisky (Rutherglen, Victoria)
Loaded Barrel Distillery (Melbourne, Victoria)
Backwood Distilling Co. (Yackandandah, Victoria)
Tria Prima (Mount Barker, South Australia
Rather than trying to remember every tasting note from the day, I came away with something far more valuable, a deeper appreciation for the people, passion and craftsmanship that continue to shape Australian whisky.