English Whisky Guild Industry Day: Safety, Sustainability and Craft in Action
The English Whisky Guild, in association with the BFBi and Briggs of Burton PLC, brought together attendees from English whisky distilleries and across the wider value chain for a full day of learning, discussion and behind-the-scenes insight. From future-facing sustainability conversations to centuries-old craftsmanship, the day highlighted the balance between innovation and tradition that defines English whisky today.
Morning Session at Heriot-Watt Business School
The morning programme was hosted at Heriot-Watt Business School, providing a fitting academic backdrop for a series of practical and thought-provoking presentations focused on operational excellence, regulation and sustainability.
Process Safety and Sustainability – Allen Associations – Scott Allen (Presentation Download)
Recovering waste heat is an effective way to reduce energy consumption and lessen reliance on fossil-fuelled boiler systems within distilling operations. However, introducing heat recovery solutions can increase system complexity and change operational risk profiles.
This presentation outlines practical approaches to implementing heat recovery in distilleries and demonstrates how applying process safety tools and principles enables distillers to identify, manage, and mitigate associated risks—supporting more resilient, efficient, and sustainable operations.
Gaining Business Advantage from Understanding Future Packaging Legislation – Contagious – Jennifer Newell (Presentation Download)
With packaging legislation evolving rapidly in the UK and key export markets, Jennifer Newell explored how forward-looking businesses can turn regulatory change into competitive advantage. Understanding what is coming next – and preparing early – enables distillers to make informed design, sourcing and branding decisions, avoiding costly rework while strengthening sustainability credentials.
Sustainability and Low-Carbon Raw Materials – Simpsons Malt – Ben Gothorp (Presentation Download)
Ben Gothorp addressed the role of raw materials in reducing the overall carbon footprint of whisky production. The session focused on sustainability initiatives within their malt supply, highlighting how collaboration across the supply chain is essential to achieving meaningful emissions reductions.
Maximising Brewhouse Efficiency without CAPEX – Murphy & Son – Yishin Li (Presentation Download)
Consistency is one of the most critical factors for both consumers and producers of alcoholic beverages. Yishin Li demonstrated how processing aids, when correctly selected and applied, can help distillers maintain high quality standards while improving brewhouse efficiency.
Through real-world examples, the presentation showed how efficiency and consistency gains can be achieved without additional capital expenditure. Understanding and controlling key process points is vital, particularly as producers navigate environmental pressures and wider political and economic challenges.
APPA: The Modernisation of Alcohol – JCCA (Johnson Carmichael) – Iain Kay
Iain Kay provided an update on APPA (Alcoholic Products Producers Approval) and the modernisation of alcohol regulation. The session covered the journey so far, practical requirements for record keeping, and the benefits and potential pitfalls distillers should be aware of as they adapt to the new system.
Student Posters and Networking Lunch
Following the morning presentations, attendees enjoyed lunch alongside poster presentations from Heriot-Watt students, showcasing current research relevant to the sector. Topics included:
The posters sparked valuable discussion, underlining the importance of academic-industry collaboration in addressing efficiency and sustainability challenges.
Afternoon Visit: McMillan Coppersmiths (McMillan-Coppersmiths-Brochure)
The afternoon session moved from theory to practice with a visit to McMillan Coppersmiths, hosted by Scott Davis of Briggs PLC.
McMillan Coppersmiths is one of the oldest coppersmiths in the world, specialising in the bespoke manufacture of pot stills, multi-distillation column systems and spirits safes. Founded in 1867 by Archibald McMillan, the company joined the Briggs Group in 2020 and continues to combine heritage craftsmanship with modern engineering.
Stills manufactured by McMillan can range from 5,000 litres to sizes limited only by the road network. During the visit, attendees witnessed the painstaking process of still making first-hand. Copper sheets are heated and then hardened through manual hammering – a process involving over one million individual hits per still – before being softened again through controlled heating.
In 2025 alone, the team handcrafted 22 stills, each one a testament to the skill, precision and physical commitment required to create equipment that will shape spirit character for decades to come.
Closing at Edinburgh Gin Distillery
The day concluded at Edinburgh Gin Distillery, where further discussion, collaboration and connection continued in a more informal setting. Over a drink kindly sponsored by Catalyst ERP, attendees reflected on the day’s insights and reinforced the strong sense of community across the English whisky sector.
A Day of Insight and Connection
The day offered a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities facing English whisky today: improving efficiency without unnecessary cost, navigating regulatory change, reducing environmental impact, and preserving the craftsmanship at the heart of distilling. By bringing together distillers, suppliers, academics and regulators, the English Whisky Guild, BFBi and Briggs PLC once again demonstrated the value of collaboration in building a resilient and sustainable future for the sector.