The Malt Whisky Society of Australia, Inc. is a group of malt whisky enthusiasts, dedicated to the proposition that Australia needs more malts, and more appreciators of malt. To that end, we formed the not-for-profit Malt Whisky Society of Australia Inc in 2002. The 2003 National Malt Whisky Convention (Canberra, 2003) was the MWSoA's inaugural effort to provide a nationwide forum for malt whisky fans. The success of the inaugural convention led to Australia's 2nd Malt Whisky Convention which was held in Sydney in 2005, with the 3rd Convention in Melbourne in 2007.

 

We also conduct the Malt Whisky Awards where we seek entries of commercially available malt whiskies and they are judged by an expert panel and the results published in our newsletter. Our list of medal winners throws up some excellent value for money malts and you might want to take our medal list (available under the Feints & Foreshots tab) when you go malt hunting.

 

We also occasionally arrange vanity bottlings from our favourite distilleries to be bottled for members.

 

The management committee, elected in January 2011 comprised, Craig Daniels (Chairperson), Ian Schmidt (Treasurer), Grant Pigot (Secretary), Malcolm O Farrell (Vice Chairperson), Peter Johnston (Membership Officer), Nicole Lowrey (Editor, Feints & Foreshots), Roger Gillard (Marketing Officer), John Dunbar and Aaron Baxter.

 

  

  

Craig Daniels - Craig is the Foundation Chair of the Society from 2002 and was re-elected unopposed for the sixth time in January 2011.   Craig has led all the Convention organising committees and has a special interest in event development and innovation in membership servicing.  His working life mainly encompassed 28 years in public administration across various Federal labour market programs, industry and regional services portfolios.   He currently manages an Australian Apprenticeship Centre in the Adelaide Hills.   Craig has been involved in whisky connoisseurship since 1991 and is a successful competitor in the National Malt Tasting Competition.  He has won the competition twice, most recently in Sydney in June 2008 and a long while ago (in 1995) and has placed second in 2000, 2001 and 2010.   Craig is internationally recognised for his knowledge and palate, contributing to various whisky websites.   He is a proud member of the international internet malt collective, The Malt Maniacs, and a long standing member of the Earls of Zetland Malt Tasting Club (1991), the Streah Malt Tasters (1995) the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (2003) and the Macquarie Branch of the Gillies Club (2004).   Craig has visited Scotland twice to pursue his personal passion and has photographic evidence of visits to over 80 distilleries.   If pressed he will also acknowledge a growing appreciation of Australian and Japanese single malts and American rye whiskies.   He has not found the perfect whisky yet; he is still hot on the trail.

Grant Pigot - Grant has been involved with the Malt whisky Society for three years, holding the post of Secretary, since 2009.   Introduced to the joys of whisky late in life, Grant is a passionate supporter of the Australian Whisky Industry in particular.   Grant has significant Board and Committee experience accumulated over more than 30 years and holds Degrees in Science and Business .

 

Peter Johnston - Peter, a retired Biologist from Brisbane, has been a member of MWSoA since 2003 and attended all three conventions.  For the last three years he has been a MWSoA Committee Member, specifically Membership Officer.  Peter is a whisky tragic, Chieftain of the Queensland Malt Whisky Society, Queensland Manager of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Life Member of the Islay Whisky Society, a Companion of Aberlour, Member of the Ardbeg Committee, Friend of Bakery Hill distillery, owner of a square foot of Islay etc, etc! He has visited 64 distilleries in four countries and is still learning about whisky!

Ian Schmidt - Treasurer -  Ian carried out his first distillation at about 16 years of age when working with his father making cider.   After a long break from distilling that had him serving, briefly, in the Navy, then fishing, sailing, mast making and flagpole making, the wheel has turned the full circle and Ian is back distilling in Adelaide at Southern Coast Distillers.   The last few years has seen Ian serving with distinction as the main coordinator of the MWSoA Malt Whisky Awards.   Unfortunately a conflict of interests keeps him out of the judging panels but he finds the organizing and the event enjoyable and educational. In the last 5 years and in the process of educating himself in the finer points of distilling Ian has acquired a real passion for malts, of all types.   Favourite drams: Southern Coast 002 of course and Caol Ila 12.

Roger Gillard -  Retired Advertising and Public Relations Consultant. Born and bred in Adelaide of German and English parents. Qualified Mechanical Engineer, but never worked in the field.  Roger worked in the photographic industry initially [family involvement] then progressed to senior management in a retail chain and then became State Manager of Advertising and Public Relations for that company.  He then took up a position as senior representative of Amex then started an independent advertising/public relations consultancy in Adelaide.  Rogers hobbies & interests include motor racing, malt whisky tasting, golf, gym and travel.  He was introduced to scotch whisky by his father in 1961 and for many years he stuck to his formula, which was Haig's in the short black bottle, but in later years Roger discovered malt whisky.  During the last 10 years his interest heightened and he joined several tasting clubs.  Roger has also entered tasting competitions, recently reaching the taste offs at the SMWS National Malt Tasting Championship in Sydney 2010.

 

Malcolm O'Farrell -  Vice Chairman -  Mal is an experienced publican with a long term interest in malt whisky.   Since taking over the Rob Roy Hotel n 2006 his wife Stacey and he set out to create a venue and atmosphere for the true whisky lover.   Building one of the countrys best whisky collections, the Rob Roy Hotel has gained a reputation as the home of malt in Adelaide.   From hosting private malt tastings, whisky and food matching degustation dinners and involvement with several malt clubs, Mal has strived to bring all of his 20 years hospitality industry experience to building and expanding malt whisky appreciation and knowledge.   Mal looks forward to the opportunity to further develop and drive whisky appreciation through the Malt Whisky Society of Australia.

John Dunbar - John has spent 32 years in tertiary education within the food and beverage sectors as well as travel and tourism.  Over the last 8 years he was Educational Manager of the Applied Food Studies at Regency International Centre for Hospitality, Food and Recreation, responsible for programs in baking, meat and smallgoods and food technology.  The latter included training students in the production of cheese, wine and brewing.  John initiated and managed the construction of the cheesery and brewery at the Regency Campus in 2006.  As well as an amateur wine maker and brewer John loves the odd malt and has ventured to Scotland and Ireland on more than one occasion to explore and discover new tastes. Having judged food, wine, beer, restaurants and hotels in his career, he has added malt whisky.  Recently retired from education John is now pursuing his passions of good food and malts.

Aaron Baxter - Aaron works for a software development company providing clinical software support to customers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.  He has developed a lot of useful IT skills through his engagement and interest in technology and software.   Aaron has a keen interest in fine food and drink which has over the last two years expanded into the area of whisky.  Aaron has been keen to get involved with clubs and associations in areas of interest to him and he has a particular interest in whisky and food and will join fellow Committee members in developing and hosting whisky and food matching events.  Aaron has been involved with the Adelaide University Science Association and Valhalla LAN Parties and was treasurer for both organisations.   He was the president of the Adelaide University Stein Club in 2010 and enjoys exposing people to beers they have not previously tried through the club's regular tasting events.   Aaron holds a degree in Economics from The University of Adelaide.