CASK TRADE LAUNCHES WHISKY MASTERCLASS SERIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DRINKS TRUST TO ELEVATE INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

Cask Trade, in collaboration with The Drinks Trust, is proud to announce the launch of a Whisky Masterclass as part of DEVELOP — a new, free educational programme designed to deepen whisky knowledge and elevate service standards across the drinks and hospitality industry.

Tailored for hospitality professionals, bartenders, and anyone working within the drinks trade, the DEVELOP Whisky Masterclass offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of cask strength, single malt whisky, a category often less understood but growing in popularity.

This in-depth workshop is aimed particularly at those who may not have had access to specialist training. It supports career development by empowering participants with the knowledge and confidence to speak passionately and professionally about whisky, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.

What You Will Learn:
•    The key differences between cask strength and commercial whiskies (single malt vs blends)
•    How to taste and evaluate whisky like an expert, exploring the nose, palate, and finish across multiple drams provided
•    Regional styles, flavour profiles, and the role of maturation and cask types
•    Practical knowledge to use on the floor, behind the bar, or in sales and service roles

Sessions will be held quarterly and led by whisky specialists from Cask Trade and are ideal for those looking to take their passion and expertise to the next level.

Simon Aron, Founder and Director of Cask Trade, commented: “A masterclass on single malt whisky will open a multitude of opportunities for anyone in the drinks trade looking to gain knowledge and confidence when talking about the water of life. Education, I believe, is the best way to support and give back to the drinks industry. At Cask Trade, we are committed to teaching anyone interested about the world of single malt whisky. In partnership with The Drinks Trust, we can make a difference.”

Nicola Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust, added: “On behalf of The Drinks Trust, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Cask Trade for hosting such an insightful and exclusive whisky workshop. At a time when training and educational opportunities are increasingly scarce across our industry, initiatives like this are not only welcome but vital. It was especially meaningful to see this opportunity made available to individuals who may not otherwise have access to such high-quality learning experiences. Cask Trade’s commitment to sharing knowledge and nurturing talent within the drinks industry community is truly commendable, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support.”

The DEVELOP Whisky Masterclass is part of The Drinks Trust’s broader DEVELOP initiative —  DEVELOP is The Drinks Trust’s flagship education, training, and employment initiative aimed at breaking down financial barriers for individuals looking to enter or advance in the UK drinks and hospitality industry. Launched in early 2022, the programme represents a unique, full-service offering combining bursaries, accredited training, and job placement support to cultivate a more skilled, inclusive workforce.

Spaces are limited. To learn more and apply for the DEVELOP Whisky Masterclass, visit the application page here.

ABOUT CASK TRADE:

Cask Trade was set up by Simon Aron in 2018, born from his personal experiences of buying casks as a passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years.

Having found cask ownership difficult to navigate with few reputable companies operating, he envisioned creating a marketplace that made buying and selling casks transparent, open, and honest.

Cask Trade has grown from strength to strength, building its success off several core values:
•    Stockists, not brokers – Cask Trade own all its stock, giving buyers a 100% transactional guarantee and the peace of mind that all casks have been through stringent quality checks.
•    Market-leading stocklist – since 2018, Cask Trade has represented over 170 distilleries across the world of whisky, rum, Cognac and Armagnac.
•    End-to-end support – Cask Trade nurtures client relationships beyond the point of sale and offers full cask management, sampling, re-gauges, and multiple exit options when customers come to sell on their cask.
•    Trust and transparency – The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.
•    Expert team – above all, the Cask Trade team are passionate about cask ownership and strives to help clients achieve their goals, whether they are looking to buy, sell or bottle their casks.

Alongside cask sale and ownership, Cask Trade offers other unique services which elevate client experience and cask exit when the time is right:

Cask Trade Warehouse 
In 2025, Cask Trade opened its own bonded warehouse. The unit is situated in Speyside, Scotland, and has the capacity for up to 25,000 casks. Clients can now book onto open days to visit the warehouse, see where their cask is stored, and sample directly from their cask or taste an indicative sample in the custom-built tasting room.

Cask Trade Bottling 
For trade clients and those looking to bottle and enjoy their cask, Cask Trade offers a comprehensive bottling service located next door to their warehouse in Speyside. From cask selection, bottle options, label design and printing, and shipping to your final location, Cask Trade Bottling looks after every element of the process.

Auction Your Cask
Auction Your Cask is the world’s first dedicated online cask auction site. With four auctions a year, clients as well as the public can either submit a cask to sell or bid on other casks with 0% seller fees and an agreed reserve.

Recognition 
Acknowledgement for the achievements of Cask Trade has been recognised by the FT1000 when the business was ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe; listed in The Sunday Times Hundred fastest-growing private companies in Britain and named among the UK’s most innovative new businesses’ by StartUps 100 Index. CEO and Founder Simon Aron and Director Colin Hampden-White have also been listed again in the Spear’s 500 Top Recommended Whisky Advisors 2025.

ABOUT THE DRINKS TRUST

The Drinks Trust is a trade charity providing financial assistance, emotional support, and opportunity for growth to drinks industry people. Our aim is to alleviate hardship, improve the wellbeing of our colleagues, and support their professional development.

To find out more visit: https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/ For any media enquiries please contact Alessandra Brugola, Head of Marketing & Communications at alessandra@drinkstrust.org.uk