Talking traceability, cost efficiency and compliance at WDSC 2026

This May, we’re headed to the Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference (WDSC) from 4th-7th May at the International Conference Centre in Edinburgh.

This conference only happens once every two years and when it does it’s a big event. We’re thrilled to be there, not only exhibiting and sponsoring the event, but also, we've been invited to present on a topic we’re passionate about, “From Paper to 

: Rethinking Cask Ownership in the Spirits Industry”. Our COO, Stuart Maxwell will tackle the big issues he’s seeing in making the transition from analogue to digital and why it’s essential for any distillery looking to be more efficient, run smarter and leaner and in many cases, do more with less.

This year’s event is built around the science and technology that underpins the spirits industry, and the theme is “Excellence in Science and Innovation – Delivering Tomorrow’s Spirits”. It frankly speaks to the work we do every day so we already know there’s going to be some good discussion going on here.

 Tuesday 5th May, 11:35am – 12:00pm, “From Paper to Blockchain: Rethinking Cask Ownership in the Spirits Industry”

However which way you want to hear from us, we look forward to meeting you at the conference for live demos of our platform showing how manual-based systems are now firmly out of the equation when it comes to 

Stuart Maxwell on stage: From Paper to Blockchain

On Tuesday 5th May, our COO Stuart Maxwell will be presenting “From Paper to Blockchain: Rethinking Cask Ownership in the Spirits Industry” as part of the conference programme.

Stuart will share a distiller’s perspective on how blockchain technology is addressing longstanding challenges in cask ownership and management. This is an area where paper-based delivery orders have been the norm for generations. And it's the area where the risk of fraud, inefficiency and inaccurate records are more prevalent. It's area that's now impossible to ignore.

This sessions is one for Master Distillers, Operations Managers and anyone involved in the day-to-day running order of a distillery or warehouse. It's for anyone who wants insight into what a connected, digital operation looks like in spirits today. Stuart’s sharing his own journey having spent years in distillery and maturation operations at William Grant & Sons talking about the workflows that came unstuck back then, and the technology he wish he had. He’s since gone on to support the team in building exactly that, and more, at Proof 8.

He’ll also cover why blockchain for spirits. 

 and how they’re transforming cask management, bringing in a new standard of transparency that’s long been needed in the industry.

For anyone involved in distillery operations, cask management and warehousing this is a session worth attending.

, we’d love to meet. Visit our stand for a demo, catch Stuart’s presentation on Tuesday 5 May at 11.35am, or simply come and say hello to our team on the ground.

Want to book a time to meet with us at the conference? 

 to meet or email alastair.cruickshank@proof-8.com directly.




"The conversation around distillery management has changed. It's now about transparency and traceability in cask management and most importantly, the steps you can take to achieve it."

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We’re headed to the Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference 2026

We’re headed to the Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference 2026

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Platform

Marketplace

Connected Products Coming soon

About

Team

Careers

We’re headed to the Worldwide Distilled Spirits Conference 2026

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