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Lee Connor

Welcome to the world of spirits, curiosity and character

Spirits Events, Education, News, Commentary and Trade Services. 

Glengoyne bottle
Lee "Connas" Connor sat brewery steps
Distilled Consultant tasting mat set up
Lee "Connas" Connor Observing and Assessing
Alasdair Day of Raasay Distillery

NEXT EVENT

An Evening With...
Aladair Day

Lee "Connas" Connor enjoying a bzart beer
festival pic
Distilled Consultant tasting set up
berry brothers and rudd bottlings
Join me on our upcoming events and courses...

The Distilled Consultant Whisky and Spirits blog is designed for enthusiasts seeking fresh insights, new releases, and expert commentary. With an ever-evolving spirits landscape, the blog offers two bi-monthly updates—one focused on new product launches and another on wider industry news—alongside occasional articles on topics close to the my heart. Readers can expect coverage of new whiskies, distillery developments, awards, events, and tastings, providing a well-rounded view of the global spirits scene. Deeper articles will explore trends, world spirit categories, and the ongoing evolution of Scotch whisky, enriching the knowledge of both newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs. Follow my mailing list or socials for updates.

DISTILLED CONSULTANT NEWS BLOG
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About Lee

My passion lies in connecting stories, spirits, and people.

Based in Gateshead and recognised around the globe, I judge at competitions such as the International Wines and Spirits Competition and Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial of Bruxelles, I write for publications including Scotch Malt Whisky Society Unfiltered, and regularly host tastings both in-person and virtually.

You might find me:
 

  • Hosting an evening of rare drams in a historic building

  • Interviewing industry luminaries and researching indepth articles for magazines and blogs.

  • Judging on spirits competitions.

  • Running educational courses for both trade and consumers

  • Consulting on spirit quality

  • Facilitating unique bottlings for special occasions

  • Generally trying to make our wonderful industry more accessible to everyone  

 

What ties it all together?
 

Curiosity, humour, and a serious respect for the liquid.

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TRUSTED EXPERTISE ACROSS AN ARRAY OF KNOWN BRANDS

EVENTS

Join my upcoming events, courses and tasting sessions

  • In Person Whisky Tasting - Distilled Consultant Whisky Quiz Night
    In Person Whisky Tasting - Distilled Consultant Whisky Quiz Night
    13 Mar 2026, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and Quizzing. Opportunities to win all kinds of whisky and whisky related prizes, with Lee "Connas" Connor.
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Brendan McCarron
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Brendan McCarron
    17 Apr 2026, 19:00 – 21:30
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and insight with whisky whisky designer, maker and consultant Brendan McCarron.
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Justine Hazlehurst
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Justine Hazlehurst
    01 May 2026, 19:00 – 21:30
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and insight with whisky historian and author Justine Hazlehurst
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Mark Watt
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Mark Watt
    26 Jun 2026, 19:00 – 21:30
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and frivolity with the one and only Mark Watt!
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Paul Dempsey
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An Evening With... Paul Dempsey
    24 Jul 2026, 19:00 – 21:30
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and Chat with the incomparable Paul Dempsy
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  • Sold Out - Certificate in Scotch Whisky (28.02.2026)
    Sold Out - Certificate in Scotch Whisky (28.02.2026)
    Sat 28 Feb
    Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle
    28 Feb 2026, 10:00 – 18:00
    Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle, Friars St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4XN, UK
    Turn your love of whisky into recognised expertise. Our Certificate in Scotch Whisky is designed for everyone - from curious newcomers and passionate enthusiasts to seasoned professionals, as well as those already working in customer-facing industry roles.
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - Taster Takeover!
    In Person Whisky Tasting - Taster Takeover!
    Fri 12 Dec
    12 Dec 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Final tasting of 2025, so we're bringing out the big guns! Regular attendees Phil Saint, John Hill, Malcolm Campbell and Steve Laidlaw have been given a budget of £100 each to buy, bring and present a bottle of their own choice! And I'll be adding two for fun!
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  • In Person Classroom Qualification - Certificate in Scotch Whisky
    In Person Classroom Qualification - Certificate in Scotch Whisky
    Sat 08 Nov
    08 Nov 2025, 10:00 – 18:00
    Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle, Friars St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4XN, UK
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An evening with...Dave Broom
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An evening with...Dave Broom
    01 Nov 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and Chat with World Renowned Spirits Author - Dave Broom
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An evening with...Oliver Chilton
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An evening with...Oliver Chilton
    24 Oct 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting An evening of Drams and Chat with Elixir lynch-pin Oliver Chilton.
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  • Online Whisky Tasting - Bruichladdich Whisky Tasting - Old & Rare With Whisky-Online
    Online Whisky Tasting - Bruichladdich Whisky Tasting - Old & Rare With Whisky-Online
    17 Oct 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting Join the Whisky-Online Auctions team and our special guest star Lee 'Connas' Connor on Zoom on Friday 17th October 2025 for a thrilling line-up of old Bruichladdich whiskies!
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  • Online Whisky Tasting - Cadenheads White Lable Old & Rare With Whisky-Online
    Online Whisky Tasting - Cadenheads White Lable Old & Rare With Whisky-Online
    26 Sept 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    Whisky Tasting Join the Whisky-Online Auctions team and our special guest star Lee 'Connas' Connor on Zoom on Friday 26th September 2025 for a fantastic flight of legendary single malt whiskies bottled by Cadenhead's!
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  • In Person Whisky Tasting - An evening with...Alasdair Day!
    In Person Whisky Tasting - An evening with...Alasdair Day!
    29 Aug 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
    Newcastle upon Tyne, The Common Room of the Great North Ltd, Neville Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE, UK
    An evening of Drams and Chat with Raasay Distillery founder and Master Distiller Alasdair Day.
    Share

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