Cambridge Whisky Club

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East London Liquor Co. Whisky Tasting

Date:Wed 15th Apr 2026
Time:7:30 pm
Venue:HQ @
Tickets:£20
Discount for members:Yes
Host:Sam Garbutt
Head of Whisky @ ELLC
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Fun, delicious & experimental

I’ve had the good fortune to run into ELLC a few times at festivals now. I still remember, early on in my whisky journey, the first time I tried their rye and was blown away by how different it was compared to my preconceptions of what I thought rye whisky had to be. They aren’t a huge producer, but the passion that goes into every barrel and release shows in the glass. They are dedicated to making whiskies that innovate, reflect their home, and focus on flavour.

Experimentation is a proud pillar of what makes their releases special; honing in on the right ingredients and production decisions in conjunction with the best casks that allow them to realise the flavours they seek. I’ve been to a masterclass hosted by Sam before, where we delved into the details, and I’ve sampled the wider range with him from the festival floor. He is a man who knows how whisky works, and he’s going to share that knowledge with us in a tasting that will definitively show what East London has to offer.

What is a guided whisky tasting?

All are welcome to attend the event, whether you consider yourself a whisky expert or haven’t explored it at all. The evening will start with an introduction to the event and the first whisky, explaining a bit about why I’ve chosen it. We’ll share some nosing and tasting notes and then I’ll let you enjoy the whisky with your friends and fellow guests. After a short while this process will repeat for each of the remaining whiskies.

I’ll be happy to try and answer any questions about the whiskies, the process of making them and the industry at any point. These events are a great opportunity to try some whisky you probably can’t try in a bar, without buying a whole bottle!

A bit about your host:

My philosophy with whisky is that there’s no wrong way to enjoy it. Neat, with water, with ice, blended, smokey, sweet, from Scotland or Japan or Mexico! Everyone should be able to enjoy tasting and smelling what they taste and smell however they choose.

I’ve been hosting whisky tastings in Cambridge for 5 years. Initially, as a part of the Cambridge University Whisky Appreciation Society where I held a 2 year presidency. Since then, I have branched out to reach a wider audience in the city and the surrounding area as an independent host. After studying in Scotland and continuing to explore the world of whisky in the years since, from Cambridge, I really enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others and find that there’s always more whisky to try.