Billy Abbott’s Biography
Billy Abbott is a drinks writer, educator and presenter based in London. He began his drinks career in 2011, after a succesful decade working in IT and finance.
Following his passion for great drinks, he changed careers and joined online retailer The Whisky Exchange as a writer. He continues to write for the company's outlets, and is now also a WSET spirits educator, leading drinks training for staff and clients of The Whisky Exchange, and its ambassador, hosting tastings and seminars about all categories of drink.
Along with his work at The Whisky Exchange, he is a freelance writer, presenter and educator, writing words, leading tastings and teaching people about drinks around the world. Since 2014, he has led Whisky Squad, a London-based whisky-tasting club that celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025. He is also a judge for a number of international drinks competitions, covering whisk(e)y, rum, beer and Asian spirits.
His work has been recognised with a Highly Commended nod in the Communicator of the Year category at the Icons of Whisky Awards 2020 and a win in the Rest of World region in 2021, and a shortlisting for the IWSC Spirits Communicator of the Year in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
His first book - The Philosophy of Whisky - was published by the British Library in October 2021 and is available from all good bookshops as well as his own website, https://philosophyofwhisky.com. It was nominated for the Fortnum & Mason Debut Book award 2022.
Billy also has his own blog, which he doesn't get much time to update, at https://spiritedmatters.com.