Tickets are already selling out for Ireland’s fastest growing whiskey festival, Cork Whiskey Fest, taking place from 27–29 March 2026, with over half of the festival’s masterclasses already sold out. Organisers have also just announced new exclusive experiences and limited releases.
Now in its fourth year the festival features a packed programme of whiskey tastings and expert-led experiences across Olivier Plunket St, alongside expanded Brand Expo & Socials in their new home at Cork City Hall. Tickets are still available for a selection of masterclasses, exclusive tastings and storytelling sessions, which celebrate the craft, creativity and heritage of Irish whiskey and spirits.
A new festival Social Hub will debut this year at Upstairs @ Arthur Maynes Bar, where festival goers will have exclusive access to the cocktail and whiskey bar on Saturday and Sunday afternoon (12.30 to 6pm) to meet, mingle and talk all things whiskey. The festival has teamed up with Midleton Distillery to offer Power’s John’s Lane Irish Coffees to attendees at the Social Hub – Irish Coffee vouchers required and available from festival organisers.
Exclusive bottlings have also been announced which will be available at the Brand Expo & Socials at Cork City Hall on Friday 27th & Saturday 28th March. You could also win a 195 litre ex-bourbon barrel of Ahascragh Single Malt new make.The prize includes 5yrs free storage and insurance, with a buyback option from Ahascragh Distillery after 5yrs at market value. Tickets for the barrel draw will cost €25.
Festival goers will also have the chance to purchase two exclusive whiskey releases at the Brand Expo & Socials. The first bottle is a Dingle Distillery 10yr old Single Malt, matured for over nine years in an ex-bourbon barrel and finished in a 10yr old H&H Madeira wine cask, to give it big vanilla and strawberry jam notes. The second bottle is a Clonakilty Distillery 6yr old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey that has matured for three years in ex-bourbon barrels and a further three years in an Oloroso wine cask, giving a burst of red berries, melon and old leather. Just 150 bottles of each release will be available. 50 bottles will be pre-released on IrishMalts.com 1 week before the festival on 20th March, with 50 bottles available for purchase both nights of the festival.
The Brand Expo & Socials will see more than 60 distilleries, breweries and brands gather under one roof with attendees enjoying complimentary tastings of new and rare whiskeys, beers, gins, rums, vodkas and poitíns, which can all be paired with complimentary mixers, whilst discovering first-hand the stories and craftsmanship behind each spirit.
Every ticket holder will receive a specially crafted Cork Whiskey Fest glass, with a gourmet food vendor on site selling tailored bites throughout the evening.
While over half the masterclasses are already sold out, there is still a chance to grab tickets for some unique events including, A Pint & A Drop in The Frisky Whiskey Bar, with Head Brewers from local breweries Blarney Brewing Co, Rising Sons Brewery, and Original 7 Brewery; Silent Irish Distillers, in Canty’s Bar, where Master storyteller Ger Garland will delve into the histories of some of Ireland’s lost, silent distilleries and explore the amazing whiskeys they produced; Vintage Whiskey Crocks, in Counihan Bar, where Dr Fionnán O’Connor will tell the interesting historical journey of ceramic whiskey crocks used for storing whiskey and drinks before industrial glass bottles became popular in the 1800’s; Wild Wines with The Wine Buff in Old Brennan’s Wine Bar; and The Renegades – Scotch Irish Blends in The Poor Relation Bar, where Mark Lonergan will examine some cross border renegades in the whiskey world and explore how some Scotch/Irish blends came to be.
Cork Whiskey Fest is a must-attend celebration for anyone keen to explore the world of Irish spirits. Organised by Laurie O’Dwyer (host of Whiskey Chats Podcast) and Sonya O’Dwyer, the festival is proudly sponsored by Irish Distillers/ Midleton Distillery and IrishMalts.com. All events sold out last year, so early booking is recommended.
For a full list of events go to corkwhiskeyfest.com or follow @thecorkwhiskeyfest on social media. Drinkaware.ie.
ARTICLE CREDIT; The Events, Tourism & Communications Agency
