4 of the Best Whisky Festivals Around the Globe

As the flowers begin to bloom, the days grow longer, the nights shorter, and temperatures finally break into double digits, that can only mean one thing – Spring has sprung, and summer is right around the corner.

Summer not only signifies warmer weather and plenty of daylight, it also means festival season. Now, when I talk about festivals, I don’t mean music festivals like Glastonbury and Leeds Festival. No, I’m far too old for that. The festivals I’m talking about are centred around whisky! I mean, there’s live music and entertainment, delicious food, free samples, masterclasses, and of course, plenty of different whiskies. What’s not to love?

Here in the UK, we may be blessed with some amazing whisky festivals, yet there are so many more out there just begging to be discovered, all across the world. If you love whisky festivals and are looking for something different, you’re going to love this. Oh, and honourable mentions go to Islay’s Feis Ile festival, and Speyside’s Spirit of Speyside Festival. The only reason I’ve omitted these two is because I recently wrote about them already, so check those out if you haven’t already.

With that said, here are 4 of the best whisky festivals around the globe.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival, Scotland

Regular readers of the blog may have noticed how Campbeltown is a Scotch whisky region that perhaps doesn’t get as much attention as, say, Islay or Speyside. Don’t worry, this has been noted and you can expect to read about more Campbeltown expressions in 2025.

Perhaps overshadowed by festivals such as Islay’s Feis Ile, the Campbeltown Malts Festival is a great way to discover more about one of Scotland’s more underappreciated whisky regions. The festival, which was founded back in 2008, is a four-day celebration featuring some of the region’s most iconic distilleries. Expect names such as Springbank, Glengyle, Glen Scotia, and countless others. There are also heaps of amazing independent bottlers.

Here, lucky visitors can embark on distillery tours, enjoy plenty of samples, learn from industry experts such as Dave Broom, tuck into amazing food, enjoy live entertainment, and of course, purchase as many drams as they like.

This year, the festival begins on the 19^th of May and concludes on the 24^th of May.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival, USA

Needless to say, if bourbon is your dram of choice, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is an event you won’t want to miss.

Taking place from the 5^th of September until the 7^th of September, in the Bourbon capital of the world, Bardstown, Kentucky USA, we have the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. This Is a literal haven for bourbon drinkers as some of the biggest names in bourbon will be in attendance.

Here, attendees will be treated to a variety of free samples from some of the most prominent bourbon whiskey distilleries in the world. Just a few of the 2025 distillery partners include names such as: Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Angels Envy, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, and so many more besides.

As well as enjoying samples, visitors can attend whiskey masterclasses and workshops, learn from Master Blenders and Distillers, enjoy some of the most delicious food you could ever imagine, and of course, purchase as many bottles of whiskey as they see fit.

Whisky Live, Paris

Heading back across the pond to Paris, France, Whisky Live 2025 is Europe’s largest whisky and spirits festival.

The festival has been going since 2004 and is now more popular than ever, attracting vendors and visitors from all over the planet. As you can see by the name, whisky is the star of the show here, with plenty of variety to choose from. There’s Scotch, Irish whiskey, USA whiskey, European whisky, Asian whisky, and heaps more on top.

As it’s Europe’s largest whisky festival, you can expect some huge names from the drinks business to be in attendance. There’s Ardbeg, The Dalmore, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Highland Park, Old Pulteney, Buffalo Trace, Jack Daniel’s, WhistlePig, Bushmills, Powers, Laferte, Cotswolds Distillery, Suntory, and so many more besides.

There will be media rooms, masterclasses, exhibitions, live entertainment, food and drink, VIP areas, cocktail “street” and more. Oh, and if for some absurd reason you want a break from whisky, there are also plenty of other spirits to choose from, including gin, Japanese sake, and rum, featuring names such as Mount Gay and Havana Club.

Whisky Live, Paris takes place on the 27^th – 29^th of September, at the prestigious Le Grande Halle de la vilette, Paris. Mark it in your calendars because you won’t want to miss this one.

Whisky Live, Paris

Heading back across the pond to Paris, France, Whisky Live 2025 is Europe’s largest whisky and spirits festival.

Whisky Live, Paris takes place on the 27th – 29th of September, at the prestigious Le Grande Halle de la vilette, Paris. Mark it in your calendars because you won’t want to miss this one.

The Whisky Show, London

While many of the UK’s most prestigious whisky festivals take place in Scotland, The Whisky Show, London is one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of whisky.

Held on the 3^rd – 5^th of October, at Old Billingsgate, London, the festival brings together whisky distillers, bottlers, and whisky lovers from all four corners of the globe.

The festival, hosted by The Whisky Exchange, features over 1,000 whiskies and other spirits available to sample. There will be Q&As with industry leaders, live shows and exhibitions, tasting sessions, masterclasses, and a delicious meal from the show brasserie.

As if that wasn’t enough, included in the price of entry is a free ‘Dream Dram Token’ which can be redeemed against a dram of whisky costing between £500 – £1,000 per bottle. Ever wanted to see what a one thousand pound dram of whisky tastes like? Now’s your chance.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Tags: Best Whisky Festivals

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.