If the idea of tasting many of Ireland’s and the world’s best whiskeys in the company of experts, producers and other enthusiasts sounds appealing to you, Whiskey Live Dublin 2018 will be an unmissable opportunity. The eighth edition of the highly anticipated event will take place between November 23rd and 24th in The Printworks at Dublin Castle and it will gather over 60 exhibitors eager to share their passion and their craft.
With so many options, along with masterclasses, food pairings and cocktails, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Even if you’ve attended past editions, you can expect to see many new faces as you’ll be in for the biggest edition of the festival so far.
Organised by the multi award-winning team behind the Celtic Whiskey Shop, Whiskey Live Dublin 2018 is set to be the highlight of the whiskey lover’s calendar in Ireland, and an ideal place to get inspiration en route to the holiday season.
The event will be split into three sessions of 3.5 hours each, so once you get your ticket, it will make sense to have a look at their exhibitors as well as to the scheduled master classes planned. To help you make the most out of your visit, we have highlighted some of the must-sees (and must-tastes!) of the festival.
Have a taste of this ultra premium drop, made with a blend of the finest and the rarest whiskeys in the Midleton Distillery archives. There will be samples of both Midleton Very Rare and Midleton Barry Crockett, named after the master distiller who came up with this bottling back in 1984.
More infromation here.
Discover some of the highlights in the range of Irish whiskeys of this exciting newcomer to the Irish whiskey universe, which opened the doors to its beautiful boutique distillery in the summer of 2017. Make sure you don’t leave without savouring their Pearse Irish Whiskey 14 Year Old, and try a drop of their recently launched Ha’Penny Irish Whiskey.
More information here.
A pioneer in the revival of Irish whiskey, this Carlow-based distillery will showcase different bottlings of their two ranges of whiskeys, The Irishman and Writers’ Tears. Don’t miss out on their recently launched The Irishman Founder’s Reserve Caribbean Cask Finish and Writers’ Tears Copper Pot DEAU XO Cognac Finish.
More information here.
Stop by and discover the story of this modern whiskey bonder, a practice once common in Irish whiskey that died out as the industry shrunk in the 20th century. Try The Gael Batch 2, J.J. Corry The Battalion or J.J. Corry Bonders Blend 1, as you learn about their purpose built Rackhouse in Co. Clare and about their mission to bring back this lost art.
More information here.
One of the strongest names in the new wave of craft Irish whiskey, these pioneeres in the rebirth of distilling in Dublin will be offering a wide variety of bottles from their range. Keep an eye out for Teeling 24 Year Old (winner of Best 21+ Year Old Irish Single Malt at this year’s World Whiskies Awards).
More information here.
Discover the story of a distillery on a mission to reclaim Donegal’s rich heritage and enjoy a taste of their super-premium Silkie Irish Whiskey, a blend of great smoothness, for which they’ve taken inspiration from the magical sea maidens said to inhabit this majestic coast. Once there, you can also try An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, made with a combination of 11 botanicals, including five locally harvested seaweeds.
More information here.
Discover or rediscover some of the fine bottles this innovative distillery has to offer. From their popular Glendalough Double and Triple Barrel whiskeys to rarer drops like Glendalough 13 Year Old Mizunara Finish and interesting cask collaborations like Glendalough Single Cask Grand Cru Burgundy Finish and Glendalough Single Cask XO Calvados Finish, there will be no shortage of greatness and variety at this stand!
More information here.
Meet the Irish subsidiary of the US-based Sazerac Company, the name behind prestigious Bourbon ranges such as Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Antique Collection and Pappy Van Winkle Collection. Visit their stand to try Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash, Benchmark No.8, Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, and make sure to ask for any off-the-menu surprises, you won’t be dissapointed!
More information here.
Coming all the way from the stunning Wild Atlantic Way, this was Ireland’s first purposed-built distillery to open its doors in over a century when they did so back in 2012. Try the 2nd Release of the Dingle Pot Still and Dingle Single Malt Batch 3, and discover how an artisan approach and the influence of this majestic location converge to create something very unique.
More information here.
The leading Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world will welcome you with a selction of some of the most celebrated bottles on their range. Discover their critically acclaimed Redbreast Lustau Edition and go up in years to try their 12 and 15 year old. Save some time for their crown jewel, Redbreast 21 Year Old.
More information here.
This multi award-winning distillery from the Scottish isle of Islay is highly regarded as one of the finest among its peers. With a history that traces back two centuries, and several of their exprssions consistently winning top prizes in their categories, it’s one not to miss for great Scotch. Try their Ardbeg 10 Year Old and Ardbeg An Oa.
More information here.
Makers of world-famous single malt whiskeys that are known for their smooth and refined character, Glenmorangie will be offering attendees the opportunity to taste their flagship drop, Glenmorangie Original, along with Glenmorangie Lasanta, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban and Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or. This last one develops in wine barriques from Sauternes, which is often regarded as the world’s finest sweet wine.
More information here.
If you are interested about meeting like-minded whiskey enthusiasts, don’t skip a stop at the Irish Whiskey Society’s stand. Try some of thedrops they’re excited about and join the conversation. The organisation was founded in 2009 and holds regular events including tastings, classes and tours, and they have access to members-only single cask bottlings.
More information here.
Join this group of Corkonian whiskey lovers as they celebrate some of their favourite drops by sharing them with visitors. Learn about their regularily held tastings and events in the rebel county and indulge in a taste or two or some of the vintage whiskeys they’ll be opening in their stand. Expect hits from the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s from names such as Powers, Jameson and Bushmills, as well as one or two vintage Scotch.
More information here.
The Killarney-based bar, part of the Celtic Whiskey Shop family, will be transported to Dublin for the occasion. Cocktail enthusiasts will encounter exciting tipples made using a wide range of premium Irish craft whiskey and spirits.
More information here.
Participate in the Masterclasses
A dozen masterclasses spread across the event’s three sessions will take you through some stunning whiskey ranges. You could, for eample, meet Macallan Distillery’s International Ambassador, Nicola Riske as he takes you through a tour of their range; enjoy a tasting of extremely rare Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons; discover the influence of casks as explained by Stuart Caffrey, Walsh Whiskey Distillery Brand Ambassador; or transport yourslef to Islay, in the company of Paul Malone, Ardbeg Brand Ambassador.
More information on these and all the masterclasses here.
Get Social with TheTaste.ie
As Whiskey Live Dublin’s Media Partners, we’ll be thrilled to meet you on the day. Drop by our stand to say hello and to find out more about the wonderful experiences that we craft as we team up with some of Ireland’s finest names in hospitality.
More information here.
Meet the Festival’s Charity Partner
Last but not least, make time for a stop at the festival’s charity partner, Down Syndrome Dublin. At least €10 from each ticket will go to this organisation, which works to improve the lives of children who live with this condition and their families.
More informaiton here.
For tickets and to find out more about Whiskey Live Dublin 2018, visit their official website here.
Gabriela’s passion for writing is only matched by her love for food and wine. Journalist, confectioner and sommelier, she fell in love with Ireland years ago and moved from Venezuela to Dublin in 2014.
Since then, she has written about and worked in the local food scene, and she’s determined to discover and share the different traditions, flavours and places that have led Irish food and drink to fascinate her.
Gabriela Guédez Gabriela Guédez
