Belfast Whiskey Festival set for expansion in July

The 3rd Belfast Whiskey Week (Friday 23rd July – Saturday 31st July), Ireland’s largest Whiskey Festival, sponsored by Irish Whiskey App, Willis Insurance and Hastings Hotel Group, is getting ready to welcome whiskey enthusiasts from home and around the world to a nine-day programme featuring access to  limited in person events and a virtual interactive experience celebrating Belfast’s Whiskey legacy and production.

Developed by Belfast-based businessman Paul Kane, Belfast Whiskey Week is a community led initiative driven by a group of enthusiasts from Belfast Whiskey Club. It was created as a platform for Belfast to reclaim its whiskey heritage, celebrate its distilling history as well as look forward to the exciting innovations and growth within the region.

With last year’s festival adapting to meet the challenges of the pandemic, the festival has grown a global following as whiskey enthusiasts sought for ways to remain connected during the lockdowns via digital platforms.

Following covid guidelines and restrictions, this year’s festival will provide limited in person access to a range of tasting events including a gala dinner featuring nine local whiskies at the Europa Hotel on Friday 23rd July.

Using the latest technology, the entire festival will be a virtual and digitally interactive experience. Broadcasting from multiple iconic venues across Belfast providing access to content including 85+ live tastings, 50+entertainment events including local comedians, musicians, artists and DJs, 10+ whiskey Q&A and debate sessions, access to distilleries and worldwide whiskey brands, food pairings, cocktail making plus the chance to purchase specially designed festival bottles.

Looking forward to Belfast Whiskey Week, festival organiser Paul Kane said: “We are delighted to announce the 3rd Belfast Whiskey Week, Ireland’s largest whiskey festival.  It is a must attend event for those with an interest and taste for all things whiskey. We are delighted to provide limited in-person participation this year which will follow covid safety guidelines.

“We will continue to connect with our audiences at home and around the world by providing access to a virtual and digitally interactive experience from noon to midnight, spanning nine consecutive days, by using the latest technology.  Participants can hone their tastes, experiment with new flavors as well as interact online with fellow enthusiasts.

 “We very much thank all our sponsors, partners and supporters, with their support we can help showcase Belfast’s fantastic whiskey heritage and make Belfast a must visit city for enthusiasts from across the world in the years ahead.”

Prices for Belfast Whiskey Week passes range from £15-£150, are available across a variety of levels including introduction, intermediate, masterclass and include tasting boxes.  For details visit www.belfastwhiskeyweek.com or follow Belfast Whiskey Week on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube #bww and #irishwhiskeyfest.

Preparing for Belfast Whiskey Week, organizer Paul Kane with, left, Jarlath Watson of Echlinville Distillery in Kircubbin and Andrew Galway, Willis Insurance