Belfast Whiskey Week back bigger and better

The 4th Belfast Whiskey Week,  Ireland’s largest Whiskey Festival, is back bigger and better than ever from Friday July 22 until  Saturday July 30th.

Developed by Belfast-based businessman Paul Kane, it will feature 100-plus events in 14 venues, including sessions with over 40 brands and distilleries.

The festival, driven by a group of enthusiasts from Belfast Whiskey Club, was created as a platform for Belfast to reclaim its whiskey heritage, celebrate its distilling history and looking forward to more innovation and growth within the region.

Highlights this year include a blindfolded sensory journey, speed dating, cooking with whiskey, heritage walking tours, a steam train journey with a whiskey tasting session, local distillery tours,  food parings, a music programme,

Belfast Whiskey Week works in partnership with Irish Whiskey Auctions, Belfast Whiskey Club, Echlinville Distillery, The Friend at Hand and the Duke of York . Willis Insurance and risk management returns as festival partner and Hastings Hotel Group as festival accommodation provider.

Festival venues were selected for their strong Whiskey links and include Whites Tavern, The Duke of York, The Deer’s Head, Common Market, Maddens, Ben Madigan’s and  Revolución De Cuba. Belfast Whiskey Week will also be collaborating with Belfast Hidden Tours and McConnell’s Irish Whisky.

Looking ahead to the event, organiser Paul Kane, above left, said: "It is a must attend event for those with an interest and taste for all things whiskey. Belfast is quickly re-emerging as an important place for Irish Whiskey. Soon we will have two functioning distilleries, something the city hasn’t seen in over 70 years. The city is steeped in whiskey heritage and legacy spanning 300 years and it’s important to celebrate that.

“We hope to welcome thousands of attendees across the 9-day event and hope they enjoy the wide range of unique and different ways to engage with whiskey.”

Prices for Belfast Whiskey Week events range from £5-£65. Day passes are available from £80, across a variety of levels including introduction, intermediate, masterclass. For details visit www.belfastwhiskeyweek.com or follow Belfast Whiskey Week on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube #BWW and #irishwhiskeyfest.