Leeside gets new whiskey fest

Cork Whiskey Fest 2023 has been officially launched and will take place in the city later this month.

The first outing of the new festival will run from 24-26 March across MacCurtain Street, Collins’ Barracks and St Lukes.

There will be 34 events to choose from across the 3 days, each hosted by whiskey specialists and offering exclusive insights into unique whiskeys from distilleries all over the country, some not even available to purchase in-store.

Laurie O’Dwyer, host of the popular Whiskey Chats podcast and member of the Irish Defence Forces for over 20 years, developed the idea for the festival alongside his wife, Sonya.

“What makes Cork Whiskey Fest different from others of its kind is that we want it to be open and accessible to everyone, not just whiskey experts,” Laurie explained at the festival launch in the Shelbourne Bar on MacCurtain Street.

“We’ll have the experts there from the various whiskey brands hosting events who will guide attendees through the experience, whether you’re a whiskey aficionado, or just enjoy the occasional drop,” he added.

Those attending Cork Whiskey Fest 2023 will meet and greet with over 20 whiskey brands including, The Liberator, Lough Ree Distillery, Irish Distillers, Jameson Portfolio, Killowen Distillery, Kinsale Mead Co., Pearse Lyons Distillery, Dingle Distillery, Dunville’s, Rebel City Distillery, Thomond Gate, W.D. O’Connell Whiskey Merchants, Baoilleach Distillery, and Boann Distillery.

The festival is sponsored by The Shelbourne Bar, Irish Malts, and Irish Distillers.

Tickets are available from corkwhiskeyfest.com.