6th Zurich Whisky & Music Festival

Description

For the sixth time, the Volkshaus Zürich will serve as a gathering place for whiskey fans, explorers, and lovers of live, handmade music. The Zurich Whiskey & Music Festival combines exceptional whiskeys, personal encounters, and top-notch masterclasses with the atmosphere of a Celtic folk festival. More than 35 exhibitors, importers, and distilleries will present an enormous variety of whiskies: renowned Scottish and Irish classics, Swiss whisky, independent bottlings, rare single casks, and international rarities, as well as exciting new discoveries from around the world. Visitors are expressly encouraged to taste and explore. Producers, importers, brand ambassadors, and whiskey experts will be on hand at the booths to share the stories behind their bottlings and offer insights into distilleries, production, and barrel aging. Whiskey from Scotland to Namibia and Peru In addition to well-known names in the Swiss whiskey scene—such as World of Whiskey, ACLA da Fans, Charles Hofer SA, Paul Ullrich AG, Glen Fahrn, DramCatcher, Langatun, Säntis Malt, Seven Seals, Orma, and Japanese Liquid Gold—there will be numerous festival premieres in 2026. Among other things, Cask Brothers GmbH will bring selected single-cask bottlings and whiskies from Scotland’s Annandale Distillery to Zurich. Catawiki, the curated online auction platform for extraordinary items, will present selected whiskey rarities and rare bottlings, some of which can also be tasted on-site. Representing Switzerland for the first time is the Zum Tröpfli Distillery from Obfelden, which produces its single malt entirely in-house—from malting to aging—in a carbon-neutral process. The whiskey journey will be particularly extraordinary thanks to two additional newcomers: Naegelis Premium Products will present an Andean whiskey from Peru, made from purple corn. Ondjaba – The Namibian Whiskey, in turn, brings a distinctive African whiskey style to Zurich—featuring grains such as corn, barley, and the African pearl millet mahangu, and aged under the Namibian sun. It is precisely this diversity that defines the festival: at one booth, you might find a decades-old Scottish single malt; just a few meters away, a Swiss bottling, a bottle from an independent bottler, or a discovery you’ve never heard of before. International Masterclasses Those who want to delve even deeper into the world of whiskey can attend one of the exclusive masterclasses. International whiskey experts and brand ambassadors will present selected bottlings and share insights into distilleries, barrel aging, production, and whiskey history. Among the highlights of 2026 is a Teeling Whiskey masterclass with Beibhinn O’Reilly, European Brand Ambassador for Teeling Whiskey and named “World’s Best Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador” in 2026. Six bottlings showcase the enormous range of modern Irish whiskey—including the rare 21-year-old Vintage Reserve and exceptional cask-aged expressions. Andrew Laing, a representative of one of Scotland’s most historic whiskey families, will also be coming to Zurich. His masterclass, featuring select bottlings from The First Editions, will explore topics such as cask selection, distillery character, and the fascinating world of independent bottlers. The Balvenie will also be represented with its own masterclass, offering insights into the traditional craftsmanship and philosophy of the renowned Speyside distillery. Additional masterclasses will be announced on an ongoing basis. Live Music: Celtic Folk, Irish Rock, Pipes & Drums At the Whisky & Music Festival, music isn’t just background noise—it’s an essential part of the festival experience. The Led Farmers from Ireland are bringing their energetic indie Irish folk rock back to Zurich. Jack’s Kettle is making its festival debut, blending traditional Irish melodies with rock and a touch of jazz to create a rousing “Irish Fusion.” Traditional sounds will be provided by Helen Meier, Raoul Morat, and Brendan Walsh. With fiddle, banjo, and guitar, three prominent musicians from the folk scene will present Celtic traditional music—including two-time All-Ireland banjo champion Brendan Walsh. The Andreas Winkler Band blends ballads from Scotland and Ireland with spirited songs and original arrangements. Accordionist Sven Angelo Mindeci will be joining them as a special guest in 2026. The Pipes & Drums of the Lucerne Caledonians will create an unmistakably Scottish atmosphere. And for those who don’t just want to listen, there’s a chance to get involved: The Zurich Scottish Country Dancing Club will present Scottish country dancing as a show and then host a workshop—participation is strongly encouraged! A festival for connoisseurs and the curious The Whisky & Music Festival isn’t just for seasoned whisky connoisseurs. Especially for those who want to discover whisky, compare different styles, or learn more about the people and stories behind the bottles, this event offers an accessible gateway to the fascinating world of whisky. Between tastings, the sounds of the fiddle, banjo, and bagpipes fill the air; international whiskey experts share stories about their distilleries; and at the booths, conversations, discoveries, and encounters take place. In this way, the Zurich Whisky & Music Festival combines expertise and enjoyment with the atmosphere of a music festival: international rarities meet Swiss whisky, big names meet surprising new discoveries, and top-notch masterclasses meet Celtic folk, Irish rock, and pipes & drums. Two days filled with whiskey, music, encounters, and discoveries—right in the heart of Zurich. Masterclasses must be booked separately. Admission to the festival is not included in the masterclass price.

Highlights

• Over 35 exhibitors showcasing rare international whiskeys
• Exclusive masterclasses and tastings
• Live Celtic folk music performances

General Information

The 6th Zurich Whisky & Music Festival will take place at Volkshaus Zürich, featuring a diverse range of whiskeys from around the world. Attendees can enjoy masterclasses, meet industry experts, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of a Celtic folk festival.

Location

Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland

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