Whisky Show Budapest 2026
Whisky Show Budapest returns to the Corinthia Hotel Budapest on November 7–8, 2026, for its 15th anniversary edition. With more than 700 premium whiskies and aged spirits available to sample across the exhibitors’ selection, plus expert-led tasting masterclasses, it’s a weekend worth considering if you enjoy discovering what’s in your glass.
For international visitors, the extensive English-language masterclass programme is a particular draw. You can explore distillery stories, compare different maturation styles and taste selected releases with brand ambassadors and members of the whisky-making community.
Essential event details
- Event: 15th Anniversary Whisky Show Budapest
- Dates: Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest
- Overall event times: Starts at 2 pm on Saturday and finishes at 9 pm on Sunday; check the individual daily opening hours before visiting
- Tasting selection: More than 700 premium whiskies and aged spirits across the exhibitors’ offerings
- Masterclasses: Seated, expert-led tastings, with many sessions held in English
- Masterclass ticket sales: Opened on September 17, 2026
- Admission requirement: Each masterclass ticket must be accompanied by a Whisky Show admission ticket valid for the same day
- Programme updates: Additional masterclasses and tasting details are being announced, and the programme is subject to change
Saturday’s English-language masterclasses
Saturday’s programme brings together a broad range of whisky names. Cameron McPherson leads the Angus Dundee session, while Kirstin MacDonald presents “Glenfarclas: The Spirit of Independence.” Benromach’s tasting is hosted by Stuart Urquhart, and George Wills, a member of Kilchoman’s founding family, leads the Kilchoman masterclass.
Glen Scotia’s session is the only announced Campbeltown masterclass at this year’s show. Hosted by Archie McBrian, it features Double Cask, the 12-year-old expression, Festival Edition 2026 and Victoriana—a tasting built around the brand’s Campbeltown character.
For a wider age comparison, Michal Fiecko’s “Speyburn — Speaks for Itself” includes Ex-Bourbon and Rum Cask Finish expressions alongside the 10-, 15- and 18-year-old whiskies. American whiskey also gets its moment in “Yellowstone: America’s Bourbon Heritage,” presented by Igor Yunkin. The selection spans Select Bourbon, Rum Cask Finish, Toasted Staves, a six-year-old Small Batch Bourbon and an American Single Malt.
Irish spirits feature in Martin Lynch’s Teeling session, “Innovation Meets Tradition — Exploring New Flavour Frontiers,” and Brian Candon’s exploration of Drumshanbo. The latter combines the original Gunpowder Irish Gin with Brazilian Pineapple and Fig & Laurel variations, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and a surprise fifth sample.
Other English-language sessions include “Japanese Ikigai,” presented by Marco Fois, and “Rums Straight from the Cask,” hosted by Dr. Csaba Pipei. Saturday’s Patrón and Ferrand masterclasses are listed as Hungarian-language sessions, so check the language carefully when choosing your tickets.
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Sunday’s rare pours and stories
Sunday offers another extensive English-language programme, with Benromach and Kilchoman returning alongside sessions featuring Eminente, Bache-Gabrielsen, Nikka and Ian Macleod. Nikka’s masterclass is led by Global Ambassador Didier Ghorbanzadeh, while Carlos Pérez Arnau presents the Ian Macleod session.
One particularly notable tasting is Arran, hosted by Lochranza Distillery Manager Stewart Bowman on his first visit to Whisky Show Budapest. The announced selection includes an 11-year-old Bourbon Distillery Exclusive Single Cask, an 11-year-old Sherry Hogshead Single Cask, a 14-year-old Ruby Sherry Distillery of the Year bottling, a 15-year-old Rare Batch matured in former Grand Cru Champagne casks and a 30-year-old Arran.
Irish whiskey enthusiasts can join Terry McCartan for “Hinch: A New Chapter in Irish Whiskey,” comparing Small Batch Bourbon Cask, Five Year Old Double Wood, Single Malt and Peated Single Malt expressions. Stephen Magennis’s Dunville session, “Sherry, Sherry and More Sherry,” features five single-cask whiskeys aged between 14 and 25 years.
The programme also ventures beyond whisky with Guillaume Léonard’s “Calvados Beyond Tradition — From Its Purest Expression to Angels’ Share.” Tamás Singlar leads an English-language session on innovation in the whisky industry, while Metzger László’s Ferrand masterclass is held in Hungarian.
Planning your Whisky Show visit
The seated masterclasses offer a more focused experience alongside the wider exhibition. If you’re choosing between the two days, Saturday includes Glen Scotia, Speyburn, Yellowstone and Drumshanbo, while Sunday offers Arran’s older releases and Dunville’s sherry-focused single-cask selection.
Once you’ve chosen your sessions, make sure your festival admission and masterclass tickets cover the same date. A masterclass ticket alone does not grant entry to Whisky Show Budapest.
Several tasting lineups, speakers and session details were still awaiting announcement in the supplied programme. Check the latest schedule before booking, particularly if one specific bottle or presenter is the main reason for your visit.
Whether you want to compare familiar favourites or explore something entirely new, the anniversary Whisky Show Budapest offers a chance to make a guided tasting part of your November stay.