And now for something a little different
Come join us in our first tasting on the north side of the Dingle Peninsula. Murphys Bar Brandon welcomes you over the hill to a tasting that promises to be a little different where we will be exploring a selection of European whiskeys.
Our colleague James O Sullivan will present this tasting to us on behalf of our society chapter. James has a great interest in whiskey and has selected these drams for us to try on the evening.
As of late 2025, there where over 1,422 whiskey distilleries in Europe. This includes traditional distilleries and "brewstilleries" across the continent, showing significant growth from 1,082 in 2023 with 250 in Scotland and over 50 in Ireland. As such we thought it would be interesting to see what was on offer outside the usual Irish or Scottish whiskeys and see what was available around Europe.
We have selected six whiskeys from some of the most unique and best of these for you to try. A number of these bottles are one offs and/or limited runs and all have an interesting story to tell. These are all single malt whiskey distilled and finished in very different ways, offering a unique tasting of single malt whiskey. We have ex-Sauternes wine cask finish, rye and Amontillado seasoned casks finishes and a cask seasoned with Hojicha Green Tea.
So, we really hope that you can join us in Brandon Bay to try this selection from Arctic Circle to the Bavarian mountains and the French gallic coast.
As usual, there will be a bus provided leaving John Bennys Bar & Restaurant at 1845 hours.
Whiskeys Tasted:
1.
Booking opens immediately. As there are only 25 places allocated to this tasting, members are strongly advised to book this event as soon as possible. Join the waiting list to be notified should there be any cancellations as we might be able to get more spots for the event. It is necessary to register and complete payment via Stripe (within 15 minutes) to secure your booking.
Event Booking Terms & Conditions: https://www.irishwhiskeysociety.com/IWS-In-Person-Events
15th April 2026, Wynn's Hotel (Abbey Room), Dublin 1
Dear Members,
We are proud to announce one of the most prestigious tastings in our recent history. We are venturing deep into the warehouses of Midleton for an evening dedicated entirely to the "Definitive Expression of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey": Redbreast.
Joining us for this extraordinary session is Andrew Dickey, Brand Ambassador and one of the most knowledgeable voices in the industry. Andrew will guide us through a curated flight that spans the rarest heights of the Redbreast range, including "behind the curtain" looks at the components that make this brand legendary.
We have assembled a "once-in-a-lifetime" lineup for our members, featuring some of the most sought-after liquid ever to leave County Cork:
Redbreast Mano a Lámh: A cult favorite matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts.
Redbreast Moscatel Edition: A rare finish that brings bright, floral, and honeyed complexity to the signature pot still spice.
Redbreast 27 Year Old: The oldest permanent expression in the family, enriched by ruby port casks.
Redbreast 27YO Trad Pot Component (1st Fill Sherry): A rare opportunity to deconstruct greatness and taste a core building block of the 27YO at its source.
Redbreast Dream Cask (27 Year Old Port-to-Port): The "Crown Jewel" of the evening—a marriage of bourbon, sherry, and ruby port casks, finished in a single tawny port cask.
Redbreast Bespoke Cask: A unique expression showcasing the art of individual cask selection and wood influence.
Due to the immense rarity and market value of the bottles involved—specifically the highly coveted Dream Cask and the 27-Year-Old components—tickets for this special event are priced at €45.
Booking opens on Tuesday 31th of March at 7.00pm. This event is expected to sell out rapidly; we highly recommend booking early to secure your seat. Join the waiting list to be notified as we might be able to get more spots for the event. It is necessary to register and complete payment via Stripe (within 15 minutes) to secure your booking.
9-10th of May, Donegal
Sláinte, members!
Following a fantastic response to our recent call for interest, the Irish Whiskey Society is delighted to officially announce our upcoming expedition to the rugged northwest. We are heading to the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht to explore a region that is beautifully blending centuries-old traditions with the cutting edge of modern Irish distilling.
This weekend away is designed for those who want to get "under the hood" of the industry, meet the people behind the spirit, and enjoy the incomparable hospitality of Donegal.
Saturday, May 9th: The Revival
10:00 AM: Departure from Dublin via dedicated Society coach.
Afternoon: Our first stop is the historic Crolly Distillery. Located in a restored 1902 carpet factory, Crolly is reviving the tradition of "Donegal Whiskey" using direct-fired stills.
Evening: We will gather for a Society dinner at the legendary Leo’s Tavern—the world-renowned home of Clannad and Enya—for an evening of food, music, and, of course, a few choice drams.
Sunday, May 10th: The Spirit of the Cliffs
Morning: Following breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the picturesque town of Ardara.
Mid-day: A deep-dive visit to Sliabh Liag Distillers. We’ll explore their craftsmanship and hear about their mission to reclaim the "smoky" heritage of Donegal whiskey.
6:00 PM: Approximate arrival back in Dublin.
To provide the best flexibility for our members, accommodation is booked directly with the An Chúirt Hotel rather than through the Society website. We have secured a dedicated block of rooms for our group (Single, Double & Triple).
How to book your room: Please email the hotel directly at reservations.ac@gallengroup.com with the following details:
Subject Line: Quote "Irish Whiskey Society"
Details required: Your Name, Type of Room (Single/Double/Twin), Phone Number, and Email.
Payment: Provide full credit/debit card details. Note: American Express is not accepted.
Important Payment & Cancellation Policy: Advance Payment: The hotel will take full payment at the time of booking to ensure a seamless check-in process for our group. Cancellations: The deadline for a full refund is April 18th (3 weeks prior to arrival). Cancellations made after this date will be charged the full amount to the card on file.
Important Payment & Cancellation Policy:
Advance Payment: The hotel will take full payment at the time of booking to ensure a seamless check-in process for our group.
Cancellations: The deadline for a full refund is April 18th (3 weeks prior to arrival). Cancellations made after this date will be charged the full amount to the card on file.
Tickets are strictly limited to 48 places on the bus. Given the interest already shown, we expect this to sell out quickly.
Please Note:
This event is for IWS Members only.
Transport: A dedicated Society bus will be our home for the weekend, allowing us to travel in comfort and safety.
Society Trip Fee: €50 per person. This fee covers your seat on the bus and all scheduled distillery tour costs.
Payment is via Stripe. Please complete your booking within 15 minutes of starting the process to secure your place.
Ensure you have read our In-Person Event Terms & Conditions.
Join us as we head north for a weekend of Donegal spirits and great company!
