Whisky Live Paris 2026: the anniversary edition

The world’s largest event dedicated to whisky and spirits returns to Paris. A special edition marking La Maison du Whisky’s 70th anniversary, the 10th anniversary of Cocktail Street and the launch of a memorable new collection of LMDW bottlings.

From 26 to 28 September 2026, the Grande Halle de la Villette will host the 22nd edition of Whisky Live Paris, the world’s largest event dedicated to tasting whisky and spirits. Organised by La Maison du Whisky, this year’s event will have a special significance, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the French distributor and the 10th anniversary of Cocktail Street, the outdoor area dedicated to mixology.

Following the record attendance of 25,000 visitors in 2025, Whisky Live Paris returns with an even broader programme: 16,000 m² of exhibition space, more than 350 international producers and brands, 2,500 expressions available to taste and numerous new releases presented as world exclusives. Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September will be open to the public and enthusiasts, while Monday 28 September will be reserved for industry professionals.

To understand the scale of Whisky Live Paris, we need to look back at its history. In the article published last year on velier.it (Whisky Live Paris: how it became the world’s most important spirits event), Thierry Benitah, head of La Maison du Whisky, told us about the birth of the event, its roots and its transformation from an occasion created to better understand customers into a major international platform dedicated to spirits. The first event, before it was even called Whisky Live Paris, attracted 1,500 people instead of the 500 expected, marking the beginning of steady growth.

Since 2004, thanks in part to its connection with Whisky Magazine and the change of name from Paris Whisky Festival to Whisky Live Paris, the event has taken on a more international dimension. Since then, the show has grown alongside La Maison du Whisky, gradually broadening its identity: from whisky to rum, from tequila to mezcal, from sake to mixology, and ultimately to non-alcoholic alternatives.

Today, Whisky Live Paris is much more than a trade show: it is a meeting place for heritage brands, emerging distilleries, independent bottlers, bartenders, collectors, professionals and enthusiasts. It offers a privileged view of industry trends and is often a space capable of anticipating them.

In 2026, once again, the visitor journey will unfold across several themed areas: the Tasting Hall, Pavillon France, Rhum Gallery, Sake District, Gin Lane, TAG Village and a completely redesigned VIP Area.

The Tasting Hall will take visitors on a journey through the finest Scotch whisky and the great icons of Japanese whisky, naturally including Nikka. Pavillon France returns in grand style for the second time under this name, confirming the increasingly central role of French spirits by bringing together whisky, Cognac, gin and Armagnac in an area designed to showcase a scene that is currently evolving rapidly.

TAG Village, also known as The Avant Gardists, was created as a scouting space for emerging talent and brands, with particular emphasis on artisanal non-alcoholic offerings as well.

Cocktail Street is the free-entry, open-air space next to the main show. Originally conceived as an area dedicated to mixology, over the years it has become one of the most recognisable features of Whisky Live Paris: a true urban village where cocktail bars, music, a high-quality food market and international brands create an experience that runs alongside and complements the main event.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Cocktail Street will return with an even richer offering: leading names from the spirits industry will set up bars to showcase new releases and keep the celebrations going into the evening. Among them will be Nikka, which will recreate Martiny’s, the renowned New York venue named among the World’s Best Bars.

Radio Nova will curate the music programme with live DJ sets, while the Food Market will bring together some of the most interesting names on the Parisian street-food scene.

This edition will also offer the first opportunity to discover Les Anthologistes, the new annual spirits collection from La Maison du Whisky.

The project was created to celebrate the maison’s 70th anniversary and its historic role in selecting and curating spirits, as well as connecting distilleries, bottlers and enthusiasts. The collection reaffirms LMDW’s identity as a trusted interpreter of the world of spirits, capable of building lasting relationships with some of the industry’s most important names.

Particular attention will also be given to the VIP Area, which will grow in both scale and ambition in 2026. A dedicated space will celebrate the bicentenary of the Pulteney distillery, while LMDW exclusives will take centre stage in a tasting journey featuring some of the most sought-after treasures from Scotland, Japan, France and the United States. A previously unseen selection from LMDW Singapore is also planned.

The programme will also feature now-legendary rums, including Caroni, Nine Leaves and Velier bottlings, as well as the Hampden Cognac Casks, a collection of single casks representing Hampden’s eight marks and matured in ex-Cognac casks.

Making this edition even more special will be the Anthology Masterclasses, reserved for VIP visitors: sessions and tastings featuring rare and vintage bottlings, led by some of the industry’s most authoritative figures. Among the first names announced are Luca Gargano with a Caroni masterclass, Andrew Symington, Sukhinder Singh, Ichiro Akuto and Serge Valentin.

For the first time, Chartreuse will also make its Whisky Live debut, with a tasting of Tarragona bottlings that promises to be legendary.

Advance tickets for this new edition of Whisky Live are now on sale and are available here.