Whisky Events in South Africa – Tastings, Dinners & Festivals

Whisky events across South Africa, updated every week. Tastings, hosted dinners, festivals — if it’s happening and I know about it, it’s listed here, alongside the Whisky Weekly Digest.

Whether it’s a guided tasting at your local bottle shop, a full festival weekend, or a one-off hosted dinner, you’ll find it listed as soon as I hear about it. Bookmark this page, or subscribe to the Digest to get new listings straight to your inbox.

Running an event yourself? Submit it for listing — details below.

Upcoming Events

The Whisky Experience at The Firs

Friday, 18 September 2026  |  The Firs, Rosebank, Johannesburg  |  R390pp

An evening showcasing more than 70 whiskies from a wide range of producers, styles and countries, with live entertainment. Guests can explore and taste at their own pace from 6pm to 9pm. VIP access is also available at R1,500pp, offering a more intimate experience with a hand-picked selection of rare and exceptional whiskies, hosted by expert presenters.

Book via WhiskyBrother

Weird & Wonderful @ Queens

Friday, 18 September 2026  |  Queen’s Lounge, Cape Town  |  R500pp

An exclusive tasting exploring five unconventional, experimental and unexpected whiskies that challenge the traditional boundaries of the category. Seating is limited and advance booking is essential.

Book via Email

Highland Park Heritage Day Whisky Tasting & Spit Braai

Thursday, 24 September 2026  |  The Whisky Shop, Fourways  |  R900pp

A Heritage Day afternoon featuring a guided tasting of Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 Year Old, followed by a traditional South African spit braai. The R900 ticket also includes a bottle of Highland Park 12 Year Old. Tasting starts at 1pm at The Whisky Shop, The Gantry Shopping Centre, Fourways.

Book via The Whisky Shop

Bushmills Whisky Tasting

Wednesday, 30 September 2026  |  Hyde Park, Johannesburg  |  R290pp

A guided tasting with Bushmills SA ambassador Muzi Mathe, featuring the 10, 14, 16 and 21 Year Old expressions from the historic Northern Irish distillery. 7pm at WhiskyBrother Hyde Park.

Book via WhiskyBrother

Randpark Golf Club Whisky Festival

Thursday, 01 October 2026  |  Randpark Golf Club, Johannesburg  |  R300pp

A new one for the calendar: 40+ whiskies in the Jacaranda Room & Terrace, 6–9pm.

Book via WhiskyBrother

WhiskyBrother’s Helden Distillery Day Trip

Saturday, 17 October 2026  |  Parys, Free State  |  R1,490pp

A full-day experience at South Africa’s Helden Distillery with an in-depth tour led by founder and owner Dr Pieter van Helden — ideal for anyone who hasn’t visited a working distillery before.

Book via WhiskyBrother

Whisky Live South Africa

Thursday, 5 – Saturday, 7 November 2026  |  The Galleria, Kramerville  |  From R695pp

South Africa’s largest whisky festival, with General Access (R695) for the tasting hall, Combo (R1,095) for tasting hall + Master Class + 18 tokens, or VIP (R2,495) for the VIP Lounge, tasting hall, dinner, private bar and 20 tokens.

Book via Ticketpro

Events Archive

The Macallan Dinner Experience with Thami Banda

Past Event

Tuesday, 15 September 2026  |  Bottega, 22d 4th Avenue, Parkhurst  |  R1,200pp

An exclusive Macallan dinner experience hosted by Brand Ambassador Thami Banda, featuring guided tastings of The Macallan 12, 15, 18 and 30 Year Old Double Cask. The R1,200 ticket includes the whisky tasting, a 3-course meal and waiter gratuity (extras excluded). Arrival is at 18h30 for a 19h00 start, with limited seats available.

McGregor Whisky Weekend

Past Event

Friday–Sunday, 11–13 September 2026  |  McGregor, Western Cape  |  From R150pp

A weekend-long celebration of whisky in the village of McGregor, featuring over 60 whiskies to taste at the main event at Lord’s Winery, plus Friday evening masterclasses and tastings around the village. The main event runs from 1–5pm, with free transport between McGregor and Lord’s Winery. Most whiskies available for tasting will also be on sale on the day.

Running a Whisky Event?

If you’re hosting a tasting, dinner, or festival in South Africa and want it listed here, send me the details and I’ll get it added.

Email events@fr1day.co.za with:

  • Event name
  • Date(s) and time — note the end date too if it runs more than one day
  • Venue and location
  • Price, or the different ticket options if there’s more than one
  • A short description of what’s included
  • Where people can book
  • A photo, if you have one

I’ll take it from there and add it to the calendar.