Where to Sip Next: Three New Irish Whiskey Experiences for 2026
The Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough, County Antri
New Whiskey Experiences on the Antrim Coast
On the rugged Antrim coast, Ireland’s first dedicated whiskey hotel is fast becoming a destination in its own right, a place where craftsmanship and sea air come together as smoothly as a well‑aged single malt. The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has an ambitious programme lined up for 2026, giving visitors new ways to immerse themselves in the island’s whiskey heritage.
A highlight is Carnlough Whiskey Week (16–23 August), opening with World Bushmills Day. The world’s oldest licensed distillery will be honoured with a gala evening where master distillers and blenders share stories from inside the stillhouse. Guests will begin with a pour of Bushmills 46‑year‑old, the oldest Irish single malt ever released, followed by rare cask selections unavailable anywhere else.
The hotel is also expanding its experiences beyond the glass. A newly acquired 11‑metre Redbay rib, built in nearby Cushendall, will soon ferry guests to coastal distilleries including Bushmills, Titanic and Copeland, with occasional crossings to Scotland’s island distilleries. On land, an extended menu of whiskey flights launches in April, from the “1608” flight to a heritage selection featuring mid‑20th‑century bottlings. Visitors can also fill their own bottle or sample whiskey straight from the cask before a stroll along Carnlough Beach with the hotel’s unofficial mascot, Paddy the Irish Wolfhound
Food and whiskey pairing at Skellig Six18 Distillery, County Kerry
A Newly Launched Snug on the Edge of the Atlantic
Further south, Skellig Six18 has introduced one of the most distinctive new whiskey experiences on the island. The Skellig Six18 Snug Experience offers a private, fireside tasting in a space designed to echo the character of a traditional Irish pub. A snug is a cosy, enclosed corner of a traditional Irish pub, a private little room made for quiet conversation and a good pour.
It’s a recent addition to the distillery’s visitor offering, and one shaped closely by its surroundings on the Ring of Kerry — a landscape where mountains meet the Wild Atlantic Way, and where the distillery takes its name from the nearby island of Skellig Michael.
The snug provides a one‑on‑one session with the resident whiskey aficionado, who guides guests through the distillery’s approach to maturation and flavour. Visitors can also draw whiskey straight from the distillery’s casks, some of which have been resting for more than two decades. The session concludes with a premium tasting that can be paired with a locally sourced seafood platter, enjoyed with views across the Atlantic from the snug’s cosy bar.
Guided Tasting at Skellig Six18 Distillery, County Kerry
A Viking Toast in Medieval Dublin
Finally, in the heart of Dublin’s medieval quarter, Dublinia has unveiled a new experience that brings together Ireland's storytelling tradition and distilling heritage. The Viking Museum’s ‘Whiskey and Living History’ tour begins with a guided tour led by expert storytellers, who bring the city’s medieval past to life inside one of its most atmospheric buildings.
After the tour, guests settle into a guided whiskey tasting hosted by Whiskey Island, held within Dublinia’s 150‑year‑old medieval structure. It’s a chance to explore the deep links between the city’s past and its long tradition of distilling, all within walls that have witnessed centuries of Dublin life. The result is a thoughtful new addition to the capital’s whiskey scene — part history lesson, part tasting, and entirely rooted in the character of the city. The tour takes place each Friday evening through to the end of April.