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Premier whisky festival in the Baltics

More whisky.
More friends.

Tickets to the whisky parade:
Buy tickets

Opening Dinner

An exclusive dining experience with only a handful of seats available.
Learn more
Tickets to the dinner

Riga Whisky & Friends festival is coming to Riga on September 13, 2025!

Enjoy the company of glamorous whiskies, cocktails, chefs, drinks experts and the most passionate Baltic gourmets!

About the Festival

"Riga Whisky & Friends", first held in September 2024, is designed as a top-tier showcase of whisky and other fine spirits, giving visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about drink culture in a special atmosphere.

Across the Riga Circus arena, balcony, courtyard, and the historic "Horse Stable," guests will discover leading whisky and spirits brands presenting nearly 150 world-renowned whiskies. Alongside the tastings, visitors can enjoy masterclasses, exquisite cocktails crafted by top bartenders, a cigar lounge, live music, and other inseparable companions of whisky culture.

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→ 2025 Masterclasses

17:00
Irish treasures:
Single Malt and Single Pot Still

James Kilgannon

Walsh Whiskey Global Brand Manager
Discover the heart of Walsh Whiskey through two of Ireland’s most beloved labels - Writers’ Tears and The Irishman. Both celebrate Ireland’s unique whiskey heritage by blending elegant single malts with rich single pot stills, creating complex yet approachable styles that embody the spirit of Irish storytelling.
18:00
Tērvete:
the first Latvian malt whisky

Lauris Grass

Whisky and other spirits enthusiast
A journey into the origins of Latvia’s first malt whisky: how a legendary brewing tradition laid the foundation for an exceptional spirit. But this is not the end — rather, only the beginning. For the true beauty of great whisky lies in the secrets of cask maturation. During the masterclass, we will explore the many challenges that had to be overcome for the very first authentic Latvian malt whisky to see the light of day.
19:00
Celtic Peata:
Journey through Scotch and Irish

Ron Welsh

World-class whisky guru
A journey through the peatlands of Ireland and Scotland, shaped over centuries to create the legendary smoky aromas of whisky. We will savor world-renowned Islay greats, crafted over decades under the guidance of our masterclass host, Ron Welsh. He is the man behind the flavor profiles of such iconic superstars as Laphroaig, Bowmore, Auchentoshan, Ardmore, and many more.
20:00
There's no smoke
without Ardbeg

Oskars Varenbergs

Moët Hennessy Brand Ambassador for Latvia
Oskars will guide guests through the smoky world of Ardbeg. Explore Islay’s peatlands, discover how peat shapes Ardbeg’s character, and dive into the distillation process and the science of smoke. Along the way, taste four iconic expressions — Ardbeg 10YO, Wee Beastie, Uigeadail, and an exclusive preview of the brand-new Ardbeg The Bethir’s Tale 15YO, arriving in Latvia for the first time.
21:00
America in a Glass:
The Michter’s Story

Kenneth Charles

Michter’s Brand Ambassador
Michter’s stands as one of the defining names in American whiskey, with roots reaching back to the 18th century. This masterclass explores the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship through four expressions that showcase its style: the smooth richness of Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the bold spice of Rye, the approachable elegance of American Whiskey, and the historic character of Sour Mash. A journey into tradition and flavor that embodies the essence of American whiskey.

→ Food

Gastronomic delights will be provided by Latvia’s top chefs and restaurants:

Māris Jansons from "Kest"

Specially paired dishes and oysters

Flavours crafted to match the finest whiskies
"Bao Bun"

Burgers with an Asian twist

"MeatMe"

Some of the world’s finest steaks

It will be a great opportunity not only to discover the world of whisky but also to enjoy outstanding food, relax, meet people, and soak up the early autumn atmosphere.

→ Opening Dinner

“Celtic Peata: Journey through Scotch and Irish”.

Friday, 12 September 2025, 18:00
Benjamiņu Nams (The Benjamin House), Riga

Festival’s opening dinner - we’ll dive into Ron Welsh’s stories, paired with exclusive whiskies and refined dishes by chef Māris Jansons and the “Kest” team.

With more than 30 years of experience and as the former Master Blender at Beam Suntory, Ron has created over 140 new whiskies for prestigious brands such as Laphroaig, Bowmore, and Auchentoshan.

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Whiskies to accompany the stories at the dinner:

→ Afterparty

Too short of a night? Not here!

Saturday, 13 September 2025, 22:00 – 02:00
Benjamiņu Nams (The Benjamin House), Riga

After the wide-ranging program of the Riga Whisky & Friends Festival at Riga Circus comes to a close, we’re keeping the party going at the Benjamin House Cocktail Bar!

Expect great music from DJ, another chance to sample cocktails you may have missed earlier, a fantastic atmosphere, and a proper farewell party to summer.

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Who's behind Riga Whisky & Friends?

The new whiskey festival is a brainchild of Riga Wine & Champagne, the grandest champagne and wine festival in the Baltics, collaborating with Lauris Grass, one of the most renowned whisky & drinks experts in Latvia.