My First Whisky Live Paris: A Weekend of Discovery

27th-29th September 2025 marked my first trip to Whisky Live Paris, and wow what a weekend it was! If you've been on the fence about attending a major whisky festival, let me walk you through what made this weekend so worthwhile and what I wish I'd known before I went.

The Unexpected Discoveries

I arrived at Whisky Live with a mental checklist of distilleries and producers I wanted to visit. What I didn't expect was to have my palate completely redirected by whiskies from places I'd never even considered.

Carpathian whisky was my first revelation. I'd be lying if I said I went to Paris specifically seeking out Eastern European spirits, but the Carpathian stand became one of my longest stops of the weekend. What fascinated me most wasn't just how good it was - though it absolutely was - but how I could taste both striking commonalities with Scotch whisky and distinct differences that spoke to its own terroir and tradition. It's these kinds of discoveries that remind you why travelling outside your comfort zone matters.

Then there was the sparkling sake paired with caviar. Not whisky, obviously, but exactly the kind of "why not?" moment that makes these festivals special. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you didn't plan for.

And Irish whisky. Living relatively close to Ireland, I have absolutely no excuse for not exploring Irish whiskey more thoroughly, yet here I was at Whisky Live Paris having my socks blown off by what I was tasting. The Teeling peated expressions, in particular, made me question my entire approach to stocking my home bar. I came away with a renewed appreciation for what's happening just across the water from me.

The French organic whisky from Brunn deserves a mention too. There's something quite special about tasting French whisky in France, surrounded by proud local distillers who are carving out their own identity in the global whisky landscape.

What I Noticed (Beyond the Whisky)

Let's address the elephant in the room: the gender balance at these events needs work. Walking through Whisky Live Paris, the sea of men was impossible to ignore. This isn't unique to Paris - it's an industry-wide issue - but it's worth mentioning because the whisky world is richer when it's more diverse. If you're a woman considering attending and worried about feeling outnumbered, you're not imagining it. But don't let that stop you. The whisky community, for all its demographic challenges, tends to be welcoming once you're there.

What to Actually Expect

If you've never been to a major whisky festival, here's what you should know:

Pace yourself. It's not a race, and you're not trying to visit every single stand. I learned quickly that spending quality time at fewer stands beats rushing through everything on offer. This isn't about quantity; it's about discovering something you couldn't access otherwise.

Come with an open mind, not just a checklist. Yes, have your must-visit distilleries, but leave room for serendipity. Some of my best conversations happened at stands I'd never planned to visit.

Bring water and eat properly. This sounds obvious, but festivals are long, samples add up, and not every venue gives easy or cheap access to these things. You want to be tasting with a clear palate, not a fuzzy head.

Ask questions. The people pouring are often distillers, brand ambassadors, or genuine enthusiasts. They want to talk about their whiskies. This is your chance to learn directly from people who know these spirits intimately.

Why It Matters

The real value of Whisky Live Paris - or any major spirits festival - isn't just about tasting premium whiskies (though that's certainly a perk). It's about access. How often do you get to try Carpathian whisky in your local area? When can you taste three different expressions from an Irish distillery side by side? Where else can you have a 20-minute conversation with a French whisky maker about their organic production methods?

These festivals compress what would normally take years of collecting bottles and visiting distilleries into a single weekend. They expose you to whiskies you'd never think to buy and regions you might overlook. They challenge your assumptions and expand your palate.

Would I go back? Likely. Next time though, I'll bring more comfortable shoes, a clearer strategy for the stands I definitely want to hit, and even more openness to whatever surprises are waiting.

If you've been thinking about attending Whisky Live Paris or any major whisky festival, stop thinking and book it. Your whisky education will thank you.