Four Reasons You Should Go To Harrow Whisky Festival

This is our series called “Reasons You Should”. These cover the drinks festivals that deliver consistent quality year on year. We happily pay our own money to attend these. No sponsored posts or freebies here.

We won’t lie to you, Harrow Whisky Festival is barely in London. In fact it’s only 300m from the border with Hertfordshire. Yet, this show makes travelling across the city worthwhile for whisky fans every January. So if you’re not starting the year dry, here’s why we recommend it.

It’s Cheap

This is one of the most affordable whisky festivals out there with tickets in 2025 starting from £20 for a short session and going to £39 for the most popular Saturday evening slot. Prices have crept up a little in 2026 after barely moving for several and you can see 2027’s pricing at the end of this article.

Whilst this is a small show versus many others that’s reflected in the price tag. However, the quality of the whisky is high and you won’t just be drinking your usual pub or supermarket staples at all. Which leads us neatly onto our next point.

The Quality is High

The festival has no big name brands, just smaller distilleries and bottlers. The organisers of Harrow are very selective about who attends. Other shows in London are bigger and can attract more Independent Bottlers overall but as a percentage of overall show – Harrow has them beat. James Eadie, Claxtons, Bartells, Uncharted Whisky, That Boutique-y Whisky Company and Cadenheads have been there most years we’ve attended.

On the distillery side there’s a strong English showing from the likes of Cooper King, Henstone, Filey Bay and the English Whisky Company. Then some Scottish and Irish in the mix from Ahascragh, Glen Moray, Wolfburn and others.

You Can Grab a Bargain

Harrow Whisky Festival takes place in the dry January sales drought that comes after the festive highs of Christmas. The show has no retail partner or middle man taking a cut of purchases. Brands are well looked after and enjoy a low cost of exhibiting. As a result they may be able to pass extra savings onto you, especially if you are buying multiple bottles.

Some will list discounts upfront on the price list whereas others might have them online if they haven’t brought the bottles with them to the show. This is one of few festivals where a bit of negotiation is really possible so if you are going to haggle make sure to be polite. Who knows what offers might present themselves!

There’s a Banquet

Whisky enthusiasts can pay £85 for a Friday session ticket that includes access to the Distillers’ Banquet. This is a three course dinner immediately after the Friday session that comes with plenty of whisky too as each exhibitor brings a bottle to share. The food is on the smaller side given all the whisky going down but it’s delicious and filling. You can expect the celebration and discussion of whisky to go on until midnight, and continue in the hotel bar after. Book a room and Saturday session ticket too if you want to make this a proper whisky weekender.

Harrow Whisky Festival takes place on the second weekend of every January. Unlike most festivals you have to book by telephone which is a bit of a faff but worth it for what you get. Tickets for 2027 are on sale now so go give them a call!

2027 Details: