Whisky Festivals in Switzerland - An Approach
Switzerland hosts multiple whisky festivals throughout the year. Some are held in traditional halls, while others take place in more distinctive settings, such as a series of ferries on a lake.
There is a certain charm to these events. The atmosphere is relaxed, the energy is celebratory, and the sheer range of whiskies on offer is impressive. At first glance, the appeal seems obvious: access to a wide selection of bottles, often at a lower cost than a bar, combined with the opportunity to explore freely.
But over time, I have come to realise that there is more to a whisky festival than simply tasting as much as possible.
Beyond the Surface
A typical festival lasts only a few days, yet brings together a concentrated selection of importers, traders, and independent bottlers. Some exhibitors are present across multiple festivals, while others appear only in specific locations or years.
This alone introduces a layer of decision-making.
You are not simply choosing what to taste; you are choosing what may not be available again in the same context.
At the same time, there is a natural constraint: capacity. Even with small sample sizes (often around 1 cl), it quickly becomes clear that it is neither practical nor desirable to attempt everything.
And finally, there is the matter of sequence. Moving from a heavily peated whisky directly to a delicate, triple-distilled expression rarely does justice to either.
Finding Structure in the Experience
After attending several festivals, I gradually moved away from a purely exploratory approach towards something more structured.
Not rigid, but intentional.
The first step is to define a realistic scope for the day. How many samples can be meaningfully experienced without fatigue?
This becomes even more relevant if the festival spans multiple days.
From there, a loose framework begins to form: often based on regions, styles, or specific exhibitors.
The aim is not uniformity, but direction. Sequence plays a key role.
Lighter, unpeated styles naturally precede heavier, peated expressions.
Blended whiskies, if included, tend to come earlier in the progression.
Within this, there is room to consider factors such as cask type, bottler philosophy, or familiarity with the distillery.
Adapting to the Stand
Each stand requires a slightly different approach.
Where a collection is broad, the goal may be diversity; selecting a small number of drams that represent the range.
In such cases, I often ask the exhibitor to propose a short flight that captures this breadth.
Where a portfolio is more focused, the emphasis shifts. Instead of diversity, one looks for progression or contrast;
how expressions evolve within a narrower framework.
Independent bottlers introduce yet another dimension. Here, the interest lies in cask selection, creativity, and interpretation.
A flight might explore variations across distilleries using a similar cask type, or multiple cask treatments applied to the same distillate.
The Importance of Context
One of the most useful habits I have developed is to provide context when approaching a new stand.
Simply mentioning the last few whiskies tasted allows the exhibitor to guide the next selection more effectively.
It also helps avoid mismatches; moments where a whisky might be excellent, but encountered at the wrong point in the sequence.
A Different Way to Approach Festivals
Whisky festivals are, of course, meant to be enjoyable. That should never be lost.
But approaching them with a degree of structure transforms the experience.
What begins as a series of individual tastings becomes something more coherent; an exploration with direction, contrast, and progression.
And in that shift, the festival becomes not just a place to taste whisky, but a place to understand it more deeply.
Cheers!