The 9th Annual Southern Food & Whiskey Experience returns August 7-8, 2026, with the most significant changes in the event’s nine-year history. Two days instead of one. An open floor with owners, founders, master distillers, and master blenders at most distillery tables. A 500-ticket cap, expanded from prior years to meet sell-out demand.
“Whiskey is the excuse,” said Tiny Irwin, Proprietor of The Southern Whiskey Society. “The room is the point. Everything we’ve changed this year is in service of that.”
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The Southern Food & Whiskey Experience has sold out every year.
Symphony Six returns for a second year as Title Sponsor. George Dickel returns for a third year as Presenting Sponsor, anchoring the experience with one of Tennessee whiskey’s most storied names.
Friday, August 7: Whiskey Pairing Dinner at The Harpeth Hotel
A multi-course whiskey pairing dinner featuring Larrikin Bourbon. Owner and founder Greg Keely partners with Thomas Tuggle, Food and Beverage Director at 1799 Kitchen & Bar Room, on pairings exclusive to the evening. Welcome cocktail, Larrikin-paired courses, and a closing cigar pairing with Franklin-based Atsiniki Cigars and founder Charles Robinson on-site.
Saturday, August 8: The Southern Food & Whiskey Experience at The Factory
At 3:00 PM, the Front Row Whiskey Experience debuts. Four intimate distillery sessions, 10 seats each: Desnuda Tequila, Bhakta Spirits, Found North, and Dark Arts Whiskey House. At 4:00 PM, the Early Entry VIP Cigar Lounge opens, hosted by Poppa P’s Smoke Shoppe and Crowned Heads, with Nashville-based Crowned Heads CEO Tim Ozgener leading a guided cigar experience. Forty tickets only. The most exclusive ticket of the night.
VIP doors open at 5:00 PM. General Admission at 6:00 PM. The experience runs until 9:00 PM. The room is 5,000 square feet larger this year, with every element of the experience integrated across a single open footprint. 40+ whiskey distillers, hand-picked tequila distillers, 10 Middle Tennessee chefs, food-and-whiskey pairings, intentional tastings, and curated vendors share the floor. The great majority of distilleries are sending an owner, founder, master distiller, or master blender.
Primary Charity Partner
Our friends at OneGenAway return as the primary charity partner for the fourth year, and 2026 is the most significant expression of the partnership yet.
“I grew up on food assistance. I know what it’s like,” said Irwin. “OneGenAway feeds people with honor and dignity. No paperwork. No questions. No shame. That’s the partner we want to anchor this event around.”
The Charity Barrel
Replacing the silent auction this year: the Charity Barrel program. Justin and Cara King of King Family Distillery are donating a custom barrel of Tennessee Standard whiskey. Roughly 200 wax-sealed bottles, co-labeled with King Family and OneGenAway, will be available as a ticket add-on or on-site purchase. Every dollar goes to OneGenAway. The Kings will be on-site signing throughout the evening.
“I had electricians in my shop this morning telling me their kids struggle to get food at school. It hurts my heart. Donating this barrel is one way we can do something about it,” said Justin King, co-owner of King Family Distillery.
Event Details
Friday, August 7, 2026: Pairing Dinner at The Harpeth Hotel, Franklin, TN
Saturday, August 8, 2026: The Southern Food & Whiskey Experience at The Factory, Franklin, TN
Saturday Schedule
3:00 PM: Front Row Whiskey Experience
4:00 PM: Early Entry VIP Cigar Lounge
5:00 PM: VIP Doors
6:00 PM: General Admission
9:00 PM: Close
Capped at 500 guests
Tickets: Public on-sale Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at southernwhiskeysociety.com.
About The Southern Whiskey Society
The Southern Whiskey Society creates intentional community through exceptional whiskey, food, and cigar experiences. We battle isolation and loneliness by fostering authentic connections where people feel seen, known, and build enduring relationships.
