Raise your glass, South Africa, World Whisky Day returns on Saturday, May 17, 2025, inviting whisky lovers across the globe to sip, swirl and celebrate one of the world’s most iconic spirits.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this annual celebration is your chance to explore the rich world of whisky, across South Africa..
From Cape Town cocktail bars to hidden gems in Durban and Johannesburg, South Africans have plenty of ways to join the global toast.
Whisky, or “uisce beatha” in Irish, meaning “water of life,” carries centuries of tradition, with roots stretching back to Medieval monks in Ireland and Scotland.
Though ancient civilisations like the Babylonians and Greeks experimented with distilling grain-based spirits, it was the Celtic monks who perfected the art, eventually creating what we now know and love as whisky.
World Whisky Day was founded in 2012 by Blair Bowman, a 21-year-old student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Frustrated that whisky lacked a dedicated day of celebration like other drinks, Bowman launched the initiative to make whisky more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Today, it’s a worldwide phenomenon, marked with tastings, events and spirited gatherings.
@themagunga World Whisky Day 2024
♬ original sound – Magunga
South Africans eager to raise a glass can head to some of the country’s top whisky spots
- Sin + Tax (Johannesburg)
- Whisky Brother Bar (Johannesburg)
- Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen (Cape Town)
- Bascule Whisky Bar (Cape Town Waterfront)
- The Athletic Club & Social (Cape Town)
- Smoking Kills Bar (Melville, Johannesburg)
- Barkeeper HQ (Durban)
No matter where you are, World Whisky Day is about discovery, flavour, and most of all, fun. So pour a dram and join the global cheer — sláinte!
Lifestyle
