Rocky Mountaineer Station

Whisky Global is Vancouver’s premier whisky-tasting event. It takes place in late January at the Paradox Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

In 2025 the event takes place on January 24th and 25th.

To learn about Whisky Global, continue reading. For information about other events happening this month, see Vancouver’s January Calendar of Events.

This article contains the following information about Whisky Global:

Vancouver’s Whisky Global Whisky-Tasting Event at the Paradox Hotel

The Grand Tasting Hall at Whisky Global is a gala event where guests dress in formal attire, sample a wide range of premium whiskies and learn about the products. The event also features live music and complimentary appetizers at a unique venue. It’s a fancy affair and a whisky-lovers dream!

Whisky Global is produced by the same people behind events like the Vancouver Craft Beer & Music Festival, Punchbowl Festival and Hopscotch Festival.

If you like fine Scotch, bourbon, Irish whiskey and other premium whiskies, then this is an event you won’t want to miss! It’s classy, upscale, all-inclusive and features some of the world’s best whiskies!

When and Where

Whisky Global usually takes place in late winter. In 2025, the event runs on the Friday and Saturday of January 24th and 25th.

The event used to take place at the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station in East Vancouver, but that changed last year. Now, Whisky Global is held at the Paradox Hotel (formerly called the Trump International Hotel). Its address is 1161 West Georgia Street.

Those who purchase general admission get to experience the event from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm on both days. VIP admission starts one hour earlier, with a limited number of VIP tickets available.

Rocky Mountaineer Station at Whisky Global Vancouver — Rocky Mountaineer Station

Whisky Global Ticket Prices

General admission to Whisky Global in 2025 costs $130 for the Friday evening and $135 for the Saturday, if you buy pre-sale tickets. Regular price is $150 for both days.

VIP tickets cost $200 (or $175 for Friday pre-sale) and they always sell out. With them, VIP guests get to arrive an hour early and sample a few extra premium whiskies before the doors open to general admission ticket holders.

Both types of admission include complimentary whisky samples, a catered dinner and a souvenir Glencairn glass. If you like whisky, considering what you get, it’s a really good deal and an experience you won’t soon forget. It’s also an excellent opportunity to try a range of exotic products so you’ll know which you’ll want to buy in the future.

Porsche Display at Whisky Global — A Car Display at Whisky Global in 2020

What to Expect at Whisky Global

At the event you can expect to see guests in business and cocktail attire enjoying exquisite hors d’oeuvres and sampling some of the over 200 different whiskies on hand from around the world. There are usually whisky representatives from major premium brands, food stalls with culinary artisans handing out fancy treats, an on-site liquor store to buy whisky from, and some live music.

In 2024 the live entertainment was Olin Brix, a one man band who covered songs from multiple genres. Details for the 2025 event are to be confirmed as of November, 2024.

Distilleries that participated in the 2024 event included Shelter Point, Michter’s, Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Johnnie Walker, Glenfiddich, Kyrö Distillery Company, and many more. The 2025 lineup should be pretty similar.

About Whisky Global

The Whisky Global event is related to the Hopscotch Festival which happens in the fall. Both are amazing events and run by the same organizers. The Hopscotch Festival is larger, less expensive and features more events. Its main event – the Grand Tasting Hall – takes place at the PNE Forum and includes craft beers and a variety of other spirits in addition to whisky.

The Grand Tasting Hall with Whisky Global, on the other hand, is more of a gala event. Guests dress up, the venue is classier and the food is fancier. At Whisky Global there is also only whisky – including Scotch, Irish whiskey, bourbon and other variations – so no gins, vodkas, tequilas or other spirits, and no beers or ciders. Whisky Global is a sophisticated event for whisky connoisseurs.

The same people behind Whisky Global also host Vancouver Craft Beer Week in the summer.

Tips & Advice

The following are some suggestions to help you make the most of your whisky-tasting experience.

TIP #1: If you like whisky and cocktail-style parties, then definitely go to Whisky Global. It’s a first-class event! Also, mark your calendar for the Hopscotch Festival later in the year!

TIP #2: Whisky Global is a great event for sampling different kinds of the spirit and discovering which high-end brands are your favourites (and which are not). When a bottle can cost more than $100, and sometimes a lot more, it’s nice to be able to try a sample before making the investment and determine first if you really like it.

TIP #3: Make a note on a piece of paper or your phone which whiskies are your favourites so you’ll remember them the next time you want to buy one. Alternatively, buy your favourite at the event’s on-site liquor store and take a bottle home with you right away.

TIP #4: Chat with the vendors and learn about their products. If you want to increase your knowledge about whisky, this is the place to do it. And if you want to learn even more, then sign up for a whisky-tasting workshop in autumn at Scotfest & the BC Highland Games in June.