Summerton Whisky Club, one of the UK’s leading whisky subscriptions and communities, has announced the launch of a new whisky festival, bringing more than 100 whiskies from independent bottlers, distillers and importers to Lewes, East Sussex.

The Lewes Whisky Festival, created by Summerton Whisky Club founder Dan Humphrey, will be held at the Corn Exchange at Lewes Town Hall on Saturday February 13th 2027, with sessions running from 12pm to 3.30pm and 4.30pm to 8pm. The festival will feature whiskies from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, the United States, India and beyond.

The first exhibitors announced include independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, alongside Old Pulteney, WhistlePig, Heaven Hill, Boann, Isle of Raasay, The English Distillery, Henstone and In the Welsh Wind. Kakira Distillery from Uganda will also join the festival, bringing a rum pour to the event. More exhibitors will be announced ahead of the festival.

The festival has been designed to encourage visitors to explore whisky at their own pace, without the formality or complexity that can sometimes surround whisky tastings. The organisers are particularly keen to welcome people who enjoy whisky but may not consider themselves experts, while still offering plenty for experienced enthusiasts to discover.

The Corn Exchange at Lewes Town Hall provides the festival with an established setting for food and drink events in the heart of the East Sussex town. Lewes also has direct rail connections with Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Haywards Heath and London Victoria, allowing the organisers to reach whisky enthusiasts across Sussex and the wider South East.

Commenting on the news, Dan Humphrey, said: “I wanted a festival where you can walk up to any table, ask a daft question and get a proper answer — no velvet rope, no lecture. You don’t need to know your single malt from your blended malt before you arrive. It’s about enjoying whisky, discovering something new and talking to the people who make, choose or champion it.”

Dan, added: “Lewes felt like the obvious place to do this properly. It’s a fantastic independent town, the venue already has a strong food and drink heritage, and the rail connections make it possible to build an audience well beyond Lewes itself. I’m hoping to establish something that becomes an annual fixture for whisky drinkers in Sussex and the wider South East.”

Tickets for the inaugural Lewes Whisky Festival cost £49.95 per session and include a festival glass, programme and unlimited tastings from every participating exhibitor. There are no tasting tokens to buy and no additional charges for samples.

For full details and to book tickets, visit: leweswhiskyfestival.co.uk