By Jim Carchidi
April 30, 2026
Whiskey vendors and distillers will be pouring into Central Florida Fair Expo Hall on May 9 for tastings and talks at the Whiskey Riot festival. Event leaders are marking its ninth year but the first time in Orlando.
Blending supply with demand
Image courtesy of Whiskey Riot Festival
Whiskey Riot began in 2018 as a single event in Buffalo, New York, with a roster of 40 vendors and 90 brands. Event founder and distiller, Bobby Finan, was building a whiskey brand and looking for a direct-to-consumer marketing solution that caught on quickly.
"It's become a platform that works for everyone," said festival director of operations Lexi Osher. "Consumers get discovery and access, and brands - whether they're legacy names or newer craft distilleries - get to engage with passionate whiskey drinkers or create relationships with those just starting to explore whiskey."
Success led to growth with industry participation and consumer demand building the event into a traveling festival offering a massive tasting menu with some limited varieties. The list of host cities increased to nine with Orlando added for the first time this year.
"Orlando has honestly always been on our radar," Osher said. "People here are outgoing, adventurous, and genuinely enthusiastic about trying something new, and that's exactly the kind of crowd that makes Whiskey Riot come alive. Orlando isn't a one-time stop for us."
Some local flavor
The large-format, immersive experience helps distillers connect with the public to answer questions and offer industry insights. The event features whiskey, bourbon, and scotch tastings with more than 150 varieties. A few popular event partners include:
- Maker’s Mark
- Evan Williams
- Jameson
- Jack Daniels
- Jim Beam
- Wild Turkey
- WhistlePig
- Buffalo Trace
- Devils River
- Sazerac Rye
- Woodford Reserve
The list also features Winter Park-based Forward/Slash. Co-owners Tim Bradstreet and Michael Buffa opened the distillery and blending house at 650 S. Capen Ave. in 2023, creating unique blends in partnership with independent distillers from across the country.
Forward/Slash co-owners Michael Buffa and Tim Bradstreet at their Winter Park blending house. Photo by Jim Carchidi
"As a boutique whiskey brand, visibility is essential to our growth," Buffa said. "Whiskey Riot provides access to hundreds of engaged whiskey enthusiasts and is one of the few festivals that also allows us to sell our spirits directly to consumers."
Florida craft brands are permitted to sell spirits at festivals throughout the state with the appropriate permit.
Know before you go
Image courtesy of Whiskey Riot Festival
Event hours are 4-7 p.m. on May 9. General admission ticket holders receive a branded rocks tasting glass and full access to tastings, including sample-sized cocktails and limited edition brands available on a first come, first served basis.
A limited number of early access tickets are available for entry from 3-4 p.m. Due to limited event capacity, no designated driver tickets are available. Food and snacks are available for purchase but attendees are encouraged to eat beforehand and to drink responsibly.
For more information and ticket sales, log onto whiskeyriot.com.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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