Some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after whiskies will be opened and poured next month at Top Shelf Festival Sydney.

Hosted by The Whisky List at Amora Hotel Jamison on Saturday, 21 November 2026., the festival will bring together passionate private collectors, independent bottlers and specialist importers to share more than 400 rare and exceptional whiskies and spirits, including historic bottlings, closed distilleries and whiskies worth thousands of dollars that would otherwise be almost impossible to taste.

The Whisky List co-founder Oliver Maruda said: “We’ve travelled to some of the world’s best whisky festivals, where the whole idea is to open, taste and celebrate extraordinary bottles that you would otherwise never get the chance to try.

“Unlike traditional whisky festivals, which tend to focus on distilleries showcasing their latest releases, Top Shelf is about the bottles themselves. We bring together passionate private collectors who open up their personal collections, sometimes for the very first time, to share rare and historic whiskies with the public.

“Some of these bottles have been sitting in private collections for decades, and many are worth thousands of dollars. The opportunity to taste them, often at incredibly reasonable prices, is something you’d normally have to travel overseas to experience. So we figured, why not bring that concept to Australia?”

Most diverse drinks & food offering yet

Following sold-out festivals in both 2024 and 2025, this year’s event is expanding beyond whisky to include premium tequilas, mezcals, rums and cognacs, alongside a curated selection of fine wines from France, Italy, Australia and beyond.

For wine lovers, leading sommeliers will present a handpicked showcase of exceptional wines from around the world, including those from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Tuscany, Piedmont, Napa, and back home – taste fine wines from legendary estates and boutique, cult-status growers.

For the first time, Top Shelf will feature dedicated oyster and artisan cheese bars, creating opportunities for visitors to explore food and drink pairings throughout the festival.

Penny’s Cheese Shop, one of Sydney’s most respected artisan cheesemongers, will showcase a selection of Australian and international cheeses. Penny, a judge at national and international dairy competitions, will be on hand to help guests discover new pairings.

Joining them is Buckley’s Oyster Bar, led by oyster specialist Simon McGoram, serving freshly shucked oysters to order. Simon specialises in showcasing the provenance of each oyster, carefully preserving its natural liquor and pairing it with creative culinary dressings.

The Whisky List Events Director Scott Allan said: “Both our 2024 and 2025 festivals sold out, and one thing we kept hearing from attendees was that they wanted to bring their partners or friends who weren’t necessarily whisky drinkers.

“So for 2026, we’ve expanded the festival to include exceptional tequilas, mezcals, rums and cognacs, alongside our biggest and most diverse whisky lineup yet.

“We’ve also partnered with wine sommeliers to curate a selection of rare and exceptional wines from France, Italy, Australia and beyond, available by the glass or bottle. And with freshly shucked oysters and artisan cheeses joining the lineup, there’s even more to discover.

“Whether you’re hunting down a rare 50-year-old Scotch, (we’re opening two bottles at the festival), exploring highly sought-after Japanese whisky, discovering a new mezcal or simply enjoying a beautiful glass of wine with friends, that’s what Top Shelf is all about. Bring your partners, bring your drinking mates, and come discover something extraordinary.”

How the festival works

Unlike traditional festivals with unlimited standard tastings, Top Shelf operates on a pay-per-taste model, allowing visitors to choose exactly what they want to try.

Spirit tastings start from just $6 for a 10ml pour, while fine wines start from $6 for a 60ml glass, with festival-only pricing available across exhibitors.

Guests can explore at their own pace, chat directly with collectors and industry experts, and discover bottles that might otherwise remain unopened in private collections.

Two ticket options are available:

Full Access – $50 per person
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Six hours to explore the entire festival at your own pace.

Bite Sized Access – $30 per person
3:00pm – 6:00pm
Three hours to discover exceptional drinks and enjoy the festival atmosphere.

All tickets include a premium whisky tasting glass to keep. Food and drinks are available for purchase throughout the festival using Top Shelf Tokens, with discounted token packages available to pre-order. Learn more here.