9th Annual Southern Food & Whiskey Experience Expands to Two Days in Franklin, TN

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FRANKLIN, TN — The 9th Annual Southern Food & Whiskey Experience is returning to Franklin, Tennessee on August 7-8, 2026, bringing the most significant structural changes in the event’s nine-year history.

To meet overwhelming sell-out demand, the highly anticipated event is expanding to a two-day format, featuring an open-floor layout designed to connect guests directly with distillery owners, founders, master distillers, and master blenders. To maintain its intimate atmosphere, tickets are strictly capped at 500 guests.

“Whiskey is the excuse,” said Tiny Irwin, Proprietor of The Southern Whiskey Society. “The room is the point. Everything we’ve changed this year is in service of that.”

Tickets officially went on sale Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Symphony Six returns for its second year as the Title Sponsor, alongside George Dickel, which anchors the event for a third consecutive year as the Presenting Sponsor.

Southern Food & Whiskey Experience 2026 Line Up

Friday, August 7: “Three Makers, One Table” Dinner

Debuting the night before the main event, this ultra-exclusive, 25-seat ticketed dinner experience takes place at The Harpeth Hotel in downtown Franklin. The evening features an integrated course menu where food, spirits, and cigars seamlessly cross paths.

  • The Spirits: Larrikin Bourbon, presented by founder Greg Keeley.
  • The Food: Culinary pairings by Thomas Tuggle, Food and Beverage Director at 1799 Kitchen & Bar Room.
  • The Cigar: A custom pairing by Charles Robinson, founder of Franklin-based Atsiniki Cigars.
  • Tickets: $150 all-in.

Saturday, August 8: Main Experience at The Factory

Hosted inside an expanded, single-footprint 5,000-square-foot room at The Factory at Franklin, Saturday’s main event integrates over 40 whiskey distillers, select tequila producers, 10 Middle Tennessee chefs, and curated food-and-whiskey pairings.

The schedule includes highly curated, limited-capacity add-on experiences:

  • 3:00 PM | Front Row Whiskey & Tequila Experience ($75): Four intimate, 10-seat distillery sessions featuring Desnuda Tequila, Bhakta Spirits, Found North, and Dark Arts Whiskey House.
  • 4:00 PM | Early Entry VIP Cigar Lounge ($399): An exclusive 40-ticket experience hosted by Poppa P’s Smoke Shoppe and Crowned Heads, led by Crowned Heads CEO Tim Ozgener.
  • 5:00 PM: VIP Doors Open ($299)
  • 6:00 PM: General Admission Doors Open ($199)
  • 9:00 PM: Event Concludes

Drinking for a Cause: The Charity Barrel Program

For 2026, the traditional silent auction is being replaced by the Charity Barrel program to benefit primary charity partner OneGenAway, a non-profit dedicated to fighting food insecurity with dignity.

Justin and Cara King of King Family Distillery have donated a custom barrel of Tennessee Standard whiskey. Roughly 200 wax-sealed bottles, co-labeled with King Family and OneGenAway, will be available as a ticket add-on and for on-site purchase. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to OneGenAway, and the Kings will be on-site signing bottles.

“I grew up on food assistance. I know what it’s like,” said Irwin. “OneGenAway feeds people with honor and dignity. No paperwork. No questions. No shame. That’s the partner we want to anchor this event around.”

“I had electricians in my shop this morning telling me their kids struggle to get food at school. It hurts my heart. Donating this barrel is one way we can do something about it,” said Justin King, co-owner of King Family Distillery.

Ticket & Event Information

Because this event sells out every year, organizers recommend securing tickets immediately.

  • Where to Buy: southernwhiskeysociety.com
  • Inquiries: howdy@southernwhiskeysociety.com
  • Social Media: @southernwhiskeysociety (Facebook & Instagram)

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