Hoochenanny Festival Announces Expanded World of Whiskey Lineup for 2026

Nearly 40 distilleries and whiskey brands from eight states will offer 140 whiskeys and spirits

Saturday VIP tickets are sold out

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — July 16, 2026 — Hoochenanny Festival announced the full 2026 World of Whiskey lineup, featuring nearly 40 national, regional and local distilleries and whiskey brands from across America.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the World of Whiskey lineup has grown 46%, increasing from 26 participating distilleries and whiskey brands in 2025 to 38 in 2026. This year’s experience will offer 140 whiskeys and spirits inside a 13,500-square-foot tent, along with sampling stations, educational sessions and opportunities to meet the makers behind the brands.

“Some people chase the perfect pour. At Hoochenanny, they can discover dozens,” said Sean McCarthy, Hoochenanny Festival co-owner. “The World of Whiskey will bring together legendary producers, acclaimed makers and New York’s thriving craft distilling community, giving guests the opportunity to explore new flavors, hear the stories behind the spirits and discover something unexpected.

“The positive feedback we received last year from participating distilleries gave us tremendous momentum and encouraged us to build on the concept and make it even better,” McCarthy continued. “With the incredible help of Stacy K Floral, which is designing the entire space, the World of Whiskey will be a destination for whiskey lovers and those who are simply whiskey-curious. We’re also adding mocktails to the Libations Lounge, so guests who do not consume alcohol can still enjoy the experience. There will be something worth discovering for everyone.”

“We built Hoochenanny around one simple idea: cultivate the uncommon. The World of Whiskey presents an invitation to experience the art of the craft and the glorious stories and flavors that go along with it. Don’t be surprised if your next favorite bourbon is the one you’ve never heard of and found through this amazing display of discovery. That’s what cultivating the uncommon looks, feels, and tastes like.” said Tommy Brunett, Hoochenanny Festival co-owner

Access to the World of Whiskey is available to GA+ and VIP ticket holders age 21 and older. Saturday, Aug. 15, VIP tickets are sold out, but a limited number of Saturday GA+ tickets with World of Whiskey access remain available.

2026 World of Whiskey lineup

New York – brought to you by the New York Distillers Guild

  • Barrelhouse 6 Distillery
  • Battle Rattle by Empire State Distillers
  • Birdseye Hollow Farm & Distillery
  • Breuckelen Distilling
  • Do Good Spirits
  • Finger Lakes Distilling
  • Fort Hamilton Distillery
  • Iron Smoke Distillery
  • Lock 1 Distilling Company
  • Old Scotland Road Distillery
  • Saint Lawrence Spirits
  • Smokin’ Tails Distillery
  • Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery
  • Taconic Distillery
  • Tenmile Distillery

Kentucky

  • Altamar Brands/High N’ Wicked Whiskey
  • Augusta Distillery
  • Baker’s Bourbon
  • Basil Hayden
  • Booker’s Bourbon
  • Castle & Key Distillery
  • Jefferson’s Bourbon
  • Knob Creek
  • Maker’s Mark
  • Michter’s
  • NULU Whiskey Co.
  • Old Grand-Dad Bourbon
  • Pinhook Bourbon
  • Willett Distillery

Georgia

  • Fiddler Bourbon

Idaho

  • Bubba’s Secret Stills Whiskey

Indiana

  • Starlight Distillery

Minnesota

  • Keeper’s Heart Whiskey

Tennessee

  • Nashville Barrel Company

Vermont

  • WhistlePig Whiskey

Five immersive whiskey experiences

The World of Whiskey will feature five immersive experiences celebrating the people, places and stories behind America’s signature spirit:

  • American Whiskey Journey: A coast-to-coast tasting adventure through America’s whiskey traditions.
  • Rickhouse Rendezvous: Presented by the New York State Distillers Guild, celebrating the craftsmanship and character of Empire State whiskey.
  • Rarities Bar: Rare pours and limited releases not commonly available.
  • Libations Lounge: Crafted cocktails, mocktails and a place to relax between tastings.
  • Bourbon Broadcasts and Fireside Chats: Conversations with distillers, makers, industry experts and whiskey media personalities. A complete schedule will be announced.

Hoochenanny Whiskey Auction returns

The second annual Hoochenanny Whiskey Auction, presented by Bill and Rhonda Goodrich, will begin Friday, Aug. 14, in support of Make-A-Wish, Friends of Perinton Recreation and the Lou Gramm Foundation.

The online auction will feature rare and collectible bottles, with a curated selection available for in-person viewing during the festival weekend. The inaugural auction raised more than $30,000 in 2025 to support the festival’s nonprofit partners.

Auction donations will be accepted through Aug. 7. Individuals and businesses interested in donating a bottle may contact info@hoochenanny.com.

Hoochenanny Festival takes place Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Center Park West in the Town of Perinton, Fairport, New York. It will feature 22 music acts, more than 30 whiskey distillers, two stages, six custom-built tented experiences, private hospitality spaces, food trucks and artisan vendors. More than 8,000 people from over 30 U.S. states and Canada attended the 2025 festival.

Music Lineup

The 2026 festival will deliver a dynamic mix of alternative, rock, indie and genre-bending artists across three days.

  • Friday, Aug. 14: Lit, Toadies, Cracker, Rudy Nuño & The Broadcasters, Losers Club, Prophets & Thieves
  • Saturday, Aug. 15: My Morning Jacket, Guster, Tommy Brunett’s All-Star Cavalcade of Scoundrels featuring John Petrucci and Gary Lewis, Grace Bowers, Smilo and the Ghost, The Isotopes, Ocular Panther, Candy
  • Sunday, Aug. 16: Modest Mouse, Joywave, Amigo the Devil, Karina Rykman, Mt. Juliet, Drew Kiddoo and The Blackouts, Head to the Roots, Public Water Supply, The Beard and The Bird

Hoochenanny Festival offers three ticket tiers: General Admission, GA+ and VIP.

  • General admission (GA) – Includes access to live performances on the Premium Mortgage High Ball Main Stage and Harv’s Harley-Davidson Fermenter Stage, Barrel Bistro, Concert Pavilion, Artisans’ Bazaar and Lager Land. Free Friday GA tickets are sold out. One- and two-day GA tickets start at $80 plus convenience fees and taxes.
  • GA+ – Includes everything in General Admission, plus access to the World of Whiskey tasting experience, the new Stageview Lounge, upgraded restrooms and a side-stage viewing area. Very limited GA+ tickets remain for Friday, Aug. 14. One-, two- and three-day GA+ tickets start at $40 plus convenience fees and taxes.
  • VIP – Includes everything in General Admission, plus access to the World of Whiskey tasting experience, the two-story VIP Loft, the VIP Bridge viewing platform, complimentary parking, upgraded restrooms and unlimited re-entry. Very limited VIP tickets remain and Saturday VIP tickets are sold out. One- and three-day VIP tickets start at $125 plus convenience fees and taxes.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hoochenanny.com.

Expanded Festival Experiences

  • The 2026 festival will feature an expanded range of experiences, including two performance stages, premium hospitality spaces, beverage experiences, food vendors and artisan shopping.
  • The High Ball Stage presented by Premium Mortgage will feature national headliners, and the Fermenter Stage presented by Harv’s Harley-Davidson will showcase national, regional and local acts in an amphitheater setting.
  • Premium hospitality options include the VIP Loft Double Decker, a two-story tent with catering, lounge seating, a cigar bar, exclusive whiskey tastings and elevated views of the main stage, along with upgraded restroom amenities and access to a VIP viewing bridge.
  • The Concert Pavilion offers a covered space with seating, lounge areas and a large bar serving beer, wine and seltzer, along with festival and band merchandise.
  • The GA+ Stageview Lounge provides a dedicated viewing area with patio-style seating and a cash bar for GA+ ticket holders.
  • Additional experiences include Lager Land, featuring a selection of Northeast craft beers; the Barrel Bistro, a collection of food trucks and vendors with shaded seating; and the Artisans Bazaar, showcasing handcrafted goods from local makers. Applications for Artisans Bazaar vendors are now open.

Parking

Paid parking will be available on-site, with a limited number of spaces at the Perinton Community Center and Town Hall lots off Turk Hill Rd. There will also be a free overflow lot with free shuttle service from Fairport High School.

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