Spiš Distillery Trail

992 DISTILLATES | 27 DISTILLERIES | 274 FRUIT GROWERS’ DISTILLERIES AND INDIVIDUAL PRODUCERS

26 September 2026 | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
27 September 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

| Spišská Pálenica | Nestville Distillery | Castle Distillery |

For two days, the Spiš region will become the setting for an event unlike anything else in Slovakia. Come and discover the Spiš Distillery Trail.

Imagine a weekend where you can visit three unique distilleries, taste hundreds of internationally evaluated spirits, meet producers from across Slovakia and abroad, learn how high-quality distillates are made, watch bartending shows, enjoy regional cuisine and, at the same time, explore one of Slovakia’s most beautiful regions.

That is exactly what awaits visitors on 26 and 27 September in Stará Ľubovňa, in the Spiš region.

The Spiš Distillery Trail introduces a concept that is unique in Slovakia. Instead of taking place at a single venue, it connects three distinctive locations, each with its own story to tell. Together, they create an immersive journey through history, craftsmanship, nature and the modern world of distilling.

This is not a festival just for spirit enthusiasts. It is an event for anyone who enjoys discovering new places, quality craftsmanship, good food and the authentic atmosphere of Spiš.

Three stops. Three worlds. One unforgettable weekend.

Spišská Pálenica: where craftsmanship begins

The first stop is Spišská Pálenica in Stará Ľubovňa, where visitors can step into the world of traditional distilling and meet the people who have dedicated their lives to this craft.

Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy tastings of competition fruit distillates, expert lectures and networking with producers from across the region.

This venue will also host the official awards ceremony of the prestigious international Carpathian Quality competition, which recognises the finest distillates from the Carpathian region each year.

Visitors will also learn:

• how to become a professional spirits taster,
• what legal requirements must be met when opening a distillery or fruit growers’ distillery,
• what determines the quality of a distillate even before the distillation process begins.

Live traditional folk music will complement the atmosphere throughout the day.

Nestville Distillery: an experience for all the senses

If you are looking for energy, modern gastronomy and entertainment, the next stop is Nestville Distillery in Hniezdne. This is where the largest experiential part of the event will take place.

Visitors can look forward to:

• tastings of award-winning spirits,
• an exhibition zone featuring distilleries and fruit growers’ distilleries,
• bartending shows, “Distillates in Cocktails Like You’ve Never Tasted Them Before,”
• bartending classes,
• a hamburger masterclass,
• the Spirit Stage with country music concerts,
• a full-day Western atmosphere,
• a large Grill Zone in Nestville Garden with grilled specialities,
• the #TasteTheSpirit Influencer Zone.

Every hour, professional bartenders will demonstrate how traditional distillates can be transformed and served in completely new ways.

For families, groups of friends and tourists alike, Nestville will be a place where you can easily spend the entire day.

Castle Distillery: back to the roots

Beneath the majestic Ľubovňa Castle, visitors will discover a completely different atmosphere. Castle Distillery will focus on nature, fruit growing and the traditions from which the art of distilling developed.

The programme will include:

• presentations by fruit growers,
• demonstrations of orchard care,
• a workshop on preparing high-quality fruit mash for fermentation,
• practical demonstrations of fruit tree pruning,
• traditional craft demonstrations,
• regional Slavic cuisine,
• tastings of special-edition distillates,
• jazz music throughout the day.

This is where visitors will discover that a high-quality distillate does not begin in the distillery, but in the orchard. It begins with the fruit, the soil, the work of growers and a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation in Spiš.

Taste the best of the Carpathian region

One of the main highlights of the event will be 992 internationally evaluated spirit samples, including 148 entries from distilleries and 844 from fruit growers’ distilleries and individual producers. All of them have been assessed by an international expert jury as part of the Carpathian Quality competition.

Visitors will therefore have the opportunity to discover fruit distillates, whiskies, gins, liqueurs and other products from different countries, and compare some of the finest products that the Central European distilling industry has to offer today.

More than a festival. An invitation to discover Spiš.

The Spiš Distillery Trail is about more than tasting. It is about the people who preserve the craft. The orchards where everything begins. The history of a region that is considered one of the cradles of Central European distilling. And it is also about gastronomy, music, culture and places worth visiting beyond the main tourist season.

For one weekend, Spiš will become a meeting place for producers, experts, tourists, families and everyone who enjoys discovering authentic experiences.

If you are looking for an event that brings together tradition, nature, gastronomy and genuine craftsmanship, the last weekend of September is one you should not miss.

Spiš Distillery Trail

26 – 27 September 2026

Three places. One story. An experience that brings them together.