Category: WhiskyFest

After swinging through San Francisco, WhiskyFest heads to New York this week for one of the largest gatherings of whisky lovers and whisky makers in the world. VIP and General Admission tickets are still available for the event, which takes place this Thursday evening, November 3rd, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. With 400 whiskies plus other spirits to choose from, it’s a can’t-miss show. Here are five reasons why every whisky lover should attend.

Rare Whiskies During VIP Hour

Attendees will sample phenomenal whiskies throughout the evening, but VIP ticket holders are in store for something truly special, as whisky makers pour their finest and rarest bottles. VIP pours at WhiskyFest New York this year include Benromach Heritage 40 year old (2022 release), Eagle Rare 17 year old, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Michter’s 20 year old, Nikka Discovery Series Aromatic Yeast, St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary, and much more.

Taste Whiskies From Around the Globe

WhiskyFest is a great opportunity to taste that rare bourbon or scotch you’ve been curious about, but it also presents the chance to taste whiskies from all parts of the globe, including emerging countries. Indian whisky will be well-represented with Paul John and Rampur on hand, plus you can discover Morris Australian single malt, Brenne French whisky, Kavalan from Taiwan, and a handful of Japanese brands like Fuji, Kikori, and Hatozaki.

Attend an Illuminating Seminar

If you want an in-depth look at some of these whiskies away from the main event area, duck into one of the 12 seminars for educational tastings that often feature exclusive whiskies. This year’s seminars are being presented by Nelson’s Green Brier, Fuji, Glen Moray, Lux Row, Heaven Hill, Widow Jane, Compass Box, Glenturret, High West, Keeper’s Heart, Dewar’s, and Jim Beam’s Legent and Little Book.

Meet The World’s Top Whisky Makers

Even if you can’t get away to attend a seminar, you can still meet some of the world’s brightest whisky-making minds on the WhiskyFest floor. This year, WhiskyFest New York has attracted some big names, including John Glaser, founder and whiskymaker at Compass Box; Matt Hofmann, founder and master distiller at Westland; Brendan Coyle, vice president and master distiller at High West; Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones; Brian Nation, master distiller for Keeper’s Heart; Caleb Kilburn master distiller at Kentucky Peerless, and many others

Bring Your Tasting Group and Test Your Palate

WhiskyFest is a great occasion to take your tasting club out of its element and put everything you’ve learned to the test. No matter how many whiskies you typically taste in a single session, WhiskyFest will expand your horizons as you sample quarter-ounce pours throughout the night. Experience a vertical tasting with brands like Laws Whiskey House, Virginia Distillery Co., and New Riff Distilling. And try to take notes—with so much to taste, you and your fellow club members will discover many different whiskies that will inspire discussion and future gatherings.

Don’t delay, buy your tickets today!

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If the autumn leaves make you long for brown spirits, there’s no better place to sample whiskies from around the globe than WhiskyFest. The fall slate of events is quickly approaching, with whisky lists and seminar schedules still growing. Whisky lovers in San Francisco, New York, and Las Vegas are in for a special evening of rare pours and insights from some of the brightest whisky-making stars from around the world.

First up is WhiskyFest San Francisco on October 28. VIP attendees are granted early access and are able to taste a number of limited releases exclusive to the VIP hour, including, Blanton’s Gold Edition, Bushmills 29 year old Pedro Ximénez Cask, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 year old (Batch 4), Compass Box Ultramarine, Parker’s Heritage Collection Wheat whiskey, and more. Japanese whisky will be well-represented, with Nikka, Hibiki, Kikori, and other distillers pouring a range of styles. Meanwhile, Bay Area favorite St. George Spirits headlines a cast of craft producers that includes FEW Spirits, Balcones, and Virginia Distillery Co., among many others.

Advance your whisky knowledge by attending a WhiskyFest seminar. The guided tastings sometimes feature rare whiskies not available at the grand tasting. (Photo by Shannon Sturgis)

On the seminar front, attendees can do a deep dive into the world of whisky, with guided tastings led by head distillers and master blenders. Andy Nelson, co-founder and head distiller at Nelson’s Green Brier, talks about his family distillery’s reappearance on the Tennessee distilling scene after being closed for more than a century. Meanwhile, Jota Tanaka, master blender at Mt. Fuji Distillery, will be recapping the distillery’s 50 year history and pouring a special single grain cask sample, among others. More seminars are listed on the WhiskyFest website, with others still to be announced.

After San Francisco, WhiskyFest moves to New York on November 3. Typically the biggest of the WhiskyFest events, VIP pours include many of the same whiskies offered in San Francisco such as the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Elijah Craig 18 year old, Michter’s 20 year old, and Calumet Farm 16 year old, in addition to those listed above and more. Folks looking to soak up some more in-depth whisky knowledge will have 12 seminars to choose from, including the aforementioned sessions led by Nelson and Tanaka, as well as others from High West, Dewar’s, Glen Moray, Keeper’s Heart, and Beam Suntory. Be sure to check the WhiskyFest website for updates leading up to the big day.

WhiskyFest New York will likewise have plenty of noteworthy whisky-makers in attendance. Compass Box lead whisky maker John Glaser will be in San Francisco and New York, pouring several of his artful blends like The Spice Tree, The Story of The Spaniard, and The Peat Monster. Those in New York will also have a chance to meet John Rempe, master distiller at Lux Row; Brian Nation, master distiller at Keeper’s Heart, Brendan Coyle, master distiller at High West; Caleb Kilburn, master distiller at Kentucky Peerless; Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones; and many more.

WhiskyFest gives whisky lovers the chance to explore a brand they know and love, like Woodford Reserve, more fully through vertical tastings. (Photo by Shannon Sturgis)

The WhiskyFest year concludes with the first-ever event in Las Vegas on December 2. While details are still developing, we can confirm that Beam Suntory will have three seminars to choose from and will be pouring great whiskies all night including Booker’s, Little Book, and Yamazaki to name a few. All three WhiskyFest’s in fact continue to grow in scope and attendance as they draw near. Swiss single malt producer Seven Seals has signed on for San Francisco and Las Vegas; Ireland’s Hinch Distillery has signed on for San Francisco and New York; while Darren Peck, head distiller for Morris Australian single malt, will be present in San Francisco.

There is still time to purchase your tickets to all three fall WhiskyFest events, but act fast as they are selling quickly. And for those who have already purchased tickets, visit the WhiskyFest website to plan which seminars to attend, and which whiskies to go for first. Every WhiskyFest offers an abundance of whisky to discover and taste, from new expressions to full vertical flights. Come share a dram with us and see for yourself this fall.

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A spirited crowd of whisky lovers gathered on May 13th at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago for the first WhiskyFest of 2022—a night that delivered hundreds of delectable drams as well seminars from Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon Co., FEW Spirits, and Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. 

As the clock struck 5:30 P.M., a jam-packed VIP hour kicked off, and attendees were treated to host of great whiskies including Balblair 25 year old, Old Pulteney 25 year old, anCnoc 24 year old, Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 year old, Glenmorangie Signet, Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1976 Private Collection 1; Indian single malt Mithuna by Paul John; and Nikka Yoichi non-peated and Miyagikyo peated single malt whiskies from Japan. 

A number of Whisky Advocate Top 20 honorees from the 2021 list were on offer, including Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (No. 15), Peerless Small Batch Double Oak bourbon (No. 8), and Jack Daniel’s 10 year old Tennessee whiskey (No. 4). Past Whisky of the Year honorees were also poured, namely Larceny Barrel Proof, George Dickel Bottled in Bond, Nikka From The Barrel, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

Aside from getting a chance to taste some of the more well-known pours, attendee Mike Woods was excited about a brand new whisky on the floor. “Fuji whisky is a brand new Japanese whisky that I got to try tonight—it’s like 1,000 butterflies dancing on your tongue, just amazing,” he said. “This is its debut in the States, and it’s so cool that a festival like this can be a great showcase for a fantastic new brand.” For its WhiskyFest debut, Fuji poured its original whisky, a single grain expression, and its 30 year old single grain, the latter available during VIP hour only. 

WhiskyFest Chicago brought top-tier whisky directly to fans.

Fadi Najjar, who attended the VIP hour, also agreed that Fuji was a standout of the evening. “That 30 year old was unbelievable,” he said. “This was my first WhiskyFest, and that one alone made it well worth it.” A collector, Najjar favors Islay scotch, Japanese whiskies, and bourbon.

Of course, hundreds of other whiskies were available beyond the VIP pours. The American contingent was represented by prized brands like Balcones, Blanton’s, Sazerac, WhistlePig, New Riff, and Blade and Bow. At the Blade and Bow table, where the flagship whiskey and a 22 year old bourbon were available, repeat tasters became the norm for the evening. “We’ve had a great night here, with people telling us candidly how much they love the whisky,” said traveling ambassador Tim DeLonjay. “We’ve had repeats, and several people who aren’t bourbon drinkers told us they love it.” 

From across the pond, plenty of Irish brands were also on hand, with Powers pouring as well as Limavady, Roe & Co., Knappogue Castle, and Bushmills. Scotch, too, was available aplenty—with top expressions from Ardbeg, Mossburn, Caisteal Chamuis, Mortlach, Tamdhu, Talisker, to name just a few.

Seminars punctuated the evening, providing attendees with a chance to engage with brands even more closely. Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s vice president of development Dan Callaway led a seminar on the company’s Discovery Series #7, tasting attendees through the individual whiskeys in the final blend and explaining the creation process. From FEW Spirits, founder and master distiller Paul Hletko was joined by director of advocacy Kyle McHugh for a talk on all-things Chicago-style whiskey. Later, Heaven Hill master distiller Conor O’Driscoll sampled guests through the distillery’s Heritage Collection, while also offering some glimpse of future plans. Ardbeg and Glenmorangie concluded the night’s seminars with a joint discussion of both whiskies.

WhiskyFest teams up with Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smoke event for cigars and whisky at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida on May 28. The year’s remaining WhiskyFest events in San Francisco, New York, and Las Vegas are slated for the fall. Purchase your tickets here.

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This year’s whirlwind WhiskyFest season concluded in San Francisco on Friday December 3rd, as whisky lovers filled the Marriott Marquis ballroom, Glencairn glasses in hand, ready for a night of spectacular pours. Positive energy was in the air as attendees discovered new whiskies and revisited old favorites.

A big world of whisky was well represented, including local California distillers like Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills, St. George Spirits, Bespoken Spirits, and Gold Bar Whiskey. Whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, India, and France were also on offer, giving WhiskyFest goers a chance to taste around the globe in a single night.

St. George Spirits from Alameda was one of the California-based distillers present at WhiskyFest San Francisco. (Photo by Gabriela Hasbun)

There were great American whiskeys in abundance as well, including new and rare expressions. Jack Daniel’s was pouring its much sought-after 10 year old Tennessee whiskey as well as its Single Barrel Coy Hill, the highest proof whiskey ever released by the distillery. Balcones had its ZZ Top collaboration Tres Hombres flowing all night, and Nevada’s Frey Ranch brought its single grain oat and wheat whiskeys, which were unveiled just last month and are highly limited.

Frey Ranch founder Colby Frey was attending his first ever WhiskyFest, and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss farming practices and grains with fans. “It’s so cool, because everybody really understands and loves whiskey and wants to learn about it,” he said. “It’s been amazing.”

WhiskyFest offers a chance to meet and reacquaint with the world’s best whisky makers, taste their whisky, and learn all about it. Attendees at this year’s WhiskyFests also had a chance to taste all four of the Whisky Advocate Whiskies of the Year—Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Nikka From the Barrel, George Dickel Bottled in Bond, and Larceny Barrel Proof.

Many people came with specific whiskies in mind. Christine Mamuad headed for the Glenmorangie table to try the newly released A Tale of Winter, while Parker’s Heritage Collection Wheat whiskey, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan Batch 3, and Fuji 30 year old single grain were all in very high demand.

There was no shortage of memorable pours on the WhiskyFest floor. (Photo by Gabriela Hasbun)

Attendee Gnana W. estimated that he’s been to around a dozen WhiskyFests, and noted that while he was very pleasantly surprised by Glyph’s molecular whisky, he was most excited to try single malts from Balblair, which was pouring its 12, 15, 18, and 25 year old expressions. The 15 year old was the No. 11 whisky on the 2020 Top 20, and as people tasted throughout the night, there was lots of chatter about what might appear on this year’s list. Whisky Advocate will be revealing the Top 20 for 2021 during all of this week, with the big day coming on Thursday, Dec. 9, and a new Whisky of the Year will be crowned.

WhiskyFest’s return this fall reminded everyone that great whisky tastes even better when you’re able to share it. Subscribe to WhiskyNotes to be among the first to know when tickets will be available for the 2022 events.

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Droves of dedicated whisky fans descended upon the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on November 5, for a night filled with top-flight drams and great times. Over 250 whiskies were poured, and seminars were presented by Heaven Hill and Chicago’s own FEW Spirits.

During the sold-out VIP hour, attendees filled the Hyatt’s ballroom, sampling exclusive pours like the new Yoichi non-peated and Miyagikyo peated single malt whiskies from Nikka, Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish bourbon and 10 year old single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon, Glendalough 25 year old, and Glen Moray 21 year old. Heaven Hill was in attendance, pouring the 2020 Whisky of the Year—Larceny Barrel Proof—as well as favorites like the 7 year old bottled in bond and Elijah Craig Straight Rye, the No.-7 whiskey of our 2020 Top 20.

For Geoff Raye, who has now attended WhiskyFest for eight straight years, the first hour of the event is a can’t-miss. “VIP hour is mandatory for me at this point,” he said. “I got to try Glendalough 25, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare.” Attendee John Aberman was thrilled with the VIP selection at Kentucky Peerless. “It’s really hard for me to find Peerless, let alone any of their more limited releases, so the Absinthe Finished rye is a special treat, and really off the beaten path,” he said.

After the VIP hour came to a close, hundreds more devoted whisky lovers streamed in, and they had their pick aplenty. American whiskeys from across the country were represented, including Oregon’s Westward Whiskey, California-based St. George Spirits, Indiana’s Hard Truth Distilling, and Balcones from Texas. Balcones enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fans of the brand and newcomers to Texas whiskey alike. “I’ve been fielding questions from consumers about mashbill and grain, as well as questions about the distillery, and it’s great to see all the excitement people have not just for us but for whiskey in general,” said Balcones single barrel program manager Alexander Elrod. The American delegation was complemented by such international names as Paul John from India, Hatozaki from Japan, and plenty of distilleries from Ireland—Bushmills, Powers, Dingle, and more—and from Scotland, Johnnie Walker, Benriach, Edradour, and Glen Moray to name a few.

While tasting was certainly the main event, seminars also enhanced the evening. FEW Spirits founder and master distiller Paul Hletko led a talk on what’s guided FEW to success in the decade since it opened its doors, and gave people the chance to taste through seven different whiskeys, including a newly launched bottled in bond bourbon. From Heaven Hill, national brand ambassador Bernie Lubbers spoke about the resurgence of American rye as attendees tasted through a variety of ryes within the Heaven Hill range.

WhiskyFest returns to New York City on November 11th at the Marriot Marquis. The final WhiskyFest of the year will be held in San Francisco on December 3. Order your tickets here.

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