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Monday, February 1, 2016
The Best Whiskey Festivals
There are a growing number of whiskey festivals throughout the U.S. Three of the oldest and most well known festivals are Whisky Advocate's WhiskyFest, Whisky Magazine's WhiskyLive, and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Whisky Extravaganza, all of which travel to multiple cities.
In addition to these established festivals, in the last few years, there have been many newer, independent single-city festivals. Whiskey festivals can be a great way to taste a variety of whiskeys, so I'd be interested in knowing about these newer festivals and putting together a list of the best. So....
What is your favorite whiskey festival (other than those mentioned above) and why?
favrite fest is Jaochim https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim_Fest
ReplyDeletewhy? 'cause he had a age statemnt on his wika page RIPfriend
Whiskies of the World is another traveling show I recommend
ReplyDeleteWhisky Jewbille by Single Cask Nation came to Chicago for the first time in the fall. As you know they are an independent bottler so they had their line available for sampling as well as a limited edition festival bottle. Most other pours were from standard ob’s but a few single barrel gems were brought in by local bars and restaurants. With the inclusion of food with your ticket, the event wasn’t crowded and allowed for lots of interaction with the hosts and brand managers.
ReplyDeleteBinny’s also puts on their annual whisky fest at their enormous Lincoln Park location. Seems like every whisky sold in the US is available for the fest, unfortunately, many of their store picks are not.
Another vote for World of Whiskies (Binny's event). They always schedule it for the day before the Chicago Whiskeyfest and thus you get access to most of the parties who'd be at the more mainstream event the next day. Ticket cost is also <50% of the Whiskeyfest as well.
ReplyDeleteWe have a fun one in Pittsburgh!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pittsburghwhiskeyfestival.com/
It includes a pretty good buffet dinner. I got to try BTAC here a few years ago, but the last two haven't had it.
Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. Not just whiskey but there are plenty of whiskey tastings going on. Between the seminars, whiskey, rum, brandy, tequila, cocktails and new product tastings it always challenges my preconceptions and teaches me more about spirits in a few days than I can learn in a year otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAcross the Straight of Juan de Fuca from Port Angeles, Washington, in British Columbia is the Victoria Whisky Festival. Perennially superb. It's loved by everyone, and best of all it's a fund raiser for children charities.
ReplyDeleteWhiskey On Ice just debuted in Minneapolis last year. It took place roughly around the same time as WhiskeyFest Chicago, so tons of great representation. I'm not saying it is the equal of WFC, but TONS of great stuff to be had still.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.whiskeyonicemn.com/