Another WhiskyFest in the books and once again this event did not disappoint!  Read along as I take you on my Friday evening at the 21st annual edition of this awesome event!  If you are a whisky or bourbon drinker prepare to be jealous!  WhiskyFest is a whisky lover’s paradise, offering hundreds of whiskies from distilleries across every major whisky-producing country.  This is your chance to taste from a selection of single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Canadian, Taiwanese, and craft-distilled whiskies, all assembled in one Grand Ballroom. High-end rum, cognac, and other spirits are available as well.

 

 

 

There are hundreds of whiskies available at WhiskyFest, and you’re bound to discover a few “dream drams” that you don’t want to miss. I try to do my homework ahead of time by checking out the  WhiskyFest website—or the app, available a few weeks before each event—ahead of time to see the full pour list, including both VIP and general admission offerings.  I was super excited to try the 17 year Hibiki and a few others during the VIP hour.

 

 

 

FOOD?!

You may be asking yourself well what about food?  There is a wide selection of items to nosh on during the event, enjoy the gourmet buffet while you sip and various whisky and bourbon you  need not worry and plenty of coffee too!!

 

 

 

 

NEWBIES

This year there were several new distillers and whiskies at this year’s event:

• Driftless Glen Distillery
• John & Allisa’s
• Kentucky Peerless Distilling
• Old Elk Distillery
• Wayne Gretzky
• The Slane
• The Temple Bar
• Tullibardine

 

I was excited to meet and try several of the newbies to the event especially Kentucky Peerless Distilling, 2015 I got the chance to do the Kentucky Bourbon Tour and they had just opened their location it was truly inspiring to hear their story and learn the entire process from grain to bottle.  March 4, 2015 Barrel Number 1 is filled and for the first time since 1917, Peerless Whiskey is back in the barrel.  Corky Taylor, Henry Kraver’s Great Grandson, has come out of retirement in Sarasota, Florida to revive the family brand by opening Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company in downtown Louisville with his son Carson Taylor, 5th Generation.  As a Bottle-in-Bond facility, the Taylor family is making Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and Bourbon. The legendary Peerless spirit continues and a new legacy is born.  Try the Rye it was named in the Top 20 Whisky’s of  2017 you will not be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

EDUCATIONAL

Seminars, featuring their own tastings, run throughout the evening. Here you get the opportunity to meet distinguished members of the whisky community, and learn first-hand how their brands are made. This is one of my favorite parts of the evening so imagine how excited I was when I found out that they were offering a “Make your own Elijah Craig Small Batch”  RIGHT!!!  Let’s get to thinking back to those chemistry classes and start making something!!  This seminar was hosted by Denny Potter the Master Distiller of Heaven Hill Distillery and Bernie Lubbers the Whisky Brand Ambassador of Heaven Hill.  As my table mates and I began to sniff, taste and calculate we all agreed on our own personal favorites of the barrels we got to choose from.  At the end we all left with a small bottle of our own small batch such an awesome experience!  So now when you see me please refer to me as Chelsea small batch master distiller please and thank you!  LOL

 

 

 

 

Hope to see you there next year!  Check out their website just incase you have a trip coming up they may have a WhiskyFest coming near you!

WhiskyFest