WhiskyFest Chicago Brings Followers Collectively Once more

The ballroom on the Hyatt Regency in Chicago was swiftly full of ardent whisky lovers throughout WhiskyFest Chicago.

A spirited crowd of whisky lovers gathered on Could thirteenth on the Hyatt Regency in Chicago for the primary WhiskyFest of 2022—an evening that delivered tons of of delectable drams as effectively seminars from Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon Co., FEW Spirits, and Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. 

Because the clock struck 5:30 P.M., a jam-packed VIP hour kicked off, and attendees have been handled to host of nice whiskies together with Balblair 25 yr previous, Previous Pulteney 25 yr previous, anCnoc 24 yr previous, Glenmorangie Extraordinarily Uncommon 18 yr previous, Glenmorangie Signet, Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1976 Non-public Assortment 1; Indian single malt Mithuna by Paul John; and Nikka Yoichi non-peated and Miyagikyo peated single malt whiskies from Japan. 

A variety of Whisky Advocate Prime 20 honorees from the 2021 checklist have been on supply, together with Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (No. 15), Peerless Small Batch Double Oak bourbon (No. 8), and Jack Daniel’s 10 yr previous Tennessee whiskey (No. 4). Previous Whisky of the 12 months honorees have been additionally poured, particularly Larceny Barrel Proof, George Dickel Bottled in Bond, Nikka From The Barrel, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

Apart from getting an opportunity to style a number of the extra well-known pours, attendee Mike Woods was excited a couple of model new whisky on the ground. “Fuji whisky is a model new Japanese whisky that I received to attempt tonight—it’s like 1,000 butterflies dancing in your tongue, simply superb,” he mentioned. “That is its debut within the States, and it’s so cool {that a} pageant like this is usually a nice showcase for a unbelievable new model.” For its WhiskyFest debut, Fuji poured its authentic whisky, a single grain expression, and its 30 yr previous single grain, the latter accessible throughout VIP hour solely. 

WhiskyFest Chicago introduced top-tier whisky on to followers.

Fadi Najjar, who attended the VIP hour, additionally agreed that Fuji was a standout of the night. “That 30 yr previous was unbelievable,” he mentioned. “This was my first WhiskyFest, and that one alone made it effectively price it.” A collector, Najjar favors Islay scotch, Japanese whiskies, and bourbon.

After all, tons of of different whiskies have been accessible past the VIP pours. The American contingent was represented by prized manufacturers like Balcones, Blanton’s, Sazerac, WhistlePig, New Riff, and Blade and Bow. On the Blade and Bow desk, the place the flagship whiskey and a 22 yr previous bourbon have been accessible, repeat tasters turned the norm for the night. “We’ve had an amazing night time right here, with folks telling us candidly how a lot they love the whisky,” mentioned touring ambassador Tim DeLonjay. “We’ve had repeats, and a number of other individuals who aren’t bourbon drinkers informed us they adore it.” 

From throughout the pond, loads of Irish manufacturers have been additionally available, with Powers pouring in addition to Limavady, Roe & Co., Knappogue Fortress, and Bushmills. Scotch, too, was accessible aplenty—with prime expressions from Ardbeg, Mossburn, Caisteal Chamuis, Mortlach, Tamdhu, Talisker, to call just some.

Seminars punctuated the night, offering attendees with an opportunity to have interaction with manufacturers much more intently. Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s vp of growth Dan Callaway led a seminar on the corporate’s Discovery Sequence #7, tasting attendees by way of the person whiskeys within the last mix and explaining the creation course of. From FEW Spirits, founder and grasp distiller Paul Hletko was joined by director of advocacy Kyle McHugh for a chat on all-things Chicago-style whiskey. Later, Heaven Hill grasp distiller Conor O’Driscoll sampled visitors by way of the distillery’s Heritage Assortment, whereas additionally providing some glimpse of future plans. Ardbeg and Glenmorangie concluded the night time’s seminars with a joint dialogue of each whiskies.

WhiskyFest groups up with Cigar Aficionado’s Large Smoke occasion for cigars and whisky on the Seminole Arduous Rock Resort in Hollywood, Florida on Could 28. The yr’s remaining WhiskyFest occasions in San Francisco, New York, and Las Vegas are slated for the autumn. Buy your tickets right here.