Belly up the bar, folks. It’s time for the 1st Annual WhiskyFest in San Francisco, on Tuesday, October 23rd at the Hyatt Embarcadero. This event is an extension of the respected WhiskyFest NYC and Chicago, the largest and most prestigious whisky tasting and distiller tour (with a focus on independent producers) in the US.
It promises to be an amazing event. In addition to the producers listed (many of whom have not yet been to San Francisco), read below for a list of new whisky releases (not even officially released) that will be showcased at the event for sampling prior to official retail release. Also two Japanese whisky houses (they are using Japanese Oak for aging, as opposed to French or American) will be represented, as well as a few women distillers.
A Few Quick Event Highlights & Top Reasons to Attend:
1) Get a quick distilling lesson from the craftsman himself (and the fact that he may have an enchanting brogue and be wearing a kilt certainly won’t hurt!)
2) I’ll take mine with chocolate: Bay Area dark chocolate and Scotland’s best! Attend a special pairing of four prized Scharffenberger Chocolates and Scotch Whiskies, lead by Simon Brooking, Master Ambassador for The Dalmore and Laphroaig Collections, and John Scharffenberger, co-founder of CA-based Scharffenberger Chocolate
3) Get a jump start on holiday shopping – for both gifts and entertaining! You’ll have the opportunity to “try before you buy” and be among the first to sample new releases not yet on the retail market.
4) A portion of the proceeds will benefit The San Francisco Food Bank
5) Did I mention kilts?
MEET YOUR MAKERS!
WHISKYFEST COMES WEST AFTER A DECADE
Come Sip with the World’s Top Whisky Producers at the 1st Annual San Francisco WhiskyFest
WHEN?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007, from 6:30-10 pm in the Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco.
WHAT IS IT?
After nearly a decade of sold-out events in New York City and Chicago, WhiskyFest, the oldest and most prestigious whisky tasting event and largest independent distiller tour is coming west to San Francisco for the first time ever, creating the “Triple Crown�? of American Whisky events.
Hosted by Malt Advocate Magazine, America’s leading whisky magazine, WhiskyFest offers consumers and industry professionals alike the opportunity to sample rare and new artisan whisky releases from around the world with the producers who crafted them – from Scotland and Ireland, to Japan, Canada, the US.
WHAT WILL BE POURED?
More than 250 of the world’s finest and rarest whiskies will be available for sampling, featuring premium single malt and blended Scotch whiskies, the best bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys, top of the line Irish whiskeys, Japanese whisky and the best from Canada. Guests will have the chance to be among the first to sample new and not-yet-released whiskies and learn about the latest trends and issues in the whisky world directly from some of the top distillers in the industry (list available).
To see the schedule of events and tasting lists, Visit Malt Advocate’s Website.
WHO WILL BE SPEAKING?
A key focus of WhiskyFest is on education, and many well-known distillery managers and distillery representatives will be on hand at the pouring booths to give a first-hand explanation of how the whiskies are made. As well, thirteen of the world’s leading distillery managers and master blenders will be conducting classroom-style seminars throughout the evening including:
Parker Beam, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill
Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s Great Grandson
Ronnie Cox, Director, The Glenrothes
Richard Paterson, Master Distiller, The Dalmore
John Campbell, Distillery Manager, Laphroaig
Lincoln Henderson, Whisky Expert, Suntory
Ian Millar, Master Distiller, Glenfiddich
Stephen Beal, Master of Whisky, Classic Malts
Chris Morris, Master Distiller, Woodford Reserve
Joy Spence, Master Blender, Appleton Rum
John Hall, Whisky Maker, Kittling Ridge
Simon Brooking, Global Brand Ambassador, The Dalmore & Laphroaig
HOW MUCH?
$105 per ticket; $145 for VIP admission (1 hour early entrance); tickets are all inclusive. A gourmet buffet will be available the entire evening and each attendee receives a commemorative Glencairn whisky glass. Advance ticket sales at www.maltadvocate.com or by calling 800-610-MALT. A portion of the event proceeds benefit the San Francisco Food Bank.
Malt Advocate magazine, America’s leading whisky publication, is celebrating 15 years of publication. Malt Advocate sponsors America’s Triple Crown of Whisky events which are held in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. For more information, see www.maltadvocate.com.
By Gil Zeimer, Vagablond Editor-in-Chief.