WhiskyFest Chicago Updates
Welcome to the WhiskyFest Chicago Updates page! At this time we have no updated for the 2010 event.
Here are the updates from this year's event: We look forward to seeing you at the 9th Annual WhiskyFest Chicago on Wednesday, April 1, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste more whiskies and meet more whisky experts in attendance than any other whisky event in the country. It’s a fantastic event for knowledgeable whisky enthusiasts and a priceless experience for those just getting into whisky. To keep up with the latest event updates and news, please sign up for email updates above. You'll be among the first to know what whiskies will be poured, who will be speaking and what special whisky experts will be at the event.
Now that WhiskyFest is almost here, when you purchase tickets, we'll have them waiting for you at the Will Call table at WhiskyFest. Will Call is open from 5 - 7 pm.
VIP TICKETS SELL OUT
We're pleased to announce that VIP Tickets to WhiskyFest Chicago, as of March 16, are now sold out. If you don't want to miss out on the fun, buy your regular admission ticket today.
CHARITY WHISKIES
New to WhiskyFest Chicago this year is the Charity Whisky Table. For a small charitable donation, you'll have the opportunity to taste some very old and very rare whiskies, thanks to the generous donations of our exhibitors. 100% of the proceeds will go to
The Greater Chicago Food Depository. Charity tickets will soon be available to purchase online, and can be purchase at the Malt Advocate table at WhiskyFest Chicago. For a $20 donation, you can purchase a half-ounce taste of a donated whisky. There are two exceptions (noted with an * on the list); they will cost $40 per half-ounce taste.
We may receive additional donations, but here is a list of what will be available, so far, for tasting:
Donated by Pernod Ricard USA:
* The Glenlivet 1969 Cellar Collection
Donated by Moet Hennessy:
Glenmorangie Elegance
Glenmorangie 1977
Donated by Heaven Hill:
WilliamheavenHill 225th Anniversary Edition
Donated by SKYY Spirits:
Bowmore 1992, 16 year old, Bordeaux Cask Matured
Auchentoshan 21 year old
The Glenrothes 1975
The Glenrothes 1979
Donated by Diageo:
Cragganmore 12 year old
Donated by Compass Box:
"SPICE TREE" first edition (European Edition) with special "Inaugural Edition" label
Donated by William Grant:
Balvenie Vintage Cask 1976
Donated by Preiss Imports:
BenRiach 1976 30 year old Port Pipe Cask #4469
Donated by Beam Global:
Canadian Club 30 year old
Donated by Sam's Wine & Spirits:
* Glenfiddich 40 year old Hart Brothers 47.5% Sherry Cask
Donated by Classic Wine Imports:
Benromach 22 year old Port Wood finish 45%
Donated by Stranahan's
Hungarian Oak Whiiskey (snowflake collection)
Donated by Delilah's
Delilah's 15 year old single cask rye
Donated by Binny's Beverage Depot
Highland Park 1973 33 year old cask strength
Highland Park 1971 34 year old cask strength
Donated by Malt Advocate Publisher & Editor John Hansell
The Dalmore Stillman's Dram 28 year old
UPDATE #2
WE’VE ADDED EXTRA VALUE
Not only have we lowered the price of WhiskyFest Chicago regular admission tickets to $95, but we’re also including a one-year subscription to Malt Advocate magazine! Plus we’ve got an exciting line-up of speakers, including Dr. Bill Lumsden, John Glaser, Ronnie Cox, Lincoln Henderson, Karen Fullerton, Joanna Skiba, as well as the Craft Distiller seminar.
DETAILED WHISKY LIST
The expanded list of products being poured at WhiskyFest Chicago is being updated daily. There are a number of special whiskies to try including Glenmorangie Astar, Highland Park 30 year old, Glenfiddich 21 year old, The Balvenie 21 year old Port Wood, to name just a few. There’s so much more to see, so take a look at http://www.maltadvocate.com/docs/whiskyfest/chicago/whisky_list.aspx.
NEW! CHARITY WHISKIES
For the first time in Chicago you’ll have the opportunity to taste some very rare whiskies for a small charitable donation. Here are just a few of them: Balvenie Vintage Cask 1976, The Glenlivet 1969 Cellar Collection, William Heavenhill Anniversary Edition, plus John Glaser is making a special bottle just for the occasion. 100% of the proceeds will go to The Greater Chicago Food Depository: www.chicagosfoodbank.org
HOTEL ROOM BLOCK
The WhiskyFest room block at the Hyatt is only valid through March 2, or until the block sells out. To reserve your room, all 888-421-1442 and mention the WhiskyFest room block, or you can follow this link: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_new&groupID=134141
WHISKY COCKTAILS SHOWCASE
The U.S. Bartenders Guild will once again have a booth at WhiskyFest which will be staffed by well-known Chicago mixologists creating whisky cocktails for you.
UPDATE #1
REDUCED TICKET PRICES!
We understand that in today's world every dollar counts, so we’ve reduced the price of Regular admission tickets to WhiskyFest Chicago 2009 to $95. This ticket provides access to the main tasting ballroom and all seminars. You’ll receive a commemorative Glencairn Scottish crystal nosing glass as well as an informative event program and a one-year subscription to Malt Advocate magazine. A gourmet buffet will be available all evening and there will be plenty of water, coffee and soda to quench your thirst.
LOVE TASTING EVENTS BUT HATE THE CROWD?
Then consider ordering a VIP ticket to WhiskyFest Chicago. This ticket ($150) gets you into the ballroom one hour before general admission, giving you plenty of access to the distillery managers and master blenders. You’ll also receive a canvas WhiskyFest tote bag when you check in at registration.
WANT AN EVEN BETTER DEAL?
Are you a member of the Malt Advocate Whisky Society? If so, you receive a VIP ticket at the general admission price, a savings of $55! Want to learn more about becoming a Malt Advocate Whisky Society member? Click here
THE WHISKIES
The interest from the whisky industry has been overwhelming. We’ve got an incredible line-up of whiskies for you to try. For a list of the brands that will be available for tastng, go to link here. The detailed list of what will be poured at each table will be posted closer to the date of the event.
THE SPEAKERS
Our terrific line-up of speakers at WhiskyFest include John Glaser from Compass Box, Craig Beam from Heaven Hill, Ronnie Cox from The Glenrothes, Dr. Bill Lumsden from Glenmorangie, Karen Fullerton from Dewar’s, Lincoln Henderson from Suntory, Joanna Skiba from The Classic Malts, Jess Graber from Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Scott Bush from Templeton Rye, Brian Ellison from Death’s Door Spirits, Kent Rabish from Grand Traverse Distillery, and Lee Lutes from The Distillery at Black Star Farms. You can see each speaker’s bio here. The seminar schedule and overviews will be available next month so please check back. And remember that seating is limited, so if there’s a seminar you are really interested in attending, get your seat early.
HOTEL ROOM BLOCK
Why not consider staying at the Hyatt Regency? We’ve arranged for a WhiskyFest room block Call 888-421-1442 to reserve your room and make sure you mention the WhiskyFest block. Or, visit our room block reservations page online by clicking here. Our room block rate is $189 (single or double). Rooms are limited so make your reservations now.
WHISKY-RELATED ITEMS TO PURCHASE
Malt Advocate magazine’s booth will have a number of items for sale including Jim Murray’s 2009 Whisky Bible, Richard Paterson’s Goodness Nose, the WhiskyFest t-shirt, embroidered WhiskyFest cap and golf shirt, whisky glasses and a variety of whisky books. We have something for everyone, and these items will be discounted only at WhiskyFest.