Whisky List is Growing for WhiskyFest Chicago
Have you been keeping an eye on the growing whisky list for WhiskyFest Chicago? It’s amazing; almost every day there are additions. Take a look at it here.
Craft (or Artisan) Distillers Well Represented
At WhiskyFest, you’ll find many well-known whiskies alongside whiskies that are a bit more rare or expensive. But there’s another kind of whiskey you’ll find at WhiskyFest, and that’s craft whiskey. The craft movement continues to grow, and they’ll be well represented at WhiskyFest.
Which craft distillers will you find at WhiskyFest Chicago?
Angel’s Envy
Cedar Ridge
Grand Traverse Distillery
Griff’s Cowboy Whiskey
High West Distillery
Koval Distillery
New Holland
Redemption Rye
Templeton Rye
WhistlePig
We hope you’ll take some time to try their products and learn a little about what makes their whiskey unique. For the full whisky list, visit our web site.
Once Again, Over 275 Whiskies at WhiskyFest™
It’s pretty amazing, that you’ll be able to taste from a selection of over 275 whiskies at WhiskyFest Chicago. A wide variety of Bourbons, Ryes, Scotch, Irish, Canadian, Blends, and more! Take a look at our complete WhiskyFest Chicago whisky list here.
Want to Learn More Before You Get There?
Before all of the excitement of WhiskyFest™ Chicago begins, we’re going to post information about many of the products you’ll find at WhiskyFest. Maybe we’ll pique your interest about a product you haven’t sampled yet.
To start us off, Castle Brands has a few different products for you to try.
Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Very Special Reserve: this is the first bottling of Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old. Previously, Knappogue Castle was vintage-dated and changed each year.
Distillation & Selection Process:
• The malted barley is dried in ovens without the use of peat, allowing the crisp, clean flavor of malted barley to come through without smoky overtones. The dried malt is then ground and mixed with pure Irish spring water to extract the sugars.
• Single malt vintage whiskies of Knappogue are distilled three times in traditional onion-shaped copper pot stills.
• The spirit is then placed in oak casks, stored at a relatively consistent temperature, and aged for 12 years. This delicate distillation process, along with the moist and temperate Irish climate, yields the distinctive flavor of the Irish single malt.
• Knappogue is only lightly chill filtered and, unlike many whiskeys, no coloring is added.
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Clontarf Irish Whiskey: Named after the famous Battle of Clontarf in 1014 where High King Brian Boru sent Viking invaders tumbling back into the sea.
Clontarf wants to reclaim that fighting heritage for this century – to be bold and take a stand for what we believe in. We take a stand for this amazing Irish whiskey, made with the finest ingredients available.
Using the best grains and the purest Irish spring water, Clontarf Classic Blend is triple distilled and aged to smooth perfection in bourbon barrels. It has a velvety soft nose with hints of toffee. Its taste is lush and full textured and it finishes with lingering subtle vanilla notes bolstered by the late arrival of intriguing spice. So many drinkers are discovering the approachable and mixable taste of Irish whiskey. 40% ABV
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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky: This very small batch, handcrafted bourbon has been aged in the heart of metal clad warehouses to accentuate the extreme temperatures that Kentucky is blessed with, forcing the bourbon to expand deep into the barrel and pull out the prevalent flavors of the wood. These flavors of vanilla, caramel and assorted fruits assure an incredibly smooth taste and finish. There is no easier drinking bourbon whisky than this polished Kentucky gold. Jefferson’s is as smooth as it gets.
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Jefferson’s Reserve Very Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky: Like the accomplished third President of the US, this bourbon is complex, elegant and sophisticated. Jefferson’s Reserve is allowed to age slowly and reach maturity naturally. The whisky has a medium-weight, velvety textured body and a dry, robust palate, one that quickly fills the mouth with the engaging flavors of roasted corn, caramel, toffee and oak.
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Jefferson’s Presidential Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky: Jefferson’s Presidential Select is an ultra-rare, ultra-premium bourbon, bottled from the last year in operation of Louisville’s renowned Stitzel-Weller Distillery. This 94-proof, 17 yr old bourbon is a limited offering complementing the existing line of Jefferson’s Bourbons: Jefferson’s and Jefferson’s Reserve.
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A. de Fussigny Cognacs: With deep roots and abiding tradition, A. de Fussigny Cognacs embody both the traditional standards for high quality and innovation. Fussigny Cognacs have a complex taste and aroma that capture the terroir of the vineyards, distillation and aging in the heart of Cognac, France. The unique packaging of brilliant orange, purple and silver sets it apart and makes it an icon of contemporary luxury and fashionablilty.
Whiskies New to WhiskyFest
WhiskyFest always has a large selection of whiskies that are new-to-WhiskyFest, and this year’s WhiskyFest Chicago is no exception. Here are some of whiskies you’ll be introduced to on April 15:
Canadian Mist
Chieftain’s Cask Strength
Mortlach 15 yr. Sherry Cask
Teaninich 28 yr. Cask Strength (VIP hour only)
Cutty Sark
Early Times
High West Whiskey
Double Rye!
Isle of Skye 8 yr.
Kilchoman
Louisville Distilling Company
Angel’s Envy
Redemption Rye
Samoroli
Smokehead
Tomatin
limited edition “Decades”
Usquaebach
‘Old-Rare’ Superior Blended Scotch Whisky
15yo Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
‘Reserve’ Premium Blended Scotch Whisky
The whisky list on the Malt Advocate web site is being updated almost daily. And tickets are going fast, so if you haven’t yet decided if you’d like to attend, don’t wait too long! Buy tickets here.
Get Ready for WhiskyFest Chicago
The 10th Annual WhiskyFest™ Chicago will be held on Friday, April 23. We think you should consider attending, and here’s why:
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 tasting, click here. Please keep in mind that we are adding to the list often. The detailed pouring list will be posted closer to the event date.
The Speakers
Our terrific line up of speakers include Richard Paterson from Whyte & Mackay, Craig Beam from Heaven Hill, Mickey Heads from Ardbeg, Robin Coupar from The Glenrothes, Martin Duffy from Diageo, Winston Evans from The Glenlivet, and Jared Rouben from Goose Island. You can see each speaker’s bio here. The seminar overviews will be available in a few weeks.
Hotel Room Block
Why not consider staying at the Hyatt Regency? We’ve arranged for a WhiskyFest room block. To reserve your room, call 888-421-1442 and mention WhiskyFest, or click here to make your reservation online.
Selection of charity whiskies announced
We have posted the list of whiskies that will be available at the WhiskyFest charity table on our Updates page. The exhibiting companies have been very generous in their donations so please check it out.
For a small charitable donation, attendees will be able to try a taste of very rare and expensive products. 100% of the money received will go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository (wwww.chicagosfoodbank.org).
Charity tickets are for purchase on the event website or you can purchase them at the Malt Advocate table the night of the event.