7:45pm
Behind the Blend with Crown Royal
Briana Savage
Crown Royal Cultural Educator
Join Briana Savage, Crown Royal’s Cultural Educator, on Saturday, December 7th at Whiskey in the Winter, for Behind the Blend experience where you’ll have the rare opportunity to break down Crown Royal Deluxe and taste the individual whiskies that make up this iconic blend. Briana will take you behind the scenes of the Gimli Distillery and discuss the history, production process, and art of blending this award-winning liquid.
Maker’s Mark Private Selection: Time, Temperature, and Flavor
Ryan Paris
Maker’s Mark Private Selection Distillery Manager
This seminar breaks down the historical innovation of the Maker’s Mark Private Selection Experience, while also highlighting why wood and cooking matters. We will discuss the creation of this program along with why time, temperature, and flavor create new expressions as we always look to innovate within our Founder’s Vision. We will also dive into the unique nuances of how one innovation can totally change how all finishing staves not only interact with the bourbon; but with each other as well.
Bottled In Bond
Bernie Lubbers
Global Whiskey Ambassador, Heaven Hill Distillery
Known as “The Whiskey Professor” Bernie Lubbers has been a part of the Renaissance & Revival of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Starting in 2005 with Jim Beam with Fred Noe, and then joining The Family Owned and Operated Heaven Hill Distillery in 2012 alongside the Legendary Parker Beam, Bernie serves in the role as their Global Whiskey Ambassador. Bernie represents iconic brands such as Elijah Craig, Larceny, Evan Williams, Rittenhouse Rye, and Old Fitzgerald.
Corn Bred for Taste in Spirits
Gary Hinegardner
Owner, Wood Hat Spirits, LLC
Today, most corn used for bourbon and other whiskeys in the United States was developed and selected for purposes other than producing quality spirits. Hinegardner will explore the history of corn for liquor; what is happening in the industry now; where we are headed and what Wood Hat Spirits is contributing.
8:30pm
Sláinte: A Whiskey Lovers Journey Through Ireland
Joe Nicol
Senior Brand Ambassador, Irish Whiskey-USA, Pernod-Ricard
For 30 min we will dive into what makes whiskey Irish. Let’s sip our way through Irish history and heritage through the lens of 4 award winning whiskeys. Guests will be able to enjoy side by side features of Jameson Black Barrel, Redbreast 12yr, The newest family member Redbreast 18yr and the highly sought after Gold Spot 13.
A Revelation of Cask & Character…Sampling The Balvenie 19yr Sherry Cask
Naomi Leslie
The Balvenie Ambassador, East Coast
A Revelation of Cask and Character tells the tale of expertise, intuition and the craft of Coopering… and the story of how Sherry casks became a staple part of Scotch Whisky. A Revelation of Cask and Character is the result of years of curiosity and learning from The Balvenie coopering team, including Head Cooper Ian McDonald and Balvenie apprentices… but our story begins with an unexpected discovery even longer ago…
History of Bourbon at Buffalo Trace
Zach Naasz
State Manager, Sazerac
As the oldest continually operating distillery in the United States Buffalo Trace is as rich in History as its Bourbon is in flavor. This seminar will dive into that history and the exquisite bourbon born from it, pairing some of our most famous marks to the moments in history they were created and historical figures behind them. Join us for a taste of Bourbon History.
The Role of the Rickhouse
Kyle Merklein
Master Distiller, Holladay Distillery
Kyle will present the history and brand education followed by a deeper dive on the Rickhouse and why it is important to aging bourbon. Guests will then have a sample from barrels that highlight the characteristics of each floor and then we will end with a description of how we took the importance of the rickhouse and show it on the side label of the bourbon. Overall an in depth look inside of what’s going on at the Holladay Distillery and the true understanding of taste and place.