WhiskeyFest 2006

Whiskey Fest starts in less than two hours. Anyone going? Pig and I will be there--so if you're going, see you there.

Looks like tickets sold out (again?) this year.

trix

How was WiskeyFest 2006. I had a blast last year. The planet just did not line up for attendence this year.

pd

Peter,

Last year at this time, I arrogantly entered Whiskeyfest with the sole mission of checking out nothing other than the superior whiskey of choice, Scotch. Funny thing though, was after being forced to try a few bourbons by some of my compadres that evening, a metamorphosis was in the works. Of course, a year later, I stand here with the humbling but truthful confession that I have bought into the bourbon culture hook, line, and sinker.
When I happily returned to Whiskeyfest this year, armed with all sorts of knowledge about the great bourbons out there, meeting the Van Winkle family was my number one objective. For those of you that don't drink bourbon, the Van Winkle line of bourbons are some of the most highly touted. In most places, they don't spend much time on the shelves.
Anyway, when I met Mr. Van Winkle and showered him with well-deserved praise, it was like I got smacked in the face with a cold rain. If whiskey owners, managers, and reps can't muster up enough connection with their enthusiastic clientele, then what's the point?
After that, I knew Whiskeyfest with its big drunk crowds and numerous arrogant scotch drinkers was going to be an uphill battle. Besides trying some wonderful scotches from Gordon & Macphail and Johnny Walker gold label, and a warm reception from the folks at the George Dickel booth, the event was basically a letdown.