You asked for more exciting seminars, and WhiskyFest now has a full day of high-powered seminars. This educational experience takes the hands-on approach to learning, engaging every sense as we taste and nose our way through a line-up that is not to be missed. The day starts with a tasting of very rare, auction-grade whiskies and continues with world debut whiskies (and an exclusive breakfast cocktail). You'll hear about the latest trends from the distillers themselves, enjoy a whisky lunch, and wind up the day with some of our Whisky Advocate award-winners from 2011. Legendary master distillers, blenders and whiskymakers will be pouring their finest, rarest, and newest whiskies!
The Whisky Advocate writers—the best in the business—will moderate the seminar sessions which will include several whiskies making their U.S. and world debuts. A special whisky-themed lunch is also included.
WhiskyFest 2012 Seminar Topics and Schedule
9:00 - Opening remarks: John Hansell
Whisky Advocate editor & publisher will provide an overview of the day: a whisky-lover's dream come true!
9:15 - Whisky collecting and auctions
Panel Moderator: Jonny McCormick
Jonny McCormick and Martin Green describe the exploding auction and collecting scene. They will offer tips on collecting and participating in whisky auctions, highlighted by the whiskies offered for tasting; very rare bottlings that have starred on the auction block:
10:00 - Debut whisky #1, Scotch: John Glaser of Compass Box Whisky, and featuring Whisky Advocate contributor, David Wondrich
John Glaser will present the world debut of a new Compass Box whisky, Great King Street Limited Edition New York Blend, and Dave Wondrich will feature it in the old New York style, as an exclusive breakfast cocktail.
10:15 - Trending Scotch whisky
Panel Moderator: Dave Broom
Dave Broom leads a discussion about current directions in Scotch whisky: brand premiumization, smoky blends, designer whiskies, and single malt extremes. The panel is an A-list of master distillers and blenders, talking about the cutting edge whiskies that typify these trends.
11:00 - Debut whiskey #2, Bourbon: Truman Cox, Master Distiller of A. Smith Bowman distillery
The world debut of a bourbon from this newly re-opened and re-directed distillery, presented by new master distiller Truman Cox. Cox is keeping it a secret - even from us - but he’s been working with a variety of wood finishes.
11:15 - Understanding Irish: deciphering single pot still, single malt, and blended Irish whiskey
Panel Moderator: Dominic Roskrow
Take a tour of Ireland; learn - and taste - the differences between the whiskeys of Ireland: grain, single pot still, blended, and single malt. The tasting part will include some very special examples of each, presented by the master distillers who make them:
12:00 - Lagavulin Lunch
Panel moderator: Gavin Smith, Whisky Advocate contributor, with Dr. Nick Morgan
Time to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch... and some more whiskies. After your meal, Dr. Nick Morgan of Diageo will lead us through a tasting comparison of three special Lagavulin whiskies: Lagavulin 16, Lagavulin Distillers Edition, and the very limited 2012 Lagavulin 21 year old Special Release.
1:30 - Debut whiskey #3, Irish
Barry Crockett from the Midleton distillery will present the U.S. debut of Barry Crockett Legacy. This elegant and rare spirit is one of the new single pot still whiskeys released by Midleton in Europe last year, a recognition of both the unique nature of this Irish style and Crockett's decades of creative leadership in the industry.
1:45 - Bourbon and Rye innovations
Panel Moderator: Lew Bryson
Lew Bryson will lead a discussion of the recent profusion of innovations in bourbon and rye. Joining him will be three legendary master distillers and one young pioneer, pouring some very special new releases:
2:30 - A tasting of select Whisky Advocate award winning whiskies
Moderated by John Hansell, but includes the entire Whisky Advocate review team
Lew Bryson, Dave Broom, Gavin Smith, and Dominic Roskrow
Taste a representative sampling of the 18th Annual Whisky Advocate Awards winners published in the spring issue of Whisky Advocate magazine. The chosen pours, along with the Whisky Advocate contributors who will be presenting their rationale for the choices:
3:15 - Closing remarks: John Hansell
Saturday seminars will replace the seminars that were previously held during the Grand Tasting.
Seminar content, presenters, and whiskies are subject to change.