Everyone has a passion. Mine is whiskey. On November 10^th I had the wonderful opportunity to gather among fellow whiskey lovers in New York City at the infamously fun Whisky Fest 2009 presented by Malt Advocate Magazine. For me, New York is an intricate cog in the wheel of the brown goods world. It is the ultimate “classic” environment for all things chic, sexy and yes, whiskey. As an author (Whiskey for Women) and a speaker/educator on the subject, Whisky Fest is a great place to see and sample the newest additions to the category, revisit with personal favorites and engage in lively conversations with fans like myself.  

Accompanied by me dear friends in the NCB family, Sean Carr, Leo and Ray Burton, I felt like we were going to a Game 7 of the World Series. The place was electric! What a testament to the state of the category when you see lines of attendees wrapping around an entire floor at the Marriott Marquis just salivating to get in and sample the world’s truest entrepreneurial spirit. Armed with our tasting glasses and floor plans, we immediately walked into the ballroom filled with the most delicious aroma known to man (or woman, I should say). The room was packed from wall to wall with whiskey fans, all jockeying for a good tasting position at their favorite distillery’s table. With every sub-category within the whiskey category covered, you almost couldn’t decide where to start first. After bringing myself back to reality, I knew where we had to go. Off to see the American Whiskey Collection at the renowned Heaven Hill Distillery table. Clearly everyone else had the same idea. The table was swamped! Recent buzz within the industry has been afire with the news of Parker Beam’s Golden Anniversary Edition hitting the market. From the appearance of the immense line and arms holding whiskey glasses, eagerly reaching over those ahead of them, you knew the buzz was only growing.

The American Whiskey Collection from Heaven Hill really sums up for me just how great this category is doing today. We began with the Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon (the newest vintage 2000) and jumped right in to this delicious glass of fun. The only vintage-dated single barrel bourbon on the market, Evan Williams Single Barrel is one of my all-time favorites. Having won “Whiskey of the Year” five times, this masterpiece is one of the best balanced bourbons available. Perfect amounts of vanilla, caramel and toffee compliment the notes of leather and orange. It’s a brash youngin’ who can roll with the big dogs…and win. Did I mention its retail price? Now that is another fact that makes you just want to grab Parker Beam and tell him you love him. How does $25 a 750ml sound? Too good. Especially nowadays. Keeping in the bourbon category we reached for the Elijah Craig 12 year old. This small batch bourbon named after the Reverend who is credited with inventing the process of charring the inside of oak bourbon barrels simply rocks. At 94 proof, this bar-brawler packs a punch. Reviews are consistently rave about this brand and it deserves no less. With a smooth, warm and slightly smoky quality, the Elijah Craig 12 is a perfect winter warmer. Oh yeah, try $20 a 750ml. My thoughts exactly…just too good to pass up. Its strength hits you at first but quickly mellows into wonderful finish of bourbon zen. 

Now you can’t try the Elijah Craig 12 without dabbling in its older brother, Elijah Craig 18 year old Single Barrel Bourbon. Once you do, you won’t even think they’re related! This is one of the classiest, most sophisticated whiskies going. You touch this glass to your lips and it transforms you into a super hero in a smoking jacket…seriously! We definitely loved this guy. The oldest single barrel available on the market, Elijah Craig 18 has a killer deep color with a cognac-like feel. The finish is immense and lingers like a heart ache. Packaged in a beautiful scrollwork-designed bottle, the Elijah Craig 18 is a must have for any personal stash or on-premise back bar. At $45 a 750ml bottle, you’re still at half the price from its closest competitors…if you think it even has any, that is.

The next glassful took us to a place within the brown goods category that really has no competition. It stands alone like the iconic master distillers from centuries ago. It’s forging its own path, “moving westward and upward,” so to speak, as any good entrepreneurial force does. This was the Bernheim Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. Wheat whiskey? From Kentucky? Yes. Yes. And yes it’s delicious! This golden glass of goodness drinks like a bourbon, reminds you of a single malt and loves you ‘til the very end. Open up a bottle of Bernheim amongst friends and you won’t disappoint a single one of them. 

Well, we got our glasses ready and once we had our samples of the Parker’s Heritage Golden Anniversary, I simply couldn’t talk. OMG! The nose will, quite literally, knock your socks off. Talk about entrepreneurial achievement! This gem is the newest addition to the Heaven Hill American Whiskey Collection and is comprised of aged whiskies spanning five decades…WOW! One taste is simply not enough to fully experience the complex character within or the sheer blending prowess of Parker Beam himself. This is a seriously big whiskey. It’s powerful up front but mellows out into an orchestra of sweet corn, vanilla and spice. We’re talking seriously aged American whiskies here. The amount of layers that develop between each sip are amazing. And to think this bottle of greatness is retailing for a mere $150…what a perfect price for a perfect example of where American whiskey is today.

Whisky Fest was a great experience and to enjoy it among great friends made the event even better. To all whiskey fans out there, treat yourself to the same next year. For more reviews on other great whiskies we sampled at Whisky Fest or for more information on the recently-released second edition of Whiskey for Women, please visit www.whiskeyforwomen.com.

Check out our photos here:

Whisky Fest NYC 09 Pics