Whisk(e)y Event Season is Approaching

As fall approaches so do the annual series of whisk(e)y festivals, events, and celebrations. I'm not sure why they all seem to fall during the same few months every year - at least in the Northeast - but it makes for a fun time!

First up is the Whisky on the Hudson dinner cruise in New York City on September 8th. What could be better than whisky and dinner on a boat, and early September is usually perfect weather-wise or this type of thing. For more info go to http://www.whiskyguild.com/newyork.html

As November approaches, it gets cooler and the events move indoors. First up on November 1st is the big one, Malt Advocate's annual Whisky Fest New York. This year's Whisky Fest is the 14th annual, and if you can only make it to one of these events, this one is the biggest and baddest. More info can be had here: http://www.maltadvocate.com/whiskyfest.asp

Finally, on November 15th, right here in the City of Brotherly Love, is the 2011 Philadelphia Whisky Festival. You can read my rundown of last year's Philly festival here, and I'm sure this year's fest will be even bigger and better. For more info on this year's Philly festival go to http://www.phillymag.com/whiskeyfest/index.html.

Hope to see you out at the tasting tables this fall!

New Products and New Rankings

First, in a follow-up to my post from last week there is yet another new whiskey on the market from one of the biggest of the big boys. Jim Beam's premium Knob Creek line has introduced its first single-barrel expression. The new bottling will be called Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, and will be priced around $40 per bottle. Knob Creek is a nice sippin' bourbon, and one I think has a nice sharp bite to it. At 120 proof, this new single-barrel version should bring even more of that bite, and I look forward to sampling a bit.

While new whiskeys keep coming out, some classics are racking up awards from Malt Advocate Magazine. It was good to see a nice range of highly attainable (Evan Williams) and highly unattainable (Glenfarclas 40 Year Old) whiskeys on the list.