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WhiskyFest Chicago is fast approaching, and that usually entails a week's worth of events leading up to the big dance at the Hyatt Regency Chicago next Friday. Commonly known as "whisky week" (why must it be just a week?), last year it took a superhuman effort to get through the week's events in one piece, all of them set up in honor of the brown spirit that makes us all seem more attractive to each other at last call.
It's no secret that we're big fans of the fire water here at Chicagoist. Now that we have all of our nights free, we're taking it as a personal challenge to hit as many of these events as possible, we've even snuffed out the pilot lights on our stove in case we become flammable.
Anyway, below is a list of Whisky Week events. All of them are free unless otherwise noted..
Saturday, March 29
Illinois St. Andrew Society 5th Annual Whisky Kilted Pub Crawl through Roscoe Village (comprising of visits to the following taverns: Riverview, Mulligan's, Village Tap and Four Treys).
5:30-11:30pm - Coinciding with Tartan Day (or Scottish Independence Day, April 6) join the Illinois Saint Andrew Society for their 5th Annual Isas and Johhnie Walker Kilted pub crawl. New to this year is a tartan contest. Men must wear kilts! Ladies, tartan/plaid skirts are required (catholic schoolgirls fantasies!!)! All crawlers will vote for their favorite!
COST: $20.00 Pre-Registration; $25.00 at the door*. (Includes hors d’ oeuvres & shirt) TO Register online at www.chicago-scots.org
Monday, March 31st
8-9 p.m. @ Delilah’s
Mike Miller hosts Delilah's annual "Whiskies of the World" Seminar. Featuring special guests Brenda Wojcik of Diageo Brands and newly appointed whisky and spirits ambassador to Ireland (and Friend of Chicagoist) Martin Duffy. They'll be tasting out whiskies from Ireland, Scotland, Japan, the States, and Canada in an informal setting fitting for Delilah's (and let's hope its better handled than their aged beer fest).
Seating is limited and is on a first come first seated basis.
Tuesday, April 1st
- 5-8 p.m. at Sam’s Wines & Spirits Lincoln Park
Sam's will be having a tiered tasting of the entire Johnnie Walker line, including Johnnie Walker Swing, which is back in the states after a fifteen year absence! Best of all, it's free.
- Grace O’Malley’s, 1416 S. Michigan Ave., 6-9 p.m.
Duffy will be the master of ceremonies for a five-course whisky dinner sponsored by Bushmills, followed by tastings of whisky flights.
- Socca Restaurant, 3301 N. Clark St., 7-10 p.m.
The Singleton of Glendullan is the newest and one of the most popular single malts in the States due to its limited availability (it is available in Chicago) and its Beverage tasting Institute rating of 92. Enjoy samples of this Speyside single malt along with complimentary appetizers.
Wednesday, April 2nd
- One North Restaurant, 1 North Wacker Drive, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $30.
It's Hump Day and Whisky Night! Enjoy whiskies from around the world paired with delectable appetizers, while chatting the ears off of whisky reps and distillers
- West Lakeview Liquors, 2156 W. Addison, 6-9 p.m.
Wojcik will be on hand to sample out Bulleit Bourbon, Kentucky's "frontier" bourbon.
- Chief O’Neill’s, 3471 N. Elston, 8-10 p.m., complimentary, but Reservations are required.
Duffy and special guest Gregor Cattanach, global brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker and the Classic Malts of Scotland, will be on hand for a formal sit-down seminar of whisky. There will be lots of whisky, a buffet, and music.
- Rocks Tavern, 1301 W. Schubert, 7-10 p.m.
Rocks is having a Bushmills celebration. while you're there, check out their extensive whisky selection.
Thursday, April 3rd
- Warehouse Liquors, 634 S. Wabash, 4-7 p.m.
Cattanach and Tom Bulleit of Bulleit Bourbon will be on hand from 4-5 p.m. for a special sampling and bottle signing of the Classic Malts of Scotland and Bulleit Bourbon
- Binny’s South Loop, 1132 S. Jefferson, 5-8 p.m.
Brett Potoni hosts a whiskies of the world event, with Duffy, Cattanach and Bulleit. There could be a possibility that every bottle of whisky in the store could be opened.
- Sam’s Wines & Spirits South Loop, 50 E. Roosevelt, 5-8 p.m.
Singleton and Bulleit sampling/bottle signing with Bulleit and Cattanach available from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Bar On Buena, 910 W. Buena, 7-10 p.m. – THE SINGLETON VIP PARTY
It's a Singleton VIP party with Master of Whisky Robert Sickler as the guest of honor. Bar on Buena will also be serving whisky flights.
- Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro, 3905 N. Lincoln, 7-10 p.m.
Tiered tasting of the Johnnie Walker selections.
- The Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, 8-11 p.m.
There will be a free Bushmills sampling.
- Red Ivy Tavern, 3525 N. Clark, 8-11 p.m.
Red Ivy will be sampling out their new whisky flights. Bulleit and Cattanach will be on hand from 8:30-10:30 p.m.
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chuck,
these are some blogs that I will be waiting to read. No blacking out and not remembering the prior evening remember your duty to inform and educate.
Chuck, one of my friends bought me a ticket for Whiskey Fest -- a VIP ticket. Can you believe that? I'm counting down the days.
Fuck yes.
I'm getting my kilt ready for Saturday night.
Go tell Longshanks that Scotland is free, and her sons are free.
Burn it.
So my first scotch purchase was last September from the duty free store,J. Walker Black Label. Only to find out from my second favorite bar keep, that Black Label aint really scotch, because its blended. Well I today I brought a bottle of Dalwhinnie Single Highland Malt. I'm not an expect by any means, but at least I know I got the real thing!
Thanks for the inspiration Sudo!
Hi y'all,
Lush Wine and Spirits (full disclosure: my place of employment) will also be hosting some awesome WhiskyFest events:
On April 3rd, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. we will have a Bourbon master at each of our two stores: Julian Van Winkle of Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbons at our Roscoe store (2232 W. Roscoe, 773-281-8888) and Drew Kulsveen of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers at our Halsted store (1306 S. Halsted, 312-738-1900). They will sign bottles, impart their wisdom, and just generally radiate good whisky vibes.
Afterwards, the two of them (plus many other bourbon makers) will be at the Twisted Spoke, guest bartending and carrying on til the wee hours.
I'm excited.