Chicagoist: Chicagoist at WhiskyFest

The Meteorologist

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:23:53 -0600

Wait, I walked out of there hammered. But not too hammered. Does that make me a semi-pro?

Chuck Sudo

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:25:26 -0600

Because I'm a pro, matty. I'm a pro.

matty

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:00:07 -0600

How do you not walk out of there hammered?

plumbum82

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:02:26 -0600

This event reeks of douchey goodness.

Chuck Sudo

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:14:21 -0600

It can be daunting at first. This year's version seemed smaller. There was a lot more room to walk or, in my case, ogle the reporters from Irish Public Radio (who knew?).

The Meteorologist

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:21:17 -0600

No, no, I agree. Most of that stuff is done by marketing and sales reps, polished to a dull shine, and slapped in front of you. But, I did get to try some pretty rare bourbons from Heaven Hill, so that was pretty cool. I liked the main hall the best too. For my first time for being there, it was pretty overwhelming. Should have planned a little better.

Chuck Sudo

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:57:51 -0600

The Juliet I sampled was part of Greg Hall's barrel-aged beer seminar. I also sat in briefly on the Japanese whisky seminar. Years of being in the service industry have honed my BS sensor to detect that those seminars are sales pitches for the marketing companies representing their specific whisky brands (the great whisky debate comes to mind). They're entertaining, but the best sales pitch is to go to the booths, taste 'em out, and ask questions. That's where the women are at, anyway. From sales reps to those Delilah's employees in Betty Page getups, you'd be hard-pressed to leave the main hall.

The Meteorologist

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:42:16 -0600

Chuck, I should have met up with you. I was there! Did you try the bierschnapps? Crazy. Did you sit in on any tasting/seminar things?