Whisky Extravaganza Returns to Los Angeles on November 16

 

Tickets are now available for Whisky Extravaganza which returns to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Friday, November 16.

 

 

Master classes are available before the show opens. Last year I attended the one for Glenmarangie and Ardbeg. I learned so much about both of these Scotches. I like Glenmorangie but hadn’t tasted very many Ardbeg expressions.

Masterclasses this year includes:

• Grain to Glass – American Single Malt with Westward Whiskey with Jordan Felix
• The Great Islay Swim – Water of Life with Bowmore and Laphroaig with Simon Brooking
• Deep Diving Distilling with Mel Helm (Eastside Distllery), Becky Harris (Catoctin Creek Distillery) and Kim Ohanneson (Women Who Whiskey, LA Chapter)

 

 

 

The Pour List 

• Balcones
• Laphroaig
• Bowmore
• Admore
• Glen Garioch
• Brenne
• Slane Irish Whiskey
• Benriach
• Glendronach
• Glenglassaugh
• Knappogue
• Jefferson’s Reserve
• Arran
• Glencadam
• Lambay Irish Whiskey
• Great King Street
• Compass Box
• Few Whiskey
• Belle Meade Bourbon
• High West
• Broken Barrel Bourbon
• Heresy Rye
• Yellowstone Whiskey
• Old Elk Distillery
• Dubliner Irish Whiskey
• Westland Whiskey
• Bruichladdich
• Port Charlotte
• Sagamore Spirits
• SMWS
• Classic Cask
• John Milroy Selection
• The Glenrothes

 

And more are being added!

 

 

Besides hundreds of whiskys, there are cocktails.  I tried one made with Highland Park Magnus last year. It tasted like a Penicillin.

 

 

Whisky Extravaganza isn’t all Scotch. I found this American whiskey, Yellowstone from Limestone Branch Distillery. I tried both the lower end Select and this limited edition 101 proof bourbon. They’re a young distillery so both of these were sourced whiskeys. I like the direction they’re going for so I’ll wait to see what it’s like when their distillate hits the market in a couple of years.

 

 

I’ve been exploring the world of independent bottlings. I find them fascinating as these are often the best casks set aside for these groups. I tried a few different ones from The John Milroy Selection including this 26-year-old Auchentoshan.

 

 

I really enjoyed the booth that laid out its wares like a seafood / oyster bar. All the descriptions were written in colorful chalk on slate. I tried this Tasmanian whisky and tried to remember if I had any whisky from Tasmania or Australia before.

Of all the different whisky tasting events I’ve been to, Whisky Extravaganza felt more upscale. There were so many whiskys I hadn’t tried before. I didn’t have much of a chance to eat because I was so excited to walk the show floor. But maybe this year I’ll be able to review the food as well!

 

Whisky Extravaganza

Friday, November 16

Millennium Biltmore Hotel

506 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071

• Masterclasses: 6:30-7:30 PM
• The Tasting: 7:30-10:30 PM
• General Admission (Drams & Bites): $135
• VIP (Connoisseur) : $175

Kosher meals and table reservations available

Buy Tickets!

© 2018 The Minty