Whiskey Obsession Festival Announces Classes, Panel, Live Music Schedule

February 13, 2017

Sarasota, Florida

The Fifth Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival (WOF) will be held from March 29 to April 1, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. Whiskey Obsession is the largest world whiskey festival in the U.S., with four days of classes, tastings, lunch and dinner pairings, panel discussion, cigars, VIP pours, live music street party, and grand tasting with 250 whiskies to sample. Dozens of distillers and professional brand ambassadors are present to share their knowledge and passion for these fine spirits.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The Glenmorangie Experience Grain vs. Grape Dinner @Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC), 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The first toast of the Fifth Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival will be Moët & Chandon champagne at the The Glenmorangie Experience Grain vs. Grape Dinner. Brand Ambassador Dan Crowell will lead guests through a five course meal starring Glenmorangie single malt Scotch whiskies paired deconstruction style with fortified and dessert wines including sherry, port, Madeira, and Sauternes. Each course is paired with a special menu created by SYC Executive Chef Anthony Puccio. Tickets are $125 per person.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Bartender Academy @ The Francis, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bartenders and spirits industry professionals are invited to the trade-exclusive Bartender Academy at The Francis. Distinguished distillers, ambassadors, and mixologists from Brown Forman, Louis Vitton Moët Hennesy , Glengoyne, Michter’s, Tap Whisky, and Breakthru Beverage will demonstrate of range of skills related to molecular mixology, ice cutting, sous-vide infusions, reinventing traditional cocktails with a whiskey focus, and more. Tickets are $20 per person.

Super VIP Dinner with Chris Morris @ The Francis, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – SOLD OUT

Super VIP Dinner with Chris Morris, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller and President of the Kentucky

Distiller’s Association. The dinner with guest of honor Chris Morris will be held at The Francis on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Tickets are $125 per person.

The Panel of Whiskey Experts Interactive Tasting and Discussion @ The Francis, 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Join eight distillers and brand ambassadors for this unique interactive panel and tasting as they share their favorite spirits. Guests will sample a broad range of sixteen world whiskies, accompanied by light bites and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $75 and seating is limited to 100 guests. Panelists are:

Dan Crowell, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Ambassador

Rob Dietrich, Stranahan’s Distiller

Gardner Dunn, Yamazaki Ambassador

Chris Leggat, Douglas Laing Ambassador

Chris Morris, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller & the Chairman of the Kentucky Distillers Association

Philip Pepperdine, Bowmore Ambassador

Todd Richman, National Whiskey Educator – Diageo Reserve Portfolio

Malcolm Waring, Old Pulteney Distillery Manager

Friday, March 31, 2017

Lunch Master Classes, 12:00 p.m, to 2:00 p.m.

• State Street Eatery. $35 per person includes lunch and whiskies.

Glenfiddich Family Spirits Single Malt Scotch with Tracie Franklin, Brand Ambassador.

• The Bijou Cafe. $35 per person includes lunch and whiskies.

East Meets West: Beam Suntory Japanese & American Whiskey Showcase with

Gardner Dunn and Philip Pepperdine, Brand Ambassadors.

Super VIP Master Class with the Balvenie, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Michael’s Wine Cellar. Limited to 30 guests.

Join Balvenie Ambassador Gemma Paterson for a flight of the Single Barrel range and other premium single malt Scotch. $60 per person includes light bites and premium whiskies.

Grand Tasting and Master Classes, Michael’s on East (See times below)

With over 250 whiskies available to sample, the Grand Tasting features dozens of the world’s premium global brands as well as many emerging craft distillers. Taught by industry professionals, our six seminar-style master classes present an opportunity for in-depth learning at these interactive tastings with distillers and professional brand ambassadors. VIP guests enjoy early class reservations beginning February 15.

• 5:00 p.m. Super VIP Master Class with the Balvenie Single Malt Scotch

• 6:30 p.m. VIP Admission

• 7:30 p.m. General Admission

• 8:00 p.m. Class I, II, and III

• 9:15 p.m. Class IV, V, VI

• 10:30 p.m. Last Pour

• 10:45 p.m. After Party at Made Restaurant

Master Class Session 1, 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Class I Exploring Trends in American Craft Whiskey with Michael Ring, Brown Forman Brand Champion

Class II The Future of Smooth Ambler with John Foster, Distiller

Class III Glenmorangie: Wood Finishes and More with Dan Crowell, Brand Ambassador

Master Class Session 2, 9:15 pm to 10:00 pm

Class IV Scottish Brogues and Spanish Bodegas: The Love Story of Scotch and Sherry with Todd

Richman, National Whiskey Educator – Diageo Reserve Portfolio

Class V The Patriotic Rise of Rye with Master Distiller Dave Pickerell

Class VI Cigar and Whisky Pairing with Dan Crowell, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Brand Ambassador

Three ticket levels are available:

VIP $195:

• VIP admission is limited to 150 guests and includes one commemorative Glencairn glass and one hour

early entrance at 6:30 pm.

• VIP hour pours of ultra-premium, fine, expensive, and rare spirits (details will be available on the

event website).

• One $50 retail voucher for purchases and special orders placed on Friday, April 1, 2016 during the

Whiskey Obsession Festival grand tasting.

• Greater opportunity to interact with distillery ambassadors and industry professionals.

• Unlimited tasting of over 200 spirits.

• Priority seating at small group seminar classes (first come first served).

• Wine, soft drinks, buffet and hors d’ oeuvres.

General Admission $95:

• General admission is limited to 500 guests and includes one commemorative Glencairn glass and

entrance at 7:30 pm

• Unlimited tasting of over 200 spirits.

• Seating as available at small group seminar classes (first come first served).

• Wine, soft drinks, buffet and hors d’ oeuvres.

Companion $45:

• Companion admission is limited to 75 guests and includes entrance with VIP or general admission

ticket holders.

• Wine, soft drinks, buffet and hors d’ oeuvres.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Bourbon Rock & Blues Bash Powered by Woodford Reserve, 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Whiskey Obsession Festival partners with Gator Club and the Harvey Milk Festival to conclude its series of events with the Bourbon Rock and Blues Bash, powered by Woodford Reserve. This free downtown Sarasota street party (between Lemon and State) will feature Brown Forman cocktails, craft beer, local food vendors and five local, regional and national rock and blues acts. This year’s lineup includes headliner Lower Dens, the praised indie pop-rock band from Baltimore, Maryland whose latest LP ‘Escape from Evil’ got a ‘Best New Music’ nod from Pitchfork and made the year-end ‘best of’ list on Gorilla vs. Bear. Florida southern rock and blues favorite Thomas Wynn and The Believers (Orlando) and Americana-flavored rock band Have Gun Will Travel (Bradenton) will also join, along with psych-rockers Luxury Mane (St. Petersburg) and local favorite RJ Howson (Sarasota) keeping the party alive until 1 a.m.

Sarasota is a beautiful resort community on the Gulf of Mexico, an hour south of Tampa and two hours from Orlando. Sarasota boasts award winning beaches like Siesta Key as well as activities like golf, fishing, shopping, sports, polo, and fine dining. Cultural assets and performing arts abound, including opera, ballet, theatre, symphony, and live music.

Tickets and information are available at whiskeyobsessionfestival.com.

Press and interview requests: Turner@WhiskeyObsessionFestival.com

Video: https://youtu.be/BT0QASYWrl8

Photos: https://www.instagram.com/sarasota_whiskey_obsession

Website: www.whiskeyobsessionfestival.com

Whiskey Obsession Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyObsessionFestival