United States

WhiskyFest

Average Rating

75.17

3 votes

Average Shop & Tour
  • 80.67
    Ambiance
  • 78.33
    Selection
  • 72.33
    Value
  • 69.33
    Service
  1. MaltMartyr Plus scored this event 90 points Connoisseur

    I've attended Hansell's event for years in the past, then a few of those presented by Marvin Shanken, thereafter.  The ambiance and options at Hansell's events were different from those experienced, but there were reasons.  Yet, Shanken puts on an equally educational and entertaining Whisky Fest in Chicago, among other locations at a par to John Hansell, even better at times!  

    We all miss Hansell, but Shanken is dedicated and determined!  Whisky Fest is the largest whisk(e)y event in the U.S., rivaled only by the more economical Whisk(e)y and Barrel Nite run by the same management that once handled Whisky Live.  

    The challenge with Shanken's event is more logistical and financial for the distilleries and distributors.  However, the cost of putting on such an event is tremendous and cannot be overstated. I wish Marvin the best and look forward to seeing him post dates for Chicago in the future.

    Total
    90
    Ambiance
    90
    Selection
    95
    Value
    80
    Service
    96

  2. DrFreeEnergy scored this event 73 points Expert Senior

    I’ve attended this event every year during most of the 2000s in NYC when John and Amy Hansell ran it, and once in Chicago a little over a decade ago. The locations dictate qualitatively different experiences. In NYC, I recommend wearing steel toed boots and lightweight body armor. And be prepared to deliver a preemptive elbow to the ribs when someone is moving in to push you out of their way. Chicago is a much more pleasant experience. The circumstance that I can imagine attending WhiskyFest again would be in Chicago as a secondary activity after attending Binny’s associated one night event which is a far more rewarding experience. The rugby scrum experience of the New York event is just not worth the bruises. 

    Total
    73
    Ambiance
    70
    Selection
    80
    Value
    80
    Service
    60

  3. SFWC scored this event 63 points Expert Senior

    A nice event for beginners to Scotch and Irish whiskey. Mainly the large corporates attending. Every stand had sales people who knew little about the whisky they were selling let alone the whisky making process or any history of whisky, regions etc. Really an event for beginners who can taste a lot of different corporate modern souless whisky.

    Total
    63
    Ambiance
    82
    Selection
    60
    Value
    57
    Service
    52

  • Whiskies
    100+
  • Views
    1229
  • Votes
    3
  • Status
    Active
  • Check-ins
    14

Event location

San Francisco
United States

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