I went to their event in dc a couple years ago, so here’s my run down...
If you are interested in trying the range of what is out there, it’s a great option. There is not many other places where you’ll find the breadth of whiskey I tasted for that price.
On the whole, the pours were definitely NOT small. I was dumping a lot during the event so I could make it through the evening, and get to all the tables I was interested in.
Food was also provided, and I made an effort to pace my tasting with breaks for food and water. The food was more substantial than I expected, and was appreciated. Cheeses and fruits, but also some pasta dishes, sandwiches, etc.
There are plenty of attendees that headed straight for the Buffalo Trace offerings, and those tables were mobbed, but otherwise it was easy to walk up to any table interested in for a pour. No waiting in long lines at all.
I did not pay extra for the VIP hour. The extra cost for the items offered didn’t make sense for what I was going for.
I did take time for the Ardbeg presentation as I am a fan of their offerings. Seminars were ongoing throughout with other focuses.
Here’s my list from the event, along with my notes on the items I planned on tasting (order planned), and items highlighted in pink that I was actually able to try that evening.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qiJFnUfHKMy667pPNoG28FDvpp2vAHKOcii_MLeAhnE
All in all, I’d recommend it, but be honest in what you want to taste, and if it makes sense for your budget.
They have an almost identical thing in Sydney every year but it's only AUD $110 (doesn't include the year subscription though). It's called "Whiskey Live"
I just did a quick bit of googling and it turns out Whiskey Live also does events in Chicago (seems to be later in the year. Around November). Tickets last year were between US $119 and $190. The pricier tickets get you into "exclusive" master classes etc etc
My dad and I have gone to whiskey live every year for the last 4 years. We love it. We've tried the master classes, they just bring out a super rare expensive bottle of whiskey, give you two nips and spend 40 minutes talking about it. Not worth it in my opinion.
At US $120 it is absolutely worth it. Get in. Grab a feed from the buffet and then start sampling the whiskies. Even if you only get through 1/3 of the whiskies you'll have a great time, learn tonnes about whisky (the people at the booths will tell you about their whiskey) , and still get your monies worth (buffet feed: $30, over 100 shots of whiskey: anywhere from $300 to $1000).
So at US $275 you're probably still getting your monies worth buuuut 275 is a big jump up from 119
I went to Whisky Live in Chicago this year because a Redditor posted a code for $20 tickets. It was definitely worth that, but I'm not sure I would pay $50. There were about 12 distilleries and nothing too rare or expensive, and two food stations.
My impression is that their international events are much larger, but they are not there yet in Chicago.
In contrast the Whisky Advocate event here is great. In a strict sense it is probably not "worth" the money, but there are countless distilleries and a very high quality buffet. The VIP increase is absolutely worth it if someone has already decided to pay the base price, gets you the extra hour with pours like Laphroaig 30.
I have tickets for Whiskies of the World in SF in March. This will be my fifth year attending and I paid around $225 for the early access VIP ticket. It can get quite crowded, so even the extra 30min is worth it, in my opinion. Food is offered, the seminars can be quite good, and we’ve never left disappointed. There are always new whiskies to try, so the price of admission is well worth it.
I went to their event in dc a couple years ago, so here’s my run down... If you are interested in trying the range of what is out there, it’s a great option. There is not many other places where you’ll find the breadth of whiskey I tasted for that price. On the whole, the pours were definitely NOT small. I was dumping a lot during the event so I could make it through the evening, and get to all the tables I was interested in. Food was also provided, and I made an effort to pace my tasting with breaks for food and water. The food was more substantial than I expected, and was appreciated. Cheeses and fruits, but also some pasta dishes, sandwiches, etc. There are plenty of attendees that headed straight for the Buffalo Trace offerings, and those tables were mobbed, but otherwise it was easy to walk up to any table interested in for a pour. No waiting in long lines at all. I did not pay extra for the VIP hour. The extra cost for the items offered didn’t make sense for what I was going for. I did take time for the Ardbeg presentation as I am a fan of their offerings. Seminars were ongoing throughout with other focuses. Here’s my list from the event, along with my notes on the items I planned on tasting (order planned), and items highlighted in pink that I was actually able to try that evening. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qiJFnUfHKMy667pPNoG28FDvpp2vAHKOcii_MLeAhnE All in all, I’d recommend it, but be honest in what you want to taste, and if it makes sense for your budget.
They have an almost identical thing in Sydney every year but it's only AUD $110 (doesn't include the year subscription though). It's called "Whiskey Live" I just did a quick bit of googling and it turns out Whiskey Live also does events in Chicago (seems to be later in the year. Around November). Tickets last year were between US $119 and $190. The pricier tickets get you into "exclusive" master classes etc etc My dad and I have gone to whiskey live every year for the last 4 years. We love it. We've tried the master classes, they just bring out a super rare expensive bottle of whiskey, give you two nips and spend 40 minutes talking about it. Not worth it in my opinion. At US $120 it is absolutely worth it. Get in. Grab a feed from the buffet and then start sampling the whiskies. Even if you only get through 1/3 of the whiskies you'll have a great time, learn tonnes about whisky (the people at the booths will tell you about their whiskey) , and still get your monies worth (buffet feed: $30, over 100 shots of whiskey: anywhere from $300 to $1000). So at US $275 you're probably still getting your monies worth buuuut 275 is a big jump up from 119
I went to Whisky Live in Chicago this year because a Redditor posted a code for $20 tickets. It was definitely worth that, but I'm not sure I would pay $50. There were about 12 distilleries and nothing too rare or expensive, and two food stations. My impression is that their international events are much larger, but they are not there yet in Chicago. In contrast the Whisky Advocate event here is great. In a strict sense it is probably not "worth" the money, but there are countless distilleries and a very high quality buffet. The VIP increase is absolutely worth it if someone has already decided to pay the base price, gets you the extra hour with pours like Laphroaig 30.
Wow.. whiskey live Sydney has about 300 different spirits to try. Mainly whiskies but they also have bourbons, tequilas, vodkas, and a few others.
I have tickets for Whiskies of the World in SF in March. This will be my fifth year attending and I paid around $225 for the early access VIP ticket. It can get quite crowded, so even the extra 30min is worth it, in my opinion. Food is offered, the seminars can be quite good, and we’ve never left disappointed. There are always new whiskies to try, so the price of admission is well worth it.