I recently had the pleasure of attending my second year of WhiskyFest in Las Vegas! This annual event is put on by Whisky Advocate magazine, and is held at Resorts World on the Strip. I've been to quite a few whisky "fests" over the years, and this is always one of the best in Las Vegas. Their VIP ticket provides access to rare and exclusive pours one hour prior to the start of the actual event. If you're a big whisky buff, this extra hour is something you don't want to miss! Here were my overall favorite pours of the night:
Widow Jane Lucky 13
Blackened x Rabbit Hole Cask Strength
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel
Frey Ranch Smoked Single Malt
Compass Box Art & Decadence
Seven Seals Age of Scorpio
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year
Middle West Ported Pumpernickle Rye
Traverse City Whiskey Co Port Barrel Finish
One thing that sets this fest apart from others is their food selection. They have a wide variety of food options served buffet-style throughout the night that's included with the cost of the ticket. Pizza, dim sum, sliders, meat carved to order, and tiramisu were some of the delectable choices we snacked on throughout the evening.
Here are my top 10 tips and helpful hints if you're planning to go next year:
Don't eat a big meal beforehand! You don't want to show up hungry, but just make sure you save room for some of the food while you're there. Everything was actually pretty tasty, you're paying for it with your ticket, and it helps you pace yourself throughout the night.
The dress code is business casual, so look nice but no need to get too fancy! Make sure you're comfortable because you'll be doing plenty of walking since there's over 60 brands and multiple booths to try. It is held in December which tends to be colder, but the event is inside with endless whisky so you'll stay warm!
Look up the whisky list ahead of time so you can plan for the ones you don't want to miss. This is especially important if you're going for the VIP hour. Sometimes their stock is limited, so get it while you can!
There's no way you could try EVERYTHING at the fest. In order for me to enjoy my time without drinking too much, I avoid things I've tried before.
Once you get your pour it's polite to step away to let the next fest-goer get theirs. There are a lot of people and lines do tend to form at certain booths, so if there is a line, be respectful and let others get their turn. Come back to schmooze with the reps or try other offerings when there isn't a line.
Stay hydrated!! This is one of the most important! There are multiple water stations throughout the fest, so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the night.
There are spirits besides whisky, but not many. I did see a few booths with gin, rum and tequila, but it is primarily just a whisky event.
You receive a WhiskyFest Glencairn when you arrive. They do have a booth set up towards the front with WhiskyFest merchandise, where they also sell lanyards to hold your glass for a few bucks. This was a nice hands-free option while we enjoyed food and between drinks.
I highly recommend getting a room at Resorts World or taking a ride share to and from the fest due to the high volume of liquor you'll be consuming! You can sign up for Resorts World's free Genting Rewards program which offers discounted room rates as well as free parking for their members.
My biggest takeaway is to pace yourself and have fun! It's 3 hours of non-stop drinking (4 with VIP tickets), so you have plenty of time to take your time. You can get drunk very easily, so eat food, drink water, be choosy with your pours, talk with people and reps. It's not a race, so enjoy yourself!
Great new post! Love all of the details!