WhiskyFest is Whisky Advocate magazine’s massive whisky festival held in major cities around the country. And when I say massive, I mean it: more than 90 brands pour over 350 whiskies in one space. Sound like whisky heaven? It is! And whisky lovers definitely need to go. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to experience such an epic night.

Here are some tips on how to do WhiskyFest right.

How to Do WhiskyFest Right

1. Get there early.

WhiskyFest is an affair several hours long, but getting there on time is still important. Especially if you have VIP tickets! Crowds of people hover near the door waiting for it to open. This is not their first time at WhiskyFest. They know what they’re doing and, more importantly, where they’re headed as soon as the gates open. Which leads me to my next point.

2. Have a game plan.

Have you ever seen grown men running towards a table? I have. And if you haven’t, you didn’t get to WhiskyFest on time. I’m not making fun of them at all; I’m admiring. The first people through the doors at WhiskyFest know exactly what tables they’re going to — and you should too.

Since you got there early, study the map of vendors provided in your gift bag or on the WhiskyFest app. Have an idea of what tables you really want to hit and go there first. Why? First, if they are pouring something special or rare, they probably only have one bottle of it. And when it’s gone, it’s gone. Second, your palate can only take so much whisky. So start with those you want to really savor, then move down the line from there. Know you won’t remember them all. Again, this takes me to point number 3.

3. Take notes.

WhiskyFest has over 90 brands serving 350+ whiskies. Yeah, that’s a lot of whisky! In theory, you can taste as many as you want but in reality you’ll only remember so many. So take notes. The booklet in your gift bag has space for notes plus a list of everything being poured. Even simple check marks to remind you what you tried are helpful, but writing why you liked it never hurts. Spoiler alert: your notes will get worse the more whisky you have. It’s a fact of life!

4. Eat. Then eat again.

The last thing you want is to have to be carried out of WhiskyFest by your friends. I’ve seen it before and everyone watching did a collective “thankfully that’s not me” because we’ve all been there. (Hopefully just not at WhiskyFest!) So pace yourself and eat! WhiskyFest has several buffets so take advantage. Eat throughout the night to balance the amount of whisky you’re having. You can thank me later.

At this year’s WhiskyFest in Chicago, there were stations stacked with roasted meats (the prime rib was especially delicious), an array of Asian favorites like sushi and stir fry, pastry tables (bring a dram of whisky to pair with the chocolate), and more.

5. Attend a Seminar.

WhiskyFest is about more than just tasting whisky. It’s also about learning from the best of the best of the whisky world. That’s where the seminars come in. Held throughout the night, seminars range from dissecting the nuances of a brand to introducing new editions or comparing types. It’s included in the ticket price, so try to hit at least one. But note that they fill up fast, so go early.

At WhiskyFest in Chicago, Diageo’s program director Ewan Morgan hosted a tasting of all the brand’s special releases while Dewar’s Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod discussed the brand’s double-double aging process. And Glenmorangie national brand ambassador Dan Crowell hosted a fantastic tasting of the brand’s entire Private Edition range — so rare that they actually had to buy some of the bottles on the secondary market!

6. Ask questions.

WhiskyFest is a concentration of two things: whisky (obviously) and whisky lovers. If you’re there, you’re really into whisky. So talk to your fellow whisky aficionados! Ask questions and make friends. After all, that’s what it’s all about, right? (I mean, that and whisky…)

Don’t forget to talk to who is pouring your whisky. It’s probably a brand ambassador or representative who can answer any question you can dream up about the spirit. But it might also be a master blender or master distiller. (This year I spotted Hiram Walker Distillery’s Master Blender Dr. Don Livermore, Dewar’s Master Blender Stephanie MacLeoad, and Beam Suntory Scotch National Brand Ambassador Simon Brooking, to name a few.) And they can definitely answer your questions!

7. Be responsible.

This probably goes without saying, yet here we are. It’s so tempting to try every single whisky available at WhiskyFest but that’s not possible, not matter how much you eat! So be stingy with your whisky pours and take advantage of the dump bucket. There’s nothing wrong with using it, even if I cringed in agony when I saw people dumping Laphroaig 25. Pace yourself people, and know when to call it a night. And don’t forget water is your friend!

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There you have it: a guide on how to do WhiskyFest right. This year’s WhiskyFest in Chicago is behind us, but there’s always Washington DC, San Francisco, and New York coming up (plus next year’s Chicago event). Until then, sign up to receive their emails for access to early bird tickets next year.

Cheers!

Related :: Why Whisky Lovers Should Go to WhiskyFest, Guide to Scotch Regions of Scotland and Everything to Know About Cask Strength Whiskey. 

Disclaimer :: I attended WhiskyFest Chicago as a member of the press. As always, all opinions are my own.