The Fourth Annual Whiskey Obsession Festival will be in Sarasota, Florida from March 30 to April 1, 2016. Complete details and schedule below. BourbonBlog.com will be there for the three day event which has become one of the largest whisk(e)y festivals in the U.S. Buy tickets here.

A dance party, interactive panel discussion, master classes, VIP pours, on site package sales, cigar pairing, culminating with a grand tasting with 250 whiskies from around the world.

Dozens of master distillers and professional ambassadors participate, sharing their knowledge and passion for fine spirits from Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, France, and the United States.  More updates will be forthcoming at WhiskeyObsessionFestival.com and watch the video at the bottom of this page.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The Dram Dance @ The Gator Club, 1490 Main Street, Sarasota, Florida  34236
8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Enjoy our special chillwave musical guest Brothertiger at a private Whiskey Obsession Festival event upstairs at the Gator Club, featuring a performance by Black Diamond Burlesque. $10 ticket includes one Old Forester cocktail.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Panel of Whiskey Experts Interactive Tasting and Discussion @ The Francis, 1289 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Co-moderated by BourbonBlog.com’s Tom FIscher and Whiskey Obsession Founder Turner C. Moore with four master distillers and four brand ambassadors for this unique interactive panel and tasting as they share and discuss sixteen of their favorite spirits. Tickets are $45 and seating is limited to 75 guests; please reserve early. Panelists are:

Chris Morris, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller
Pam Heilmann, Michter’s Distiller
Brendan Coyle; High West Distiller
Rob Dietrich, Stranahan’s Distiller
Bernie Lubbers, Heaven Hill Ambassador and Whiskey Professor
David Blackmore, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Master Ambassador
Gardner Dunn, Yamazaki Ambassador
Philip Pepperdine, Bowmore Ambassador

Friday, April 1, 2016

Grand Tasting and Master Classes, Michael’s on East 1212 East Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34239

• 6:30 pm VIP Admission
• 7:30 pm General Admission
• 8:00 pm Class I, II, and III
• 9:15 pm Class IV, V, VI
• 10:30 pm Last Pour
• 10:45 pm After Party at Made Restaurant

Session 1, 8:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Class I The History of North American Whisk(e)y History One Sip at a Time with Michael Ring, Brown Forman Brand Champion
Class II Michter’s: It’s All About the Whiskey with Pam Heilmann, Distiller
Class III The Art of Japanese Whisky with Gardner Dunn, Yamazaki Ambassador
Session 2, 9:15 pm to 10:00 pm
Class IV Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey with Jess Graber, Founder of Tincup Whiskey
Class V Glenmorangie: Finishes and More with David Blackmore, Global Brand Ambassador
Class VI: Cigar and Whisky Pairing with Montecristo cigars presented by Atul Solanki, owner of the Cigar Castle in Tampa and Philip Pepperdine, Bowmore Ambassador.

With 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 and interactive tastings with distillers and brand ambassadors.

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.

VIP POURS INCLUDE THE FOLLOW SO FAR: 

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.