I’m reprinting the following press release and will be doing so regularly so that all of you whiskyheads out there don’t forget to register for this incredible event: Maltadvocate’s WhiskyFest.

The occasions in this life are all too rare to get to taste so many whiskys back-to-back, side-to-side, up-and-down. Rare bottlings. A chance to talk with distillers. The seminars are wonderful—a way to achieve authoritative knowledge of several of the world’s most important distilleries. In short this is not an event to be missed. I’ll be there as well as just about every significant bartender in town. Do not miss it. Below is all the info you need.


MEET YOUR MAKERS! WHISKYFEST COMES WEST AFTER A DECADE
Come Sip with the World’s Top Whisky Producers at the 1st Annual San Francisco WhiskyFest

WHAT IS IT?
After nearly a decade of sold-out events in New York City and Chicago, WhiskyFest, the oldest and most prestigious whisky tasting event and largest independent distiller tour is coming west to San Francisco for the first time ever, creating the “Triple Crown” of American Whisky events. Hosted by Malt Advocate magazine, America’s leading whisky magazine, WhiskyFest offers consumers and industry professionals alike the opportunity to sample rare and new artisan whisky releases from around the world with the producers who crafted them—from Scotland and Ireland, to Japan, Canada, the US.

WHEN?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007, from 6:30-10 p.m.
The Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco

WHAT WILL BE POURED?
More than 250 of the world’s finest and rarest whiskies will be available for sampling, featuring premium single malt and blended Scotch whiskies, the best bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys, top of the line Irish whiskeys, Japanese whisky and the best from Canada. Guests will have the chance to be among the first to sample new and not-yet-released whiskies and learn about the latest trends and issues in the whisky world directly from some of the top distillers in the industry. To see the schedule of events and tasting lists, visit: www.maltadvocate.com/dev/whiskeyfest-sf-sched.asp

WHO WILL BE SPEAKING?
A key focus of WhiskyFest is on education, and many well-known distillery managers and distillery representatives will be on hand at the pouring booths to give a first-hand explanation of how the whiskies are made. As well, thirteen of the world’s leading distillery managers and master blenders will be conducting classroom-style seminars throughout the evening including:

Parker Beam, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill
Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s Great Grandson
Ronnie Cox, Director, The Glenrothes
Richard Paterson, Master Distiller, The Dalmore
John Campbell, Distillery Manager, Laphroaig
Lincoln Henderson, Whisky Expert, Suntory
Ian Millar, Master Distiller, Glenfiddich
Stephen Beal, Master of Whisky, Classic Malts
Chris Morris, Master Distiller, Woodford Reserve
Joy Spence, Master Blender, Appleton Rum
John Hall, Whisky Maker, Kittling Ridge
John Scharffenberger, ScharffenBerger Chocolate
Simon Brooking, Global Brand Ambassador, The Dalmore & Laphroaig

HOW MUCH?
$105 per ticket; $145 for VIP admission (1 hour early entrance); tickets are all-inclusive. A gourmet buffet will be available the entire evening and each attendee receives a commemorative Glencairn whisky glass. Advance ticket sales at www.maltadvocate.com or by calling 800-610-MALT. A portion of the event proceeds benefit the San 
Francisco Food Bank.

Malt Advocate magazine, America’s leading whisky publication, is celebrating 15 years of publication. Malt Advocate sponsors America’s Triple Crown of Whisky events which are held in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. 

For more information, see www.maltadvocate.com.