WhiskyFest New York

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Master Classes

Below are the Master Classes from our 2023 event.

SoHo/Herald

7:00 PM
History of Heaven Hill Distillery

Rich Fiorillo | East Coast Whiskey Ambassador | Heaven Hill Distillery | BIO

Walk through the history of Heaven Hill Distillery with East Coast Whiskey Ambassador Rich Fiorillo. In this seminar, you’ll taste three bourbons of the same mashbill, but of varying ages, proofs and attributes. Start off by tasting William Heavenhill, a limited edition product only available in Kentucky, who’s namesake had a limestone spring that inspired our original name – Old Heavenhill Springs Distillery. From there, you’ll taste Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond, which was inspired by the distillery’s 1939 release of Old Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond. Last, but certainly not least, taste one of the newest Heaven Hill expressions, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection.

Chelsea/Gotham

7:00 PM
Widow Jane - The Secrets Behind Widow Jane

Sienna Jevremov  |  Head Distiller, Widow Jane  |  BIO

Michele Clark  |  Vice President, Widow Jane

Join us for an exclusive Widow Jane Master Class led by Sienna Jevremov, our talented head distiller, and our VP Michele Clark. In this immersive experience, Sienna & Michele will take participants on a captivating journey into the history of Widow Jane, the science of blending, unveiling the secrets behind our unique water sourced from the Aquaphor, the meticulous selection of barrels, and the reasoning behind our innovative practices.

During the Master Class, you can taste our exceptional signature marques, including hard-to-find varieties such as Decadence, Lucky 13, and The Vault 15 yr. This one-of-a-kind event will allow you to discover firsthand the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating Widow Jane. 

Gramercy/Olmstead

7:00 PM
The Art of Blending Hibiki

Gardner Dunn  |  Senior Brand Ambassador, Suntory  |  BIO

A brush stroke into the art of blending. Gardner will walk you through the single malt and grain whiskies that comprise Hibiki the most awarded blended whisky in the world and the oaks that make it so distinct.

Duffy/Columbia

8:00 PM
Fuji Whisky – Our 50-Year Journey from the Peak of Mt. Fuji To Your Glass

Jota Tanaka | Master Blender, FUJI Whisky | BIO

Join Icon of Whisky Jota Tanaka, Master Blender at Fuji Gotemba Distillery, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of one of Japan’s leading distilleries. Located at the base of Mt. Fuji, the distillery is well globally renowned for its unique production of malt and three global styles of grain whiskey all in a single site, giving full terroir influence from the mountain and pure forest. Acclaimed for Japanese grain whiskey leadership, this masterclass will showcase exceptional FUJI malt whiskies, including new expressions and a special preview of the 50th Anniversary Single Malt, which features a blend of whiskies from the five decades of production.

Empire/Hudson

8:00 PM 
Maturation; More than a Number

Ian Hosack | Brand Diplomat | Maker's Mark | BIO

Explore the wonder of oak maturation when building a fantastic whisky. Tasting through a series of rare whiskies guided by Maker’s Mark Diplomat, Ian Hosack we’ll begin with the liquid off the still, end with a final bourbon, and all the components in between. Join in and learn the methods and practices of Maker’s Mark as we strive to bring forth our taste vision with every bottle we dip.