Live Whisky Events Are Returning…Are We Ready? (Episode 864: March 28, 2021)

Virtually every major whisky event worldwide in the past year has been cancelled, postponed, or gone virtual because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, live events are returning in Florida, Texas, and Nevada over the next month as vaccination rates in the U.S. rise, and more event promoters are preparing to return later this year. Is it too soon, and can live whisky events be done safely? Dave Sweet’s Whiskey and Barrel Nite event last September in New Jersey was one of the few in-person events that went on as planned, with no Covid-19 cases later connected to the event. Now, his team is preparing to hold what may be the largest whisky event in a year. Nearly 500 tickets have been sold for the Whiskey Obsession Festival in Tampa April 8th, even though many major whisky brands will not be participating. We’ll talk with Dave Sweet about the event’s health guidelines and his timeline for a “return to normal” on WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Ardbeg has opened its new stillhouse, Beam Suntory is reviving some of Glen Garioch’s past, and we have highlights from Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky Awards.

Links: Whiskey Obsession Festival | Food & Drink Federation Scotland | Ardbeg | Glen Garioch | World Whiskies Awards | Icons of Whisky Awards | Highland Park | Jura | Method & Madness | Castle & Key | Booker’s Bourbon | Lost Lantern Whiskey | WhistlePig | Ben & Jerry’s | The Nth | Cascade Moon | Paul John | Johnnie Walker