Malt Advocate magazine’s 8th annual WhiskyFest Chicago was a huge success!

We attracted our largest Chicago audience to date. Here are some event statistics:

  • More than 2000 whisky enthusiasts attended coming from three different countries and 33 different states
  • Tickets to the event sold out two weeks in advance
  • 76 exhibiting companies poured over 200 different expressions of whisky
  • Over 20 whisky-related events were held in the Chicago area during WhiskyFest’s "whisky week."

What the press has to say about WhiskyFest Chicago:

  In my view, WhiskyFest is the greatest show in our industry.
Sean Ludford, Aperitif magazine

I have been to my share of drinks festivals. Friday night I experienced the gold standard, the eighth annual WhiskyFest Chicago. Pulling an event of this scope off well is no small achievement and the Malt Advocate folks do it right.
Rick Lyke, drinks writer

Another year, another WhiskyFest down in the books. Malt Advocate magazine's annual festival celebrating all there is to celebrate about whiskies was, by all notes, a rousing success.
Chuck Sudo, The Chicagoist

What the exhibitors are saying:

  I was very impressed with the Chicago event. The increased space gave us a little more working room and that made a huge difference. I also want to comment on the professionalism displayed in the way you run this event. For us at Four Roses, it was an extremely positive event and we look forward to San Francisco and New York in the Fall.
Four Roses

Another great event. I thought the attendees this year were really up to speed with what is going on in the Whisky Industry. I was also amazed at the pull of the tasting this year. I spoke with customers from Montana, Florida, and Texas. Chicago seems to be the biggest draw as compared to SF or NY.
Great job.

Signatory

All of you combined make a complex experience totally enjoyable. Thanks for your support to the craft and innovative distillers. Scores are certainly objective but if your event was a whiskey, it would grade in the 90’s.
Stranahan’s

What the attendees are saying:

  My wife got me 2 VIP tickets to the Chicago Whiskyfest as my wedding present. The staff was top notch and very friendly. The food was excellent. The vendors were very nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. Next year we are going back and plan on trying to get more friends to attend. This was a memorable experience that was as I told my wife, amazing.
John—Denver, CO

Your team did a fantastic job. The food was excellent, especially the salmon and the carved beef. Well over 1000 people and the food never stopped flowing. Neither did the spirits. Visiting with the vendors and having a chance to taste such a wide variety of malts, many not available in the United States, some new releases, some quite hard to find—what an opportunity. While it was my first Whisky Fest I can assure you it will not be my last.
Jeff-Williamsburg, VA

We were impressed with our first annual Whisky Fest in Chicago. From the preparation earlier on to the registration on D day every detail was perfectly orchestrated. What a night to remember.
Tanguy-Farmington, MI

This was my 1st time attending, I waited a whole year for the event. The food was really good! The list of whisky choices was utterly immense! WOW! Look forward to next year.
Louis-Buffalo, NY

Outstanding, outstanding, outstanding. Best food, arrangement of rooms, traffic flow, products-both old and new along with the educational factors of all the fine single malts. We're already starting our list of guests for next year. Sam's loved us—purchased more than $900 of Single Malts.
Jim-Chicago, IL

WOW, we had a great time. We were surprised when we entered and found PRIME BEEF slicing stations. WELL DONE HOME RUN. We found the new layout easier to navigate, and it felt less crowded. We are looking forward to next year. My wife and daughter will attend with us as two more VIPs. They said it sounds like we have too much fun, and they don't want to miss it.
Jim-Woodstock, IL

The 2009 WhiskyFest Chicago is tentatively scheduled for April 1, 2009. Tickets will go on sale in the next two months.