WhiskyFest returns to the Capital City on april 17th, and—with hundreds of whiskies to choose from—it’s going to be an unforgettable night for whisky lovers. Whether you want to go deep on scotch , Irish, craft whiskey, or other styles, there will be plenty of delicious drams to tempt your palate. For lovers of American whiskey, use this guide to get started, and consult the full list of pours to determine your can’t-miss whiskeys.

As you’re planning your evening, check out our guide to making the most of the event. And if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, get them...

It’s a big week for well-aged scotch. Macallan is releasing a 50 year old single malt that aged in a single Spanish oak sherry butt, while Dalmore has unveiled a 45 year old which includes whiskies finished in two vintage tawny port pipes. The Macallan 50 year old costs $35,000, and only 200 bottles are available (35 for the U.S.), while The Dalmore 45 year old rings up at $12,500 with 500 bottles for sale.

Meanwhile, Glenlivet is reprising the same elements of mystery that surrounded its Alpha release a few years ago. The Glenlivet Code is a Speyside single...

WhiskyFest alights on the nation’s capital on april 17th, and it’s the perfect chance for whisky lovers to seek out new, rare, and classic drams from all around the world. Of course, scotch whisky will be flowing in great abundance, and this year’s event offers many fantastic whiskies for the scotch enthusiast to revisit or discover for the first time. Here are a few of our top picks.

Be sure to check out the full list of pours , as well as our guide to getting the most out of WhiskyFest. And if you don’t have your tickets yet, get...

From the outside, whisky collecting seems like an exclusive sport, a world of international auction houses, unattainable Japanese whisky, and pre-Prohibition bottles of bourbon. But not everyone who appreciates art has to own a Basquiat. Beyond the most rarefied whiskies and record-breaking bottles is a much larger, much more accessible realm of collectible whiskies. Collecting doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming—and above all else, it should be fun.

Collecting Types

There are a few kinds of whisky collectors. Trophy hunters might buy for personal satisfaction or investment, but they tend to target rare current releases—think Pappy Van Winkle...

Finding rare whisky on the shelf—a practice dubbed “ whisky antiquing” —isn’t seek and destroy, but rather, a search and enjoy mission. Follow these steps to securing liquid gems.

Assess Your Aspirations

Record an inventory of the whiskies you own and the styles you drink most. You probably already have more expertise than you even realize, so apply extra focus here when hunting.

Establish a Perimeter

Pick a central starting point and establish a radius for your search. Search for “liquor stores,” “wine shops,” “package stores,” and “wine and spirits” on Yelp and Google Maps. Chart a route, paying close...

Pappy Van Winkle is coveted by so many, and yet—thanks to its scarcity and often inflated prices—enjoyed by so few. But most folks don’t even realize what makes it special: Pappy—along with the other offerings in the Van Winkle line, aside from the rye—is a wheated bourbon. That means the secondary grain in its mashbill is wheat, rather than the much more common rye. This creates a slightly sweeter, fruitier, and, yes, smoother bourbon that many drinkers find quite appealing.

Savvy whiskey lovers have learned to quit wasting their time and money on locating Pappy and instead have begun to...

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90 points, 40% ABV, $30...

97 points, 40% ABV, $225...

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New whisky abounds from all across America this week—plus a couple of scotches.

First up, Ardbeg ’s annual limited-edition bottling has been revealed. Ardbeg Grooves includes whisky matured in red wine barrels with heavily charred, grooved staves, which allow for increased wood contact. As in years past, the whisky is first available to Ardbeg Committee members outside the U.S. at a higher proof, with a 46% ABV version rolling out to coincide with Ardbeg Day (this year on juni 2nd).

Several new craft whiskeys are launching. Colorado’s Woody Creek Distillers is debuting its first bourbon, a 4 year old whiskey...

A new year means a whole new crop of whiskies entering our buying guide—both recent releases and tried-and-true expressions. Topping our Spring 2018 list is Johnnie Walker Blue Label , a grail for many, and a dram of exceptional reputation. Also included is a standout from the Balvenie DCS Compendium Chapter 3 , a collection of five handpicked whiskies representing each of the decades that Malt Master David Stewart has spent with the company. The full collection is available to sample as a flight or individually at the Four Seasons’ Ty Bar in New York.

Meanwhile, it’s all about the...

On mars 23rd, whiskey lovers of the Midwest will convene for WhiskyFest Chicago, the first WhiskyFest event of 2018. As always, hundreds of whiskies will be available at the event, and attendees can range freely between scotch, bourbon, Japanese whiskies, and many other whiskey styles—including the big tent of American craft whiskey. As craft whiskey has matured, small producers can now stand toe-to-toe with much more established distilleries. A number of craft distilleries from all around the country will be pouring at WhiskyFest Chicago, so you can sample the wide variety of styles now being made. Here are some of...

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While many whisky lovers will be enjoying a drop of the Irish this week (and if you need some suggestions, here are 17 new Irish whiskeys to try ), there are still plenty of bourbons, scotches, and other whiskies to get your hands on.

Booker’s is rolling out the first of four 2018 releases. Kathleen’s Batch, named for longtime brand ambassador and friend of Booker Noe Kathleen DiBenedetto, was aged for 6 years, 3 months, and 14 days, and is bottled at 63.7% ABV. Having tasted it myself during the selection process, I can say with confidence that this will...

The best part of WhiskyFest is the selection: Hundreds of new whiskies await your glass, representing scotch, bourbon, Irish, craft whiskey, and so many other styles. If you want to make a night of tasting only the newest releases, you’ll be busy. Here are our top picks for the must-taste new whiskies at WhiskyFest Chicago on mars 23rd—many of them making their public debut that very night.

Keep this list handy, and consult our recommendations for the top bourbons , scotches , and craft whiskeys at the event. Don’t forget to check out the free seminars , or to plot...

“Pairing the bittersweet and herbal flavor of Campari with the toasted caramel notes of dark rum allows you to experience a full range of tastes that only improve when mixed in this Hot Buttered Toddy,” says Kate Bolton, owner of...

For Allen Lancaster’s Sombrero Rosado—a spin on the 1930s-era Brown Derby, comprised of bourbon, grapefruit, and honey—the master cocktail craftsman at...

This Sinful Julep from H. Joseph Ehrmann, proprietor of San Francisco’s...

There are times when whisky overpowers the full experience of liqueurs or mixers. That’s why mezcal works perfectly in the Ojo Del Tigre, created by Garrett Borgeson, bartender at...