Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Whisky fest puffs up with cigars, spirits
Are you ready for a smokin’ good time? Then plan to attend the Big Smoke Whisky Fest at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino April 3-4.
For more than two decades, whiskey festivals from Whisky Advocate and Big Smoke cigar fests from
Cigar Aficionado have been mainstays across the country.
“There was a successful Big Smoke at the Hard Rock last year. As far as Whisky Fest, though, this is a first for us at the Hard Rock and a first for us in Florida,” says Jeffery Lindenmuth, executive editor of Whisky Advocate magazine. “It’s the first time the two are coming together.”
Make that a double, please.
“The facility satisfies our needs for a high-profile event like this. And we couldn’t do outside smoking and grilling in New York this time of year!” he says. “Part of the fun is trying different cigars with different whiskies and seeing how the flavors enhance each other and pair together. It’s going to be myriad combinations.”
Organizers say they are expecting more than 2,000 attendees. The grand tasting from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. both nights will offer 29 cigars, more than 150 whiskies, 45-minute whiskey seminars, a food buffet and live music. Tickets are $275 and $345 for VIP with earlier 5:30 p.m. entry.
“The beauty of whiskey is that it has the flavor and impact to stand up to a cigar. It’s an ideal match,” Lindenmuth says. “Whereas,
I don’t think wine is up to the task.”
Each sampling of whiskey is usually about a quarter ounce.
“Both the whiskies and the cigars represent superpremium products. There are whiskies that are 15, 20 and even 25 years old for VIP. Many of them are several hundred dollars a bottle, and many not even available at any price,” he says. “For example, Four Roses is pouring their 2019 limited edition small batch for VIP, and Elijah Craig 18-year will be poured for all attendees. These are rarely encountered on store shelves.”
Dewar’s, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg will be part of the 45-minute whiskey seminars in the Seminole ballroom of the hotel’s Hollywood Tower.
“The seminars give an in-depth look,” Lindenmuth says. “It involves tasting the whiskies along with the people who make them and gaining unique insight into their process. Often, it’s whiskies not being poured in the general area.”
His not-to-miss favorites in the main area will be The Glendronach 21-year, Dewar’s Double Double 27-year, Four Roses Single Barrel and Peerless small-batch rye.
“The magazine embraces all kinds of whiskey, and so does the event. That includes bourbon, rye, Scotch, and French and Japanese whiskies,” he says. “I encourage people to work from lighter to bolder flavor and from lower to higher proof so they don’t blow out their palate.”
Lindenmuth also encourages attendees to sip water throughout the night to further preserve their palates and stay hydrated.
“Whiskey has been rediscovered because it’s an amazingly complex and bold spirit, unlike vodka. And whiskey has a history and taste of authenticity that no other spirit comes close to,” he says. “The trend is innovative barrel finishing, such as port or sherry barrels or even mezcal barrels. I think that’s really exciting, such as a Scotch being finished in a mezcal barrel.”
Weekend combination prices for the fest, at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, include a cigar seminar with Cigar Aficionado’s editors and world premier cigar makers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 4. Visit BigSmokeWhiskyFest.com for details.
“The real high point that I’m personally exited about is the seminar where Whisky Advocate’s No. 1 Whisky of the Year and Cigar Aficionado’s No. 1 Cigar of the Year will be able to be enjoyed together,” Lindenmuth says. “I think that’s magical.”