April showers might drive you inside, but there’s plenty to do and taste at Westport Whiskey & Wine this month. Tastings from breweries and distilleries or classes provide an enjoyable refuge from the rain as you learn something new for prices ranging from $5 to $25. I’ll be learning to make the perfect Old Fashioned on April 11 with Maker’s Mark Distillery Diplomat Thomas Bolton , and you’re welcome to join me.
Tonight, Wednesday, April 4, 6 to 9 PM. is Bar Night. They will have special cocktails, discounts on flights, Conundrum wine by-the-glass and special beers. The rest of the month features special tastings and classes. Some require reservations, which can be made at Continue reading for April’s schedule.
Thursday, April 5, 7 PM. Nolet’s Gin Class with Dan Kaman, Brand Ambassador of Nolet’s gin, who will be our guest speaker. Dan will be presenting his “History of Gin.” He will cover the history, the difference in styles, and differences in flavor profiles for the gin category. And there will be a tasting of Nolet’s along with a cocktail or two. Reservations please. $25
Friday, April 6, 6:30 to 8:30. Oscar Blues Brewery Tasting. THE ORIGINAL CRAFT BEER IN A CAN. In 2002, their funky little Colorado grown brew-pub started stuffing their huge, voluminously hopped mutha of a pale ale in a can (Dale’s Pale Ale). That not only began the craft-beer-in-a-can craze, but has grown to add a brewery to the hills of Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, NC and another in the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, TX, in 2016. Cans keep beer fresher, longer by eliminating the damaging effects of light and ingressed oxygen while being infinitely recyclable and portable…taking them where your next soul saving adventure takes you. Come pop a top and experience Oscar Blues. No reservations necessary. $5
Tuesday, April 10, 7 PM. Bardstown Bourbon Company Tasting. Meet David Mandell, CEO and Steve Nally, Master Distiller. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is a place where technology, craftsmanship, and care for the environment help them to produce the finest bourbons. It is the home of Collabor&tion, which is the culmination of nearly two years of work between the Bardstown Bourbon Co. & Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. Two deluxe expressions of very fine 10-year-old straight Bourbon whiskey finished for 18 months: one in C&K American Brandy barrels and the other in Muscat Mistelle barrels. Come and experience some unique bourbon and other tastes. Reservations please. $25
Wednesday, April 11, 7 PM. Maker’s Mark Distillery Diplomat Thomas Bolton will demonstrate how to expertly craft three delicious classic cocktails. Sample the 1860’s old fashioned before trying the Pendennis old fashioned and contemporary old fashioned. Then, try your hand at stirring up your very own old fashioned from a selection of craft bitters, syrups, fruit, and of course, Maker’s 46 or Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. Reservations please. $25
Thursday, April 12, 7 PM. Castle & Key tasting with Marianne Barnes, Master Distiller and Brett Connors, C&K Historian and Mixologist. The buzz about the revival of a treasured distillery under the Castle & Key name has been building and we will finally get to taste and learn about what the buzz is all about. The evening will start off with a tutorial by Brett Connors (C&K Historian and Mixologist) on how to make a classic gin cocktail. All guests will have a cocktail in hand once Marianne takes the stage to give the oral history of C&K and discuss the future whiskies. Limited release gin and vodka will be available that evening. Reservations please. $25
Friday, April 13, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Boulevard Brewing Co. Tasting. Boulevard began in 1988 when founder John McDonald started construction of the brewery in a turn-of-the-century brick building on Kansas City’s historic Southwest Boulevard. A vintage Bavarian brewhouse was installed with used equipment from a closed brewery in Bavaria, Germany, and the first batches of beer were produced in the fall of 1989. Based on the historic example set by the local and regional breweries that were once common throughout the United States prior to Prohibition, the brewery has a focus on providing locally-brewed beer for the Kansas City region. Taste some excellent beers from their original Pale Ale to their newest Kolsch. No reservations necessary. $5
Tuesday, April 17, 7 PM. It’s Malbec Day! Celebrate with a tasting of Malbec wines from both Old & New World countries. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, Malbec wine offers a great alternative to higher priced Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. However, there’s more to Malbec than just value. Learn the secrets of Malbec wine and some great Malbec food pairing tips. Reservations please $20.
Wednesday, April 18, 7 PM. Don Sebastiani & Sons Wine Tasting. Join Danielle Keegan from Don Sebastiani & Sons as she will introduce you to this family-owned company with roots in Sonoma for over a hundred years. “We embrace a set of core values that draw upon the family’s history of innovation and expressive winemaking. Whether it’s a good meal with friends or a celebration of achievement, we are devoted to building meaningful products that complement those special moments.” Their wine portfolio covers all the major wine growing regions in California at affordable, everyday price points without sacrificing quality. Brands to be tasted include: Simple Life, Crusher, Custard, Big Smooth and B Side. Reservations please. $20.
Thursday, April 19, 7 PM. Bloody Butcher Tasting from Jeptha Creed Distillery. “Our spirits are as authentic as the legacy they’re built on. We craft each and every blend with only the best ingredients, many of which are grown right here on the Jeptha Creed farm. It may seem like a lot of trouble to go to, especially when other Kentucky distilleries are outsourcing ingredients and going the artificial route. But here’s the truth: we’re not like anybody else. And neither are our products.” Come and experience the difference. Reservations please. $20.
Tuesday, April 24, 7 PM. It’s Sauvignon Blanc Day! Celebrate with Steve Patton of Trinchero Family Wines as he will present several different Sauvignon Blancs from around California and elsewhere. The primary fruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc are lime, green apple, passion fruit and white peach. Depending on how ripe the grapes are when the wine is made, the flavor will range from zesty lime to flowery peach. What makes Sauvignon Blanc unique from other white wines are its other herbaceous flavors like bell pepper, jalapeño, gooseberry and grass. Steve will be offering at least 6 different versions to taste. Reservations please. $20
Wednesday, April 25, 7 PM. Woodford Reserve Bourbon Tasting with Elizabeth McCall, Assistant Master Distiller. Woodford Reserve recently promoted Elizabeth McCall from master taster to assistant master distiller for the premium bourbon. McCall, 33, is one of the youngest female distillers in the U.S., according to Brown-Forman. “Elizabeth brings not only exceptional sensory and analytic skills to the distillery but also an inspiring passion for Woodford Reserve,” Chris Morris, Master Distiller. Elizabeth will be presenting a selection of Woodford Reserve whiskey along with tastes of some of their experimental and Master’s Collection profiles. Reservations please. $25
Thursday, April 26, 7 PM. Derby Cocktail Class with Cat Platz, Brown-Forman Brand Ambassador. She will be tasting Old Forester Whiskey Row and Old Forester Mint Julep, The Official Drink of the KY Derby. Then she will conduct a Mint Julep cocktail class where guests will learn to craft their own Old Forester mint julep including how to crush the ice, spank the mint, and properly hold a julep cup. Everyone in attendance will all go home with a special gift. Reservations please. $25
