Whiskey Riot: A Festival of Whiskeys
WHO IS WHISKEY RIOT FOR?
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
Discovering new whiskeys can be an expensive exploration. Signage in a liquor store and the details on a bottle’s label will only tell you so much. How do you know you’re going to take home something you love? There’s no better way to find your new favorite drink than side-by-side comparison tasting.
Whiskey Riot is a large format tasting event complete with brand representatives who can answer questions, explain the nuances of what your tasting and leave you feeling armed with more whiskey knowledge.
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Taste hundreds of bottles without buying hundreds of bottles.
Estimated Cost of 200 Bottles of Whiskey: $45/bottle x 200 bottles = $9,000
Cost of Trying 200 Whiskeys at Whiskey Riot = 1 Ticket
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*2 Sessions Available. Please Pay Attention to Time and Dates on Ticket!*
FAQs and General Rules
Friday Session
Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
Time: 6-9 PM (VIP Hour: 5-6 PM)
Saturday Session
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
Time: 4-7 PM (VIP Hour: 3-4 PM)
Place:
The Powerhouse
140 Lee St., Buffalo, NY 14210
Is there a difference between the Friday session and Saturday Session?
No! There is no difference in brands or products being sampled between the two days. Although you’re more than welcome to attend each day, if you want to really take your time!
How many whiskeys will be available to try?
Over 200 varieties!
What’s included in a General Admission (GA) Ticket?
General Admission ticket holders will receive a branded rocks tasting glass and be given full range of the venue to taste whichever whiskeys they desire. Sorting through this many whiskeys would require a prohibitively expensive investment in bottles were a whiskey explorer to pursue a tasting this vast on their own. The GA ticket provides a pathway to finding your new favorite whiskey without breaking the bank.
What’s included in a VIP Ticket?
VIP ticket holders will receive access to the event 1 hour earlier than General Admission entry. They’ll receive all of the same benefits of the General Admission ticket, which include a branded tasting glass, full range of the venue to taste whichever whiskeys they desire and access to limited edition and rare whiskies that will not be available during the General Admission time (list to be added in late-December!)
Will there be Designated Driver (DD) Tickets available?
Due to limited capacity, there are no DD tickets offered for the event. Please be responsible and coordinate a ride using a ride share service or friend/family member.
Can I trade up to a VIP Ticket within the event?
Unfortunately, no. We have limited supplies for the ticket tiers and don’t have the flexibility to add the necessary resources during the event. If you've purchased a GA ticket and wish to upgrade to VIP before the event, please reach out to TIXR customer support who may be able to assist. Purchasing an upgrade will be dependent on VIP ticket availability.
Are samples free?
Once you have your ticket for admission and enter the venue, you will not be charged for any whiskey tasting.
Are cocktails free?
Each guest will receive 1 ticket for each of the specialty cocktail branded sample bars (3-5 cocktail samples per event). Don’t think of a traditional bar where you walk up and tell the bartender what you’d like. The cocktail bars are hosted by showcasing brands and typically offer just one specialty cocktail per bar. Each attendee will have one redemption ticket for each of the cocktail bars. This redemption method is only used for the cocktail bars and not for the general sampling of whiskeys (it’s rooted in an effort to make sure that showcasing brands have enough inventory for everyone).
What brands will be attending?
The final list will be evolving until January 2024. Scroll down to find a sneak peek of participating brands (UPDATED WEEKLY - STAY TUNED FOR MANY MORE!). We’ll also be posting updates on our website, the TIXR page and social media regularly as new brands hop on board. In the meantime, check out our list of historic participating brands on our website.
Will there be other alcoholic beverage options?
Yes, there will be beer and wine available for purchase.
Is the event for people 21 and over?
Yes. If a person is under 21 years old and tries to enter the event with a ticket they purchased online or one that was provided to them, they will not be granted entry and the purchaser will not receive a refund for the ticket. You must be 21 years of age or older to enter this event and no exceptions to the rule will be made.
Do I have to buy anything when I’m in the event?
No! All whiskey samples are included with purchase of admission. Complimentary water bottles will be available in the event!
Can I purchase merchandise or food at the event?
Yes! There will be food and merchandise on site for purchase.
Is there security?
There will be security present at the event and they are tasked with keeping the evening civilized and safe. Please be courteous, respectful and kind to others and keep in mind that everyone is coming together to have fun and positive experience.
Strong Suggestions for a Safe and Enjoyable Time:
-Eat a hearty meal beforehand! There's nothing worse than being hungry, and while we'll have snacks on hand and food for purchase, we encourage you to eat before the event.
-Use the spit buckets. Seriously. You’re doing a tasting and should pace yourself! There’s no pressure to drink everything you’re trying. The brand representatives who will be present expect you to spit out their products after trying an d won’t be offended if you do! It may seem silly or impolite, but it’s how the whiskey world works. This is sage advice.
-Rinse out your glass between whiskeys! You don’t want a new bourbon to taste like the last smokey Islay scotch you tried!
-Do not pre-game the event. Fight any social temptation you may have to do so. Your evening will be so much more enjoyable if you just wait for the event to start imbibing.
-There’s going to be a rush at the beginning of the event as people get in and spread throughout the venue. It may seem like you won’t have enough time to try everything you want, but we promise that you will. No need to rush, be pushy or drink quickly. You will have time to explore everything!
-Please coordinate a ride home from a ride share service or friend/family member.
Hard Rules (Break them and you’re out):
-No violence or aggressive behavior
-No firearms or weapons, regardless of personal permits
-No smoking in the venue
Updated: 1/26/24 SO MANY BRANDS..WE RAN OUT OF SPACE! SEE FULL LIST HERE
FIRST POUR & GLASSWARE:
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
OFFICIAL COCKTAIL BARS
Wilderness Trail Bourbon "Wheated" featured in a Gold Rush
Green River Rye Whiskey featured in “Rye Wait”
Bardstown Bourbon Company Cocktail TBD
VIP POUR
Russell's Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon
Keeper's Heart 10 Year Old Single Malt Finished in Malaga Wine Casks
Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend
Ironweed Rye - Double Oak
The Liberties 10 YO Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Glenfiddich 12 YR Sherry Finish
Yellow Rose Limited Release TBA
Fercullen Single Malt 21 Year Old
Middle West Spirits Double Cask
Four Roses 2023 Limited Edition Small Batch
Luxco's Yellowstone Limited Edition 2023
Remus Gatsby Reserve
Three Chord Bourbon
Buffalo Distilling Co's 7 Year Wheated Bourbon
Helderberg Winter Wheat Whiskey
Five & 20 Deep Water Rye
5 Year Bourbon Whiskey
Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Casket Strength 120
Blue Note Uncut
Green River Single Barrel Bourbon
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Elijah Craig 18 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt Whisky
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon BiB
Westland American Single Malt Whiskey Garryana 8th Edition
Breckenridge High Proof
Special Note: Brown-Forman will be bring Glenglassaugh Sandend* pending local inventory
*Whiskey Advocate’s #1 Rated Whiskey in 2023
STANDARD POUR
Bib & Tucker 6 Y.O. Bourbon
Bib & Tucker Double Char 6 Y.O. Bourbon
Redemption Bourbon
Redemption Rye
James E. Pepper Barrel Proof "Decanter" Bourbon
Old Pepper Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Old Pepper Bottled-in-Bond Rye
James E. Pepper 1776 Rye Whiskey
Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon
Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Bourbon
St. George Baller American Single Malt
St. George Breaking & Entering Whiskey
St. George Lot 23 American Single Malt
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Bourbon
Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Rye
Michter's US*1 American Whiskey
Michter's US*1 Sour Mash
Milam & Greene Single Barrel Bourbon
Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon
Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye
Milam & Greene Very Small Batch Bourbon
Wilderness Trail Bourbon "High Rye"
Wilderness Trail Rye
Russell's Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon
Russell's Reserve 6-Year-Old Rye
Keeper's Heart Irish + American
Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon
Keeper's Heart Irish + American 110 Proof
Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength
Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon
Old Elk Four Grain
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon 8 YR
Old Elk Rum Finished Rye
Ironweed Bourbon
Ironweed Rye
Ironweed Malt
Ironweed Rye - Cabernet Finish
Tullamore Dew Honey
Glenfiddich 15 YR
Monkey Shoulder
Hudson Whiskey 5 YR
Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey
Dubliner Irish Whiskey
Dubliner Honeycomb
O'Mara's Country Cream
Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye
Hercules Mulligan Eyr & Rye
Dough Ball Cookie Dough Whiskey
Dough Ball Birthday Cake Whiskey
Cinnabomb Cinnamon Whiskey
Yellow Rose Outlaw Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Yellow Rose Harris County Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Yellow Rose Rye
Yellow Rose Premium American
Fercullen Fall's Small Batch Irish Whiskey
Fercullen Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Fercullen Single Malt 15 Year Old
McKenzie Pure Pot Still Whiskey
McKenzie Straight Bourbon Whiskey
McKenzie Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey
McKenzie Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey
Middle West Spirits Four-Grain Bourbon
Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel Rye
Middle West Spirits Wheat Whiskey
Middle West Spirits Bourbon Cream
Four Roses Bourbon
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
Luxco's Yellowstone Select
Luxco's Yellowstone Toasted
Luxco's Yellowstone American Single Malt
Luxco's Minor Case Rye
Luxco's George Remus Straight Bourbon
Luxco's George Remus Highest Rye
Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Bourbon
Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Rye
Three Chord Small Batch Blended Bourbon
Three Chord Kentucky Straight Bourbon Strange Collaboration
Three Chord Straight Amplify Rye
Three Chord Bourbon Cream
Buffalo Distilling Co's 5 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Buffalo Distilling Co's 6 Year Blended Bourbon
Buffalo Distilling Co's 5 Year Empire Rye Whiskey
Buffalo Distilling Co's 6 Year Maple Cask Bourbon
High West Bourbon
High West Double Rye
Nelson Brothers Bourbon
Nelson Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
Castle & Key Restoration Rye
Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon
Castle & Key Small Batch Wheated Bourbon
Helderberg Empire Rye Whiskey
Helderberg Winter Wheat Whiskey
Helderberg Bourbon
68W Corn Whiskey
Black Button Four Grain Straight Bourbon
Black Button Cask Strength Straight Bourbon
Black Button Pre-Prohibition Style Straight Bourbon
Black Button Empire Straight Rye
Hartman’s Distilling Straight Blended Bourbon
Hartman’s Distilling Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Hartman’s Distilling Barrel Proof Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Lost Irish - Irish Whiskey
Jack Daniel's Bonded Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel's Bonded Tennessee Rye Whiskey
Jack Daniel's Triple Mash Whiskey
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Glenglassaugh Portsoy
Glenglassaugh Sandend
Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old
Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon 80
Rattlesnake Rosie's Apple Pie
Rattlesnake Rosie's Maple Bacon
Rattlesnake Rosie's Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Bourbon Cream
1911 Established Bourbon Whiskey
1911 Established Cider Donut Bourbon
1911 Straight Rye Whiskey
1911 Empire Rye Whiskey
Redwood Empire Whiskey Pipe Dream Bourbon
Redwood Empire Whiskey Lost Monarch Blend
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey
The Wiseman Bourbon
The Wiseman Rye
Kentucky Owl Maighstir Edition
Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition
Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond 7 year
Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Bernheim Original Straight Small Batch Wheat Whiskey
Bardstown Bourbon Company
-Specific Whiskeys TBD
Green River Bourbon
Green River Wheated Bourbon
Green River Rye Whiskey
Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt Whisky
Balcones Baby Blue Straight Corn Whiskey
Balcones Texas Rye Bottled in Bond
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Rye
Hard Truth Distilling Co. High Road Rye
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Bourbon
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon BiB
Westland Single Malt American Whiskey
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated
Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2013
2XO American Oak
2XO Kiawah Blend
2XO French Oak
2XO Tribute Blend
SEE FULL LIST HERE