Whiskey Riot: A Festival of Whiskeys The world of whiskey is vast; diving in can be daunting. Our festival offers samplings of hundreds of whiskeys, seminars and fantastic conversations with whiskey lovers, distillers, brand founders and more to arm you with the tools you need to become a whiskey expert. And, oh, yeah... you'll have one hell of a time. WHO IS WHISKEY RIOT FOR? The Whiskey Lover, the Whiskey Curious, the Whiskey Enthusiast, the Whiskey Aficionado, the Whiskey Rookie. All are welcome! 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. 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 FAQs and General Rules Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025 Time: 4-7 PM (Early Entry Hour: 3-4 PM) Place: The Powerhouse 140 Lee St., Buffalo, NY 14210 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 an Early Entry Ticket? Early Entry ticket holders (formerly known as VIP in years past) 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!) The big emphasis on this ticket is an extra hour in the event without large crowds. What happened to VIP tickets? If you bought VIP tickets for previous years, you might wonder where those went. Good news! Early Entry is the new name for the previously known VIP tickets. The only thing that has changed is the name! The same things are included in the Early Entry ticket as was previously included in VIP; you'll receive access to the event 1 hour earlier than General Admission and have access to limited edition and rare whiskies that will not be available during the General Admission time. 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 an Early Entry 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 Early Entry before the event, please reach out to TIXR customer support who may be able to assist. Purchasing an upgrade will be dependent on Early Entry 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? Scroll down for brand list! The final list will be evolving until January 2025. 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 BRAND LIST (UPDATED 1/10/25)….FULL LIST ONLINE HERE OFFICIAL COCKTAIL BARS Amador Cocktail TBD Bardstown Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond featured in “Whiskey Wedge” cocktail Green River Bourbon featured in “Stillhouse Smash” cocktail EARLY ENTRY POURS Milam & Greene Unabridged Cask Strength Bourbon Bib & Tucker 10 year Bourbon Albany Distilling Company Ironweed Rum Bourbon Little Rest Oloroso Sherry Cask American Single Malt Whisky Michter's 10 Year Bourbon Keeper's Heart 10 Year Old Irish Single Malt 1911 Applewood Smoked Single Malt Whiskey One Foot Cock Empire Rye Whiskey Jameson Triple Triple Jeffersons Tropics Compass Box Hedonism Limited Edition 2025 Journeyman Silver Cross Whiskey Balblair 15 Bakers 7 year single barrel Bowmore 15 Yamazaki 12 Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Balvenie 21YR Portwood Iron Smoke Double Oaked Middle West Spirits Napoleon Calvados Cask-Finished Whiskey 15 STARS Three Kings Deep Water Rye Whiskey Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt Whisky Cooperstown Select Straight American Single Malt Whiskey Glenmorangie Triple cask STANDARD POURS Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon Milam & Greene Port Cask Finished Rye Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Bourbon Milam & Greene Very Small Batch Bourbon Bib & Tucker 6 year Bourbon Bib & Tucker 6 year Double Char Bourbon Redemption High Rye Bourbon Redemption Wheated Bourbon Powers Irish Whiskey Shanky's Whip Albany Distilling Company Ironweed Bourbon Whiskey Albany Distilling Company Ironweed Rye Albany Distilling Company Ironweed Malt Albany Distilling Company Ironweed Solera Rye Castle and Key Restoration Rye Castle and Key Small Batch Bourbon Castle and Key Wheated Cask Strength Bourbon Little Rest Classic III American Single Malt Whisky Little Rest Pinot Noir Cask American Single Malt Whisky Little Rest Bourbon Cask American Single Malt Whisky Little Rest Port Cask American Single Malt Whisky Bubba’s Pancakes and Bacon Whiskey Bubba’s Burnt Sugar Whiskey Bubba’s Marshmallow Chocolate Whiskey Keeper's Heart Irish + American Whiskey Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon Whiskey Keeper's Heart Irish + American 110 Proof Whiskey Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength Whiskey 1911 Empire Rye 1911 Cider Donut Bourbon 1911 Bourbon Cream Whiskey 1911 Bourbon Whiskey One Foot Cock Bourbon High Wheat Mash 8 Year One Foot Cock Bottled In Bond Bourbon One Foot Cock Maple Cask Bourbon Mafia Blended Bourbon Lost Irish Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky Jack Daniel's Bonded TN Whiskey Jack Daniel's Bonded Triple Mashed Whiskey Jack Daniel's Bonded Rye Woodford Reserve Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Woodford Reserve Straight Malted Woodford Reserve Wheated Whiskey Old Forester 1870 Old Forester 1897 Old Forester 1910 Old Forester 1920 Glendronach 12yr Glendronach 15yr Benriach Smoky 10 Benriach Smoky 12 Jameson Black Barrel Jameson Orange Redbreast 12 Redbreast 15 Skrewball Jeffersons Bourbon Jeffersons Ocean Jeffersons Twin Oak Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Bourbon Bear Fight American Single Malt Whiskey Numbskull Flavored Whiskey Creek Water American Whiskey Creek Water Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey Southern Tier Distilling Toasted Bourbon Whiskey Southern Tier Distilling Smoked Bourbon Whiskey Southern Tier Distilling Mokah Whiskey Cream Liqueur Southern Tier Distilling Peanut Butter Cup Whiskey St. George Baller American Single Malt Whiskey St. George Lot 24 Single Malt Whiskey St. George Breaking & Entering American Whiskey Makers Mark Makers 46 Makers 101 Makers Mark Cask Strength Jim Beam Black Jim Beam Pineapple Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Basil Hayden Toast Bowmore 12 Laphroiag 10 year Laphroiag Select Ardray Hibiki Harmony Toki Whiskey Legent Suntory AO Compass Box Orchard House Compass Box Peat Monster Compass Box Nectarosity Compass Box Crimson Casks Journeyman Last Feather Rye Whiskey Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Journeyman Pit-Spitter Cherry Flavored Whiskey Journeyman Not A King Whiskey Hirsch The Horizon Nikka Whisky from the Barrel Nikka Days Dingle Single Malt Irish Whiskey August Distillery Old Route 8 Augusta Distillery Buckner's 10 Garrison Brothers Small Batch Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Amador Double Barrel Chardonnay Amador Double Barrel Cabernet Amador Double Barrel Port Balvenie 14YR Caribbean Glenfiddich 18YR Tullamore Dew Original Monkey Shoulder Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Iron Smoke Casket Strength Rattlesnake Rosie's Apple Pie Whiskey Rattlesnake Rosie's Maple Bacon Bourbon Middle West Spirits Four Grain Wheated Bourbon Middle West Spirits Dark Pumpernickel Rye Middle West Spirits Bourbon Cream Middle West Spirits Wheat Whiskey Redwood Empire TBD 15 STARS Private Stock 8&15 15 STARS Triple Cask Batch I 15 STARS Platinum 15 STARS First West Rye Five & 20 Straight Bourbon Five & 20 Straight Rye Whiskey Déjà Vu Bourbon Déjà Vu Rye Whiskey Bardstown Origin Series Bourbon Bardstown Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Bardstown Origin Series Rye Bardstown Origin Series High Wheat Green River Bourbon Green River Wheated Green River Rye Green River Full Proof Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt Whisky Balcones Baby Blue Straight CornWhiskey Balcones Texas Rye Bottled in Bond Nomad Outland Sherry Cask Nomad Outland Single Malt(Irish) Nomad 10yr Reserve Cooperstown Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey Cooperstown Select Straight Rye Whiskey Doubleday Bourbon Whiskey Canton Distillery (Brand) Bourbon Whiskey Woodinville Woodinville port cask Glenmorangie 12 yr Glenmorangie A tale of ice cream J.P. Wiser's Deluxe Whisky J.P. Wiser's 10 Year Old Whisky J.P. Wiser's 18 Year Old Whisky Lot 40 Rye Whisky Hartman's Distilling Blended Straight Bourbon Hartman's Distilling Single Barrel Rye Hartman's Distilling Oncore Barrel Select Horse Soldier Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey Horse Soldier Bourbon Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Horse Soldier Bourbon Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey Blackland Bourbon Whiskey Blackland Rye Whiskey Blackland Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon Blackland Texpresso Whiskey Blue Run Spirits - Reflection (Batch 2) Bourbon Blue Run Spirits - High Rye Bourbon Blue Run Spirits - Emerald Rye Blue Run Spirits - Trifecta Bourbon James E. Pepper 'Decanter' KY Straight Bourbon James E. Pepper '1776' Straight Rye James E. Pepper '1776' Straight Bourbon Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Sagamore Rye Double Oak Sagamore Rye Cask Strength Sagamore Rye LTO Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Hard Truth High Road Rye Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon Three Chord Bourbon Blended Bourbon Three Chord Bourbon Strange Collaboration Three Chord Bourbon Amplify Rye Three Chord Bourbon Bourbon Cream Wild Turkey Longbranch Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon & Rye Wild Turkey 101 So many brands we ran out of room! List continued HERE