New York’s whiskey story runs deeper than most drinkers realize — from orchard spirits, brandy, grain, rye, and agricultural distilling traditions to today’s bourbons, malt whiskeys, apple whiskeys, experimental craft expressions, and the rise of Empire Rye. This conversation brings together leading New York distilling voices to explore how history, agriculture, climate, creativity, and regional […]
From 80-proof easy drinkers to 100-proof bottled-in-bond classics, 110-proof sweet spots, barrel-strength favorites, and “hazmat” bottles north of 140 proof, proof has become one of the biggest debates in whiskey. But is higher proof always better — or just more expensive? This spirited panel dives into the flavor, value, hype, and economics behind the barrel-proof […]
Put your Bourbon IQ to the test. Compete for swag, bragging rights, and whiskey glory in a fast-paced trivia battle designed to test your knowledge of America’s signature spirit — from whiskey history and pop culture to New York distilling, bourbon legends, barrel science, and iconic bottle lore. Moderator: Brad Williams, Buffalo Happy Hour Members: […]
Think of whiskey as more than something you sip — think of it as an ingredient. This lively culinary conversation brings together food personalities, local and regional chefs, and whiskey voices to explore how spirits can bring depth, sweetness, smoke, spice, oak, and character into the kitchen. From sauces and reductions to marinades, glazes, desserts, […]
Not every great whiskey comes from a single barrel. Some of today’s most exciting bottles are shaped through blending, finishing, and the thoughtful choices that bring out richer, deeper, more memorable flavors. From rum, sherry, and cognac casks to toasted, double-oaked, and triple-oaked expressions, this approachable conversation explores how whiskey makers build balance, sweetness, spice, […]
Step inside the world of Michter’s for an intimate masterclass exploring one of America’s most respected whiskey names. From its historic roots to its modern approach to maturation, barrel selection, rye, bourbon, sour mash, toasted expressions, and limited releases, this guided session gives guests a rare look at how Michter’s balances legacy, precision, and innovation. […]
Put your whiskey knowledge to the test in a second round of Hoochenanny trivia. Guests will compete for prizes, bragging rights, and barrel-strength glory through a fast-moving game covering whiskey history, music, New York vs. Kentucky, distillation, maturation, brand lore, and the bottles that built American whiskey culture. Moderator: JK McKnight / Brad Williams, Buffalo […]
From backstage riders and tour-bus pours to the iconic bottles that became part of rock, country, blues, and Americana mythology, whiskey and music have always shared a stage. This lively conversation brings together festival artists and whiskey personalities to explore the bottles behind the bands — the brands musicians love, the rituals they carry on […]
If you stepped into a whiskey time machine 10 years from now, what would you find? From new grains and American single malt to finished expressions, rapid maturation, sustainability, luxury releases, value-driven bottles, cocktails, technology, and shifting drinker behavior, this panel explores where the category is headed next. A forward-looking conversation with distillers, brand leaders, […]
No scripts. No softballs. This fast-moving, audience-driven session puts master distillers, blenders, brand ambassadors, and whiskey experts in the hot seat to answer the questions drinkers really want to ask. From allocated bottles and barrel proof pricing to age statements, hazmat mania, blending secrets, finished whiskey, sourcing, hype, value bottles, and the future of the […]