On Friday March 27th, Mafia members Bob Howell and Brent Sehnert attended the Whiskey Obsession Festival in Sarasota Florida. The event consists of a grand tasting with several hundred Bourbons, Ryes and Malt Whiskies available for sampling along with various whiskey related classes that are lead by industry professionals. Among the whiskies available for sampling were Bourbons and Ryes by Angels Envy, Woodford Reserve, Michters, Whistle Pig, High West, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Barton, Corsair, Heaven Hill, Makers Mark, Diageo and Jeffersons. Including the scotches, well over 300 whiskies were present, many of which were available for purchase from the onsite store. Among the classes available during the event, the one presented by The Bourbon Mafias own Wes Henderson was definitely the most popular. Some of the other classes were a Jack Daniels Academy lead by master distiller Jeff Arnett and a class on Double Wood maturation by Todd Richman, Master of Whiskey from Diageo. Other Bourbon folks of note in attendance were Chet Zoeller from Jeffersons and Andrea Clodfelter head distiller from Corsair. Last year, saw such dignitaries as Jimmy Russell from Wild Turkey and Al Young from Four Roses. Whistle Pig used the event to offer a sneak preview of its not yet available Sauternes Cask Finished Rye and the VIP hour featured pours of Angels Envy Cask Strength, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, High West Midwinter Nights Dram and Orphan Barrel Forged Oak, among many others. Now in its third year, the Sarasota Whiskey Obsession Festival was a great event that continues to offer great tasting and learning opportunities.
