The Secret Stash: What's Under the Table at Whiskey Festivals?
It’s a well-known secret at whiskey festivals—some brands stash away something special for those who are in the know. Maybe it’s a rare single barrel, a high-proof experimental batch, or even a unicorn bottle that never sees a retail shelf. But you won’t find it on display—you have to ask.
Before diving into this one, check out the first post in our Whiskey in the Winter series here. In that post, we explored the future of bourbon and some key takeaways from the event. But today, we’re getting into something a little more… secretive.
Whiskey in the Winter 2024 had no shortage of great pours and industry insights, but the real magic? That happens when you know the right question to ask: “Got anything under the table?”
It’s a well-known secret at whiskey festivals—some brands stash away something special for those who are in the know. Maybe it’s a rare single barrel, a high-proof experimental batch, or even a unicorn bottle that never sees a retail shelf. But you won’t find it on display—you have to ask.
So, at Whiskey in the Winter, we went booth to booth, asking the question every whiskey hunter dreams of: What’s under the table?
Some brands played along, revealing hidden gems like a 17-year-old American Light Whiskey or a 33-year-old Canadian whisky finished in Oloroso Sherry casks at a staggering 140 proof. Others had exclusive releases that barely lasted the night (looking at you, Sazerac booth with your poorly planned Blanton’s inventory that disappeared in 10 minutes). And some? Well, they didn’t bother hiding anything at all—because when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Check out our video to see what we uncovered—and if you’ve ever scored an “under the table” pour at a whiskey event, drop a comment and tell us what it was!