The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) will host its fifth annual Distiller’s Week showcasing the world’s most popular whiskeys, tequilas, vodkas, rums and more. The week-long celebration will take place from October 30 to November 2, 2023, and will feature a variety of events, including a Kentucky bourbon tasting and educational event, tastings and bottle signings at NH Liquor & Wine Outlets and the region’s largest spirits tasting expo – the 10th Annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits. Tickets are on sale now at www.distillersshowcase.com.
“We are pleased to be hosting another Distiller’s Week, which highlights the fantastic spirits offered at NH Liquor and Wine Outlets along with the incredible individuals who produce them,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “Distiller’s Week and the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits offer something for everyone. Attendees can discover new products or sample old favorites, all complemented with delicious food from Granite State restaurants. We encourage spirit enthusiasts to partake in an exceptional evening while supporting a worthy cause.”
NHLC, along with its broker partners, will host its first-ever event celebrating Kentucky bourbon. “The Big Mash Bash: Exploring Kentucky Bourbon,” is an exclusive seminar-style tasting exploration of Kentucky bourbons taking place Wednesday, November 1, from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. Brand ambassadors and distillers from Four Roses Distillery, New Riff Distilling, Kentucky Owl and others will take part in the event, presenting signature spirits from each brand. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails and bourbon samples, as well as the opportunity to purchase the presented products at a discounted rate.
Now in its 10th year, the Distiller’s Showcase will take place on Thursday, November 2, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown. The event will feature more than 600 premium and ultra-premium spirits for sampling along with a live auction offering a collection of rare whiskeys and a chance to win a trip to Scotland valued at $2,500. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try delicious cuisine from dozens of New Hampshire’s best restaurants, meet top distillers, spirit industry celebrities, experts, owners, and brand ambassadors from around the world and experience themed suites from top liquor brands. All proceeds from the event will benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank.
This year, NHLC is introducing three new ticket levels for expanded access and early bird pricing:
- Master Distiller – Access to the VIP room with ultra-premium product samples and early admission to main expo area (5:00 – 6:00PM). $120 per person.
- Connoisseur – Early admission to main expo area (5:00 – 6:00PM). Early bird price of $80 until October 2, then $90 per person.
- Ambassador – General admission to main expo area (6:00 – 8:30PM). Early bird price of $65 until October 2, then $75 per person.
Attendees at all levels will be able to purchase products during the event and pick them up in the following days at their preferred NH Liquor & Wine Outlet.
The Distiller’s Showcase will feature a live auction, offering a chance to win rare bottles of Pappy Van Winkle 10-year, 12-year and 15-year bourbons, along with items from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, including George T. Stagg, Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy and Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old whiskeys. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to win an extraordinary get-away to Scotland. The trip includes a travel voucher for airfare and a hotel in Edinburg, the capital of Scotland, a private tour and tasting at the Dalmore Distillery located in Alness, Scotland, as well as an exclusive 750ml bottle of The Dalmore 14-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Various spirits experts, celebrities, owners and distillers will attend the November 2 event, including Jeremy Roenick, former National Hockey League player and co-owner of Whiskey in the Wild, Brian Ferguson, master distiller and owner of Flag Hill Distillery and Winery, Grace Gonzalez, 4th Generation Distiller for El Mayor Tequila, and Jeremy Hart, Brown-Forman celebrity bartender and owner of Industry East Bar, among many others, as well as local New Hampshire distillers.
Proceeds from the Distiller’s Showcase benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank, which works to distribute nutritious food and resources to New Hampshire residents in need. In 2022, as the state’s only Food Bank, the New Hampshire Food Bank procured and provided more than 16 million pounds of non-perishable food items, fresh produce, and meats to more than 400 nonprofit food agencies in all corners of New Hampshire.
“We are proud to be the beneficiary of this year’s Distiller’s Showcase,” said Eileen Liponis, Executive Director, New Hampshire Food Bank. “The fight against food insecurity is significant and ongoing, and we are extremely grateful to NHLC for their years of unwavering support. This event plays a major role in our effort to eliminate hunger in New Hampshire, as it generates critical funding to provide nutritious meals to individuals and families in need.”
