New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) will host one of the largest spirits events in the country on Nov. 20 at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. Expected to draw nearly 1,000 people, the Second Annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits is expanding dramatically this year to feature more than 400 fine spirits poured by some of the world’s foremost brand ambassadors, along with whisky and spirit seminars, silent auctions and raffles, and enticing cuisine from many of New Hampshire’s premiere restaurants. On behalf of the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire there will also be an auction of four individual bottles of the iconic and incredibly rare, Pappy Van Winkle 23-year Family Reserve Bourbon.
Tickets cost $60 and are available at www.distillersshowcase.com with proceeds from the event and Pappy Van Winkle Auction benefitting the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire. The event raised more than $31,000 last year in support of the Animal Rescue League and organizers anticipate this year’s event generating more than $50,000 in much needed revenue for the organization.
“As one of the most profitable control states in the country with more than $626 million in sales in Fiscal Year 2014, New Hampshire’s influence and buying power in the beverage industry draws the world’s leading spirit producers and brand ambassadors to the Distiller’s Showcase,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “Expanding in a big way this year, the Distiller’s Showcase gives guests the unrivaled opportunity to immerse themselves in an incredible array of more than 400 ultra-premium spirits, including a selection of rare and exclusive choices. The event provides guests with the opportunity to talk directly with brand ambassadors who can serve as resources to guide consumers as they navigate the vast selection of spirits at our 77 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets.”
With 100 tables featuring more than 400 diverse spirits from around the globe available for sampling, there will literally be something for everyone. Nationally known brands and craft distillers will be on hand to offer samples of various styles of whiskey, rye, Scotch, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, cordials and liqueurs. New Hampshire distillers like Sea Hagg Distillery of North Hampton, Djinn Spirits of Nashua, Flag Hill Distillery of Lee, and Smoky Quartz Distillery of Seabrook will take part in the Showcase as well.
Customers will be able to purchase spirits through NHLC’s state-of-the-art mobile app during the event.
In addition to the coveted Pappy Van Winkle 23-year Family Reserve Bourbon, the Distiller’s Showcase will feature whiskey and Scotch sourced and bottled exclusively for New Hampshire. The NH Liquor & Wine Outlets will be the only place in the world to purchase the following products:
- Limited release, 1994 BenRiach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Cask Bottling, Peated / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish – approximately 600 bottles in circulation – $179.99 Limited release, 1994 BenRiach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Cask Bottling, Burgundy Finish – approximately 300 bottles in circulation – $189.99
- Limited release, 1995 Glendronach Single Cask Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon finish cask – approximately 600 bottles in circulation – $169.99
- Angels Envy Bourbon – a unique blend, made exclusively for New Hampshire – approximately 360 bottles – $45.99
- 16-year ABERFELDY® Single Cask Highland Scotch Whisky – rated 92 points by Whisky Advocate – approximately 532 bottles in circulation – $249.99
Guests will have the unique opportunity to interact with brand ambassadors like Alasdair Day, owner of Tweeddale Blend, Megan Breier, Kentucky Bourbon Ambassador for Jim Beam, Philip Pepperdine, Single Malt Scotch Ambassador for Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Chris Fletcher, Assistant Master Distiller for Jack Daniel Distillery, and Raj Sabharwal, U.S. Brand Ambassador for Amrut Distillerie. Chris Fletcher, the Assistant Master Distiller for Jack Daniel Distillery, will host a special seminar on bourbons and whiskeys during the showcase.
The one-of-a-kind event features great food from local restaurants, including Bedford Village Inn, Ignite, CanOe, Amphora, the Granite Restaurant & Bar, BluAqua, Valentino’s Restaurant, Hanover Street Chop House, CR’s The Restaurant, Hooked, The Quill (SNHU), the Wild Rover, Faroe Italian Grill, Common Man, Fresh Market and Triolo’s Bakery.
Along with spirit tasting, the event will also feature a special bar area, where guests will get the chance to sip delicious cocktails concocted by renowned mixologists. Guests will also have an opportunity to enter to win an all-expense paid trip to Kentucky to experience the famed Bourbon Trail. The prize includes roundtrip flight, hotel accommodations, vehicle rental, food vouchers and admission to the following distilleries: Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Evan Williams and Heaven Hill.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire which improves animal welfare in communities throughout the state. Funds raised will support general operating expenses, as 68-percent of the League’s operating budget goes to general animal care and medical expenses.
“The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire is grateful to be a part of the second annual Distiller’s Showcase,” said Paula Mattis, President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of NH. “The event enables us to reach more animals who need our help. This year’s Distiller’s Showcase is on track to be bigger than last year’s—with more brands being served, more restaurants and more attendees. Kudos to the New Hampshire Liquor Commission for developing this event!”
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is encouraging guests to imbibe responsibly and, as it did last year, will feature a Brown-Forman social responsibility section headlined by Marc Hindorff, Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager at Brown-Forman. The Radisson Hotel Manchester is offering a special discounted “sip and stay” package for $171 if booked before October 30 and a safe ride home program will also be available.
About the New Hampshire Liquor Commission
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) operates 77 retail locations throughout the Granite State and serves more than 9 million customers each year. More than $3 billion in net profits has been raised since the first store opened in 1934. NHLC had its best sales year ever in Fiscal Year 2014, generating $626 million in gross sales, an increase of $23 million – or nearly 4% over the previous fiscal year. Total liquor net profits transferred to the New Hampshire’s General Fund reached $148 million, which are used to fund programs including education, health and social services, transportation and natural resource protection. NHLC is expecting to net an additional $1 billion for New Hampshire’s General Fund in the next seven years.
Visit www.LiquorandWineOutlets.com to locate a store, search for product availability, learn about monthly sales, review wine tasting schedules, and sign up to receive significant savings with monthly Email Extras.
About the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire
The Animal Rescue League of NH improves animal welfare in our communities by helping pets and the people who care for them. During 2012 over 2,400 animals received care at the shelter, 635 of them were rescued by our Outreach and Cruelty Investigation Department. The ARLNH assists area residents with a low cost spay neuter clinic and pet food pantry for qualified individuals.
The ARL NH is open to all residents of New Hampshire, and actively serves the towns of Amherst, Auburn, Bedford, Brookline, Candia, Dunbarton, Francestown, Goffstown, Hollis, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Boston, Peterborough, Wilton, and Windham.
