Day Trip

compiled by Vicki Wood

Holiday whiskey and bourbon fests

West Plains, Missouri Community Endowment Foundation puts on an evening featuring a distillery from Japan alongside other local Missouri distilleries the third weekend in November. Weston, Missouri has one the first weekend of November, hosted by the Weston Tobacco Company. Weston has a rich foundation embedded in bourbon with the McCormick Distilling Company.

The distillery was sold to Isadore Singer in 1936 and was renamed the Old Weston Distillery. Singer then purchased the McCormick brand name from a neighboring plant at Waldron, Missouri, and renamed the distillery McCormick Distilling Company in 1942. *Wikipedia This is where things get confusing, because Ben Holladay also had holdings in Holladay Distillery, which ended up with his brothers.

Ben Holladay had already moved west by 1856, his business ventures were far-flung and recognizing the potential profit of the natural limestone springs of the Weston area, he built the McCormick Distilling Company in 1856. The distillery, still in existence today, is the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States. *legendsofamerica.

It was just announced that McCormick is rolling out the Holladay Distillery Ben Holladay Bourbon, a small batch, 100 % grown, mashed, and distilled in Missouri blend, by Missouri’s oldest distillery.

With Weston’s Whiskey and Bourbon fest already past, let us look to the other side of the state for some liquid winter warmth.

St. Louis plays host to Whiskey in the Winter on Friday, December 2nd, 2022. Over 17 distilleries will descend on the Hyatt Regency at the Arch for a vast array of over 400 varieties of bourbon and whiskey. The Annual St. Louis Whiskey Festival is in its 9th year with locals like Spirits St. Louis, and heavy hitters such as Crown Royal. Visitors will be treated to unlimited tastings.

Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, Irish, American, Canadian, and Japanese spirits will be featured, with some more popular distilleries seeing a shortage at years past. So, get in line for your favorite early in the event. Whiskey inspired food stations will keep stomachs full for what promises to be a full day of tasting. The Irish Blend Whiskeys are paired with Irish Soda Bread and Leg of Lamb. Japanese Bourbon is celebrated with a station of Soba Noodle Salad, Miso Glazed Salmon, and Sesame Rolls. Our good old American bourbons get paired with sharp cheddar Mac and Cheese, and whiskey glazed strip steak. Our neighbors to the north bring a food stand serving Canadian Bacon laden brussel sprouts, salads dredged in maple syrup vinaigrettes, and Brined Turkey.

Forty-minute seminars immerse fans of bourbon and whiskey in short discussions during the evening in three different seminar rooms. There are nine talks in all to attend or rotate through from Master Distillers from across the United States. Especially exciting is the Bourbon Blending Seminar of Lux Row Distillers where attendees will receive a blending book and kit with tools. All the seminars will involve some specific tasting of the company presenting the talk. Wet your whistle this winter with a beautiful view of the St. Louis Arch and be sure to book a room for the night.

Tickets range from $40 to $245.00 Contact www.synergystl. com for tickets. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. The Missouri Whiskey Society is for the aficionados out there. 1300 members strong, the society based in St. Louis lists some fabulously spirited celebrations in the region throughout the holidays. The society was founded by Derek and Lucas Gamlin of Gamlin Whiskey House. Master members include Jim Beam’s great grandson Fred Noe, and other

notable Master Distillers.

Whiskeys and Wisdom is to be held on December 1st in Affton, Missouri at Barrell Craft Spirits, one of St. Louis’ fine local distilleries.

A night of whiskey, bourbon, and jazz rings in the New Year at the Slauterhouse Speakeasy on New Year’s Eve, with a 1920’s theme.

A distillery tour makes a good gift giving opportunity. Groupon online has a Columbia distillery tour package available at a discount.

More info

Mccormickdistilling.com wikipedia.org/wiki/Weston, Missouri legendsofamerica.com/mo-weston/ Whiskeyinthewinter.com Missouriwhiskeysociety.com