With more than 280 whiskeys to sample during the second annual Whiskey on Ice in Minneapolis, founder Mat Garretson calls it "more whiskeys that can be responsibly tasted."
Whiskey distributors around the country continue to toast strong sales and revenue growth. U.S revenues for bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey gained nearly 8% in 2015 to $2.9 billion, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
At Ace Spirits in Hopkins, a whiskey-centric store where buyers can obtain every whiskey available in Minnesota, same store sales of whiskey were up 47% in 2015, said owner Louis Dachis.
Ticket sales for this year's event are up 30 percent over last year, according to Garretson. "We sold out our VIP tickets a month ago," he said.
Besides the tastings the event includes a silent auction of rare whiskeys and whiskey-related items, whiskey master classes ($20 each) to expand knowledge and appreciation, two food buffet lines, and a cigar and whiskey cocktail lounge. Those prefering something sudsier can sample craft beers from Surly, including some whiskey barrel-aged brews.
Tickets ($85 each) for Sunday's event from 5-8 p.m. at the Depot (225 S. 3rd Av., Minneapolis) are available online only at whiskeyonicemn.com.
