Whisky Guild Cruise

@MarsViolet, I attended the DC Whisky Guild Whisky Cruise last year, which was then held in May.

The experience is quite a good one, but I hope you bought the VIP ticket with longer access. In addition to the longer time access, I believe that certain of the products were not available after the VIP period. I felt rushed, but only because I would have hung out there three more hours tasting, if I could have. As it was I got in tastes of 28 whiskies, and left to be driven home by my sweet connosr member wife Dramlette (who was kind enough to let me do this party alone) while I was standing right at, but not crossing, the line of 'too much whisky for me'. There was on that cruise rather little rare and expensive product offerred. I was sorely disappointed, for example, that they served no Highland Park older than 18 years old. Hopefully you will be more blessed on that particular score. Even the Ardbegs were quite limited last year. You won't have a bit of trouble, though, tasting tons of great stuff, and to the best of my knowledge there were over 100 whiskies available to taste.

Other points: it got very crowded after awhile, when the 'standard' ticket holders entered the ship. The buffet food was ok, not gourmet, but serviceable. I needed the break by the time I went for food. And they do give you a Glencairn glass which you get to keep.

If they have Bunnahabhain XXV, do try it. It is very different, kinda bizarre to my taste, but very interesting and good. It was also on that cruise that I had for the first time Compass Box Peat Monster RESERVE. That one has a very delicious, but not particularly aggressive strongly peated flavour, sort of like an ultra-peated version of Compass Box Asyla.

@Victor, thank you for your review of the event and the malt recommendations. I will be holding the VIP ticket. Based on the expected number of samplings, I think riding the metro (train) might be a good idea. :) Even if I don't see many rare expensive goods, I hope to get a decent survey of what is out there to guide my future purchases.

@MarsViolet, yes, if you concentrate on making the best of the many whiskies available, and not be too set on wanting particular whiskies to sample, you will have a great time.