Whiskey Master Class

We’re excited to announce that our Whiskey Masterclasses have a new home at the Brown Derby Ballroom! Join us for an unforgettable experience with our expert-led seminars.

 

2024 Iowa Irish Fest Whiskey Master Class

The Brown Derby Ballroom, Downtown Waterloo

All Masterclasses will be held at the Brown Derby Ballroom, 618 Sycamore Street.  You will use gate 4 to exit the fest grounds to go to the Brown Derby.  All classes are $25 and do not include attendance to the festival.

Keepers Heart Cocktail Seminar

Friday, August 2nd at 7 PM in the Brown Derby Ballroom, 618 Sycamore Street

Ever wondered about the origin of the cocktail – where the idea, techniques, and names
originated? Join Keeper’s Heart Irish + American whiskey for a discussion and demonstration
around the history of the American Cocktail, learning how to mix up your own classics using a
new style of whiskey. This workshop will delve into the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan
cocktails exploring origins, recipes, and techniques.

Winner of over 130 awards since launching in 2021 and created by Master Distiller Brian Nation,
formerly of Jameson, Midleton, and Redbreast, Keeper’s Heart is a new style of whiskey
blending smooth Irish and bold American whiskies into one delicious pour.

• Attendance is limited to 50 participants.

  • Classes will last 45 minutes.
  • Workshop will be held in the Brown Derby Ballroom
  •  This workshop includes a complementary commemorative Iowa Irish Fest Logo Glencairn Whisky Glass
  • Must be 21 to attend

A reminder that the purchase of this workshop does NOT include your admission to the Iowa Irish.

Click here to purchase your ticket!

Keepers Heart Tasting Seminar

Saturday, August 3rd at 6 PM at the Brown Derby Ballroom

Join Keeper’s Heart Irish + American whiskey in exploring what happens when smooth Irish and
bold American whiskies are blended together to create an entirely new style of spirit. This
guided portfolio tasting will feature Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey, Keeper’s Heart
Irish + Bourbon Whiskey, Keeper’s Heart Irish + American 110 Proof Whiskey, Keeper’s Heart
Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength Whiskey, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Best
Irish Whiskey in the World, Keeper’s Heart 10 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey.

Winner of over 130 awards since launching in 2021 and created by Master Distiller Brian Nation,
formerly of Jameson, Midleton, and Redbreast, Keeper’s Heart is a new style of whiskey
blending smooth Irish and bold American whiskies into one delicious pour.

• Attendance is limited to 50 participants.

  • Classes will last 45 minutes.
  • Workshop will be held in the Brown Derby Ballroom
  •  This workshop includes a complementary commemorative Iowa Irish Fest Logo Glencairn Whisky Glass
  • Must be 21 to attend

A reminder that the purchase of this workshop does NOT include your admission to the Iowa Irish.

Click here to purchase your ticket!

Whistler Irish Whisky -The influence of the casks from around the World

Saturday, August 3rd at 11:15 AM or 3 PM

Harry Evans from Boann Distillery   Harry Evans from Boann Distillery

Harry Evans from Boann Distillery (Whistler) will be presenting the two classes. Harry is a local dairy farmer turned distiller hailing from County Meath, Ireland. He holds a 1st class BSc Hons Degree in Sustainable Agriculture along with a Certificate in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

Harry has been an integral part of the team at Boann Distillery for over 2 years now and has enjoyed applying his background knowledge to the art of distilling. He is involved in all aspects of production from grain to cask. He plays a key role in sustainability projects and plant maintenance. Harry enjoys the variety that comes with working at Boann Distillery as he also leads educational distillery tours and represents events both at home and abroad.

Boann Distillery located in Drogheda Ireland is the most innovative distillery in not only Ireland
but in the world!

They pride themselves in creating unique cask finished whiskey’s versus just using ex-bourbon
casks.

In this class from the Boann distillery will taste the influence barrels from around the world
previously holding wine or spirits have on blended and single malt whiskey.
The products in this tasting are all 90+ point rated whiskey’s to include:

  • The Whistler Irish Honey – aged in ex-bourbon and Garvey Spanish Oloroso Sherry
    Butts. Winner of the world’s best honey liqueur.
  • The Whistler Dark Symphony just released – aged in ex-bourbon and Swift Martel Blue
    Cognac casks.
  • The Whistler Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish – aged in ex-bourbon and Garvey Spanish
    Oloroso Sherry Butts.
  • The Whistler Imperial Stout Cask – aged in ex-bourbon, Oloroso Sherry Butts and
    ex-bourbon held Imperial Stout Cask beer.
  • The Whistler P.X. I Love You – aged in ex-bourbon and Garvey Pedro Jimenez sherry
    casks
  • The Whistler Good Bad & Smoky – aged in ex-bourbon barrels and Laphroaig Quarter
    Peated Casks
  • Double Oak – Our Head Distiller selects the finest whiskeys matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels before transferring them into our signature Oloroso sherry barrels for six months.

Attendance is limited to 50 participants.

  • Classes will last 45 minutes.
  • Workshop will be held in the Brown Derby Ballroom
  •  This workshop includes a complementary commemorative Iowa Irish Fest Logo Glencairn Whisky Glass
  • Must be 21 to attend

A reminder that the purchase of this workshop does NOT include your admission to the Iowa Irish.

Click here to purchase your ticket!

Holladay Distilling

Saturday, August 3rd at 4:30 PM

Here at the Holladay Distillery, we believe what our founders knew to be true: you don’t just taste
bourbon; you experience it. You experience the history of the people who created it, its place, and the
barrels where it builds its character.

Join Nikki Van Frank as she guides you through how true bourbon should taste. The experience begins
with the history of the award-winning Holladay bourbons, followed by a flight of our different Holladay
offerings. Lastly, ticket holders will leave with a specialty craft cocktail and Holladay bourbon glassware.

Attendance is limited to 50 participants.

  • Classes will last 45 minutes.
  • Workshop will be held in the Brown Derby Ballroom
  •  This workshop includes a complementary commemorative Iowa Irish Fest swag bag
  • Must be 21 to attend

A reminder that the purchase of this workshop does NOT include your admission to the Iowa Irish.

Click here to purchase your ticket!

Purchase Tickets Here!
Keeper Heart Cocktails Seminar
Keeper Heart Tasting Seminar
Whistler Irish Whiskey Casks
Holladay Master Class

The Whiskey Class is sponsored by: