The Whiskey Barrel Weekend in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

While perusing upcoming local events, we stumbled across an annual event we didn’t know existed in our backyard. Whiskey tasting events + food pairings + learning about spirits crafting from world-renowned experts? WE’RE IN!

The event was hosted at the Coeur D’Alene (CDA) Resort on the exquisite Coeur D’Alene Lake in North Idaho. This was the 4th annual two-day event which featured multiple classes, tastings, and dinner with hotel accommodation packages available, sponsored by Maker’s Mark® Whiskey.

Since we were a little late learning about this, we were only able to attend one class and the main tasting event on Saturday.  We learned we were lucky to get tickets to any of the events since all the events sold out quickly.  This certainly grew our anticipation for this night!

Event Kickoff

A Grand Whiskey Dinner was held on Friday evening to kick off the weekend. Although this was one of the sold-out events, we were unable to attend, the reviews from those that went have cemented in us that we must attend next year.  Southern-inspired cuisine was served with live entertainment and, of course, whiskey cocktails all while surrounded by the beauty of the lake at sunset.

Become a Whisk(e)y Expert

Saturday was full of three classes; if you timed it right, you could attend each.  For $50 per guest, per class, you could have a full day of whiskey fun and fill your brain with more whiskey knowledge than you thought possible.

Class #1: Coeur d’Cocktails

For two hours, you could shake up what you think you know about making the perfect cocktail and join a Master Mixologist named Bobby Gleason, as he teaches you the art of making flawlessly exquisite cocktails. This class included an instructive seminar, craft cocktail tastings, and light appetizers including artisan meats and assorted cheeses.

Class #2: Whiskeys of the World

Join whiskey expert and Maker’s Mark® author, Ari Shapiro, while he answers questions on all-things whiskey.  Have you ever wondered why Canadian whisky has no ‘e’ in the word?   Or the difference between Scotch and Bourbon?  Ari takes a deep dive into the differences of whiskeys of the world using humor, stories, and even some folklore.  After this class, you will become your neighborhood’s resident whisk(e)y connoisseur!

Class #3: Proof is in the Proof 

This is the class we were lucky enough to attend!  What an experience!  Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Diplomat Trevor Bowles hosted an educational tasting seminar that dove into Marker’s various whiskeys including some not available for sale.  Trevor’s humor and knowledge of the Marker’s Mark history made this a lively event and not one to forget any time soon.

We arrived to find five samples of Maker’s at the table with various food pairings like brown sugar bacon dates and goat cheese flatbread already waiting at each seat.

A Palette for your Palate

The five Maker’s flavors presented included Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, original Maker’s Mark, Maker’s Mark No. 46, Maker’s Private Selection, and Maker’s 101 proof.  Our two favorites were No. 46 for its smooth finish and deep caramel flavor and spices and Private Selection which was so unique compared to the others.

Trevor explained how the Private Selection oak casks are rotated from high shelves to low shelves in order to acquire specific proof and flavors and how the oak staves that make up the barrel contribute to the process.

Depending on the casks, the flavors would range from vanilla to dried fruit to milk chocolate and even pipe tobacco, just to name a few. While none of those flavors were specifically added, the flavors come about by the rotation and the duration of aging.  The flavors were subtle and tasted on the exhale.

Trevor even had us pour a little into our hands and rub them together to create warmth and friction.  This method, although new to us, allowed us to smell distinct flavors like the pipe tobacco that was not in the taste itself.

The history of Maker’s is fascinating.  It’s been family owned for generations and for years only produced original Makers until widening their selection.  The Maker’s Mark® 40-acre distillery is located in Loretto, Kentucky, and Trevor encourages visitors to stop in for tours, tastings, and events.  https://www.makersmark.com/distillery

We have yet to visit Kentucky, but we now have a good reason to.  Thank you, Trevor, for the knowledge, insight, and entertainment that made this event one that we want to repeat.

And the fun continued…

The highlight of the evening was the Whiskey Tasting Event held in the CDA Resort Grand Ballroom.  The center of the ballroom held a vast array of local and worldwide whiskey vendors.  Around the outside of the room were many tables of all sorts of food delicacies and treats along with a few other fun tables.

Pacing ourselves to not over-indulge was not as difficult as we feared.  Each tasting was just enough to get the taste of the spirit and a rundown of the flavor and production from each vendor.  The professionals at each booth were incredibly knowledgeable of their products and provided insights into flavors and tastes that we might have missed on our own.  We were surprised to learn how many local vendors were in our area and my goodness were they tasty!

Up North Distillery, located in Post Falls, ID, was one of our first tastings and definitely started the night out right.  The honey-flavored whiskey we sampled was prominent but not too sweet and had a very smooth finish.  You can visit their tasting room at 846 N Boulder Ct, Post Falls, ID, and visit their website upnorthdistillery.com or Facebook page for visiting hours or to order online.

Discovering something new

A great part of this event was the many distilleries we discovered that we had never heard of.  One of our favorite discoveries was Porter’s Whiskey by Odgen’s Own Distillery in Odgen, Utah.  Porter’s is named after Orrin Porter Rockwell, a true figure of the old-day wild west.  His story is fascinating as the “bodyguard” of Joseph Smith, founder of the Morman Church, and Brigham Young (read the story here: https://www.porterswhiskeys.com/home-old).

His persona inspired such people as Buffalo Bill and John Wayne and as much as that tidbit is interesting, the whiskey itself can make its own story.  Flavored whiskeys seem to be the current rage and this brand takes the flavors to new levels.  The smooth tastes and velvety finishes leave a lasting impression, and it makes you want to experience all that Porter’s has to offer.  So, we did!

While Porter’s offers more flavors, the ones that were available for attendees to try were Apple, Peach, Rye, Huckleberry, and our favorite, a cinnamon and vanilla flavor, Porter’s Fire.  One flavor that was not available, much to Amy’s disappointment, was Peanut Butter, but we take it on good authority that it is of the same caliber as the rest.

It’s all about the Huckleberry

If you are from the Pacific Northwest or have spent any time in the area, you’ll know that a signature flavor of the region is huckleberry.  Many diners and restaurants of the Pacific Northwest offer huckleberry items to tease the taste buds of this unique berry.  This berry must be harvested in the wild since they are not able to be cultivated on farms. This makes the berry a local delicacy.  Many distilleries of vodka have tried to bring this delicious flavor to fruition, but it always tastes artificial and unfortunately like cough syrup, as with most berry-flavored liquor.

We were shocked by Porter’s Huckleberry. First off, we didn’t know that Utah even had huckleberries and since we are from huckleberry territory, we pride ourselves on these special berries and consider ourselves connoisseurs, maybe even a little huckleberry snobby *giggle*.   At the initial drop that touched our tongues, our eyes went wide as we found our tastebuds experiencing something unique and unchallenged.  Huckleberry-flavored whiskey, who knew?  But, dear God, if you like whiskey or huckleberries, you should experience this the first chance you get!  You’ll thank us later. ???? If you live in Idaho or the surrounding states, you can have your local liquor store order if it isn’t on the shelf already. Special order, you say?  That means expensive, right?  Not in this case.  We were able to have our local shop place an order and we paid about $20/per bottle.

The Resort

The Coeur D’Alene (CDA) Resort offered stay packages for this event.  This resort is among the best we have stayed in the nation.  From the room views to the resort offerings of a 5-star restaurant (Beverly’s) and spa options, you can’t go wrong with this experience. An upgraded room in the tower is worth the increase in price.  Waking to look out to the sunrise over the lake will set up your day with joy and awe.

We are already looking forward to this event next year! If you attend, be sure to drop us a line and say hi at info@gallivantinggeese.com.We love meeting our readers and we’re happy to give additional tips to