Ever wanted to taste whiskey knowledgeably like a distillery master taster? Lisa Wicker, director of distilling at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., has sharpened her palate over decades of wine and whiskey making and wants to share her experience and tasting secrets with you!

Using new-make whiskey (a.k.a. “white dog”), young bourbon, old bourbon—actual treats from her personal stash—and whiskies from Whiskey Thief, Lisa will cover the following: 

• Instruction in the sensory mechanics of taste and smell
• Insights on why some people taste and “nose” better than others
• How certain words trigger lexical-gustatory synesthesia (it’s a thing and it’s cool!)
• Demonstrate how to describe specifically what you’re smelling and tasting

Join Lisa and and Whiskey Thief founder, Walter Zausch, and become a more knowledgeable taster. Then try out your new skills at distillery tasting booths across the Bourbon Festival campus!