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Zbar Bourbon Club

See you Saturday (and a few tips to make it a great day)

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

ZBar Bourbon Club

Festival Week Edition

Hey ZBar crew,

A year of planning comes down to Saturday. More than 600 of you will be at Vinland Reserve Winery for Fort Wayne Bourbon Fest, and I want every one of you to leave saying "same time next year."

A few tips for festival day

  • Pace yourself. With 30+ distilleries pouring, you can't try everything, and you don't need to. Pick five or six must-tries, then explore.
  • Water between pours. It's the difference between remembering your favorite pour and not.
  • Talk to the people pouring. Lots of them made what's in your glass. Ask about the mash bill, the barrel, the story behind the bottle. That's where the good stuff is.
  • Know your times. VIP doors open at 11am. General Admission runs 1–5pm.
  • Take your Glencairn home. It's yours to keep, and if your ticket includes one, a barrel-selected bottle from Barrel Proof Liquors is waiting at the exit.
  • Plan your ride. A designated driver or rideshare makes it a good day for everyone.
  • Catch the Bourbon Stage. Local distillers and guests are there all afternoon.

Thank you

To our 40+ sponsors, our volunteers, Zac and the Barrel Proof team, and everyone who bought a ticket: this festival exists because of you.

This Week in Whiskey News

  • Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength: the classic pot-still bottle at full proof for the first time. It's a wheated bourbon, about $67, released nationally on 9/23, with a new batch each spring and fall.
  • Parker's Heritage Collection, 20th edition: a 14-year bourbon at 118 proof for $199.99. Part of every bottle sold goes to the ALS Association in Parker Beam's honor.
  • Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame class of 2026: inducted on 9/20. It includes Fred Minnick, Wilderness Trail founders Shane Baker and Pat Heist, and KDA president Eric Gregory.
  • Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2026: 141 proof, $249.99, rolling out nationwide on 10/1

One ask: snap a photo of your favorite pour Saturday and tag @ZBarBourbonClub. I'll feature the best ones in the recap.

See you Saturday.

Sip Together, Learn Together, Have Fun Together.
Steve

410 Club Course Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46814-8955
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Zbar Bourbon Club

Sip Together, Learn Together, Have Fun Together

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