Texas Whiskey Festival
Liked
Layout/Flow and the Outdoor Venue
Lacked
Ability to buy the Wee Glen glass on-site if you didn’t pre-order it
(plastic cups for tastings aren’t our favorite)
Loved
Opportunity to connect with others passionate about Texas Whiskey
The South’s Premier Whiskey Experience
If you’ve spent time around the Texas whiskey scene then you have probably heard the name Jake Clements. Sometimes you may hear “Whiskey Jake” or simply “Jake” in a conversation at a distillery or event, and if the name is being tied to a great story or memory then it’s more than likely the same person.
Jake Clements is a showman, a storyteller, a salesman, a marketer, and an entrepreneur all rolled into one. He’s also a whiskey sommelier, the director of the Texas Whiskey Trail, and a co-founder of the Texas Whiskey Festival. We had heard Jake’s name in several circles and were being met with incredulity when we admitted to not having met him yet. That all changed in 2023 when we attended the 6th annual Texas Whiskey Festival.
Jake co-founded the festival back in 2017 in order to showcase “…some of the finest whiskey in the world” according to the inaugural events information. The first festival was held in March of 2018 and included 11 Texas distilleries, music (which Jake loves), and even some Texas wineries. The 2019 festival was the first held at Star Hill Ranch and featured an expanded list of Texas distilleries. From there the festival steadily grew in popularity and expanded the variety of whiskeys available just as the Texas whiskey scene itself continued to grow and expand alongside it. Texas Whiskey Festival is the biggest event focused on (spoiler) Texas whiskey, showcasing dozens of the distilleries that are helping to change the perception of what good whiskey is and where it can come from.
2024 marks the 7th annual Texas Whiskey Festival, once again hosted at Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave, Texas, and once again featuring dozens of Texas distilleries. Ahead of this year’s event we decided to sit down and revisit our experience from 2023, getting to finally meet Jake, and what we’re looking forward to in 2024. Let’s get to it!
First Impressions
In 2023 we chose to be maximalists - we visited four distilleries in addition to attending both the Friday night dinner and the Saturday night festival all in the span of 48 hours. It was arguably too much, but seeing people ahead of the events for some networking definitely paid off. We knew just enough about Texas Whiskey Festival from our research and conversations to feel prepared, so we loaded up our sunscreen, extra water, and cameras ready to enjoy ourselves across both days.
Friday: VIP Dinner
The venue has a large, free parking lot, but we take our Texas spirits (and safety) seriously so we opted for a rideshare. We were staying in south Austin, so a relatively short drive got us there a little early on Friday evening to explore the grounds and understand the layout for dinner. Star Hill Ranch is a beautiful wedding and event venue that is comprised of historic buildings that were carefully relocated from around central Texas and restored to their current state. The main street is a literal walk through Texas history, with some buildings having been originally built over 150 years ago. The street is situated on top of a verdant hill that gently rolls down through the trees to other buildings used by guests depending on the type of event, and out into the beautiful Texas hill country.
Long tables had been set down the unpaved street for the Texas Whiskey Festival VIP Dinner, with strands of hanging lights crisscrossing the space in anticipation of dusk. We had great weather, which meant the sun was blinding at 545pm when we arrived and we were thankful for that sunscreen. Friday dinner is a unique experience - once you are seated at your table the different distilleries participating take turns visiting and letting you sample some of their products. These ranged from the standard fare to the soon-to-be-released to the once-in-a-lifetime offerings (Jake called them the “weird stuff”). We may have taken pictures of more things than we should have, so bottles in the gallery below are limited to what has since come out in some form or another. When your table had a gap between distilleries you went into one of the buildings to grab food before coming back for more drinks. Dinner was catered by the local restaurant Verde’s, and it was delicious. So delicious that we didn’t take any photos which is a shame.
Jake was making the rounds as the gracious host, and we were able to briefly shake his hand and introduce ourselves before he was whisked away (whiskey’d away?) to other groups waiting for a moment of his time. He had no clue who we were, which is what we expected given we’re a small team that was just getting started, but he treated us with the same level of focus and gratitude as the people he clearly knew from years of working together. It made an immediate, positive, and lasting impression on us. Jake was every bit the man of the stories we had heard.
We spent three hours at Star Hill Ranch on Friday night, and the pacing/size of the drinks kept us from order-indulging. After a toast, homemade cookies that Jake brought with him (shortbread, made by his Mum and mother-in-law!), and chatting with some of our favorite distillery reps it was time to call it a night. We left feeling excited for the main event on Saturday, and longing for more of the “weird stuff” that we had had the privilege of sampling.
Saturday: VIP (Single Barrel) Start
The VIP event was set to kick off at 430pm on Saturday afternoon, an hour before general admission. We eagerly lined up under the festival banner behind a few dozen early arrivals and began scoping out the transformation of Star Hill Ranch’s main street while the staff verified our tickets and gave us our passes. Booths lined both sides of the street with plenty of space between them and across for people to walk, gather, and sample spirits. A few folding signs pointed towards the VIP food area and where additional vendors were set up, and at the very end of the street we could just see the additional food vendors and trucks. It looked like a few hundred people were already moving about to work the event between the festival crew and the various vendors, and we were anxious to dive in.
At 425pm Jake made an appearance, vaulting up into the back of an old pickup truck to welcome the crowd and provide some directions to various points of interest. The speech was brief and to the point - thank you for being here, thank you for your support of the people and vendors here, and finally “…let’s drink some whiskey!”. The crowd cheered and we were ready to go.
We decided to walk to the far end to scope out the different booths and make sure we didn’t get swept up in the initial crowd near the front. Once oriented we made our first stop of the festival at Silver Star Spirits who was positioned down near the food trucks. Each year the Texas Whiskey Festival gives out awards for different categories in the form of belt buckles (this is Texas), and Silver Star had won both gold for their 1849 Bourbon in the best “Grain to Glass Bourbon” category and bronze for their Texas Honey in the “Flavored Whiskeys” category. There were six categories overall, so if you were just trying to taste the winners then you were looking at 18 samples (including one from Crowded Barrel that was password only). We didn’t end up trying all 18 partly because we forgot what we were doing and partly because we decided to go with the flow.
The flow took us to the VIP food area and back porch where Jake was standing on a railing and toasting a special pour to a rowdy crowd. It took us to a chance conversation with distilling legend Marlene Holmes while walking down the main road. It led us to under-the-table samples from several distilleries, vendor booths, the cigar lounge, and a behind-the-scenes guided tour led by Crowded Barrel royalty (a Baroness? a Duchess? we’re still not up to speed on Crowded Barrel but will be one day). We ran into a new friend from the previous day’s distillery tour at Andalusia and spent an hour moving between booths and conversations with him. We hung out with distillers from Treaty Oak and Shire, ran into Jake a few more times, talked to Nico and Moose and a dozen other folks that are integral parts of the Texas whiskey scene. And through it all we forgot to take notes… we were just too busy enjoying ourselves.
We wrapped up around 9pm even though the party was continuing with live music and more conversations, but we were at our limit. We stood in the parking lot waiting on our ride and eating the last of our food purchased from the vendors at the end of the street. At this point Don, overwhelmed with joy, tackled me and made me drop my final empanada into the dirt. I then stumbled and stepped on it. I was devastated. Don was in stiches. It has become another core memory from the event, much to my chagrin.
Looking Forward
The 2024 event is set for Saturday, April 20th and will once again be at Star Hill Ranch. As of the time I’m writing this, the current weather forecast includes heavy thunderstorms. This is a “rain or shine” event according to Texas Whiskey Festival, so plan accordingly!
Things that are changing in 2024
No Friday night dinner. We really enjoyed this experience in 2023, but it won’t be returning in 2024. Texas Whiskey Fest shared on social media that they “…hope to do a version of the Friday night format sometime in 2024.”
NEW Live Panels during Whiskey Fest. We now know about two panels, and we highly recommend checking out panels between tastings:
“Women in Whiskey” will be a must-experience for those looking to hear from the women changing the face of whiskey (in Texas and beyond).
“A look at Texas Whiskey” will cover the past, present, and future of Texas whiskey. This sounds similar to a panel held at Balcones for their 15th anniversary party, and if that’s the case then this is another great talk to attend.
More merchandise available. The Wee Glen glass was still available for pre-order with festival tickets, and Jake confirmed that there will be Wee Glens, mini rocks glasses, shirts, and hats available for purchase at the event. We always want more Texas Whiskey Festival gear - make sure you stock up as well.
Things that are not changing
Single Barrel (VIP) perks. Single Barrel ticket holders still get in an hour early, get a free cigar from Ohana Nui, and have access to the VIP food while it lasts.
Food Trucks and Vendors. Food is a must at whiskey events, and the festival will be bringing in local options again this year to help balance out the responsible drinking. Please get the empanadas if they’re available this year, but hold them tightly!
Whiskey Awards. It looks like there are 15 winners this year (with some overlap between categories), so if you’re feeling overwhelmed by options and want a starting place then consider finding those belt buckles.
Live Music. Jake loves live music, and it’s a great way to wind down at the end of the event under the lights of Star Hill Ranch.
Our Thoughts
Don and Ryan are representing Distillery Reviews for the 2024 event, and I sat down with them last night to get their thoughts. This will be Ryan’s first time attending Texas Whiskey Festival, but Don was with me last year and is looking forward to returning.
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Chris: Last year we definitely got caught up in the experience. We had a notepad for the first two booths and then it disappeared. We took photos and videos for about an hour and then it became pretty sporadic.
Don: I still have the notepad, there’s just nothing I wrote after the first few booths! [laughing]
Chris: That’s awesome.. what did you write?
Don: It was about Iron Wolf. ‘They have good whiskey, need to go check out.’ [more laughing]
Chris: Ryan, what are your plans for this year as your first year? Anything specific you’re trying to do or experience?
Ryan: I want to spend a little more time at distilleries I’m not as familiar with. Getting to know some distilleries that I don’t know.
Chris: Any one in particular?
Ryan: I’m somewhat familiar with Still Austin’s product but not so much with their people or story, very interested in that.
Chris: We have a friend at Still Austin now, Emiliano.
Ryan: Right, and I think I’ve met him…
Chris: Yeah, that was at Andalusia’s Anniversary Party last year.
Ryan: That’s right.
Chris: So other than hanging out with Emiliano again, are there other distilleries you’d like to connect with?
Ryan: So I’ve talked to a couple of the ones in Dallas that were at the [Houston Whiskey Social] event. Ironroot is one I want to talk to. Then there’s one in San Antonio that I can’t remember.
Don: Ranger Creek is the one I’m thinking of.
Chris: Yeah, we saw them at Whiskey Fest last year and also Houston Whiskey Social.
Ryan: I’m starting to recognize some of the people there, the regulars at these events.
Chris: Yeah, that’s going to be people like Laura at Fierce Whiskers and Robyn for Nine Banded. She always gives you great stuff!
Ryan: I like Robyn. Robyn’s a swell gal.
Chris: I don’t know if Blair will be there from Milam & Greene, I need to message her. —> [update from Blair, she will be supporting a different event on the same day.]
Ryan: I’m excited about the atmosphere, y’all said it’s an outdoor event?
Chris: Yeah. Don, what did you think about it being outdoors?
Don: I think it makes it a much more unique event. Weather-dependent obviously. If it’s good weather, it lends itself to that atmosphere that we got lost in last year. Being outdoors, the lights, the old Western town… all of it goes together so well. You’re never going to get that at a venue somewhere inside. It’s just not the same vibe. Chris, do you agree with that? Or maybe it was my first event and I just thought it was a great time. [laughing]
Chris: There’s definitely something special about it being outdoors in Texas, and getting that perfect weather that hopefully y’all get this year, too. I think that the space is actually much smaller than others we go to but it being only Texas distilleries makes it feel like a perfect size. Even with a few dozen booths vs. a hundred at other events you still can’t necessarily try everything but you can at least see everything on that main street and make more informed decisions about what you want to try.
Don: Yeah, we walked down the whole street and got our bearings last year.
Chris: The first booth we went to was at the end. I don’t remember which one but I bet we took one photo there! [laughing]
Chris: The food was down at the end as well.
Don: Here’s a good question. Was there a lineup or map of where the distilleries were?
Chris: I can’t remember if there was or not, but I always want to have a map. It helps me feel less anxious.
Ryan: I want some of those damn empanadas. [laughing]
Chris: Yeah, they were awesome. I really wanted to eat that last one that Don tackled out of my hands at the end of the night…
Don: I was so full of joy that I just wanted to give you a big hug [laughing]. It came from a place of joy and love, not malice.
Chris: I was mad, but I understand the love. It was a great empanada while it lasted. So yeah, Ryan. Try and get some if you can.
Chris: Food is not free unless you are a VIP and you go to the VIP food area before it runs out. So that’s a bit different than the other events we’ve been to. Thoughts on not all food being free?
Don: Is that not pretty standard? Was there free food other places?
Chris: Yes, at both Houston Whiskey Social and SETX Whiskey Fest there was food included.
Ryan: And both were pretty damn good.
Chris: So what do you think about not having free food for everyone?
Don: I think it doesn’t affect me whatsoever [laughing]. If they were going to have free food for everyone then they’d have to charge more. If people want that included then they can get the VIP tickets. In the spirit of Whiskey Fest it lets them bring in some awesome local vendors.
Chris: Great point.
Ryan: I didn’t pay for this event so I have no problem paying for the food [laughing]. I think the amount of money I would have paid would impact how I feel about it. VIP has food, so honestly I think it gives us a chance to let Austin showcase some of the city’s culture, the city’s vibe. I’m happy with that, just like I was happy with SETX showcasing that region’s food with their catering. I don’t necessarily think one is better than the other. —> Ryan didn’t pay for his ticket because it was a gift from Chris, a story for another time.
Chris: Also a great point.
Chris: So do y’all have any other questions before the event this weekend?
Ryan: To be frank, I don’t even know what time to show up!
Chris: You get in at 430pm with your Single Barrel ticket, that’s what they call VIP.
Don: My only question is more geared towards anything we [Distillery Reviews] want from the event. Do we have an agenda?
Chris: Yeah, great question. The thing I care about most is getting people to take pictures with y’all as a part of our giveaway of that Andalusia bottle. Everything else is up to y’all, make sure you have a ton of fun. Oh, say hi to Jake Clements who runs the event.
Ryan: How is ride sharing to and from the event?
Don: Last year it was pretty solid, it’s only in Bee Cave which is 15 minutes from Austin. It took a little bit to get an Uber out just because 200 people were leaving at the same time.
Chris: They have a free parking lot on site but it’s definitely better to ride.
Chris: Don, anything you hope is different this year or that you want to do differently this year?
Don: I think for me that because this was kind of my first event I felt like I gravitated to the things that I knew. To Ryan’s point I want to try new things and use this as the opportunity to try new products and meet new people. I think that would be it for me.
Chris: I think that’s a really insightful point for first-time attendees. You will want to go to what is comfortable but there is so much more to try that’s new to you.
Don: Right, and I did the same thing when we went to the last event we went to in Austin. I went right up to the Four Roses booth even though I drink that all the time. It wasn’t a good use of my time or the guy in the booth’s to be honest.
Chris: So what I’m hearing is that your advice is to try something new first to maximize your experience if you’re a first time attendee. Ryan, do you have any advice?
Ryan: Drink a lot of water. Excessive hydration.
Don: And don’t eat really spicy wings after or you won’t be able to enjoy the breakfast tacos the next morning.
Chris: Yes, we learned our lesson after that event in Houston last year.
Don: There was no we. You ate all the tacos. Including my tacos! [laughs]
Chris: That’s true and it was delicious! Thanks again for the free tacos.
Don: The three bites I was able to eat were delicious. I’d like to try it again sometime…
Summary
Texas Whiskey Festival is the best way to experience what Texas distilleries are doing and see how the industry is changing year-over-year. The event puts as much emphasis on the people as it does on the spirits - from Jake and the other organizers and workers making the event possible, to the brands there sharing their offerings, to the passionate supporters coming in from all over to experience it.
Our Final Advice:
Don: Try something new.
Ryan: Excessive hydration.
Chris: Protect your food.
We look forward to seeing y’all this year and for many more years to come! Cheers!
Our Stats
First Visit: April 2023
Visit Count: 2
Spirits Sampled: Many.
Favorite Brand Interactions: Shire, Ranger Creek, Oak & Eden
