It’s almost time for The Twisted Tail’s 8th annual Whiskey Bonanza—aka one of the most popular of the Headhouse Square venue’s events.
The Southern-inspired restaurant, bar and music venue is already known for its extensive brown spirits collection and nightly live blues and for its one-of-a-kind whiskey tasting event—taking place on Sept. 28—Philadelphians can expect more than 100 whiskeys, a spirited cocktail competition with top Philly bartenders, a signature southern pig roast, live music, and more whiskey-themed festivities.
“I eagerly await the Whiskey Bonanza every year as it grants whiskey enthusiasts the chance to sample a diverse range of spirits alongside knowledgeable experts,” said George Reilly, the Master Craftsman and proprietor of The Twisted Tail.
Reilly continued in a statement: “It’s no coincidence that we host this event during Bourbon Heritage Month; few things are as quintessentially American as bourbon. Being able to hold this celebration in the birthplace of America imbues the event with a sense of virtue and nostalgia.”
How does the night work? According to a release, established Philadelphia bartenders will incorporate the whiskey offerings into original cocktails for attendees to vote on in a cocktail competition, plus Deke’s BBQ food truck will be on-site serving up slow-cooked barbecue, while Reverend Chris will be playing live New Orleans Style Jazz and Blues piano all night.
There’s also a special VIP portion for those who want to dive a bit deeper into it all, with early admission at 6 p.m. enabling access to rare and hard-to-find whiskeys not available during the main event. VIP ticket holders will also be among some of the first The Twisted Tail’s traditional Suckling Pig Roast, on top of all of the offerings from Deke’s as well.
“American whiskey’s roots date back to the 17th century in Pennsylvania,” Reilly explained. “Eastern European settlers established their homesteads and farms here, sowing rye seeds on a large scale, and distilling surplus grains into whiskey. The Twisted Tail seeks to pay homage to this rich history and rejoice in the spirit’s journey by presenting a diverse array of over 100 whiskeys through the Whiskey Bonanza and a wide selection of brown spirits available all year round.”
With that in mind, those who can’t make the Whiskey Bonanza can also check out The Twisted Tail’s free-to-join Bourbon Club program, which they say is perfect for amateur and seasoned whiskey enthusiasts alike.
Members receive a membership card that is kept at the bar and contains a list of 70+ bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, and scotches, all offered at The Twisted Tail. Plus, as a release cites, if a member manages to drink 2 oz of every spirit on the list, they become a Bourbon Club “Finisher”, granting them a permanent 20% discount on all whiskeys and a custom engraved class kept at the bar atop a special shelf whiskey.
As part of Bourbon Heritage month, The Twisted Tail also hosts weekly happy hours highlighting featured distilleries every Friday in September, featuring two to three whiskey brands and exclusive, limited cocktails and tastings.
Tickets for the Whiskey Bonanza are $65 for general admission and $80 for VIP, with a $40 Designated Driver option also available for those looking to only enjoy the victuals and not imbibe. Tickets can be purchased at whiskeybonanza.com, in person at The Twisted Tail or via phone at 215-558-2471.
