Raise Your Glass at the Inaugural Central PA Whiskey Festival (Oct. 29)

Glass filled with whiskey neat without ice standing on a wooden barrel in distillery with barrels in the background.

Whiskey and spirits lovers, get a taste of more than 200 whiskeys and other spirits from around the world at the inaugural Central PA Whiskey Festival on Saturday, October 29, from 6–9 p.m. at the Zembo Shrine Center in Harrisburg. Famous brands of whiskey (and whisky) from America, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Japan and France—as well as gin, rum, tequila, vodka and other specialty liqueurs—will be available to sip throughout the evening.

“With so many things available to taste, the important thing to remember is that this isn’t a challenge and you can’t try everything,” said Peter Katz, who represents Beam Suntory, distributor of Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Canadian Club, Laphroaig and other brands participating in the event.

Katz added, “Attendees should come with a game plan. They should look at the tasting list in advance and pick a theme of what they want to try, such as the bourbons or scotches or whatever their preferred liquor is, which will give them an opportunity to truly appreciate the differences between the different products and styles without overdoing it.”

General admission tickets are $100 per person and include event parking, tasting glass, whiskey and spirits samples, catered hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment. Designated driver tickets are available for $30 per person.

A portion of each ticket sold will be donated MidPenn Legal Services, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit organization that provides civil legal aid to families and individuals living at or below poverty level who face serious hardships in the areas of family law and custody disputes, domestic violence, elder law and more.

The proceeds of a silent auction at the event will also be given to the organization. Auction highlights include a 3-liter mini cask signed by the master distiller at Four Roses Bourbon and a highly rated bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Linkwood 21-year-old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Central PA Whiskey Festival website.

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