This Saturday, May 20, is World Whisky Day 2017.
Founded in 2012 by Blair Bowman, a then-student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, this drinking holiday falls on the third Saturday of May each year.
Approximately a quarter of a million people participate annually, either through events registered on the World Whisky Day website or through social media using the hashtag #worldwhiskyday.
How can you celebrate? 
There are no rigid rules. You can host a tasting for friends, bring out the big guns at a barbecue, or perhaps pick up a bottle of something new.
You’re not married to Scotch either (though you may wish you were). Check out a liquor store with a superior whiskey section like Wyatt’s and walk the long wall admiring all the amber offerings. You can choose from a variety of Irish, Canadian, or even bourbon whiskeys with which to toast this sweet, smoky holiday. With the rise of artisanal distilling, Colorado can offer such brands as Spirit Hound, Feisty, Black Canyon, Breckenridge, and Mystic Mountain for your WWD enjoyment.
For your malted edification, Wyatt’s is presenting a free World Whisky Day tasting from noon to 4:45 pm, featuring the following:
HM The King: Produced in the Highlands of Scotland, this blended Scottish Whisky displays a goldenrod hue. The mild scent of this Scotch is honeyed yet fresh, with some tropical fruit vibrancy. The gentle palate layers vanilla and fruit, with most of the flavor lingering through to its long finish, which drips with honey and gingery spice. Recommended for mixing into highballs. The back story states that The HM on the bottle stands for “His Majesty, the King”, as the final blend was signed off by the late King of Tonga. 40% ABV.
Spirit Hound Straight Malt Whisky is distilled with all Colorado malt from a family farm in Alamosa, Colorado. Aged for a minimum of two years in new full-size White American Oak barrels, it exhibits a toasted oak and brown sugar nose with a smooth, sweet, silky mouthfeel. It has a delicate honey finish with minimal traces of spice. 45% ABV.
The Dubliner Irish Whiskey is a blend of single malt and grain whiskies, matured in Kentucky bourbon oak casks. The aroma is bright, fresh, and grassy, with hints of white peach and smoke. The palate shows subtle sweetness, layering more peach, lemon, and grapefruit peel with almond, oak, and coconut, leading to a spicy ginger-cinnamon finish. 40% ABV.
Stetson Bourbon: From a legendary icon of American individuality and character comes the spirit that is uniquely American whiskey. Distilled from Native American corn, locally sourced barley, rye, and wheat, this bourbon has a sweet oaky aroma layered with woody flavors, and finishes with hints of vanilla and caramel. It is indisputable proof of John B. Stetson’s enduring pledge to “make things right, and the best they can be.” This bourbon is smooth enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks, yet flavorful enough to add to your favorite bourbon cocktails and mixed drinks. 42% ABV.
As a companion to WWD2017, we are also offering a free sampling flight of whisky-related craft beer. Our Beer Manager has chosen items that either reflect the region or a barrel finish that pairs to our whisky selections:
Verboten #4: Loveland’s premiere craft brewery’s anniversary ale is a lovingly crafted celebration blend of several of their favorite barrel aged offerings from 2016 & 2017. Enjoy the oaky magic that comes from the union of wood and beer.
L’Imperatrice is a Canadian Imperial Stout, aged in bourbon barrels, gives notes of roasted malt on a coffee, dark chocolate and caramel background. The velvety palate is sustained by a sagacious amount of alcohol warmth that give this beer the taste and feel of a fine spirit. 9% ABV.
Innes & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout: This special bottling of Innis & Gunn has been matured in rare oak barrels from a famous distillery in Ireland. These barrels had been used to mature one of the great triple distilled Irish whiskeys. The result of this unique maturation is a big, full flavored, complex beer with a delightful warming finish. 7.4% ABV.
Deschutes Abyss: This limited edition Imperial Stout is brewed with black strap molasses, brewer’s licorice, whole vanilla beans, and cherry bark, then aged for 12 months in Scotch barrels. 12.3% ABV.
And what celebration would be complete without chocolate?
We are also profiling the artisan Maverick Chocolate Company with two of their most outstanding: 
Prohibition Milk Chocolate
This international Chocolate Awards Silver Medal winning lightly sweet, dark milk chocolate bar is made with real Kentucky bourbon, imparting a smooth bourbon flavor, balanced with a sprinkling of smoked sea salt.
Made with organic ingredients of cocoa beans, cane sugar, and cocoa butter, this is one creamy Prohibition you won’t want repealed.
Net weight 2.3 oz
(Allergy Information: May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat due to shared equipment. Soy free. Contains less than 0.1% alcohol.)
Lemon Lavender White Chocolate
This artisan white chocolate is gently flavored with lemon and sprinkled with lavender for a gourmet treat experience. Maverick combines organic cocoa butter and organic cane sugar with real vanilla beans, lemon oil, and lavender in creating this heavenly delight.
Net weight 2.3 oz
(Allergy Information: May contain traces of peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat due to shared equipment. Soy free.)
These unique, gourmet chocolates are available for purchase at the front registers.
Tasting hours for this special Saturday, May 20, 2016 event will be from noon until 4:45 pm, at Wyatt’s Outlaw Saloon in the back of the store.
All of this week’s featured items will be on sale!
Participants must present valid I.D.
# # #
UPDATE:
Stetson Bourbon has been added as a replacement for the originally scheduled Seagram’s VO Gold. Although VO Gold will not be included in the tasting, it will still be on sale today for $16.99 for a 750 ml bottle (a savings of $5.00).