Internationally renowned independent Master Blenders Nancy Fraley and Angela d’Orazio will be teaching our blending and maturation masterclass this year again.

The class was first taught at ADI 2013 in Denver. In 2017 the class expanded from three hours to three days, added on the hands blending experience and moved location to Ironroot Republic Distillery in Denison, TX.

The 2024 workshop is our sixth year hosted by our friends at Ironroot Republic, which is one of the most international renowned distilleries in the world. We are excited for the deep insight and discussion from these two extraordinary teachers and our hosts.

Arrivals (Sunday 12/8) – Meet & Greet reception at the hotel – 7:30pm

Day 1 (Monday 12/9)

Our first day together will be spent in a classroom setting, as we examine the traditional philosophies and methods of blending whiskey, rum, and brandy, as well as “crossover” techniques in blending, such as borrowing from one tradition to the other to create something new.

Other topics will include how the barrel room or warehouse can be used as a tool to achieve certain aromatic profiles, wood policy and cask management, the effects of entry proof, water reduction or “proofing” theories, the use of traditional blending tools such as boisé, laboratory equipment, etc

We will also discuss the practical applications of blending, selecting and balancing the proper components for the blend to achieve a targeted spirit profile, and the impact on flavor of spirit and wood. Finally, we will look at fractional methods of blending.

Day 2 (Tuesday 12/10) will be a “sensory” day devoted to putting the previous day’s theories to the test with nosing and tasting analysis of barrel samples, finished products, etc. We will learn what to look for when creating a blend when analyzing barrel samples. There will be a brief lecture on cellar management, the function and anatomy of the barrel, and the physiology of oak.

Day 3 (Wednesday 12/11) will be a “hands-on” day where the class will be broken into groups and will be asked to replicate product “standards” which the instructor has created, that will be judged by other class participants. We will also discuss safety as it relates to the blending process. Finally, distillers Jonathon and Robert Likarish from Iron Root Republic will lead us on a tour of the barrel room and a tasting through their barrels. 

Dallas airports are about one and a half hour away without traffic. We will finish Wednesday afternoon with experiential learning ending around 4:30pm (you can leave early if necessary), or you can leave on Thursday morning.

$2,900 Fee includes:

Early Bird $2,750 – ends October 15, 2024

• 3 days of instruction
• Breakfast on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning
• Lunch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
• Welcome reception Sunday night
• Farewell dinner Tuesday night
• Hotel Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights
• Transportation between the hotel and Iroonroot Republic Distilling
• Video of the lecture (recorded from previous sessions)

 Cancellation policy: 50% refunds for cancellations before November 1 (midnight PST). No cancellations after Nov 1. Email questions to annesophie@distilling.com.

For more information, contact:

• • Anne-Sophie Whitehead –  annesophie@distilling.com