If you love spirits, get ready for one of the coolest tasting events in the country. Top Shelf is coming to Las Vegas, presented by ReserveBar and The Tasting Alliance. The luxury event takes place from June 16-17 and allows liquor aficionados to mix and mingle through various tasting events, master classes and a black-tie gala. Attendees will also have direct access to numerous brands and their reps, like The Sassenach and The Macallan.
“This immersive two-day event is the ultimate experience for wine, beer and spirits enthusiasts, including grand tastings, master classes, meet-and-greets, and our inaugural black-tie gala hosted on Saturday night, June 17th, where the “best of” winners will be awarded,” Derek Correia, ReserveBar President said of the event. “Consumers and talented industry professionals will get to sip and savor a curated collection of wine and spirits that hundreds of judges have blind-tasted and evaluated to be the best in the world. These are all double gold and gold medal winners, as judged by The Tasting Alliance, which operates the largest and most respected spirits and wine competitions around the globe. Top Shelf isn’t just about the drinks—consumers will also have the opportunity to interact directly with founders and distillers, mingle with other spirit enthusiasts, enjoy music and live entertainment, and delight in gourmet food pairings that have been expertly crafted to complement each drink. I can’t wait to share this experience with everyone joining.”
The two-day event presents a unique way for enthusiasts to learn from the best in the business. “To my knowledge, no one has ever curated a tasting experience that limits exhibitors to only those achieving the highest quality awards designation of double gold and gold,” Correia explained. “While many great tasting experiences out there offer exceptional products to try, Top Shelf Las Vegas is limited to only the best as judged by the preeminent and highly esteemed judges from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and other competitions run by the Tasting Alliance. Many of the brands are competing to be awarded “The Best of” for their category. The gala where those awards will be announced is the first of its kind and sure to be special as the people and creators behind these amazing brands are recognized on stage and in front of the whole world. If you’re a fan of spirits of wine, this is a truly unique opportunity to taste across spirit and wine types, where every single brand you taste will be exceptional.”
Not much of a drinker? No problem. “Top Shelf offers a fantastic experience, even for those who may not consider themselves avid drinkers. At its core, spirits are a medium for storytelling; they tell tales of a product’s origin, the culture that created it, and the dedicated artisans and distillers who devote time to crafting the perfect liquid,” Amanda Blue, The Tasting Alliance, COO + President told us. “This event is not about consuming copious amounts of alcohol but rather about education and immersing oneself in the stories behind each brand. Through this immersive two-day experience, attendees will understand how spirits can be savored and appreciated. By learning about the heritage and stories behind each spirit, they will gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of these beverages and the passion of those who create them.”
Top Shelf is set to take place at Resorts World Las Vegas this year. “The partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas for Top Shelf was prompted by a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests,” Blue said of the property. “Resorts World Las Vegas has established itself as a premiere entertainment, dining, and hospitality destination. Top Shelf’s focus on premium spirits aligns perfectly with its dedication to providing unparalleled luxury experiences.”
“At Top Shelf, there are many exciting experiences that we can’t wait for guests to discover. We’re particularly excited for guests to have the opportunity to taste some of the world’s most exceptional and rare spirits, gaining an appreciation for the unique flavors that each one offers. We’re also thrilled to provide immersive educational sessions led by industry experts, allowing guests to learn about the production processes and techniques that go into creating each spirit. Further, our inaugural gala will honor the outstanding leaders driving the wine and spirits industry forward by announcing winners in the Best of Class and Best of Show categories from our tasting competitions.”
