The much-anticipated Sip Idaho liquor tasting festival is returning to Boise on Saturday, July 8, 2023. This should be an essential calendar event for all liquor enthusiasts.

Sip Idaho aims to fill the gap in the market for liquor tasting events. While Idaho Beer Month in April and Idaho Wine Month in June have their respective events, Idaho Spirits Month in July was missing a dedicated event. Thus, Sip Idaho came into existence, initially celebrating Idaho-made spirits, but quickly expanding to showcase a broad range of craft spirits from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, including imports like Japanese Whiskies, Scotch, and craft Tequila from Mexico.

In addition to a plethora of liquors to sample, guests will be treated to a fully catered appetizer buffet, live music, liquor product education, networking opportunities with brand owners and distillers, and unadvertised surprises.

Held at the Riverside Hotel in Garden City, the event starts at 5pm, with an earlier 4pm start for VIP ticket holders. Tickets, only available for purchase online, are priced at $75 for General Admission and $100 for the VIP experience, which offers a more exclusive and intimate experience. Plus, the Riverside Hotel is offering a special block of discounted rooms for event guests, so you can make the event a date-night opportunity. FYI – The room block is now closed, so remove this, or just say IF rooms are still available?

Add-on classes like Cooking with Whiskey, Whiskies of the World, and a High-End Tequila Class are also available during the daytime, prior to the grand tasting, for those looking to learn and grow their liquor skills, and deepen their liquor knowledge.

There are 3 add-on classes available. (Please note these do carry an additional fee.)

Cooking with Whiskey with Chef Pedro | 11:30a

Discover the secrets of cooking with whiskey under the expert guidance of local Chef Pedro. Learn how to infuse whiskey into your dishes, elevating their flavor profiles to new, exciting heights. Enjoy the hands-on experience of cooking along with Pedro, refining your personal cooking skills, and savoring the delicious whiskey-inspired dishes you create. You can even take your whiskey-cooking recipes home!

Whiskies of the World with Scott Kelch | 1pm

This enlightening class is with Idaho’s whiskey connoisseur, Scott Kelch from NorthStar Spirits., and features a flavorful journey around the world, exploring the diverse universe of whiskies. Discover the nuances that make each whiskey unique to its region and country, from their distinct mash bills and distillation methods, to their unique barrel-aging processes. Complete your tour with a tasting flight of world whiskies, paired with a charcuterie platter.

High End Tequila Class with Chris Q | 2:30pm

Deep dive into the art of tequila-making with Chris Quintanilla, brand Owner & CEO of Azul Imports (Azulejos & Skelly Tequilas). Engage in a fascinating session which unravels the creative process behind producing high-quality tequila and taste a flight of three exquisite tequilas, while understanding more about the tequila-making process. Additionally, enjoy a speaking opportunity with Chris while savoring specialty chocolates paired with each tequila pour.

Rachelle Kelch, the founder of Sip Idaho, says: “We hope attendees find something fun and new to enjoy and savor all year after the event is over, until next year when we come back! Each year, we have new vendors and distillers who join us for the event, so if you have been with us before, there is always something new to explore. If you have not, you don’t want to miss out!”

One of the unique aspects of Sip Idaho is its commitment to female entrepreneurship. Founded, owned, and operated by a woman, Rachelle proudly acknowledges her two female office and administrative assistants’ crucial roles in making the event a success.

Attendees must be at least 21 years old and are encouraged to arrange for a designated driver or take advantage of local taxi services or ride-sharing options. Perhaps, even stay the night at the Riverside Hotel…?

Learn more about the event and purchase tickets at sipidahoevent.com.