Now seasoned Las Vegas convention-goers we only attend the very best – one of which is the annual Bar and Restaurant Expo. Over the years it’s expanded to include large sections just for tea from around the world, showcases for Japan and Italy, as well as competitions, awards, classes and of course a floor filled with displays of the latest to see and taste in the restaurant and bar industries. This year they increased their footprint by adding a second floor!
For me, in looking for what I could share with the spirit-lovers that read this blog, I kept my focus mainly on that. Also, my coverage may have been slightly trimmed down as my husband Eddie is currently recovering from ankle surgery and couldn’t help me to see everything.
Below is my social media from the event – note the @ in front of some of the brands so you can find them on Instagram. These are ALL of the brands of note for me and I hope you check them out if they sound interesting to you. Photos are here.
Social Media (Abbreviated online, this is the full version)
Did you attend the Bar and Restaurant Expo, or regret missing it? It was another AMAZING show! Some of the brands I enjoyed included The Deacon blended Scotch whisky – blending whisky from Islay and Speyside; sharing a fabulous taste of Grappa Bianca by Distilleria Nardini with my friend Steve Roebuck; all of the bottled cocktails by the Signature Cocktail Company where the labels credit the mixologists responsible – my pal Jason liked the Raspberry Espresso Martini; LOVED the High Octane Lemonade (My favorite new discovery! Gotta get a bottle before summer!) made with real juice and natural flavors which created a perfect blend of sweet+tart+vodka; the latest from Ohio-based Middle West Spirits was their Napoleon Calvados Cask Finished 5 YO barrel strength winter wheat and dark pumpernickel rye whisky in their Double Cask Collection and it’s remarkable + their Vim Petal Dry Gin with 18 botanicals; organic vodka distilled from grapes from Hanson of Sonoma I enjoyed included Meyer Lemon, Habanero, and Ginger; super smooth Puercoleon Artisanal Mezcal; surprised to find Kavalan whiskies from Taiwan and their newest bottling: a triple sherry cask matured whisky; and shoutouts to the unique Macajillo Macadamia nut liqueur table that was creating quite a buzz; the Italian herbal liqueur Strega that is always a treat to have, had to try the New Riff Malted Rye = delish; the two brand new oat-milk based Bailey’s were damn tasty; Captain Morgan’s rum now makes a Sweet Chili Lime flavor that was interesting; Timmy’s Pastime smoked almonds – gotta find that bourbon flavored one again; and last but certainly not least look for the Roses Brands of colorful Swizzle Stirrers made with rock sugar!
Save the date for 2026: March 23-25!
#EveBushmanWhatsInYourGlass #DeaconWhisky #Nardini #SignatureCocktailCo #HighOctaneLemonade #MiddleWestSpirits #HansonDistillery #MezcalPuercoleon #Macajillo #Strega #NewRiff #BaileysUS #CaptainMorgan #TimmysPastime #RosesBrands #SwizzleStirrers #BarAndRestaurantExpo @DeaconWhisky @StreetSommVegas @Distilleria.Nardini @SignatureCocktailCo @JBizzleFoShizzle702 @HighOctaneLemonade @MiddleWestSpirits @HansonDistillery @MezcalPuercoleon @Macajillo @StregaLiquorerd @NewRiff @BaileysUS @CaptainMorgan_Official @TimmysPastime @RosesBrands @BarAndRestaurantExpo
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
