Educational whisky experience presented by Barry Brinegar & Eddie Varsalona Summary: Hosted by, not one but two, bourbon whiskey experts, Barry Brinegar & Eddie Varsalona CSS, CSW, this educational tasting experience will be Bourbon category intensive with a blind tasting across eight whiskies. You will learn about how bourbon is made, what makes it different than other whiskies, and how to analyze bourbon flavor profiles like a pro using the bourbon flavor wheel. Light bites will be served. About Barry Brinegar: Meeting Barry Brinegar is like seeing an old friend. You’ll find yourself swapping stories for hours. Barry has been an active member of the Lexington, Ky., (his hometown) business community for the past three decades and an active bourbon ambassador since 2020. His background is an interesting roadmap with the themes of passion and education evident in every role. Barry’s career started in healthcare, first as a field medic in the 1st Marine Division, then as a RN, and later evolved into medical and pharmaceutical device sales. And today, bourbon! His appreciation for bourbon grew after spending time with Kentucky bourbon groups, including the Lexington Bourbon Society, where he later served on the board of directors. Barry began connecting with other Lexington business owners and bourbon enthusiasts, and his interest in all aspects of bourbon - from production to packaging - continued to grow. Barry set out to surround himself with smart business partners and industry experts where he can continue to share his gifts of Lexington historical charm and bourbon comradery with everyone he meets. About Eddie Varsalona, CSS, CSW: Eddie comes to you with a passion for teaching, hosting, and sharing, and is organically drawn to all aspects of the hospitality industry. Before joining the Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing team, Eddie owned successful restaurants, worked years at a large distributor, achieved the Specialist Of Spirits & Specialist Of Wine designations from the Society Of Wine Educators, and has been a long time member of the United States Bartenders Guild. Still, it is the connection between food & beverage and the personal relationships that come with this industry that have kept him on this path for so long.
