We Ask Master Distiller Dan McKee of Michter’s Whiskey about Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival

As part of our “What We’re Hearing” about Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival at Atlantis (NPIWFF) content series, we are counting the days until the annual event in March 2025!

The five-day celebration of food, wine, spirits, and Bahamian-culture attracts all sorts of talent from celebrity chefs to connoisseurs. We ask Master Distiller Dan McKee of Michter’s Whiskey about this year’s event.

Talk to us about Michter’s involvement with NPIWFF. What inspired Michter’s involvement in the event?

Michter’s participates in some incredible shows and events around the world. Meeting new fans and talking with whiskey lovers who have been fans of the brand for a long time is something I really love to do. Along with bartenders, chefs have long championed Michter’s and American whiskey, and NPIWFF brings together some of the greatest culinary legends at Atlantis, a truly world-class venue. We were honored to have the opportunity to present our whiskeys at this unforgettable event.

Tell us about your experience this year.

The opportunity to have Michter’s participate in the NPIWFF was very special for us. The intimate whiskey tasting at the Dilly Club allowed us to share some of our limited and rare whiskeys. This tasting provided a journey through multiple types of whiskey, using different mash bills, varieties of oak, and lengths of aging and %ABV. A truly unique experience. In between each expression, we were able to take a deep dive into what makes Michter’s a premium whiskey. It’s very rewarding to be able to speak about our philosophies and six signature production techniques while at the same time enjoying the unique experiences offered by each whiskey.

What were some of the highlights?

The event started off with great cocktails crafted by the talented Dilly Club bar team using our Michter’s whiskeys. This was then followed by the tasting that included our US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, US*1 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye, US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, Shenk’s, Bomberger’s, 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 10-year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye, and the Michter’s 20-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon. For some, this may be their only opportunity to experience these whiskeys.

What are you looking forward to next year?

Meeting more whiskey lovers from around the world and sharing our limited whiskeys made by our extremely talented and hard-working team in Kentucky.

What are some of your biggest takeaways from the event?

I loved the enthusiasm of everyone that attended. We had whiskey lovers of different ages and experience levels. For most in attendance, it was the first time they had an opportunity to try these limited Michter’s American whiskeys.  As we progressed through the tasting, the engagement level continued to grow. I always know the event is going well when people are asking questions and sharing their experiences about each whiskey. Events like this are about bringing people together and creating memorable experiences.

What would you like people who are interested in attending to know?

Of the many great events at the NPIWFF, the Michter’s Whiskey Experience offers an inside look into Michter’s six signature production techniques while enjoying very limited whiskeys of different styles. It’s a great time to learn about and taste the best American Whiskeys.