Upcoming Whiskey Classes In Chicago.

I teach whiskey classes here in Chicago through I Wish Lessons. They are introductory classes, last about a hour, and are very informal. We are, after all, drinking. I encourage student participation and typically hang around afterwards to answer questions and talk whiskey with anyone who wants to stay.

The next one is an Introduction to Single Malt Scotch class this Thursday, April 5, 7 PM, at Fion in Lincoln Park (426 W. Diversey). Fion is an intimate bar right next to the much larger Duffy's. We'll do it there again on Wednesday, May 23, also at 7 PM.

Next Tuesday, April 10, it's Whiskey 101, also at Fion at 7 PM. This is an unusual class because we taste different types of whiskey, in this case Irish, Scotch, Bourbon, and Rye. We'll do it there again on Monday, April 23, Monday, May 14, and Thursday, May 31.

Next Wednesday, April 11, it's back to Fion at 7 PM for an Introduction to Bourbon class. We'll do it there again on Monday, May 21, also at 7 PM.

If they're not sold out, I Wish will sell tickets pretty much right up to the last minute, so contact them if you're interested. (They are much better about answering email quickly than they are about answering the phone.)

The whiskey classes are always held in bars and we always taste four products. You can order food and other beverages, and stay after class for 'extra credit.' It's a fun night out with friends, with a little learning on the side. I Wish also has many other classes. Their most popular one is sushi rolling.

Everything is subject to change.

I Wish also does private events, so if you have a group that would like to have a whiskey or other distilled spirits tasting with me as your coach, you can arrange that through I Wish too. Or you can contact me directly. (Email is on my profile.)

Upcoming Whiskey Classes Taught By Me.

I teach whiskey classes here in Chicago through I Wish Lessons. These are introductory classes and last about a hour.

The next one is a bourbon class next Tuesday, 11/15, at French Accent in the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, on the second floor. French Accent is a new venue for us and since we're usually on the North Side, this will be good for people who prefer a loop location, close to Union Station.

On Wednesday, 11/16, I'm teaching a Whiskey 101 class, in which we'll taste Scotch, Irish, Bourbon and American rye. It's at Fion, 426 W. Diversey.

If they're not sold out, I Wish will sell tickets pretty much right up to the last minute, so contact them if you're interested.

The classes are always held in bars and we always taste four products. You can order food and other beverages, and stay after class for 'extra credit.' It's a fun night out with friends, with a little learning on the side.

I Wish also has many other classes. Their most popular one is sushi rolling.

Here is what I have coming up after next week. None of the locations are set yet. As you can see, we're also trying to get a Tequila class going. Go to the I Wish website to sign up or see what other classes they offer.

Wednesday, 12/7 – Tequila
Thursday, 12/15 – Whiskey 101
Tuesday, 12/20 – Bourbon
Wednesday, 12/21 – Single Malt Scotch

Everything is subject to change.

I Wish also does private classes, so if you have a group that would like to have a whiskey or other distilled spirits tasting with me as your coach, you can arrange that through I Wish too, or contact me directly. (Email is on my profile.)

Upcoming Whiskey Classes Taught By Me.

I teach whiskey classes here in Chicago through I Wish Lessons. Tonight I'm teaching Introduction to Single Malt Scotch at Pitchfork (2922 W. Irving Park Rd.) at 7:00 PM. If they're not sold out, I Wish will sell tickets pretty much right up to the last minute so contact them if you're interested.

The classes are held in various north side bars. We always taste four products. You can order food and other beverages, and stay after class for 'extra credit.' It's a fun night out with friends, with a little learning on the side.

I Wish also has many other classes. Their most popular one is sushi rolling.

I Wish prefers the term 'coach' to 'teacher' or 'instructor.' I usually 'coach' everybody as a group for about an hour, then hang around for individual one-on-one 'coaching.' Class size is typically 10 to 25 people. It's all very relaxed and informal and the students usually determine the course of events through their questions.

Here is what I have coming up. Go to the I Wish website to sign up or see what other classes they offer.

Tue, Aug 16 -- Single Malt Scotch (Pitchfork)
Wed, Aug 24 -- Whiskey 101
Mon, Sep 19 – Bourbon
Thu, Sep 22 – Scotch
Thu, Sep 29 – Whiskey 101

The other locations haven't been set yet but we're usually at Pitchfork (2922 W. Irving Park Rd., just west of California) or Rocks Lincoln Park (1301 West Schubert Avenue, at Lakewood).

Everything is subject to change.

I Wish also does private classes, so if you have a group that would like to have a whiskey or other distilled spirits tasting with me as your coach, you can arrange that through I Wish too, or contact me directly. (Email is on my profile.)

Upcoming Classes.

I teach whiskey classes here in Chicago through I Wish Lessons. Right now, all of the public classes I teach are about whiskey. I recently did a private class about tequila, which was fun.

The classes are held in different bars. They always involve tasting, usually four products. You can also order food and other beverages, stay after class for 'extra credit,' and make it a fun night out with friends, with a little learning on the side.

They also have some cool beer classes, though I don't teach them. Their most popular class is sushi rolling.

I Wish prefers the term 'coach' to 'teacher' or 'instructor.' I usually 'coach' everybody as a group for about an hour, then hang around for individual one-on-one 'coaching.' Class size is typically 20 to 30 people. It's all very relaxed and informal and the students usually determine the course of events through their questions.

The classes I teach are Introduction to Bourbon, Introduction to Single Malt Scotch, Whiskey 101, and Whiskey and Cupcakes. The Whiskey 101 class compares and contrasts American, Scottish, Irish and Canadian whiskey. Whiskey and Cupcakes is similar but the cupcakes let us get into matching whiskey with food.

Here is what I have coming up. Go to the I Wish website to sign up or see what other classes they offer.

• Tue, May 17th – Scotch (Pitchfork)
• Mon, May 23rd – Bourbon (Rocks)
• Mon, May 30th – Whiskey 101 (Pitchfork)
• Thu, Jun 16th – Bourbon (Rocks)
• Wed, Jun 29 – Whiskey 101 (Pitchfork)

Pitchfork is at 2922 W. Irving Park Rd., just west of California. Rocks Lincoln Park is at 1301 West Schubert Avenue, at Lakewood.

All dates are subject to change.

I Wish also does private classes, so if you have a group that would like to have a whiskey or other distilled spirits tasting with me as your coach, you can arrange that through I Wish too.

Upcoming Schedule Of I Wish Whiskey Classes Taught By Me.

I have been negligent in posting about the upcoming schedule of classes I'm teaching for I Wish Lessons, perhaps because I've been so busy teaching them. We have increased the number and types of classes this year and they have been very well received. I Wish is a new company, only just beginning its second year in business.

The mission of I Wish Lessons is to help people enjoy life through learning. All of the classes I teach about distilled spirits are held in different cool bars in the city (Chicago). They always involve tasting usually four products and the bars are pretty good about premium pours. You can also order food and other beverages, and make it a fun night out with a little learning on the side.

They prefer the term 'coach' to 'teacher' or 'instructor.' I usually 'coach' everybody as a group for about an hour, then hang around for individual one-on-one 'coaching.' Class size is typically 20 to 30 people. It's all very relaxed and informal and the students usually determine the course of events through their questions. Students are encouraged to participate. They are also encouraged to stay after class to continue their studies on their own.

Last night we debuted a new course at Waterhouse called Whiskey 101. As the name suggests, it's an introduction to whiskey in general. Because it's me we started with bourbon and worked our way up to single malt scotch, with Irish and Canadian in between. It went well, I think. I was surprised that the group was probably two-thirds women, which is rare for anything to do with whiskey. I was thrilled because I like women and because that's good for the whiskey business, if more women start to discover and appreciate whiskey.

Whiskey & Cupcakes is, essentially, Whiskey 101 except with cupcakes. The cupcakes are fun and the cupcake artists do try to match each cupcake to a whiskey, which gives us an opportunity to talk about matching whiskey with foods. The cupcake thing is really just a way to up the fun a little bit. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to coach and eat cupcakes so I usually miss out. (I do manage to drink, however.)

Here is what I have coming up. Go to the I Wish website to sign up.

• Mon, Mar. 7th – Whiskey & Cupcakes (Pitchfork) 
• Tue., Mar. 29th – Single Malt Scotch (Pitchfork)
• Wed, Mar. 30th – Whiskey & Cupcakes (Pitchfork)
• Tue, Apr. 5th – Whiskey 101 (Waterhouse)
• Mon, Apr. 11th -- Whiskey & Cupcakes  (Pitchfork)
• Tue, Apr. 19th – Bourbon (Pitchfork)
• Wed, April 27th -- Whiskey & Cupcakes (Pitchfork)

Pitchfork is at 2922 W. Irving Park Rd., just west of California. Waterhouse is at 3407 N. Paulina Ave., at the intersection of Roscoe, Lincoln and Paulina, adjacent to Paulina Brown Line 'L' stop.

All dates are subject to change.

I Wish also does private classes, so if you have a group that would like to have a whiskey or other distilled spirits tasting with me as your coach, you can arrange that through I Wish too.