I was so glad that I was able to attend this event thanks to tickets that were a Yelp Elite Perk. The Bonanza Movie Ranch has been on my list of things to check out, and it was a fun, albeit windy location for this inaugural event.
I liked how each building had the separate tastings that included not only whiskey but other spirits, as well as mixed drinks for purchase.
A friend and I got there at the beginning and were able to take advantage of light crowds and short lines. As the day wore on, lines definitely got longer.
Entertainment was fun, with a live band and some hokey cowboy shootouts. Event goers also got some food that was good, if a little sparse. There was also a food truck for those seeking other things to eat.
I would change a couple of things for next year. Figure out a more consistent line cue for the tastings vs. going to buy a drink. In some buildings, you had to go through the tasting line even if you simply wanted to buy a drink or a bottle. This was pretty awful when the lines were long. Also, while the food was pretty good, it could have been done a bit better, more of a presentation. There should also be more activities, give people a reason to stick around longer. Frankly, we were pretty much done with everything after the first couple of hours. I'm sure for those who paid for tickets, the expectation is to get the most out of the event. Lastly, because the event is at a historic movie ranch, an activity should really beefy that aspect up, such as walking tours of the property. Some of the buildings had signs that talked about some movies/programs that had been filmed there, but it wasn't much info.
All in all, though, I was appreciative of getting to attend such a unique event. read more