The seventh-annual Whiskey Fest whiskey exposition, October 26-28, 2018, in Sofia, billed itself as Central and Eastern Europe’s premier distilled spirits exposition and trade fair. Whiskey Fest presents a growing opportunity to market U.S. whiskies and other distilled spirits in Bulgaria’s and Eastern Europe’s growing market for U.S. whiskies.
During opening remarks, U.S. Ambassador Eric Rubin noted that U.S. whiskies were prominently featured with 11 brands with more than 30 labels represented and that it enjoys a stable presence on the market by setting record exports to Bulgaria for the past several years. He briefly educated the audience about bourbon, rye, and Tennessee whiskies and said, “I look forward to sampling all the excellent whiskey and raising a glass to toast the pioneers of the American whiskey industry and the Bulgarian connoisseurs who have made this great American product so popular here”. Ambassador Rubin noted that over 30 U.S. whiskies, including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Bulleit, Hudson bourbon and rye, Journeyman, Knob Creek, Booker’s, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden’s were exhibited.
Ambassador Rubin delivering opening remarks