SMOKED! VIP/Early: A Whiskey, Wine & Global Smoked Cuisine Experience

Gain Entry One Hour Early and Access to Special Bottles at This Premier Whiskey, Wine & Food Experience

We're kicking it up a notch in 2025 with a brand new venue, refreshed beverage content and a curated selection of global smoked food representing an array of regional and international cuisines. 

Beautiful Dewey Gottwald Center, a sleek steel and glass structure, is the new home for SMOKED!  In addition to a the 80+ whiskeys - many of which you will be able to taste and buy to take home - we will curate a selection of highly regarded wines from Virginia AND our 2025 ‘Regions of Emphasis’, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sonoma, CA.

Additionally, we will be introducing a select number of barrel aged craft beers.

Join us for a smoke-kissed walk around the country and the world with this uniquely crafted signature event which emphasizes top-shelf whiskeys and other spirits primarily from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Scotland.

SMOKED! kicks off the Expo's biggest weekend with this unforgettable night of indulgence and laid-back luxury, which also includes an incredible silent auction, and live music.

Foodies, wine lovers, and whiskey enthusiasts will love this event.

General Entry into SMOKED!

SMOKED! has a general entry time of 7pm, if you don't want to enter an hour earlier at 6pm with this VIP/Early ticket.   Please check out the details here.

Ticket Package Availability

This event can be purchased a la carte or as part of one ticket package - 'VIP Weekend’, which you can check out on the Ticket Packages page.  

Enjoy Live Music Performed by Deputy Dan

An evening of classic rock hits performed by Deputy Dan, an exciting band comprised of six accomplished, professional musicians living in and around RVA. Deputy Dan delivers an “album like” experience as they perform chart toppers and fan favorites of the legendary recording duo known as Steely Dan, as well as music from other 70s/80s bands such as The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, and others.  Steely Dan’s rock and roll legacy includes the major hits Reelin’ In the Years, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Peg, Deacon Blues, Josie, and many, many more. Steely Dan sold more than 40 million albums and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2001. Rolling Stone included Steely Dan on their list of the 20 greatest duos of all time.

Members of Deputy Dan include:

Ron Sada- Guitar (past projects include – English Channel, South of James, David Lennon Band, Party Crashers, Pat Russell)

David Lennon- Lead Vocal (David Lennon Band, South of James)

Steve Wetzler- Bass (The Freds, Funhouse, Totally Random, Pat Russell)

Allen Burris- Sax/Flute/Percussion (A night with Amy Winehouse RVA, Kozy Cats, Soul Providers)

David Wilson- Keys (various session)

Gerald Hemphill- Drums/Percussion (Wild Heart, Kat Brigs, Conshafter, session player, including work with Bill Leverty (Firehouse) 

With Your Ticket, You Will:

• Taste well over 100 premium beverages including whiskeys, other barrel-aged spirits, and wine
• Savor an expanded menu of smoked and some non-smoked cuisine from various regions of the U.S. and around the world.  Food selections will satisfy both meat lovers and vegetarians.
   
• Enjoy the opportunity to buy virtually all Virginia whiskeys to take home.
• Enjoy an extraordinary silent and live Auction and bid on items quickly and easily with your mobile phone.
   
• Enjoy choosing either a Stolzle crystal whiskey glass or a Stolzle crystal wine glass to use at the event and take home.
• Enjoy complimentary spirit-check, which will hold bottles of whiskey you purchase until you leave the event, and coat check services.
• Enjoy complimentary artisan water throughout the event.
• Enjoy using seating at tables and cocktail rounds located throughout the event space.
• Enjoy a covered, designated smoking area conveniently located just outside the event space.

Important Information

• *All spirits and wine tables will end tastings at 9:45 p.m., fifteen minutes before the end of the event.  However, some of those tables will still remain open only for closed bottle sales if they are a Virginia distillery.

• Only 21 years or older are permitted to enter the event.

• Smart casual or smart chic attire recommended.
• All inclusive.

Tentative 2025 Menu!

EAT unlimited hors d'oeuvres: extraordinary dishes prepared by local chefs…

Chipotle Coconut Shrimp and Grits
Platano en Tentacion: Caramelized Plantains in Sweet Rum Sauce
Mango Black Bean Salad topped with Tamarind Honey Glazed Smoked Lamb
Walkerswood Caribbean Seafood and Smoked Sausage Gumbo
Smoked Jerk Meatballs with Caribbean Slaw
Woodfire-baked Pizzas
Smoked Brisket/Sausage/Pickle Skewer
Pozole Ramen
Rib Tip Collard Greens
Smoked Blueberry Mini Kolache
Sichuan Tea Smoked Duck
Smoked Cilantro Fish Rolls
Sichuan Tofu with Bacon and Leeks
Dry-fried Smoked Broccoli and Cauliflower
Smoked Prime Rib
Smoked Baba Ghanoush
Salmon with Barrel-Aged Honey Miso Glaze
Smoked Feta Spanakopita with Barrel-Aged Whiskey Balsamic Glaze
Marinated King Trumpet Mushroom with Orange Bourbon Glaze
Smoked Brisket Chili
Ahi Tuna with Smoked Garlic Aioli
Smoked Whitefish Dip with Fresh Challah Bread
Smoked Peanut Soup
Smoked Pear Dessert with Vanilla Bean Labneh and Smoked Almond Brittle
Lexington Bourbon Cake
Applejack Cake
Meyer Lemon Cake
Rum Cake
Smoked Brisket Philly Cheesesteak
Smoked Pork Ribs with Cherry Bourbon BBQ sauce
and more...