VIP Ironclad Distillery Co. & A. Smith Bowman Guided Tasting Experience.  Grand Tasting Included.

A VIP-Exclusive Tasting at Ironclad Inn + a Guided Tasting Tour at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery Offers a Truly Exceptional Experience

Your ticket also includes a third event one week later: Entry to the Walk-Around Grand Tasting: VIP/Early Saturday Afternoon on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Richmond.

This incredible new VIP experience, held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, combines two curated events at two great venues just five minutes apart in Fredericksburg, VA into one grand experience.  It is designed to appeal to cocktail and whiskey enthusiasts as well as foodies.

Your ticket also includes entry into a third event, the VIP/Early Saturday Afternoon Walk-Around Grand Tasting.

VIP ticket-holders will enjoy the following three experiences:

EXPERIENCE ONE: A Guided Tasting Experience at Ironclad Inn – a B&B&B – Bed & Breakfast & Bourbon - Exclusive to VIP Ticket-Holders Only

--in Fredericksburg on March 1--

Park your car at A. Smith Bowman by 4:00 p.m. and get whisked away in a Trolley to the Ironclad Inn & Bourbon Room where you'll arrive by 4:30 p.m. 

You'll be welcomed by Ironclad Inn and Ironclad Distillery Co. staff and explore room by room throughout the Inn while tasting historic and creative cocktails paired with their in-house Chef's bites. Your hosts will guide you along, sharing the rich stories behind what you're tasting. Get ready for some surprises along your tour! Learn about the history of Ironclad Inn - previously the Kenmore Inn built circa 1793 - and their family-owned bourbon distillery featured in the Stable Block Bourbon Room which serves as the hub of this beautiful Inn. Pick up pointers on how to make the delicious cocktails. The trolley will take you back to A. Smith Bowman where the next leg of your tasting experience will resume at 6:30p.m.

Tentative Menu

Chamomile Bourbon Milk Punch
Small batch bourbon, fresh lime, coconut milk, cane sugar, chamomile tea
• 
Pork Belly Sliders
House-cured pork belly, pickled onion, mojo sauce, locally baked bun

Improved Whiskey Cocktail
Small batch bourbon, gomme simple, House bitters blend
•
Mini Grilled Cheese
Local cheese and bread

Maritime Sour
Small batch bourbon, passion fruit & lavender simple, fresh lemon
•
Tempura Shrimp
chili & apricot mustard glaze

Black Forest Old-Fashioned
Coconut-infused Small batch bourbon, dark Creme de Cacao, Luxardo cherry juice, Angostura bitters
•
Grass-fed Beef Ricotta Meatballs
with Ironclad Bourbon spiked gravy

Love Is a Bitter Battlefield
Small batch bourbon, coffee liqueur & espresso, Rival Breakfast bitters
•
Buzz's Brulee
made with our own Buzz's Bourbon Cream Liqueur

Notes:

• Arrive at A. Smith Bowman at 4:00p.m. to catch the Trolley to the Ironclad Inn. Trolley will make two trips back and forth from A. Smith Bowman and Ironclad Inn. It will be first come, first serve as far as which of the two trolley trips ticket-holders ride.
• After the Ironclad Inn event concludes, depart on a Trolley ride starting at 6 p.m.
• Attire is smart casual
• Between the two experiences, there will be enough food for a full meal
• Receive a special Virginia Wine Expo branded Stolzle crystal nosing glass to take home 

EXPERIENCE TWO:  A Behind-the-Scenes Self-Guided Tasting Experience at A. Smith Bowman Distillery - Open to VIP and General Ticket-Holders Except for a VIP-Exclusive Barrel Room Presentation and Tasting  

--in Fredericksburg on March 1--

This self-guided tasting tour features multiple stops situated throughout the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, including the spacious main room and two barrel rooms.  Your tasting card includes 10 incredible cocktail and straight whiskey food and drink pairings.  Get ready to be greeted by A. Smith Bowman coworkers who will be ready to give you an educational and unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience!   

• VIP ticket-holders will get exclusive access to a third barrel room presentation and an 11th tasting.  

EXPERIENCE THREE: Enjoy the Walk-Around Grand Tasting: VIP/Early Saturday Afternoon on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Richmond.

--in Richmond on March 8--

Savor 30+ Virginia Wineries, 12+ Virginia Distilleries, International Wine & Incredible Specialty Food

Virginia's wine world gathers at this marquee celebration held at beautiful Main Street Station, where you can spend an entire afternoon strolling from table to table tasting hundreds of wines from Virginia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sonoma, CA and other regions, Virginia spirits, ciders and meads, and specialty foods + enjoy artisan products.  

Every beverage is poured by knowledgeable representatives - whether they be winemakers, distributor representatives, proprietors, or experienced volunteers - capable of explaining about the drinks they are serving you.

VIP/Early Ticket-Holder Entry One Hour Early & Additional Privileges

VIP ticket-holders will receive a special ID and enjoy the privilege of entering the Grand Tasting one-hour early and gain exclusive access to highly-regarded VIP wines THROUGHOUT the duration of the afternoon session (from 11am-3:45pm).

Notes:

• Attendees will receive a tasting card 
• Must be 21 years old 
• Attire is smart casual