Celebrate a great drink at Great American Whiskey Fair in Columbia

A whiskey lover’s nirvana beckons Thursday at 701 Whaley.

From 5:30-9 p.m., the Grand Hall at 701 Whaley will teem with whiskey.

The Great American Whiskey Fair is among the largest celebrations of American whiskey in the Southeast, with more than100 distilleries and bottlers presenting more than 500 whiskeys, bourbons and ryes.

“It’s a great event,” said Kristian Niemi, owner of Bourbon, a whiskey bar and Cajun-Creole restaurant in downtown Columbia.

Bourbon is the creator and host of the Whiskey Fair and, with LowCo BBQ, will present a barbecue buffet throughout the event with Cajun and Creole fare.

The Great American Whiskey Fair, Niemi saids, is an opportunity to taste whiskeys while chatting with distillery owners, master distillers, blending masters and brand ambassadors from around the world.

Among the United States’ whiskeys available at the fair are Bulleit, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, Jack Daniels, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams, Jefferson's, George Dickel, Belle Meade, Willet, Angels Envy, Larceny, Wild Turkey, Old Forester, Weller, Bernheim's, Medley Bros, High West, Buffalo Trace, Bird Dog, Virgil Kane, Six & Twenty and Copper Horse. International whiskeys include Jameson, Powers, Laphroig, Compass Box, Macallan, Balvenie, Nikka and Suntory .

In addition, the U.S. Bartenders Guild of Columbia will be presenting cocktails featuring up to four different whiskeys at this year's event, and the Fourth Annual Cocktail Challenge will take place.

Tickets include access to the entire tasting, as well as food and access to the Cigar Veranda. Tickets will not be available at the door, at 701 Whaley St., but can be purchased Thursday at www.ExperienceWhiskey.com.