Polaris Pour: Bourbon Tasting Event

Hotel Polaris is excited to announce its inaugural Polaris Pour: Bourbon at the Gate, a spirited celebration of bourbon culture, craftsmanship, and community, taking place August 22 –24, 2025. This immersive weekend experience will bring together whiskey lovers, culinary connoisseurs, and industry experts for a one-of-a-kind event at the gateway to the Rockies. Learn more about our inclusive Polaris Pour: Bourbon at the Gate packages and single day tickets below.

Sponsors & Participating Partners

The image shows the Ford logo above the text "Phil Long Chapel Hills," with a design element resembling a target inside the letter "O" in "Long."
Logo of Blanton's, a brand known for "The Original Single Barrel Bourbon" with elegant cursive and block letters.
The image features the word "BIG" with a bottle as the letter "I," surrounded by radiating lines.
The image features an artistic depiction of a historic scene with the text "SAZERAC" below.
The image shows a logo for Stranahan's Rocky Mountain Single Malt Whiskey with a mountain graphic and bold text.
The image shows a logo with the text "ROCKER SPIRITS" in bold, stylized black lettering.
The image is the logo of 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company, featuring a silhouette of a person holding a ski over mountains.
The image shows a logo with the text "FOLEY FAMILY WINES & SPIRITS" and a circular design containing the letters "FF".
Logo of Marble Distilling Co. with the initials "MD" in a black circle, located in Carbondale, Colorado.
This is a black and white silhouette of three people side by side, each wearing a cape and lifting one arm in a superhero pose.
The image shows the logo of Laws Whiskey House, featuring a geometric design and the brand name in bold text.
The image features stylized letters "VGC" in dark purple, possibly a logo or brand representation.
Logo for the "North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition" with stylized red and white text.
The image displays a logo with the text "ONYX & AMBER" and a decorative leaf and flame design on a dark background.
The image shows an "ELDORADO" logo above a nature scene with mountains, trees, and "NATURAL SPRING WATER" text on a yellow banner.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

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  • Polaris Pour: Bourbon at the Gate Day 1

    Kicking off the weekend in style awaits a selection of engaging seminars including “Myths of Whiskey” and the “Art of the Bourbon Cocktail” before moving into a festive evening designed to welcome guests and inform guests of the days ahead. Let the celebration begin with an opening reception on Flat Iron Plaza where guests are invited to gather around the fire for “Bourbon Tales” which includes storytelling that brings the art of whiskey to life! Guests can expect bar takeovers at Doolies, Thunderbird Bar and The Aviator to showcase signature brands and unique cocktails. View Friday Tasting Menu.

    ​ Friday Tasting MENU

    3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Registration is Open in Lobby

    4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Myths of Whiskey by Draw Hannush, Author & Podcast Host

    5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. | Art of the Bourbon Cocktail Seminar (Sponsored by Sazerac)

    6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Bourbon, Whiskey and Bites Welcome Reception on Flatiron Plaza

    6:45 p.m. | Kentucky Chew Seminar by Steve Higdon

    7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Bourbon & Smoke on the Patio by Fumar Cigars benefitting Friends of Freedom

    8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Sazerac VIP Lounge

    8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Bar Takeovers at Thunderbird Bar, Doolies, The Aviator and the Pool Bar

    *Event timing and dates are subject to change.*

  • Polaris Pour Bourbon at the Gate Day 2: Immersion & Indulgence

    Saturday is the heart of the Polaris Pour experience featuring a full day of bourbon education, culinary exploration and spirited education! Polaris Pour’s morning sessions offer a dynamic lineup of engaging activities starting with iconic brand tastings followed by a barrel tasting experience. Moving into the afternoon, guests can find additional educational seminars followed by a spirited Whiskey Party featuring lawn games and handcrafted whiskey cocktails. The afternoon culminates with the Grand Tasting Partner Showcase featuring an opportunity to sample a diverse array of spirits. The evening continues with the “Bourbon Baron Dinner & Silent Auction,” a five-course culinary experience created by Chef Ken Butler, perfectly paired with standout pours from top producers. The “Bourbon Baron Dinner” will also feature a silent auction of rare, allocated bourbons and whiskeys to benefit the Colorado Veterans Project. One hundred percent of proceeds will support the nonprofit’s mission to empower and honor Colorado’s veteran community. The dinner includes one custom cocktail and four curated drams, alongside wine and beer service. A roundtable discussion, “State of the Cask,” will feature insight and commentary from whiskey industry leaders. Guests will enjoy standout selections from Sazerac and top Colorado distilleries. Live entertainment, hand-rolled cigars and Freddies Old Fashioned Root Beer Floats by the fire create a warm and festive atmosphere to send the night out in style. View Bourbon Baron’s Dinner menu.

    ​Bourbon Baron’s Dinner Menu

    Day 2 Schedule of Events:

    9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Registration Is Open in Lobby

    10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Blantons Bourbon Seminar (VIP Only)

    11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Marble Distillery Seminar (VIP Only)

    12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Stranahan’s Single Malt Whiskey Seminar (VIP Only)

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Barrel Tasting

    2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Grand Tasting VIP Exclusive Hour

    3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Grand Tasting VIP & GA

    5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Fumar Cigars Demonstration

    6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Bourbon Barons Dinner & Silent Auction Registration & Reception

    7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Bourbon Baron Dinner & Silent Auction

    8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | State of the Cask Industry Roundtable by Steve Higdon

    9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Bourbon & Smoke by Fumar Cigars benefiting Friends of Freedom

    *Event timing and dates are subject to change.*

  • A Spirited Send Off

    The inaugural Polaris Pour concludes with a relaxed morning at Hotel Polaris. Guests may opt into a leisurely à la carte bourbon inspired brunch at Pamela’s or grab a quick bite from the Grab-and-Go Café before departing. Whether lingering over coffee and Rocky Mountain views or heading out early, attendees are invited to close out the weekend on a high note.

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    *Event timing and dates are subject to change.*