A Whiskey Tasting Featuring Balcones Whiskey & Blade and Bow

About This Event

A Focused Guided Flight

Attendees will enjoy a curated tasting flight of four pours:

• Blade and Bow Bourbon
• Balcones Lineage Single Malt
• Balcones Lineage Single Malt Single Barrel
• Balcones Texas Rye

Eli Privette will guide the group through each pour, typically covering:

• How each whiskey is produced and aged
• What makes Texas grain and climate unique for Balcones
• How Blade and Bow fits into the broader Kentucky bourbon tradition
• Aromas and flavors to look for in the glass
• How to compare whiskey styles side‑by‑side

Because the event is only an hour, the format is usually straightforward and interactive: introductions, a guided nose-and-taste of each whiskey, time for questions, and a brief wrap‑up. It’s structured enough for beginners but rich enough for enthusiasts who already know their way around a whiskey shelf.

How This Event Fits into Charlotte’s Food & Drink Scene

Charlotte’s calendar is full of food and drink‑centric events—from Charlotte StrEATs Tasting Tour 2026 to themed experiences like Pups & Cups Tea Tasting. This Balcones and Blade and Bow session sits on the “serious enthusiast” side of that spectrum:

• It’s focused on education and tasting, not partying.
• It highlights American craft distilling ( Balcones ) alongside a modern bourbon brand ( Blade and Bow ).
• It complements other curated drink events like Curate your own Old Fashioned With Blade And Bow, where guests concentrate on cocktail building rather than neat tasting.

If you’re mapping out several Charlotte NC events this weekend and want a balance of high‑energy nightlife and more intimate, learning‑forward experiences, this tasting can be the polished, daytime anchor in your schedule.

Why This Tasting Matters for Whiskey Lovers

For those curious about what to do in Charlotte NC beyond the usual bar hopping, a ticketed tasting like this offers several clear benefits:

• Comparative learning: Tasting a bourbon, a core single malt, a single barrel expression, and a rye together helps you feel differences in mash bills, barrel influence, and regional character.
• Access to expertise: Having a brand ambassador like Eli Privette talk you through the flight means you get insider context—brand history, production quirks, and flavor cues you might otherwise miss.
• Short, manageable format: At about one hour, it’s easy to fit this into a weekend itinerary of other Charlotte activities—brunch before, dinner after, or a stroll around the nearby neighborhoods.

If you enjoy curated, spirit‑focused experiences like A Spirited Luncheon Featuring Jefferson’s Bourbon, this event is a natural next step, distilled (literally) into a more concentrated, tasting‑only format.

No Food: Plan Ahead

One detail that matters:
This is not a luncheon and does not include food.

Your ticket covers the whiskey tasting and gratuity, but no snacks or pairings. Because you’ll be tasting four whiskeys back‑to‑back, it’s smart to:

• Eat a solid meal beforehand
• Hydrate before and after
• Plan a relaxed schedule after the event instead of getting right back to work

You can always extend your afternoon by exploring more events in Charlotte or booking another tasting‑style experience like a Charcuterie and Wine Tasting later in the day.

The Venue: The Crunkleton Charlotte

A Classic Cocktail Bar with Serious Whiskey Cred

The Crunkleton has a reputation in Charlotte for its extensive spirits selection, particularly whiskey. The bar is known for:

• A deep back bar with vintage and premium bottles
• Classic cocktail execution and knowledgeable bartenders
• A warm, clubby atmosphere ideal for focused tastings

The East 7th Street location gives the event a relaxed, neighborhood feel while still being close to Uptown and other popular Charlotte NC activities. Whether you’re in town for a few days or you’re a local looking to deepen your whiskey knowledge, it’s a polished but approachable setting.

Atmosphere and Seating

While specific seating details for this event aren’t listed, whiskey tastings at venues like The Crunkleton are typically:

• Seated at tables or a long communal bar
• Limited in capacity to keep the experience intimate
• Quiet enough to hear the presenter clearly and ask questions

It’s ideal if you prefer structured learning over loud bar environments, making it a great contrast to larger, high‑energy events like I LOVE SATURDAY! 90S VS 2000S EDITION featuring DJ B-LORD!

Nearby Neighborhoods and Attractions

From The Crunkleton’s location on East 7th Street, you’re a short drive or rideshare from:

• Uptown Charlotte – The city’s core, with museums, rooftop bars, and Bank of America Stadium.
• Elizabeth & Plaza Midwood – Great for coffee, brunch, and boutique shopping, plus casual bars.
• NoDa (North Davidson) – Charlotte’s arts and music district, ideal if you like live performances, including smaller shows like Find Your Muse Open MIC featuring Big Bay Allen Blues! and Find Your Muse Open MIC featuring Joe McGovern!

If you want a deeper overview, the Visit Charlotte, NC guide at https://www.trifectacorporatehousing.com/visit-charlotte-nc is a useful starting point for mapping out multiple days of exploring.

Transportation and Parking

• Driving: East 7th Street is easily accessible from major Uptown arteries. Expect typical city traffic, especially during rush periods.
• Parking: On‑street parking and nearby paid options are usually available, but giving yourself extra time is wise.
• Rideshare/Transit: Rideshare services are widely used and convenient, especially if you’re tasting multiple whiskeys.

Making the Most of Your Tasting Day

• Eat before you sip: Since no food is served, brunch or lunch nearby is essential.
• Take notes: Bring a small notebook or use your phone to jot down aromas and flavors—it helps you remember what you liked and why.
• Hydrate: Ask for water between pours to reset your palate and pace yourself.

Pairing This Event with Other Charlotte Activities

Charlotte is rich with Charlotte NC activities that pair well with a mid‑day tasting:

• Do a late‑morning museum visit Uptown, then head to the event.
• Join another tasting‑forward experience like Charcuterie and Wine Tasting later in the weekend.
• Mix in a more creative, reflective event such as Poetry Workshop with Nemo Sum: Voices, Verses & Vulnerability to balance the culinary focus with arts and culture.

If you’re planning multiple events in Charlotte in one stay, the Things to do in Charlotte resource at https://www.trifectacorporatehousing.com/visit-charlotte-nc can help you compare neighborhoods, venues, and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Charlotte

Charlotte is a city where you can easily stack multiple experiences into a single day: food, sports, art, and nightlife. If you’re traveling for the tasting and wondering about things to do in Charlotte, NC before or after, you’re well‑positioned.

Stay in Charlotte

If you’re traveling into town for the tasting and searching for airbnb charlotte nc options or more traditional corporate housing, Trifecta Corporate Housing offers short‑term rental, Airbnb‑style, and corporate accommodations in prime Uptown neighborhoods: the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wards.

As an Airbnb SuperHost with nearly seven years of experience and over 7,500 positive reviews, Trifecta is one of the most popular choices for accommodations in Charlotte, NC—especially for visitors who want an easy home base while exploring things to do in Charlotte, NC.

Other Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte’s search trends for things to do in Charlotte, NC and Charlotte NC activities often highlight a mix of nightlife, sports, family‑friendly attractions, and food‑and‑drink experiences. Around mid‑June 2026, you can expect options like:

• Live sports in Uptown – Baseball or soccer games and, depending on the schedule, summer events at Bank of America Stadium.
• Music and open mic nights – Smaller, intimate shows such as Find Your Muse Open MIC featuring Big Bay Allen Blues! give you a different kind of tasting: of local talent.
• Food and drink festivals – If your visit overlaps with broader culinary events like Charlotte StrEATs Tasting Tour 2026, you can build a full food‑centric weekend.
• Daytime cultural stops – Discovery Place Science, the Mint Museum, and other family-friendly events in Charlotte offer options if you’re traveling with non‑drinkers or children.

For those tracking Charlotte NC events May 2026 or Charlotte NC events this weekend, calendar listings will often highlight seasonal festivals, markets, and concerts that can easily bookend your whiskey tasting.