Published: September 24, 2026
In Partnership With: Florida’s Paradise Coast
Executive Overview
In the upper echelons of American spirits culture, few intersections hold as much allure as the marriage of heritage whiskey and coastal luxury. This past weekend, Garden & Gun (G&G)—the definitive voice of the modern South—teamed up with Florida’s Paradise Coast to host what can only be described as the ultimate bourbon weekend. Serving as the sophisticated anchor for the multi-day event was the brand-new Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, a sprawling sanctuary of refined hospitality that provided the ideal backdrop for a convergence of master distillers, renowned critics, culinary artisans, and passionate enthusiasts.
Over the course of four meticulously curated days, attendees were immersed in a sensory-rich itinerary designed to celebrate the nuances of America’s native spirit. From exclusive, grain-to-glass multi-course dinners and private blending workshops to high-stakes inshore fishing excursions and rare, museum-grade tastings held amidst botanical splendor, the weekend offered an unprecedented level of access to the luminaries of the whiskey world.
Featuring legendary figures such as Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley, 2XO Whiskey founder Dixon Dedman, and renowned spirits critic Fred Minnick, alongside G&G editor in chief David DiBenedetto, the event elevated the traditional spirits retreat into a masterclass of culture, camaraderie, and coastal elegance. This report examines the weekend’s chronology, culinary pairings, educational highlights, and the broader economic and cultural impact of luxury spirits tourism in Southwest Florida.
Detailed Chronology of Events
Day One: Setting the Stage and the Buffalo Trace Distiller Dinner
The weekend commenced on the sun-drenched shores of Naples, with guests checking into the newly unveiled Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort—a property quickly establishing itself as a premier destination for luxury travelers. As the Florida sun began its descent toward the Gulf of Mexico, attendees gathered on the resort’s sweeping Palm Lawn for an opening reception that immediately established the weekend’s high standards.
The evening’s crown jewel was an intimate four-course distiller dinner hosted by Harlen Wheatley, the mastermind behind Buffalo Trace. Guests were greeted with signature Buffalo Trace Old-Fashioned cocktails, expertly balancing rich oak notes with citrus oils and simple syrup. The culinary journey began with delicate Gougères adorned with a rich truffled béchamel and aged Parmesan, setting the stage for a sophisticated menu.
The culinary team outdid themselves with a stunning salmon and snapper mosaic, artfully integrated with nori seaweed and a umami-heavy katsuobushi dashi. This intricate seafood course was paired flawlessly with a classic Sazerac, crafted using Sazerac Rye 100 Proof Whiskey, sugar, aromatic bitters, and a twist of fresh lemon. Throughout the evening, Wheatley shared insights into the science of fermentation, barrel aging, and the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines the Buffalo Trace portfolio.
Day Two: Casts and Custom Blends
Balancing the sedentary indulgence of fine dining with the rugged spirit of the outdoors, Saturday morning offered guests a quintessential G&G experience: an inshore fishing excursion along the pristine waters of Florida’s Paradise Coast. Led by G&G editor in chief David DiBenedetto, participants—including guests Mark and Stacy Armstrong, Kristina Williams, and Todd Toene—navigated the emerald-green flats and mangrove-lined estuaries in search of local game fish.
The morning on the water yielded both impressive catches and a renewed appreciation for the region’s delicate coastal ecosystem. Upon returning to the dock, DiBenedetto led an impromptu celebratory toast alongside Wheatley and the morning’s anglers, bridging the gap between the wild outdoors and the refined world of craft spirits.
As afternoon arrived, the focus shifted from the water back to the glass inside the private dining room of HB’s at the Naples Beach Club. Here, Dixon Dedman, founder of 2XO Whiskey, led an exclusive, highly sought-after blending masterclass. Surrounded by private dining aesthetics and armed with pipettes, graduated cylinders, and distinct barrel samples, guests stepped into the shoes of a master blender.
Dedman, celebrated for his innovative approach to small-batch blends and limited releases—including his acclaimed "Rapper’s Delight" expression—guided participants through the art of balancing high-rye mash bills with sweet corn-driven profiles. Attendees like Ross Bulla carefully measured and formulated their very own custom bourbon blends, walking away with bespoke bottles that reflected their individual palates.
Day Three: "The Vault" at Naples Botanical Garden and Rare Tastings
Saturday evening shifted the weekend’s aesthetic from coastal modernism to lush tropical grandeur. Events moved to the breathtaking Naples Botanical Garden for "The Vault," an ultra-exclusive rare bourbon dinner curated and hosted alongside prominent spirits critic Fred Minnick.
Tables were impeccably set amid the botanical wonderland, illuminated by ambient lighting and surrounded by exotic flora. The evening featured a guided tasting through some of the most coveted, hard-to-find allocations in the modern whiskey landscape. Guests had the rare privilege of sampling Michter’s 10-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged, and Rare Perfection 10-Year-Old Canadian Whisky.
Minnick’s expert commentary transformed the tasting into a masterclass in American whiskey history and valuation, breaking down the impact of warehouse placement, barrel char levels, and aging climates. This liquid history was complemented by a world-class dinner menu, highlighted by a masterclass execution of day-boat Gulf fish served over a bed of boiled peanut pesto, blistered local okra, and a crystal-clear smoked tomato consommé.
Day Four: The Sunday Pour Finale Brunch
The weekend concluded on a high, albeit leisurely, note with "The Sunday Pour" finale brunch held on the Pavilion Lawn at the Naples Beach Club. As attendees gathered for final farewells, the atmosphere buzzed with shared stories from the fishing flats, the blending lab, and the botanical garden vault.
Culinary offerings for the final morning leaned heavily into upscale Southern comfort. Guests savored miniature chicken and waffles—crispy, golden-fried poultry resting atop buttery, syrup-drenched waffles—alongside vibrant, citrus-forward Brown Derby cocktails made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, grapefruit-pamplemousse cordial, and fresh lemon. It was a fittingly bright, refreshing conclusion to an unforgettable weekend of gastronomic and oenological exploration.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Intersection of Tourism and Craft Spirits
Events like the Garden & Gun and Florida’s Paradise Coast bourbon weekend do not happen in a vacuum; they represent a rapidly growing sector of experiential tourism that marries luxury hospitality with artisan gastronomy.
The Economic Engine of Paradise Coast Tourism
Florida’s Paradise Coast—encompassing Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades—has long been recognized as a haven for affluent travelers seeking pristine nature and world-class amenities. However, strategic partnerships with high-end media brands like Garden & Gun have allowed the region to diversify its appeal, tapping into the booming market of culinary and beverage enthusiasts. According to regional tourism metrics, culinary tourism generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually in Southwest Florida, with high-end spirits and wine events driving significant shoulder-season visitation.
The Rise of Immersive Whiskey Culture
The appetite for educational, high-end spirits experiences has surged over the past decade. No longer satisfied with simply purchasing rare bottles at retail, modern enthusiasts crave narrative, provenance, and direct access to makers.
- The Master Distiller Effect: Having industry titans like Harlen Wheatley present at intimate dinners elevates the perceived value of the experience exponentially.
- The Blending Renaissance: Workshops led by visionaries like Dixon Dedman democratize the blending process, allowing consumers to understand the immense labor and artistic intuition required to craft complex whiskey.
- Critical Curatorship: Figures like Fred Minnick serve as trusted curators, navigating secondary market noise to bring authenticated, exceptional pours directly to the table.
Official Statements and Perspectives
The success of the weekend was rooted in a shared vision of excellence between media, hospitality, and craft distilling leaders.
"We set out to create an environment where the warmth of Southern hospitality meets the unmatched coastal beauty of Florida’s Paradise Coast. By partnering with icons like Harlen Wheatley, Dixon Dedman, and Fred Minnick, we weren’t just pouring great whiskey—we were telling the stories of the people who dedicate their lives to the craft."
— David DiBenedetto, Editor in Chief, Garden & Gun
The sentiment was echoed by local tourism representatives who view these high-end collaborations as vital to showcasing the region’s sophisticated culinary identity.
"Florida’s Paradise Coast is renowned for its natural beauty and luxurious accommodations, but our culinary scene has evolved into a world-class destination in its own right. Welcoming Garden & Gun and these legendary figures in the spirits world to our shores—specifically at the stunning new Naples Beach Club—allows us to showcase the absolute pinnacle of coastal elegance and gourmet dining."
— Sandra Rios, Public Relations Manager, Florida’s Paradise Coast
Future Outlook: What’s Next for G&G and Paradise Coast
As the final glasses of Brown Derby cocktails were cleared on the Pavilion Lawn, conversations naturally drifted toward the future. The overwhelming success of the inaugural partnership has set a high benchmark for luxury experiential events, proving that Southwest Florida is uniquely positioned to host world-class spirits gatherings.
Industry insiders anticipate that the success of this weekend will pave the way for recurring collaborations, potentially expanding to include bespoke single-barrel selections specifically earmarked for attendees, extended masterclasses focusing on international spirits, and even deeper integration of local agricultural products into the weekend’s culinary programming.
For those fortunate enough to secure a ticket, the Garden & Gun and Florida’s Paradise Coast bourbon weekend redefined what a luxury retreat could be: a seamless blend of wild adventure, high-end education, and southern charm, set against the breathtaking backdrop of America’s most paradisiacal coast.
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