John “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick
Spiritual Advisor and Whiskey Expert
WARREN DELRAY – WARREN WHISKEY LIBRARY
John Fitzpatrick, known to South Florida locals as “Fitzy,” has been redirecting dispositions in Delray Beach for over two decades. Fitzy’s resume includes a 22-year run as bar manager in Delray Beach with memorable stops at 32 East, Sopra, The Wine Room and Fitzy’s Lounge as well as beverage director at Amsterdam Billiard Clubs in Manhattan part-owned by comedian David Brenner. When Fitzy relocated to Kansas City for family reasons in 2009, he was hired at Maker’s Mark Bourbon House and his whiskey journey truly began. Throughout the last decade he has been known for his fun and informative whiskey classes and has become one of the leading brown spirit scholars in South Florida.
Q: Can you describe the Whiskey Library experience at Warren Delray?
A: The vision of Jeff John and his partners at Damn Good Hospitality (DGH) was to create a dinner and tasting experience immersed in an intimate four seat bar. With the library approaching nearly 1200 whiskies, I was invited by the partners nearly four years ago to be the curator of that collection and the person who delivers that experience for our guests.
Q: Do you travel across America to taste the best whiskeys and bring them back to Delray Beach?
A: Traveling across the country in search of the finest barrels of whiskey is something that is truly a team effort at DGH and our unparalleled passion. Along with our very whiskey savvy partners, I am tasked to help lead groups often composed of Warren regulars and our Warren Club members to the distilleries (Sazerac and Buffalo Trace among others) and taste through several barrels at each until we find the finest example of each brand. I’ve also been working with one of the leading blenders in Kentucky to create a new whiskey.
Q: When you’re not serving the best whiskeys what piques your interest?
A: I am a student of history and love to read. The day after I took a job with Maker’s Mark to open a bourbon themed restaurant, I bought every book on whiskey I could find. I also love to spend time with my significant other, our new puppy, exploring new restaurants and the salt life. Surfing and the ocean are my Zen.
561.455.4177
warrendelray.com
This branded content is from the February 2025 issue of Boca magazine. For more from this year’s Ask the Experts special section, click here.
