A bourbon fan’s best shot at mingling with master distillers from brand legends like Jim Beam and Buffalo Trace is at a unique event previously kept secret for serious bourbon connoisseurs and enthusiasts. This event is held once a year at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville, KY. Most bourbon fans are familiar with The Kentucky Bourbon Festival which is held this year September 16-14 in Bardstown, KY. While the KY Bourbon Fest pulls in more than 50,000 fans, a more intimate event held at the end of January is designed for 700 guests who are anxious to experience bourbon tastings and inspired foods. The event is called the Bourbon Classic, hosted by the Bourbon Review.

Attendants get up-close and personal with the industry experts who have a passion for bourbon and cooking. Tom Bulleit of Bulleit Bourbon shared secrets of bourbon chemistry during a session on cheese and bourbon pairing. Daniel Preston, aerospace engineer turned distiller, taught audiences how he vertically integrated chocolate and whiskey to form an artisian distillery in Brooklyn, NY. Don’t worry, this isn’t the only annual event that highlights bourbon and food pairings. Check out Bourbon Bash: The Art of the Chef & the Craft of Cooking in October, details at www.kentuckyarts.org/bourbon-bash.

Bourbon Classic guests were quick to take note of Fred Noe from Jim Bean. He was admired for keeping the heart of the bourbon legacy alive as he spoke to audiences about his enthusiasm for spreading bourbon to new markets, particularly Asia. As a powerhouse in the bourbon industry, it isn’t a surprise that Jim Bean is the starting point of the Bourbon Chase event also held in October, details at www.bourbonchase.com.

Jimmy Russell from Wild Turkey was as sharp as ever as he kept fans on their toes while mingling with fans on the convention floor. Other big names like Drew Kulsveen from Willett spent time showcasing flights. Another great way to experience bourbon and food pairings is the Repeal Day event hosted in December in Louisville. At this event, bars and restaurants on the Urban Bourbon Trail celebrate the repeal of Prohibition, details at www.gobourbon.com.

One of the hot topics at the Bourbon Classic was the rising demand for bourbon which is partially due to the interest women and younger generations now share for high quality bourbon. Harlen Wheatley of Buffalo Trace spoke to fans on how this change adds to the excitement of planning bourbon demand for the future. In fact, for female bourbon fans there is a growing list of upcoming events. The professional group, Bourbon Women, keeps fans notified of special events and host their own unique event in the winter. Keep up to-date at www.bourbonwomen.org. Other female oriented groups, like KY Whisky Chicks, host quarterly events. The Bourbon Country website is a great place to keep up to date on all types of bourbon themed events, details at www.bourboncountry.com.

The Bourbon Classic is clearly a success and Bourbon fans from around the country will continue to anticipate each year. To find out more, check out the Bourbon Review’s website at www.gobourbon.com. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter and download their app to stay up-today about the Bourbon Lifestyle.

www.localview.co

Christen Kitchell, V.P. Sales
christen@localview.co
LinkedIn: in/kitchell
Facebook: LocalviewLouisville
Twitter: @cmg9255