“The people of Bardstown, Kentucky have been making Bourbon since 1776,” says Davis L. Huston III, Festival Chairperson and Senior Vice-President of Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust Company. “And today, sixty-nine percent of the world’s Bourbon is made in and around the Nelson County area, including the adjacent counties of Bullitt and Marion, that’s why Bardstown is indeed the Bourbon Capital of the World®.”
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The Kentucky Bourbon Festival offers the opportunity to sample fine Bourbon whiskey from all of Kentucky’s great distilleries, lively entertainment, unique competitive events, southern cooking and a big dose of Kentucky hospitality making this festival truly one of a kind. Family-oriented events are also available. Approximately 54,000 people, from 44 states and 14 countries attended the 2014 festival. Approximately 35 event chairs and hundreds of volunteers are already preparing for an even larger attendance in 2015.
The twenty-fourth annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival will feature over 40 major events and attractions including:
- The World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay®
- Bourbon, Cigars & Jazz®
- The Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting & Gala®
- Sip & Savor in the Spirit of Old Kentucky™
- Culinary Art: Bourbon-Style Cooking School®
- Kentucky Bourbon Breakfast
- Bourbon Cocktail Mixology™
- Boots & Bourbon™
- Festival on the Lawn (lots of free, live music!)
- Kentucky Bourbon Festival Golf Tournament
- Kentucky Bourbon All-Star Sampler®
- Balloon Glow
- Exploring the Flavors of Bourbon
- Master Distillers Auction
- Let’s Talk Bourbon®
- Arco Speakeasy
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival has been named one of the top events by Southeast Tourism Society, The American Bus Association, Business First and The Kentucky Travel Industry Association.
Begun in 1992 as a Bourbon tasting and dinner, The Kentucky Bourbon Festival has grown with the leadership and support of the following distilleries – Barton 1792 Distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Wild Turkey Distillery, and Woodford Reserve Distillery plus the Independent Stave Company and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Additional major sponsors include Kentucky Bourbon brands – Bulleit Bourbon, Blanton’s Michter’s and Rebel Yell. Many other sponsors are also listed on our web site. Today it is one of the Commonwealth’s leading community festivals, saluting and showcasing the Bourbon making process and the storied history of Kentucky’s renowned industry. Many distilleries, plus genuine Kentucky arts and crafters, display their wares…on the lawn of Spalding Hall from Friday evening through Sunday.
Events during the Festival are open to the public, most are free but some require reservations and tickets. For event and ticket information visit the Kentucky Bourbon Festival web site here or call 800-638-4877 or 502-348-3623.
