The Kentucky Bourbon Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary this year with an in-person event in The Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, Kentucky. The festival celebrated the event with a completely re-imagined event that celebrate America’s Native Spirit, Bourbon. Thanks to changes in the state’s laws, bourbon fans could enjoy bourbon samplings and cocktails on the grounds of the festival for the first time ever. Earlier this year festival leadership announced they would be adding a second festival starting in 2022 that would celebrate the mouthwatering marriage of bourbon and BBQ.
The Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge & Distillery Invitational
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2022 will bring the inaugural Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge & Distillery Invitational. The new event is a partnership between the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and the Kansas City Barbeque Society. The event is schedule to take place Friday June 10 and Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Dant Crossing which is the home of Log Still Distillery in Gethsemane, Nelson County, Kentucky. Organizers say this new barbeque event will feature multiple competition formats and family-friendly fun for all ages.
“The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is excited to host the new Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge & Distillery Invitational with the Kansas City Barbeque Society,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO of the festival.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our Bardstown and Nelson County community to this event — and all the visitors it will attract. Besides, who doesn’t love a good BBQ and what pairs better with your favorite bourbon than BBQ? There are some great pitmasters in our area and across the U.S., and we’re looking forward to seeing their competitive ‘spirit’ at this competition.”
Distilleries will be invited to compete in a special division. “The seed that inspired this event traces back to one Jim Beam hosted years ago — true to the industry, it was an invitational that created a fun yet competitive environment,” Prasse said. “It truly showcased the collaborative spirit of the Kentucky distilling community, and we hope to revive that while also inviting some of the best BBQ cookers from across the U.S. to convene here in the heart of bourbon country.”
2022 Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge to Take Place at Log Still Distillery
Log Still Distillery at Dant Crossing, Gethsemane, Kentucky.
Dant Crossing is a new, one-of-a-kind destination that is anchored by Log Still Distillery featuring a Tasting Room, a 2,000 person capacity outdoor amphitheater, a 20,000-square-foot events venue, 315 acres of wooded trails and a 12-acre fishing lake. More attractions, including a private train depot and a farm-to-table restaurant, are slated to open in 2022.
“We are excited to host this event on our Dant Crossing campus next June and bring BBQ and bourbon enthusiasts from across the country to Nelson County for an amazing two days,” said J.W. “Wally” Dant III, president of Log Still Distillery and Dant Crossing.
“It will be a great time for families to come out and see distilleries compete in a BBQ competition, enjoy live music and great BBQ, watch the professional BBQ pitmasters compete, and various other activities.”
Event attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of fun events, entertainment, plenty of barbeque, and of course bourbon. The Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge & Distillery Invitational will be a ticketed event open to all ages.
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