Kentucky Bourbon Festival® Showcases America’s Only Native Spirit
The 19th annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, celebrating the passion, history and art of making great Kentucky Bourbon, is held in Bardstown every September.
“The people of Bardstown have been making Bourbon since 1776,” says Jim Rutledge, Festival Chairman and Master Distiller of Four Roses Distillery. “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®.”
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 55,000 people, from 44 states and 14 countries attended the 2008 festival.
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival in 2009 featured over 35 major events and attractions including:
• The World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay
• Bourbon, Cigars & Jazz
• Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting & Gala
• Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
• Culinary Art: Bourbon Style Cooking School
• Kentucky Bourbon Breakfast
• Historical Tours
• Boots & Bourbon
• Festival on the Lawn (lots of free, live music!)
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival Golf Tournament
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival Cornhole Classic
• Balloon Glow
• Master Distillers Auction
• Let’s Talk Bourbon Seminar & Breakfast
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 Tourism Council.
Begun in 1992 as a Bourbon tasting and dinner, The Kentucky Bourbon Festival has grown with the leadership and support of the members of the Kentucky Distillers Association – Buffalo Trace Distillery, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc., Jim Beam Brands, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Tom Moore Distillery, Wild Turkey Distillery, and Woodford Reserve Distillery plus the Independent Stave Company. Additional major sponsors include Kentucky Bourbon brands - Bulleit Bourbon and Blantons.
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 www.kybourbonfestival.com.
