At Bluegrass Concierge, bourbon is a big part of what we do. We spend a lot of time visiting distilleries, creating customized bourbon experiences for our clients, and getting to know the people behind the brands. So, when we headed to Bardstown for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, we were excited to experience it again!
And after spending the day there, our biggest takeaway wasn't simply about the bourbon. It was about the people, the access, and the very Kentucky way of enjoying bourbon culture.
The festival brings together some of the biggest names in bourbon, emerging craft producers, master distillers, brand ambassadors, and bourbon enthusiasts from around the country—all in one place and in a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere.
It’s About the People
One of our favorite parts of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is the opportunity to talk with the people behind the bourbon.
There’s something different about meeting a master distiller whose work you’ve followed, talking about a new release, or hearing the story behind a particular expression directly from the people who helped create it. These conversations often feel much more casual than a scheduled distillery visit, which makes the experience feel personal and spontaneous.
We also enjoyed seeing so many smaller and newer craft brands represented. The multi-brand tents give producers with limited distribution a chance to introduce themselves to a much larger audience, while giving festivalgoers the opportunity to discover something they might not otherwise encounter.
New Releases, Old Favorites & Plenty to Discover
The festival is also a great place to explore the bourbon landscape—from familiar favorites to new releases and special expressions.
One of the releases that caught our attention was Kentucky Boy, a special release honoring Chris Morris. It was a great example of how the festival gives you the chance not only to taste something new, but also to learn the stories and people behind the whiskey.
Another particularly notable release was MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows, which marked the first time MGP released a bourbon under its own name. After decades of producing whiskey that appeared in bottles carrying other brands’ names, MGP stepped into the spotlight with this 10-year-old, 111-proof straight bourbon—and the release debuted at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
That combination of tasting something new while being there for an important moment in a brand’s story is part of what makes the festival so interesting, even for people who already know Kentucky bourbon well.
And Then, There Are the Cocktails
We have to talk about the cocktails—not because they were the main event, but because on a hot Kentucky day, they were very welcome.
Several distilleries were serving creative cocktails that incorporated fresh fruit and lighter flavors, offering a refreshing change from tasting bourbon neat.
Our personal favorite? The 1792 Blackberry Smash from Barton 1792 Distillery, made with 1792 Small Batch Bourbon, sour mix, and fresh blackberries. It was exactly the kind of refreshing cocktail we were looking for that day.
And the fun extended beyond what was in the glass. Some of the brand spaces incorporated games, giveaways, and interactive experiences. Angel’s Envy had a wheel game for prizes, Maker’s Mark offered the opportunity to have a bottle sealed with your own picture as a personalized keepsake, and James B. Beam had a photo booth that was hard to miss.
Our Favorite Place to Take a Break
One of our favorite spots to step away from the crowds was the Lux Row tent.
It had more umbrellas and comfortable seating than many of the other spaces, making it an easy place to sit down, enjoy a drink, and spend some time talking. We also had the opportunity to chat with John Rempe, Lux Row’s Master Distiller, and hear directly from the people behind the bourbon.
Those spontaneous conversations are what make the festival feel personal rather than simply like a large tasting event.
Where You’ll Find the Crowds
If you want to see where bourbon enthusiasts were willing to wait, look for the bottle-signing lines.
Woodford Reserve and Michter’s had some of the longest lines we saw, with visitors waiting for the opportunity to meet the people behind the brands, have a bottle signed, and take home something connected to their festival experience.
At Michter’s, we had the opportunity to see Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation, while Woodford Reserve drew crowds around Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller.
It was a great reminder that for many festivalgoers, the experience goes well beyond tasting. They want to meet the people whose work they admire, hear their stories, and take a little piece of that experience home with them.
A Festival That Continues to Grow
Having experienced the Kentucky Bourbon Festival before, we noticed the growth this year.
There was an even broader mix of brands, experiences, and activations, while the festival still maintained the approachable atmosphere that makes it enjoyable. We especially liked seeing established names alongside smaller and emerging producers.
That balance gives visitors a chance to experience the breadth of Kentucky bourbon—from brands they already know to ones they may be discovering for the first time.
What We Took Away
For us, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is ultimately about much more than bourbon.
It’s about talking with a master distiller whose work you admire, discovering a new release, meeting a smaller producer, waiting in line to have a bottle signed, enjoying a cocktail in the shade, or simply having a great conversation with someone who is genuinely passionate about Kentucky whiskey.
It’s another way to experience Kentucky bourbon culture—through the people, the stories, the traditions, and the hospitality that surround it.
At Bluegrass Concierge, we believe some of the best Kentucky experiences happen beyond the standard itinerary. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a perfect example—and we were happy to be there to experience it firsthand.
