A Bourbon Affair to Remember

Louisville To Host Prestigious “Kentucky Bourbon Affair” Showcase

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that the Derby City will host an exclusive four-day Bourbon showcase to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Congress declaring Bourbon “America’s only native spirit.”

From May 14 through May 18, Kentucky Bourbon Affair attendees will savor extraordinary experiences at the most iconic Bourbon distilleries in the world, capped by evening events featuring the cosmopolitan allure of Louisville, the heartbeat of Bourbon cuisine and culture.

The KDA has commissioned 50 golden tickets that will go on sale at noon EST Tuesday, Jan. 14. A limited number of tickets to individual and nightcap events will go on sale in the next few weeks. The website for more information and to purchase tickets is www.kybourbonaffair.com.

“This is going to be an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for whiskey lovers to immerse themselves in our Bourbon history and heritage,” Mayor Fischer said. “It’s a perfect combination of today’s Bourbon lifestyle — legendary distilleries by day, urban Bourbon by night.

“The Kentucky Bourbon Affair will take hands-on, insider’s access to a whole new level. Behind-the-scenes doesn’t even begin to describe what’s planned. It will be a Bourbon lover’s dream and an unforgettable adventure that you’ll never forget.”

Joe Fraser, Chairman of the KDA Board of Directors, said eight distilleries will be offering intimate tours that dive deeper in the timeless craft than ever before: Bulleit, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Town Branch, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve.

“What sets the Kentucky Bourbon Affair apart from other whiskey events is that it’s actually produced by the signature distilleries that make the world’s best Bourbon,” said Fraser, Vice President of Operations at Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

“In creating the Bourbon Affair, we have done something unprecedented — but long overdue.”

Experiences will include:

Tour the hallowed grounds of historic distilleries never before opened to the public
Hang out in a Master Distiller’s man cave while learning to mix his favorite cocktails
Re-live the campfire legend of how a famous brand was born, then go skeet shooting
Train your Bourbon palate with culinary pairings from award-winning chefs
Work in an age-old rickhouse, rolling and dumping barrels in the footsteps of legends
Blend your very own small batch Bourbon straight from the barrel
Sit side-by-side with experts in the sensory lab to ensure each barrel is aged to perfection
Sample Bourbon from the very first barrels of hand-crafted brands
Hear family histories — and a few tall tales — from the Bourbon barons themselves
Mix with Master Distillers and other VIPs at opening and closing events unlike any other
Tours will be broken into morning and afternoon sessions Thursday and Friday, and a morning session on Saturday. The schedule will allow guests to attend five of the eight daytime distillery events with an hour’s drive between tours.

With most events, guests will receive special gifts to commemorate their experience — from personalized bottles to mixology toolkits and much more. Many tours will offer genuine Kentucky and Bourbon-inspired hors d’oeuvres and lunches. Attendees must be 21 to participate.

The KDA has partnered with the Original Makers Club to create unique opening and closing events featuring premium Bourbon pairings with gourmet dishes from Louisville’s famous Urban Bourbon Trail restaurants, private opportunities to mingle with Bourbon icons and more.

Golden ticket holders will be guaranteed their first choice at five tours plus opening and closing events; early access to purchase nightcap tickets; a swag-filled toolkit; customized itinerary; and personalized service from a Bourbon Affair concierge to help plan the trip.

All of the events will be geared towards celebrating the rich history of Bourbon, which was officially declared a distinctive product of the United States by Congressional Resolution in May 1964 — the only American spirit to receive such designation.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the golden anniversary proclaiming America’s only native spirit than by giving our passionate fans a rare opportunity to go ‘behind the barrel’ and truly experience the elegance of Kentucky Bourbon,” said KDA President Eric Gregory.

“The Bourbon Affair will be a classic, unforgettable opportunity to plunge yourself in a beloved brand and explore new favorites to add to your collection — an elite Bourbon fantasy camp that you can only enjoy in Louisville and Kentucky. It definitely will be an affair to remember.”

-30-

For more information, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351

The KDA, a non-profit trade association founded in 1880, is the Commonwealth’s leading voice on spirits issues. Please drink responsibly. Kentucky Bourbon Affair™, Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®, Urban Bourbon Trail® and Bourbon Trail™ are registered trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. For more information, please visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.