Bone up on Bourbon in seminars at Wilderness Trail Bourbon lounge during BBQ festival

For Immediate Release – August 17, 2019

DANVILLE, KY —Bourbon+ magazine’s contributors along with Wilderness Trail’s co-owners are holding court in a Bourbon lounge on the front lawn of Wilderness Trail Distillery during Kentucky State BBQ Festival. Many of the seminars are free, but there is a fee for a couple of them such as a pairing of Bourbon and BBQ. Tickets are available at Kentucky State BBQ Festival.

Here is a schedule of the seminars and more details:

Saturday
Bourbon and BBQ — 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $25.
Bourbon 101 — 2-3 p.m., free.
Drinking from barrel — 5:30-6:30 p.m., $25.

Sunday
Bourbon History — 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., free.
Story of Rye — 12:45-1:30 p.m., free.
Legendary Distillery Jim Rutledge on his new brand — 3:45-4:30 p.m., free.

The Details

Saturday
Bourbon & BBQ — 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Presenter Steve Coomes, Bourbon+ magazine contributor
In a recent Bourbon+ Magazine, noted food and drinks writer Steve Coomes wrote a 10-page feature about how to best pair Bourbon with barbecue. What he learned surprised him. In this demo, Steve will pair Wilderness Trail Bourbon and rye with various barbecue cuts, while explaining why Bourbon and barbecue are a match made in heaven (in case you needed more proof!) You won’t want to miss this savory adventure.

Bourbon 101 — 2-3 p.m. 

Presenter Susan Reigler, Bourbon+ magazine contributor and Bourbon author
Learn how Bourbon is made, how to taste and a touch of history in this educational seminar. You won’t walk away an expert, but you will be able to hold your own in a Bourbon conversation.

Drinking Straight from the Barrel — 5:30-6:30 p.m. 

Moderated by Kevin Gibson, writer for Bourbon+ magazine, with Wilderness Trail tasting team
When you walk into a liquor store, you’re no doubt seeing the terms, “barrel proof” or “cask strength.” In this informative discussion and tasting, Bourbon+ writers and Wilderness Trail team members elaborate on the virtues of getting bourbon straight from the barrel. After all, you can always add water. But can you get your proof back when it’s bottled at 80 proof?

Sunday
Bourbon History – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Presenter Carla Carlton, managing editor of Bourbon+ magazine
Did you know presidents have impacted Bourbon? Congress frequently debated it? And that distillers once shipped barrels via flat boat? The history of Bourbon is a fascinating adventure into America.

Let’s Have Rye — 12:45-1:30 p.m.

Presenter Steve Coomes, Bourbon+ magazine contributor and author
You know about Bourbon. Now, learn about rye, a beautiful whiskey that’s growing in popularity across the globe.

A Legend Returns: Jim Rutledge with Fred Minnick — 3:45-4:30 p.m.

After retiring from Four Roses, the iconic master distiller Jim Rutledge, had the itch to get back into Bourbon. In this Q&A, Jim talks about his new plans, his new brand (Cream of Kentucky) and we’ll taste a little of his new whiskey.

Bonus: Critiquing Pat Heist’s band
Editor’s note: Pat Heist’s band, Zella May, debuts at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Kentucky State BBQ Festival.

Wilderness Trail Distillery   4095 Lebanon Road  Danville, KY 40422   www.wildernesstraildistillery.com