Bourbon Authors Assemble!

KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR ADDS BOURBON BOOK SIGNINGS

For Immediate Release — April 21, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bourbon isn’t just a drink anymore: it’s also a cookbook, travel guide, entertainment manual, history lesson, cocktail compendium and more.

Seven of the country’s most prestigious Bourbon authors will be featured at evening receptions during the Kentucky Bourbon Affair to talk about their books, sign autographs and discuss America’s only native spirit.

“We’re fortunate to have such a gathering of Bourbon experts to showcase the diverse Bourbon culture,” said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “It’s also a great one-stop opportunity to get personalized gifts for yourself or the Bourbon lover in your life.”

Signings will be held Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Louisville East, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd., the state’s only Bourbon-themed hotel. Books will be available on-site for purchase.

Featured authors will include:

Tim Laird, author of “That’s Entertaining!” and “That’s Entertaining! Cocktails and Appetizers.” Laird, Chief Entertaining Officer for Brown-Forman Corp., is a connoisseur of fine wines, spirits and champagnes, a gourmet chef, and a master at entertaining and execution with more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He is a veteran of television and radio having appeared on The Tonight Show, CNN, FOX News Network, The Today Show and many others. Laird also hosts Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs, Secrets of Louisville Chefs Live and Secrets of Resort Chefs weekly TV shows in Kentucky.
Bernie Lubbers, author of “Bourbon Whiskey — Our Native Spirit.” Known more informally as “The Whiskey Professor,” Lubbers is the International Brand Ambassador for Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. Before Bourbon, he spent 20 years traveling the country as a stand-up comedian. As a result, his whiskey tastings are not only informative, but a lot of fun. Lubbers hosts the popular website www.WhiskeyProf.com and is a contributing writer for DrinkWire/Liquor.com. Lubbers lives in Louisville, Ky.
Fred Minnick, author of “Whiskey Women: The Untold Truth About How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch & Irish Whiskey.” Ascot-wearing Minnick has been writing for newspapers and magazines since he was 15 and currently contributes to Parade Magazine, USA Today, Scientific American, Whisky Magazine and Whisky Advocate, among others. He has published three books, including the Wall Street Journal bestseller “Camera Boy: An Army Journalist’s War in Iraq” and “Whiskey Women.” He lives in Louisville and can be found at www.fredminnick.com.
Susan Reigler, author of “Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide” and coauthor of “The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book.” From 1992 to 2007, Reigler was a restaurant critic, beverage columnist and travel writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal. She has been a regional judge for the James Beard Foundation Restaurant Awards since 1997 and serves on the board of directors of Bourbon Women. She has conducted many bourbon tastings to benefit non-profit organizations, written about Bourbon for Malt Advocate and Wine Enthusiast and boasts three other books on Kentucky travel and cuisine.
Clay Risen, the author of “American Whiskey, Bourbon and Rye,” grew up in Nashville and now lives the Southern expat life in New York City. An editor at the New York Times by day, Risen writes on whiskey and other spirits as a freelance journalist for publications like Fortune, Men’s Journal, and Wine Enthusiast. He is also the author of two acclaimed books on the civil rights movement, “The Bill of the Century: The Epic Battle for the Civil Rights Act” and “A Nation on Fire: America in the Wake of the King Assassination.” Risen will be available Friday evening only.
Mike Veach, author of “Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage,” is a 2006 member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and currently works as the acclaimed Bourbon historian at The Filson Historical Society in Louisville. Veach can often be found conducting tasting and history events for a variety of charitable organizations and educating hospitality groups through The Filson’s Bourbon Academy. He is a native of Louisville.
Molly Wellman, author of “Handcrafted Cocktails: The Mixologist’s Guide to Classic Drinks for Morning, Noon & Night.” Wellman is a self-taught mixologist in Cincinnati who has immersed herself in the history and proper preparation of classic cocktails. She is co-owner of Japp’s, Neons Unplugged and Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar. The Cincinnati native uses classic cocktails as a base for creating new and innovative drinks containing simple syrups, bitters, liquors and fresh juices she makes herself — and has been voted Best Mixologist/Bartender for CityBeat magazine the last five years.
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair is a five-day Bourbon fantasy camp that will be held May 14-18, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and events at the most famous Bourbon distilleries in the world. It’s the only whiskey event created and executed by the distilleries themselves. This year’s Affair will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Congress declaring Bourbon “America’s only native spirit.” In addition, the KDA has partnered with the Original Makers Club on prestigious opening and closing festivities featuring the unique Bourbon lifestyle. For tickets and more information, please visit www.kybourbonaffair.com.

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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. 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. Please drink responsibly.