Go For The Gold At The Kentucky Bourbon Affair™

50 GOLDEN TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY TO ELITE BOURBON FANTASY CAMP

For Immediate Release – February 11, 2015
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s go time for Golden Tickets.

A limited number of 50 Golden Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. EST Wednesday to the second annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair™, an intimate five-day celebration of the art and craft behind America’s only native spirit. Go to www.kybourbonaffair.com to purchase tickets.

“Golden Tickets are your first and best opportunity to ensure exclusive access to your favorite Kentucky Bourbon Affair events,” said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association that coordinates the signature showcase.

“Once again, the world’s most iconic distilleries are opening their doors and offering incredible behind-the-scenes access, rare tastings, souvenir bottles, private barrel selections and nightcap events featuring culinary delights with renowned Louisville chefs.

“It’s a Bourbon lover’s dream come true.”

The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau returns in 2015 at Host City sponsor, and Kentucky Proud has signed on as culinary sponsor to highlight locally grown and produced products.

This year’s Affair will be held from June 3 to June 7 and will feature nine distilleries: Bulleit, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Town Branch, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve.

The $1,500 Golden Ticket guarantees recipients their first choice of three distillery tours plus opening and closing events; two nightcap tickets; the Sunday Polo waterfront brunch; a swagfilled toolkit; customized itinerary; and personalized service from a Bourbon Affair concierge.

In addition, Golden Ticket holders get first shot at three limited private barrel selections from Four Roses, Jim Beam and Wild Turkey. And, transportation is now included in all ticket prices. “Safety and responsibility is a top priority,” Gregory said.

Golden Tickets in 2014 sold out in a week, Gregory said. “So get yours quickly.”

Pauline Rooney, Chair KDA Board of Directors, said the Kentucky Bourbon Affair is unique in comparison to other whiskey events because it’s actually produced and conducted by the distilleries themselves.

“You get to learn about our timeless craft alongside the world’s foremost Bourbon experts, and in some cases work hand-in-hand with living legends,” said Rooney, Vice President of Distillation, Maturation and Engineering for Diageo North America.

“It’s going to be an unforgettable adventure.”

Daytime distillery experiences will include:

• Go fishing with Freddie Noe, 8th generation Beam family member, at Booker’s private and coveted honey hole
  Explore and sample single barrels from different floors in a Heaven Hill rickhouse, and take home a souvenir bottle of your favorite
• Embark on a dinner train for a four-course meal and spirits pairing as it winds along the Town Branch waterway for which Town Branch Bourbon was named.
• Train to be a Four Roses aficionado through hands-on training as Distillery Manager, Distiller Operator, Fermenter Operator, Quality Lab Manager and more
• Work alongside the “Makers of Maker’s Mark” and learn the handcrafted process behind the iconic red wax, with lunch at its spring-fed lake
• Experience every step of Bourbon-making – including charring barrels – at Woodford Reserve in a guided small batch session with your own keepsake special edition
• Select barrels with Father/Son Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell at Wild Turkey Distillery in hands-on activities at the famous Lawrenceburg landmark
• Learn the art of blending at historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery and go behind-the-scenes on an interactive tour with Tom Bulleit
• Tour the new Michter’s Distillery in Shively – never before opened to the general public – and sample their luxury Celebration blend of barrels over 20 and 30 years old
• Mix with Master Distillers and other VIPs at opening and closing events unlike any other

In a change from 2014, distilleries will be offering a longer, single day tour Thursday, Friday and Saturday with genuine Kentucky and Bourbon-inspired hors d’oeuvres and lunches. Times will be between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., leaving attendees more time to explore the Commonwealth.

In return, distilleries have doubled nightcap and specialty offerings, Gregory said, along with extraordinary opening and closing events. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. Individual tickets will go on sale soon.

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

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote and protect Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. For more information about joining the KDA’s distilling family, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351 or visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.