Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ Announces 2017 Dates, Host City, Director Search

For Immediate Release – October 4, 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced a new three-year partnership that will keep the prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Affair fantasy camp in Louisville through 2019, as well as dates for next year’s event and a national search for a KBA Director.

KDA President Eric Gregory also said Whisky Live, an international celebration of the world’s finest whiskies, will return as the KBA’s closing event, capping off the week-long intimate, immersive dive into Kentucky’s signature spirit.

Dates are June 6 through June 11, 2017. A limited amount of Golden Tickets will go on sale later this year at www.kybourbonaffair.com, with single tickets available afterwards. Information about Whisky Live also can be found at www.whiskyliveusa.com.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said, “The Kentucky Bourbon Affair has become a signature event for Bourbon lovers and Louisville is honored to be its home.”

Gregory praised the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau for the three-year pact as Official Host City. “The Kentucky Bourbon Affair has quickly become one of the industry’s most revered events, due in large part to our friends at the Louisville CVB.

“Now, thanks to their vision, long-term commitment and collaboration with our legendary distilleries, the KBA will strengthen its position as a world-class event, and the only one produced by the actual distilleries themselves.

“We deeply appreciate the support of the LCVB and its Board.”

Launched in 2014, the KBA is hailed for featuring daily behind-the-scenes access at the nation’s most iconic distilleries, with elite nightcap dinners and fetes starring Louisville’s historic Bourbon culture and top-shelf culinary scene.

The KBA has grown each year, with 35 events in 2016 and attendees from 40 states. Nearly all events sell out quickly, with prized Golden Tickets – allowing first access to activities – disappearing in minutes.

“Visiting Louisville for a festival or event is the number one driver for tourism in the city,” said Karen Williams, President and CEO of the Louisville CVB. “Having world-class events like the Kentucky Bourbon Affair that tie in to Louisville’s authenticity and Bourbon tradition are especially attractive and will benefit the city both culturally and economically.”

To learn more about Louisville and all its offerings, visit www.gotolouisville.com.

Whisky Live Founder Dave Sweet said, “Coupled with the week-long celebration of the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, Whisky Live Louisville 2016 was our most successful first launch event ever with attendees from more than 20 states, coast-to-coast.

“We’re looking forward to 2017 and adding an ever greater array of Scotch, Irish and other international whiskies, alongside the best Bourbons that the industry has to offer. Whisky Live Louisville is a national success and we’re just getting started.”

As part of its growth strategy, Gregory said the KDA is conducting a nationwide search for a dynamic, full-time director to coordinate the annual showcase. A job posting is listed the KDA’s website, http://kybourbon.com/about/careers/. The deadline to apply is Nov. 4.

“The KDA staff has done an incredible job in building this event from scratch,” Gregory said. “But it has easily become a year-round position that needs dedicated resources, much like the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences.”

Gregory said KDA distilleries are hard at work on building once-in-a-lifetime events for 2017.

The 2016 Affair featured private distillery tours, personal barrel selections, limited special releases, rooftop dinners with renowned Bluegrass chefs, skeet shooting with a legendary Master Distiller, custom cocktail parties, receptions at the homes of famed Bourbon Barons and more.

“One of the most attractive aspects of the Kentucky Bourbon Affair is that it changes from year to year,” he said. “And while we’re always looking for opportunities to grow, the KBA is committed to maintaining the intimate distillery atmosphere that guests clearly love.

“Kentucky is the one, true and authentic home of Bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Affair features our Southern hospitality and genteel spirit in a way that makes it unique from any other whiskey event in the world. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience.”

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

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman Corp. (Old Forester and Woodford Reserve), Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands, Michter’s Distillery and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include the Louisville Distilling Company and Willett Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers, Boone County Distilling Company, Boundary Oak Distillery, Casey Jones Distillery, Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, Dueling Grounds Distillery, Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Jeptha Creed Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Mist Moonshine, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, O.Z. Tyler Distillery, Second Sight Spirits, Wadelyn Ranch Distillery and Wilderness Trail Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

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 the KDA’s 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. Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

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.