Greetings From The Front Lines Of Bourbon!

by Maggie Kimberl
May 12, 2015

Editor’s Note: The Whiskey Wash is proud to introduce Maggie Kimberl out of Kentucky as our Bourbon Country Editor at Large. She will bring word to us several times a month of happenings in this part of the whiskey world, starting with this first column below.

Louisville is the center of the bourbon universe. I’ve written that line (a quote from bourbon historian Michael Veach) so many times it’s starting to catch on, but unfortunately there are still a few people who haven’t yet gotten the message. Kentuckians are proud to see our native spirit achieve such a venerable position in the world these days. We’re also fortunate to have a front row seat to some of the biggest and best bourbon events in the world.

Coming up on June 3^rd will be the second annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair. For 5 days, attendees will have the opportunity to fish with Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe, select a private barrel with Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge, dine with Jimmy Russell, and many other amazing once-in-a-lifetime events.

There are many other wonderful bourbon events in Kentucky. In the winter we celebrate with the Bourbon Classic, which wrapped up a record-breaking attendance year in 2015. For two days there are cocktail competitions, bourbon and country ham pairing lectures, a Bourbon Legends panel discussion, and more bourbon than you can imagine in one place. It’s the perfect excuse to put on your favorite party dress!

In the Fall, we celebrate with The Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. There’s a black tie gala, a cocktail class, bourbon tastings, and even a Hall-of-Fame induction or two.

These are just the major bourbon festivals in Kentucky. There are many other events, and as the Kentucky Bourbon Country Editor at Large here at The Whiskey Wash, I’ll be bringing you plenty of updates on where to go and what’s happening in the world of bourbon.

I really enjoy my front row seat to the bourbon culture, and I love to help people plan their own bourbon country visits, as well. If you have any questions about what’s happening on the bourbon homefront, tweet me @LouGirl502. I’d love to hear from you!

You can check out my website, LouGirl502.com, here.