May 2024 Spirited Bourbon Pairing Dinner at Green River

May 11, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

As a start to the two-day BBQ & Barrels event in Owensboro, KY, Wayne and I drove over the blue bridge last night to attend our 2nd Annual Spirited Bourbon Pairing Dinner with Green River Distilling. We always enjoy our visits at Green River and this one looked to be terrific.

On the agenda was a unique bourbon dinner crafted by Chef Matt Weafer of Niko’s Bakery Cakes and of course, cocktail pairings crafted by Green River.

Throughout the evening we were serenaded by this amazing group!

Once seated, we enjoyed a smoked salmon dip and smoked pimento cheese.

With the salad course we were served a Lemon Thyme Whiskey Sour made with Green River Wheated Bourbon, Lemon Juice, and Thyme Simple Syrup.

The Maque Choux Salad included local greens, corn, tomatoes, onions, celery, red peppers, creole dressing, and bacon.

The entrée cocktail was a Honey Ginger Old Fashioned made with Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Ginger/Honey Rich Syrup, and Angostura Bitters.

The entrée included pecan crusted sea bass with smoked tomato chutney, pommes duchesse and asparagus.

We were then served duck a l’range with duck confit and bourbon orange glaze over chili-infused grits and brussel sprouts.

We were then treated to a Blackberry Manhattan made with Green River Rye Whiskey, Blackberry infused Sweet Vermouth, and Fernet.

The dessert was a lovely bourbon poached pear with goat cheese cremeux, smoked miso caramel, and almond gateau.

Bourbon with Friends

With every bourbon event, there is an opportunity to connect with friends and make new ones. We had a lively table and a great time was had by all! We are looking forward to Saturday’s events.

This was another fantastic event hosted by Green River Distilling.

Cheers until we meet again!
Rebecca & Wayne

April 2024 Industry Highlights

05/01/24

The bourbon and whiskey market continues to perform well and tourism in Texas has seen a significant increase. There is innovation happening with Beam Suntory as they have laid claim to the world’s first hydrogen-powered whisky distilling. There were several interesting distillery happenings including Buffalo Trace in London. In addition, more awards were announced. While there were likely more, over a dozen bottle releases were publicized.

Texas Distillery Tourism Brings In More Than $830 Million For State Economy

Beam Suntory claims ‘world-first’ hydrogen-powered whisky distilling

$70M distillery project in Springfield, Ky., gets state incentives

RD1 Spirits Adds Seven States to U.S. Distribution

Yellowstone Bourbon Launches Once-in-a-Lifetime Getaway Contest

Buffalo Trace London Distillery Will Officially Open to Public on May 6

Blue Note Named Official Bourbon of Major League Pickleball

Awards Announced

Veteran Owned Lawrenceburg Bourbon Co. Named Distillery of the Year

St. Louis-based Still 630 Distillery wins Best in Class Rum from American Craft Spirits Association

The Best Bourbon and Whiskey According To The International Whisky Competition

Bourbon Festival News

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Dates and Ticket Sales

Bourbon on the Banks Festival Date and Ticket Sales

BBQ and Barrels Festival Dates and Ticket Sales

Templeton debuts its inaugural Bourbon

2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Releases The Kiawah Blend

Ole Smoky Distillery Launches New Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey Nationally

Heaven Hill Announces Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition

Rabbit Hole Distillery Unveils Founder’s Collection Limited-Release Mizunara

Chicken Cock Whiskey Releases Limited Edition Double Oak With PGA TOUR Pro Kevin Kisner

Booker’s Bourbon First Release of 2024 “Springfield Batch”

Bulleit’s 12-Year-Old Rye Whiskey Is Back

Milam & Greene Whiskey Introduces Mockingbird Single Barrel Bourbon, the Second 2024 Release in Their Wildlife Collection

Chattanooga Releases Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend

Lux Row Distillers’ Blood Oath Pact 10 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey arrives at retail in April

Jeptha Creed Distillery Launches 6-Year Wheated Bourbon

Basil Hayden reintroduces Subtle Smoke Bourbon

March 2024 Industry Highlights

04/01/24

The bourbon and whiskey market continues to perform well. American whiskey exports hit a record US$1.4bn. Beam Suntory and University of Kentucky deepen partnership. Log Still Distillery to open luxury restaurant in downtown Louisville. Frey Ranch Distillery expands into new markets. Multiple notable bourbon releases and festival announcements. New Orleans Bourbon Festival and Whisky Magazine Awards winners announced.

American whiskey exports bring in record US$1.4bn

Beam Suntory and University of Kentucky Advance Strategic Partnership

Log Still Distillery to open luxury restaurant in downtown Louisville

Frey Ranch Distillery expands into new markets

Michter’s is Releasing its Barrel Strength Rye Again

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company Releases Toasted Bourbon Batch 1

New Riff Distilling Unveils Eight-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey

Old Forester Releases 117 Series: High Angels’ Share

Yellowstone launches rum-finished Bourbon

Penelope Bourbon returns to Rio

Woodford Reserve releases rare $15,000 whiskey in crystal decanter for Kentucky Derby 150

Bardstown Collection 2024 Release During National Bourbon Week

Michter’s Is Releasing Its 10 Year Bourbon

Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey Co. Just Dropped a Blend of Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys That Supports American Farmers

Awards Announced

New Orleans Bourbon Festival Tasting Winners

Whisky Magazine Awards 2024 global results revealed

Bourbon Festival News

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Dates and Ticket Sales

Bourbon on the Banks Festival Date and Ticket Sales

BBQ and Barrels Festival Dates and Ticket Sales

February 2024 Industry Highlights

02/28/24

There were many interesting articles in February. The annual market analysis and economic impact reports on spirits, bourbon, and the Kentucky bourbon industry were released. February was filled with award ceremonies and new bottle releases. Plus, several annual bourbon festivals finalize dates and announce ticket prices and on sale dates.

Bourbon Spirits Market Analysis Report released.

Kentucky bourbon industry is projected to create $9 billion in economic impact for 2024.

Kentucky Senate Bill Would Enhance Distribution Options for Craft Distilleries.

Whiskey Market Size Has Anticipated Growth Acceleration for 2024.

Staghorn opens Garrard County Distilling Co in Lancaster, KY.

Staghorn names Lisa Wicker Master Distiller of Garrard County Distilling Co.

Henderson Distilling Co closes on property

A Kansas City distillery, J. Rieger & Co, released a boxed set that salutes the Negro Baseball League.

Heaven Hill releases 18-year-old bourbon for their 2024 Heritage Collection.

Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s Bourbon, discusses plans for future releases.

Hard Truth releases their first set of homemade bourbons – Sweet Mash Bourbon, Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon, and Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon.

Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection are on the market again.

Bulleit Unveils American Single Malt.

Penelope’s Small Batch Tokaji Cask Finish Returns.

Woodford Releases Limited Edition Barrel Strength Bourbon.

Bob Dylan Launches Exploration Series of Heaven’s Door

Chattanooga Whiskey Unveils White Port Cask Finish

World Whiskies Awards announced at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY.

Whisky Magazine Awarded Back-to-Back Distiller of the Year to Heaven Hill.

Four Roses Wins Best Single Barrel Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards.

Bourbon Festival News

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Dates and Ticket Sales

Bourbon on the Banks Festival Date and Ticket Sales

BBQ and Barrels Festival Dates and Ticket Sales