This monthly post contains a collection of article links from June that have been grouped by topic. Some highlights include market updates, distillery news, awards, festival ticket sales, and new bottle releases. Highlights encompassed stock fluctuations, new distillery additions, and various festival and product launches. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail was a key focus, with expanded features and anniversary celebrations. Multiple distilleries also unveiled new bourbon releases.
Wayne and I became aware of this event through a few friends posting and sharing it on Facebook and even through private messages. We have enjoyed Hard Truth spirits for several years but we were not familiar with the Cap & Cork in Henderson, KY. We decided to acquire tickets and attend; after all, it was all about great food and great bourbon – what’s not to like?
Imagine our surprise when we arrive and see many familiar faces. We had no idea that folks we have gotten to know via the Beverage Barn in Henderson had started this new adventure.
In an April article by Chuck Stinnett, I was able to learn that Cap & Cork involves three couples: Brian and Justina McDaniel, owners of the Beverage Barn chain of liquor stores; Michael and Danielle Ervin; and Aaron and Heather Nelson. Michael Ervin, who gained cooking experience at a farm-to-table restaurant and a steakhouse, will serve as executive chef as well as managing partner. Aaron Nelson will focus on the bar, while Heather Nelson will work with Michael Ervin in the kitchen and Justina McDaniel and Danielle Ervin will serve as hostesses.
We got a look at the bar and the selection is truly amazing with many impossible-to-find bourbons. And, if the meal we enjoyed is anything like what their gastropub will produce, the Cap & Cork will quickly become a huge success on Henderson’s beautiful waterfront!
Gathering
When we arrived we saw familiar faces and joined Justin Strumpfer, Master of Bourbon, at his table. By the buzz in the room, you could tell that the guests were in high anticipation of a great meal paired with Hard Truth spirits.
Cap & Cork Executive Chef/Partner, Michael ErvinHard Truth Master Distiller/Partner, Bryan Smith
Once the introductions were made, we heard from the Cap & Cork’s Executive Chef/Partner, Michael Ervin, as he described the menu for the evening. Next, Hard Truth’s Master Distiller/Partner, Bryan Smith, discussed the opening cocktail and what we could expect for the evening.
Cocktail: Bourbon Ginger Highball with Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon.
Sharable: Whipped Pork Butter (smoked pork whipped into salted butter with salsa verde) and Focaccia Bread with garlic oil and black lava salt.
2nd Course
The 2nd course was presented and it was lovely. Seared Scallops with serrano cream corn, maitake mushrooms, and Hard Truth Rye cream sauce. We were also served a neat pour of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye.
Although I do no eat seafood, Wayne was happy to receive my scallops. He said they were perfectly cooked with a nice sear and very tender. He even said that Chef Gordon Ramsey would be pleased. I really enjoyed the serrano cream corn!
3rd Course
Wow! When the 3rd/main course was served, it made quite an impression. The plating was gorgeous and we could not wait to cut into that veal and taste the sauce. It was described as a veal lollypop crusted in coffee and cocoa nibs with bacon tomato jam and broccolini. While the veal was great on its own, including some of that bacon tomato jam with each bite truly took it to another level. We were also served a neat pour of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Chocolate Malt, which happens to be a favorite of ours.
4th Course – Dessert
Dessert was a Brûléed Piña Colada Panna Cotta with a Boozy Antler Single Origin Cold Brew and Hard Truth Coconut Rum. Both Wayne and Justin were raving about each of these and said the dessert was like having a bite of a Piña Colada. Unfortunately, I am unable to eat/drink coconut. However, I was provided an a amazing chocolate cake option that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Brûléed Piña Colada Panna CottaBoozy Antler Single Origin Cold Brew and Hard Truth Coconut Rum
Wrapping Up a Great Event
Things were starting to wind down and we heard from the leadership team of the Cap & Cork and then Bryan Smith shared a parting toast that included a neat pour of Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Rye Finished in French Oak Cognac Barrels. It was the perfect ending to an amazing evening!
The event helped us to appreciate Hard Truth and the work of Bryan Smith even more than we had before. Plus, we are so excited about the opening of the Cap & Cork. We believe it will be a tremendous success and encourage everyone to make a visit very soon!
Cheers until next time! Rebecca & Wayne
Rebecca, Wayne, and Bryan Smith
Please check out our tasting notes for Hard Truth Sweet Mash March releases HERE.
To wrap up National Bourbon Week, Wayne and I enjoyed a quick trip to Louisville, KY. We had two planned activities for the weekend: a dinner at Evan Williams on Friday and a tour at Starlight Distillery on Saturday. Beyond that, we decided to go with flow and enjoy whatever caught our eyes. If you haven’t been to Louisville and explored Whiskey Row, you should likely place that on your travel calendar!
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-Bond Release
When we arrived in Louisville, we drove directly to Angel’s Envy. They were releasing their Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, their first non-finished offering. We were excited to stop in and acquire a bottle. We learned that they were 375ml bottles and got two as well as a distillery only single barrel. This is an historic moment for Angel’s Envy and we were thrilled to stop in for their celebration!
We have been huge fans of Bardstown Bourbon Company since our first weekend on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and love that they now have a tasting room in Louisville. Thus, that was our next stop.
A busy day in Louisville!View from the bar.
We had hoped that we would be able to acquire a bottle of their Amrut Collaboration and were thrilled that it was available. When planning our tasting flights, we also wanted to try the two distillery only offerings. The first was a Small Batch Stave Finish and the other was a Single Barrel Four Grain. When we saw that their Bardstown Collection for 2024 was available, that was an easy choice!
As we sat down for our tasting, I was more than surprised to see my friend and AOII sorority sister, Cindy Visot, who I have not seen in 9 years! She and her husband were in town for a wedding and just happened to stop in to sample some bourbon. What a fun coincidence!
Flight: Small Batch Stave Finish, Single Barrel Four Grain, Bardstown Collection 2024, Amrut CollaborationFinding a friend you haven’t seen in 9+ years!
We bought all that we sampled as each expression was amazing. To say we were surprised and THRILLED to have the opportunity to purchase the 2024 Bardstown Collection is an understatement!
Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience
We then walked a couple blocks to the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience. We really enjoy their products and made a point to stop in as we knew they are having a special event to celebrate the grand opening of their hidden speakeasy. The event included a sample spirit upon arrival, light bites, and a special cocktail menu at their cash bar.
Buzzard’s Roost on Main St in LouisvilleWe got a peek at their still!
Everyone was dressed in Roaring 20’s attire and the place was buzzing! The small bites were welcomed as we had been quite busy already. We were happy to get a seat at the bar and order from the special menu for the event. We each enjoyed our drink selections … Manhattan for me and a Paper Plane for Wayne!
Special Cocktail MenuA Manhattan for Rebecca & a Paper Plane for Wayne
Evan Williams – A Toast to Bourbon Dinner
Following our visit at Buzzard’s Roost, it was time to head to Evan Williams for our “A Toast to Bourbon Dinner” that was scheduled to begin at 7PM. Please read all about that event HERE.
Breakfast at Doc Crow’s
We were up early on Saturday morning and looked forward to breakfast at one of our favorite places – Doc Crow’s! The location and atmosphere is fantastic. We always have amazing service and the food is outstanding.
Wayne enjoyed the “build your own” omelet with hashbrowns, a side of biscuit & gravy and a spicy Bloody Mary made with bourbon. I loved the spinach and feta omelet with hashbrowns … and we shared a side of cheddar grits!
Whiskey Row Car Show
As we walked to Doc Crow’s, we noticed that cars were filing in for a show. By the time we finished breakfast, we were able to stroll along Whiskey Row and enjoy some amazing cars! You just never know what you will find in downtown Louisville.
Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
After checking out of our hotel, we decided to see what Michter’s was offering for the day. We arrived just as the doors were opening and learned that they had a Barrel Strength Rye (109.6 proof) available. It came as a set with their Straight Rye Whiskey. There was also an opportunity to bottle-your-own Barrel Strength Bourbon but the next available time was later than we desired to stay.
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
After leaving Michter’s, we decided to head to Jim Beam, which is less than a 30-minute drive from Louisville. We always love being on their campus and we were hopeful that they would have some bottles on the shelf that we wanted to buy.
We were in luck as they had exactly what we were hoping for: Booker’s 2024-02, “The Beam House Batch” and Little Book Chapter 8, “Path not Taken.” Of course, it would have been incredible to acquire a bottle of their 2024 Bardstown Collection; alas, there were none available. But that is ok, we got what we thought we would have an opportuity to buy!
It was a great, albeit quick, trip to Louisville. We always look forward to visiting!
Farewell Louisville – time to head to Borden, IN and Starlight Distillery!
June 14th was National Bourbon Day! We were thrilled to acquire tickets for this event at Evan Williams Bourbon Experience that included a premium tasting led by Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau followed by a plated dinner and exclusive shopping experience.
Tickets included a premium tasting flight, 3 cocktails, a multi-course dinner, and an opportunity to purchase a bottle of Evan Williams 23-Year-Old Bourbon.
We received a welcome cocktail of their take on a Horses Neck. Instead of Brandy, they used 1 part Evan Williams white label bottled-in-bond, Angostura bitters, and 3 parts Ginger Ale. We requested just a splash of Ginger Ale and enjoyed that very much.
After everyone was served, we moved to the lower level – the same room where we have previously enjoyed their Speakeasy Tasting Experience. A live band was playing as we arrived.
We found seating and admired the beautiful setup with the tasting pours prepared for us. We enjoyed terrific passed appetizers with our Horses Neck cocktail while everyone was getting seated. The appetizers included a puff pastry with ham, cream cheese and guava as well as a small bite sandwich of pimento cheese, chipotle, and a pickle on brioche.
Premium Tasting Led by Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau
Evan Williams Single Barrel, Square 6 Wheated, Old Fitzgerald 13-year, and Evan Williams 23-year
Jodie introduced himself and shared a bit of his nearly 43-year tenure with Heaven Hill. He started at 20 years old working in the rickhouses and accepted opportunity after opportunity to learn and grow with the organization. He even had the honor of learning under Parker Beam. Jodie loves his role as Artisanal Distiller at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row.
Jodie was masterful at leading everyone through the four-part tasting. He gave us ample time with each expression and happily answered questions. He also visited with each table to meet, greet, and get to know the guests.
Wayne, Jodie, & Rebecca
Salad Course
This was a kale salad with smoked almonds, crispy bacon, goat cheese, and a bourbon champagne vinaigrette. It was quite tasty.
Dinner Course
While I wasn’t able to record all of the details of the entrée cocktail, it drank like a very well-balanced peach old fashioned. I did note that it was made with Evan Williams 12-year-old bourbon, peach bitters, and garnished with a brûléed peach.
Surprisingly, it was not overly sweet and paired extremely well with the pork entree.
The entrée included a seared pork chop, bourbon achiote sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, and braised greens. Every bite was fabulous!
Dessert Course
We were then treated to a Bourbon Espresso Martini made with Evan Williams black label. We have had something similar served at other dinner events; however, this was by far the best ever. All guests at our table felt it was the best cocktail of the evening.
The dessert was bread pudding with bourbon dulce de leche. It was amazing!
Note: The Mayan Cafe catered the event. Every bite was fantastic and the staff was outstanding.
Shopping and Bottle Signing
At the conclusion of the meal, we visited the gift shop. Each guested was permitted to buy one of the Evan Williams 23-year-old bottles as well as other items available in the gift and bottle shop. We greatly enjoy the Square 6 Wheated and used this opportunity to acquire a back-up bottle. Jodie was also kind enough to sign bottles.
This was the FIRST dinner that Evan Williams Bourbon Experience has held. Wow – what a tremendous first-time event. They knocked it out of the park! We hope that they will add more events as we would be honored to attend.
June 7, 2024, Wayne and I ventured to Owensboro, KY to partake in Green River Distillery’s launch of their full proof bourbon. We had secured a VIP Tour and arrived early to take in the festivities.
While awaiting the start of our tour, we had a pour of the full proof. The perfect way to set the stage for the remainder of the event.
VIP History and Distillery Tour
We a VIP tour with none other than the amazing National Brand Ambassador, Caryn Wells. We started in the room that holds so much of the history of Green River Distilling. Each time the story is told, we learn and/or remember a new detail. I decided to get pictures of the timeline barrels to help me remember. The artifacts that they have collected and displayed are top notch.
History notes from the barrel heads –
1885: Green River Distillery is founded by JW McCulloch. DSP-KY-10 is the 10th oldest Licensed distillery in the state and becomes home to McCulloch’s famous whiskey.
1886-1889: Green River Whiskey is known far and wide, thanks to its quality and JW McCulloch’s innovative marketing approach. Advertising for the brand includes the slogan “The Whiskey without a Headache,” later becoming “The Whiskey Without Regrets.” Known as the “most expensive spirit ever sold,” 20 barrels were once traded for interest in a Colorado gold mine. Green River becomes the official whiskey of the US Marine Hospital in 1910.
1900-1906: Green River wins many awards, including a gold medal and “best of show” at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and later a grand prize at the 1905 Leigh Exposition in Belgium. It also wins awards at expositions in St. Louis MO in 1904, Portland OR in 1905, and Milan Italy in 1906.
1906-1917: The city of Owensboro is an epicenter of bourbon production with more than 20 distilleries. Daviess County is home to several of the state’s largest and best distilleries.
1918: At the height of Green River’s popularity, a fire broke out on the distillery grounds. In just three hours, most of the buildings and whiskey barrels were reduced to rubble.
History notes from the barrel heads – (continued)
1920-1933: The distillery is rebuilt, but Prohibition is passed, and McCulloch wouldn’t live to restore Green River to its former glory. Almost all of Daviess County’s distilleries, including Green River, shut their doors, as Owensboro’s whiskey industry evaporates overnight.
1939-2007: A group of Medley family members band together to purchase and revive the distillery as the Medley Distilling Company. For the next 70 years, the Medley Family continues to carry on the tradition of distilling spirits at the location and maintains the registration of the distillery as DSP-KY-10.
Today – A Legacy Revived: In 2014, the Green River team finds the distillery with such a storied history in ruins. Brick by brick, building the building, they restore the 10th oldest distillery in the state. In 2016, they began distilling. History comes full circle in 2020 as Green River Distilling Co. is officially revived in its original home. With the support of John W. McCulloch’s great-grandson, the Green River flag is raised high on the distillery campus for the first time since Prohibition.
2022: Green River returns to its former glory. The revival marks the return of Owensboro’s rich bourbon legacy. The distillery remains registered as DSP-KY-10 and is a heritage member of the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, welcoming visitors from near and far.
We headed outdoors for a discussion about grain. Green River uses only non-GMO grain and receives more bushels a week than one can wrap their head around. Next we were off to the stillhouse. Caryn shared history as well as distilling facts with us along the way. We got to drink the “high wine” off the still and it was fantastic.
Time for the Tasting in Rickhouse B
Rickhouse B
We then went to Rickhouse B where all the single barrels are selected. It was great that we were able to taste and compare their various offerings. We started with the Wheated, then their flagship Bourbon, followed by the Rye, and we finished with the Full Proof. We learned that the full proof is a blend of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old barrels. In addition to the prepared pours of their line, we received samples of a bourbon single barrel thieved straight from the barrel. It was incredible!
We have been on many tours and experiences. Two of the most important factors of a GREAT one are the guide and your fellow enthusiasts. For this event, we hit the jackpot with Caryn as our guide and an amazing group of bourbon/Green River enthusiasts. It was like family and we had so much fun!
Commemorative Gift Bag for the Green River Full ProofRelease
We each received a gift back with a bottle of Green River Full Proof and one of their newly redesigned Glencairn glasses, which is really beautiful.
See our Green River Full Proof tasting notes HERE!
Distillery Trail Statistics
Green River Distilling, in Owensboro, KY, is the closest distillery to us and one of our favorite places to visit. This was our 9th visit and our 127th distillery experience. Our first visit was November 13, 2021 where Caryn Wells led us through a guided tasting and discussion about this history of the distillery.
We had a truly wonderful evening and it was difficult to say goodbye. Wayne and I look forward to our next visit at Green River Distilling.
This monthly post contains a collection of article links from May that have been grouped by topic. Some highlights include Kentucky tourism on a record-setting pace, 2024 Annual Master Exams by the Council of Whiskey Masters, 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Results, Bourbon Festival Tickets on sale, and numerous bottle releases.
We started the weekend on Friday night with the kick-off dinner, Spirited Bourbon Pairing Dinner at Green River Distillery. However, Saturday, May 11, was the big day – and BIG it was. The 2024 BBQ & Barrels event was amazing. There was competition BBQ in the streets, a great line-up of live music all day, a very interesting auto show, education sessions in the afternoon, followed by the bourbon festival. Of course, that doesn’t mean the day is complete until gathering with friends and an opportunity to view the Northern Lights. What a day! Something for everyone!
BBQ Competition and Street Fair
Cooking teams, BBQ competition, Food Trucks – this Street Fair lined 2nd Street in downtown Owensboro, KY. It was fun to walk and smell the amazing aromas coming off of those smoker. Wow – if only cameras had smell-a-vision!
On Friday we sampled one item and enjoyed a cocktail from Castle & Key.
Saturday we had the opportunity to sample from the various competition teams. So many yummy bites of smoked chicken, pork, bologna, ham, sausage, venison, etc. It is amazing how full you can get sampling with a toothpick!
Rob, Wayne, & April
Champions Motorcar Invitational
The car show was new this year. I’m not sure I would have been aware of it if I hadn’t known someone who was showing his 57 Chevy. While there weren’t as many cars in the field as one might expect, they were all incredibly different and quite stunning. Ultimately, 12 barrel head trophies were awarded.
Education Session with Evan Williams
We enrolled in the Master Class with Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (EWBE) Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau. The BBQ & Barrels classes are a terrific value. Held one hour prior to the VIP entry for the bourbon tasting, the last two years there have been three options available and only $25 a ticket for a 45 minute session.
Jodie introduced himself and provide some background on his 42 years of experience, working his way up, of being a part of the Heaven Hill family-owned operation.
He then led us on a detailed tasting of two award-winning Evan Williams Bourbons made in distinctly different styles. The small cups, in the photo above, contained various elements, such as cherry, cinnamon, walnuts, etc. that might be on the nose or the palate of the two expressions. We were also provided a water dropper and were encouraged to try each a second time with a drop of water to see how it might open up differently.
First up was the Evan Williams Single Barrel made in column stills at the historic DSP-KY-1 Bernheim plant. This expression is 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The notes provided were accurate for our palate as well – nose of dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood; taste of oak with honey, fruit notes of apple and orange, and a very nice spice.
Next was the Square 6 wheated bourbon made in the EWBE Artisanal Distillery using Vendome pot stills. We have tried and purchased the Square 6 previously and the wheated expression is one of our favorites. It is a blend of two mashbills. The first is 74% corn, 16% wheat, and 10% malted barley. The second is 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. This is bottled at 105 proof. All aspects of this is wonderful. The nose starts with caramel, vanilla, figs, cherries, and oak. The nose continues on the palate and adds confectioners’ sugar and walnuts. The walnuts continue on the finish as well as oak and cinnamon. It is a yummy flavor bomb.
Rebecca, Wayne, & Jodie
Lisa & Jodie
Jodie loves what he does and it shows in his excitement when talking about these spirits. It was really nice to meet him, hear his story, and taste these spirits again with his enthusiasm as an added bonus. After the session concluded, we were able to get pictures with him for us and our friend, Lisa Stinson.
Barrels Bourbon Festival– VIP
View of the BBQ & music festival from the Convention Center
The VIP ticket included the all-important one-hour early entry (3PM vs 4PM). Everything else aside, this is critical because it is much less crowded and this allows you to sample more easily and spend time talking with the various distillers. Of course, the passed heavy hors d’oeuvres and commemorative VIP BBQ and Barrels Glencairn tasting glass is very nice as well.
With 35 distilleries, we approached it somewhat methodically but also ensured we had time with some of our favorite people!
Rebecca, Kim, & Wayne: The Bard DistilleryBarry with RD One DistilleryAaron with Green River DistillingJustin with Spirits of French LickRebecca, Amine, & Wayne: Old Louisville Whiskey CoAJ of Casey Jones Distillery
There were legacy distilleries, craft distilleries, and some who were just getting started. It is wonderful to see everyone together and in a support environment.
Starlight DistilleryMichter’s DistilleryCoal Pick DistilleryWestern KY DistillingBrothers of the Leaf DistilleryEvan Williams Bourbon Experience
The crowds were substantial following the VIP hour but everyone was polite and friendly. People shared tables to visit and take a break. Distillers shared their stories, provided samples & tchotchkes, most were able to sell bottles a well. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of why we have enjoyed these folks while meeting new people and tasting new expressions.
We made our bottle purchases (pro tip: wait so you don’t have to carry!) and exited the event a little after 5PM. We enjoyed our time there and two hours was just about perfect for us.
Bourbon Friends & Northern Lights
It was a wonderful day and a beautiful evening; thus, we couldn’t let the fun end at the conclusion of the festival. Many of us gathered at about 8PM for a “bottle share” around the bonfire at one of the hotels on the river. Again, time with old friends and time to get to know new friends. That is what the bourbon journey is all about. Sharing a pour with stories, laughter, and even some cigars. I’ve said it before and will say it again – bourbon has an amazing culture and it is one that we feel immensely blessed to be a part of.
Lisa, Phil, Ann, & JeffSarah & LisaTori, Barry, Lisa, & Phil
This also happened to be a night where viewing the Northern Lights was a possibility. Being on the river, without excessive lights, was a lovely setting to gain a glimpse. We all looked, watched, and hoped for several hours. Ironically, it wasn’t until Wayne and I were walking back to our hotel at about midnight that we were finally able to capture the magical view. Wow – the Northern Lights truly placed a colorful bow on what had already been a perfect weekend.
The Glover Cary Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge) connecting Indiana to Owensboro KY always has an amazing light display.
That’s a Wrap for BBQ & Barrels
Wow – what a wonderful weekend! We could not have asked for better weather. The event was well-organized and everyone we met was friendly and fun. It is always difficult to say what was the best part or the best memory. While the events were excellent, it is always the people who create the memories. Seeing folks that we haven’t seen for some time. Making new friends. Spending time with people who come from various locations and walks of like to share a common passion – bourbon.
If you haven’t been to Owensboro, KY or this BBQ & Barrels event, mark your calendar for 2025. The BBQ event has been a staple on the riverfront for decades and in 2023 the “barrels” portion was added. This year was the first time for the car show. With the live music, it is truly a festival atmosphere. There is something for everyone and that is why the attendance continues to grow. Bookmark their site, tickets usually go on sale late February or very early March.
Again, we highly recommend this event. If you haven’t attended a bourbon festival before, this is a terrific chance to do so in a non-overwhelming environment. And if your friends, spouse, or significant other are not “into bourbon” that’s ok because there is so much to do!
This was a great memory for Our Bourbon Journey – be sure to add it to yours!
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!
Cocktail, Appetizers, &Salad
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.
Dinner & Cocktail
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.
Dessert & Cocktail
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.
Rebecca, Wayne, Barry, ToriRebecca, Wayne, Todd, Susan, Ann, Vicky, Jeff, Ann
This was another fantastic event hosted by Green River Distilling.
Last night was the 4th Annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF) Bourbon Pairing Dinner at the Levee Bourbon Bar in Louisville, KY. It was the perfect setting for such an event during Derby Week. The riverside location allowed us to watch the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race. Many of the event attendees wore traditional Derby attire including flamboyant hats for the women and jackets for the men. It made for a very colorful evening.
When the doors opened, we were offered the official 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival cocktail. It had a very balanced flavor – Old Fashioned with Elijah Craig Small Batch. It had a very nice hint of cinnamon.
The Levee Bourbon Bar is terrific and with an amazing selection. We will need to make plans to visit again. The patio has a fantastic view of the Ohio River and we decided to sit outside and enjoy the festivities.
The wait staff was awesome. Food trays were passed frequently, and someone was also ensuring that everyone had bottled water on this rather warm evening. The passed appetizers were top notch!
* Elijah Craig cured salmon on house-made blini, fried capers, and crème fraiche. * House-made smoked chicken sausage, with Kalamata olives, fennel sprigs, and fresh citrus. (Wayne’s favorite) * Kenny’s Cranberry Fromage Blanc baked on brioche topped with Elijah Craig sorghum glaze. (Rebecca’s favorite)
CuredSalmonSmoked ChickenSausageBaked Brioche
The Great Steamboat Race
Just as Conor O’Driscoll was about to speak, he noticed that the steamboats were approaching and invited everyone to enjoy the event from the balcony. The riverfronts on each side of the Ohio were lined with onlookers and the boats were filled with people having a great time. We were surprised that their speed was greater than we anticipated. It was fun to witness.
According to the festival site, this race on the Ohio River has taken place since 1963. Tickets are available to ride on the boats with various amenities. This year’s race featured the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati. The race was anticipated to last approximately two hours. According to news reports, the Belle of Cincinnati was victorious.
We then enjoyed a terrific salad: Crisp Roma Crunch Lettuce topped with apple chips, Elijah Craig-soaked dried cherries, shaved Kenny’s Bleu Gouda cheese and finished with a toasted vanilla bean vinaigrette.
This lovely salad also gave us an opportunity to meet those we were sitting with – a very fun and friendly table!
Dinner with Entrée Cocktail
The entrée cocktail was like the welcome cocktail, but it was more citrus forward. The plated dinner was fantastic. Chef John Varanese and his team prepared smoked beef tenderloin topped with a duck confit ragout over a savory cornbread panzanella, roasted asparagus, heirloom carrot and red peppers finished with Elijah Craig caramel demi-glace. It was a good as it sounds and appeared, and I did not notice any leftovers around the room!
Entrée CocktailSmoked Beef Tenderloin
Dessert with Dessert Cocktail
The dessert was light and very tasty. The panna cotta was just perfect, and the dried apricot really added a bright fruit essence to the dessert. The cocktail was an espresso martini. It has a great coffee flavor, but the overall profile was a tad sweet for most at our table.
Description: Milk chocolate genoise, with a dried apricot marmalade, fermented honey and a vanilla panna cotta.
Chocolate Genoise and Vanilla Panna CottaEspresso Martini
Master Distiller – Conor O’Driscoll
We were excited to meet Conor O’Driscoll. We caught a live interview he did with Jason at The Mash & Drum and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Conor’s drink of choice was the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond … and he was truly loving it. We appreciated his candor to the questions that were asked, and he came across as very approachable and “real.” Listening to him during the interview encouraged us to meet him. This was about four weeks ago and shortly afterwards, I received the email about this dinner. It just seemed like it was meant to be!
During the interview, one of Jason’s subscribers asked a question about whether he thought there was something to the “neck pour” of a new bottle not being as good as the rest. Conor literally laughed out loud. Then, what we will never forget … he took his bottle, flipped it over, and said, “wait, here’s your neck pour, oh, now it’s gone” as he flipped the Heaven Hill BIB bottle. We laughed so hard and kept replaying it.
We took an unopened bottle of the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond to the dinner and asked Conor to sign it with that comment. He did one better and flipped the bottle and signed part of it upside down. Oh my – this will always be cherished! Thank you, Conor!!
Bourbon with Friends
With every bourbon event, there is an opportunity to connect with friends and make new ones. This one was no different. We got to see Mark Rucker and his wife Annita. Our table mate and new friend Bryan Miller … as well as his guests Pat and Pat! Thank you for the cigars, wish we didn’t have to drive back home so we could have had them with you and visited some more! Next time!
Rebecca, Mark, and WayneBryan, Wayne, and Rebecca
Closing Thoughts
KBF PinElijah Craig PGA Coin
The event exceeded our expectations. The KBF team organized and executed a fantastic evening from start to finish. When we arrived at our reserved seating, the KBF pin and Elijah Craig PGA coin were waiting for us.
At the end of the evening, we were each offered an Elijah Craig rocks glass and a set of golf tees. All will be great mementos. We look forward to adding this annual event to our Annual Bourbon Events Calendar. After attending this one, we really want to return!
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.
Your Bourbon Journey 