Recap and Highlights from Friday, August 16, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

This first “full” day was definitely the epitome of packed full of goodness!

Bourbon Beginnings Breakfast (Sagamore Rye) 8:00am – 9:00am EDT Sponsored by Sagamore Rye!  AND SIP & Survey Round 1 with 15 Stars

The buffet was outstanding as the food was really cooked to perfection. We made several new friends at our table and shared many bourbon stories. During the breakfast hour we had an opportunity to SIP & Survey 15 Stars. The Private Stock was very good. That said, the Three Kings offered a very different sip as it is a blend of bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys.

We spent the remainder of the hour assisting our friends from Green River with the set up for their session. It was great to help and learn what all goes into making a fantastic session. I’m not sure that everyone appreciates all of the behind-the-scenes activity that is needed. While we didn’t attend that session, we know it was well-received.

Welcome and Keynote with Jane Bowie of Potter Jane Distilling 10:00am – 10:45am EDT

It was very inspiring to listen to Jane as she shared her journey in the industry. Jane, a 16-year veteran of the spirits industry, embarked on her remarkable journey at Maker’s Mark Distillery, where she quickly ascended the ranks with unwavering passion and dedication. Her influential role as Global Brand Ambassador saw her spearheading the launch of groundbreaking products such as the first cask strength Maker’s Mark bourbon, and pioneering the innovative Private Select Barrel Program. Jane’s visionary creations have been celebrated with prestigious accolades at global whiskey competitions. Following her departure from Maker’s, she and her business partner are fervently working on the establishment of a new distillery in Kentucky, set to come to life by January 2025.

Friday Morning Workshops 11:00am – 12:00pm EDT

Rebecca attended: The Role of the Rickhouse: A Blind Exploration Kyle Merklein and Jordan Germano of Holladay Distillery.

Holladay Distillery’s Master Distiller, Kyle Merklein, delved deep into the enchanting world of the rickhouse and aging process, illuminating the intricate details that culminate in the perfect taste profile. A special focus was placed on the fascinating journey of aging, a process influenced by a myriad of factors including the barrel, storage structure, region, climate, square footage, and, of course, time.

It was incredibly fun to engage in a blind one barrel selection where everyone was afforded the opportunity to complete a confidential vote for the one to be barreled. We also had the opportunity to savor bourbon from barrels aged in different locations within one of the Holladay rickhouses. It was truly captivating to uncover the profound impact of barrel placement and position in the rickhouse on the amazing development of flavors within the bourbon. This was a great workshop that I highly recommend.

Wayne attended: The Pot Calling the Column Black: A Tale of Column and Pot Still Distillation with Christian Huber and Blake Huber of Starlight Distillery

Christian and Blake Huber of Starlight Distillery thoroughly examined the differences between column distillation and pot distillation, emphasizing the substantial impact that choice has on aroma, flavor, and finish. They delved into the technical and flavorful distinctions between pot and column stills, demonstrating how each method distinctly influences the taste, texture, and overall profile of whiskey. The audience engaged in an interactive tasting, gaining first-hand experience of the unique characteristics imparted by each distillation type. Their insightful presentation delivered a compelling exploration of whiskey distillation, and I found their expertise and delivery to be truly engaging.

Whiskey Bent and Bourbon Bound Lunch 12:15pm – 1:15pm EDT

We enjoyed another terrific meal and great company at our table. So fun to sit, relax, and visit while replenishing for the afternoon ahead.

Lunch was sponsored by the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and there were pours available but we opted for iced tea.

Friday Afternoon Excursions 1:40 p.m. – 4:15 p.m: Green River on the River – a river cruise with Green River

This was a truly unforgettable adventure on the river with Green River Distilling! Founded in 1885, this historic gem in Owensboro, KY, has been crafting exceptional bourbon for over a century. It was a great day to board The Mary Miller Riverboat and enjoy a fantastic 2-hour cruise along the Ohio River.

During the cruise, there was an opportunity to experience a presentation by the one and only National Brand Ambassador – Caryn Wells! She provided a captivating journey through Green River’s long and storied bourbon history. We also enjoyed a tasting of their full line up: Green River Wheated Bourbon, Green River Bourbon, Green River Rye, and Green River Full Proof. Each pour included food pairing to highlight the spirit’s profile. There was also an added surprise. We were able to sample from two barrels and select which we enjoyed the most. We then learned that it will be bottled exclusively for the attendees at this event and Bourbon Women SIP 24 will be on the label!

After our tasting session, we enjoyed the river views and then went to the first floor for some live Bluegrass music. There was also a feast of classic Kentucky BBQ available but we were still full from that awesome lunch. Thank you for an amazing time on the river!

WOW (Women of Whiskey) Awards 6:15pm – 10:30pm EDT Kentucky Center for the Arts 

It was time to celebrate the women blazing trails in the whiskey world at the WOW Awards at the Kentucky Center for the Arts supported by the Bourbon Women Foundation. It began with a cocktail reception, red carpet, Meet and Greet that included heavy hors d’oeuvres, and sips.

Then we moved into the Bomhard theater for the awards presentation.  Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler served as the masters of ceremony. It was very inspiring to hear so many amazing stories of the nominees.

We were excited that our friend, Maggie Kimberl won Spirits Writer of the Year!

The event was great but we were tired and several of us decided to forego the desserts and after party!

More on the WOW awards here.

That’s a Wrap for Day 2!

WOW! What an amazing day! We capped it off with friends …. enjoying a bite to eat, a nightcap, and terrific conversation. Hats off to everyone who made this day so special and here’s to Saturday!!

For more about the conference:
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 1
2024 Bourbon Women SIPosium Day 3