I’ve been going to the Kentucky Bourbon Competition because the Nineties. Situated every year in downtown Bardstown, Kentucky, the Competition is the biggest such occasion really held within the Bourbon Capital of the World. And permit me to be the umpteenth Bardstown native (or former native) to say: Issues have modified, and that’s so much for bourbon nerds to have a good time. At present, the occasion options extra bourbon to drink, extra manufacturers to understand, and rather more to be taught concerning the ins and outs of American whiskey than ever earlier than.
The Competition’s present tagline sums up this new focus: “Whiskey Solely. Solely In Bardstown.”
Let’s get some context out of the best way. Within the Festivals’ early days, it featured much more arts and crafts than craft distilleries. A lot of Kentucky’s hallmark distilleries had a presence, however in an age earlier than widespread craft bourbon and non-distilling producers, the variety of manufacturers was comparatively tiny.
There was solely a lot whiskey to style, and solely so many distiller setups to go to. Competition organizers supplemented the week-long schedule with household pleasant spectator occasions, like barrel and waiter races. Bouncy castles and climbing partitions saved children busy. Consuming was relegated to enclosed areas and one sectioned beer backyard, whereas prime actual property on the garden of Spalding Corridor — the Competition’s major location even immediately — went to all method of craft makers from a 100-miles radius.
And there have been nearly all the time extra barbecue distributors than whiskey makers cooking up meat for the hungry plenty.
It’s most likely an applicable juncture to offer a quick disclosure: My reminiscences are most likely a bit extra tied to scent than the rest. I labored sanitation as a member of Bardstown’s native Boy Scout troop, and again then, it all the time appeared like extra half-empty beer cups ended up within the trash barrels than plastic whiskey glasses.
Regardless of that non-public bias, after attending the 2022 Kentucky Bourbon Competition, which ran from September 14 to 18, I see greater than ever for the discerning bourbon aficionado. At present’s competition options extra distilleries, extra distillers, extra producers, extra middle stage panels, extra displays, and extra bourbon than ever earlier than. It’s now strictly a 21 years and over occasion, so depart the children at dwelling. A flip away from enjoyable for the entire household has allowed Competition organizers to double down on a centered goal clientele: attendees who wish to drink, study, and talk about all issues bourbon with like-minded lovers.
The age gating brings with it two instantly noticeable adjustments. First (and definitely foremost for a lot of ticket holders) is the free sampling at dozens of brand name cubicles, giving of us an opportunity to attempt an limitless stream of present expressions in a single place. It’s a pleasant and accessible technique to work together with distillers, blenders, and entrepreneurs behind lots of the bottles, all of whom can provide perception far past what’s usually obtainable in a press launch.
Get fortunate on timing, and also you is perhaps handled to a dram from Michter’s Grasp Distiller Dan McKee. Or you might get an opportunity to pattern one thing from Jackie Zykan’s new venture, Hidden Barn, poured by the previous Previous Forester Grasp Blender herself. The VIP tent — with an accordingly larger entry value — takes issues up a pair notches, and in 2022 options craft cocktails, complimentary meals, and a gradual provide of harder-to-find and allotted samples from the likes of Buffalo Hint.
Whether or not or not these advantages justify the ticket price — along with journey and lodging — is all the time going to be as much as the person. For individuals who come able to drink responsibly, there’s probably extra bourbon and rye to be sampled than one can correctly style within the Competition’s three major exhibition days. And plenty of exhibitors rotate their pattern picks from someday to the following.
A second noticeable change to the up to date Competition is the number of single barrel and particular launch picks obtainable from each model cubicles and third-party retailers. This yr’s single barrel picks included 4 Roses, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Barrell Craft Spirits, New Riff, Maker’s Mark, Peerless, Wilderness Path, and extra. A Heaven Hill Choose Inventory launch drew notably lengthy traces, promoting out on a number of days. All that to say, there’s not simply quite a lot of whiskey to be sampled for the value of admission. For those who’re prepared to queue and are concerned with buying barrel picks, there are a pair dozen available.
Some Bardstown locals have argued that the Competition has grow to be one for bourbon-thirsty out-of-towners, dropping a few of its earlier appeal within the course of. That actually has a hoop of fact to it. The occasion is ticketed, in any case, and gone are the times of waltzing as much as the garden after brunch to see and be seen by the neighborhood.
However bourbon has exploded in recognition, and occasion organizers have capitalized on the increase by creating an actual focus for manufacturers and followers to attach with one another. It’s robust for anybody responsible them; the whiskey pours, the dialog flows, and drinkers can get actual face time with a few of their favourite producers.
Likewise, town of Bardstown has benefited from a exceptional inflow of whiskey vacationers, a development witnessed all year long however actually most seen throughout September’s headlining shindig. The truth that the Bourbon Competition competes with Louisville’s Bourbon & Past — extra of a hybrid whiskey/music mashup than devoted bourbon occasion — hasn’t discouraged development and should finally draw extra complete guests from exterior the Bluegrass State. In spite of everything, why journey in for one competition when you’ll be able to go to two within the span of a pair days?
The Kentucky Bourbon Competition’s transition away from a locals-first mentality feels bittersweet. However from my perspective, if the 2022 iteration emphasised something, it’s that the Bourbon Competition performs an essential position in conserving a give attention to Bardstown because the Bourbon Capital of the World. Whiskey followers, in fact, get to reap these advantages, one beneficiant pattern at a time.
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