2004 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler

[boone]

The "official" kick off for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, will will start with "The Sampler"...The name says it all...Ya, sample everthing there is, keep the glass,and talk to at the "Big Cheese's". Several of the Master Distiller's are there and a lot of folks who are "in the know" will be available for questions and greetings ...

Make sure you have a DD and (for extra measure) and make sure ya got that "Dog House" built. More than likely you "ain't" coming home upright ---->J/K<----

The event will be held, April 24, 2004, at the Civil War Museum, 310 E. Broadway, Bardstown, Ky.

For reservations call 1-800-638-4877. Tickets are $25.00 each.

Bobby, Marvin and Mr. Ed attened this event last year. They had a great time. I had other commitments last year and could not attend. This year, I have marked the calendar as "Booked" for that day

During the chat last night there were a lot of questions being asked about this event...Sounds like, we are going to have several of the members in attendance

Bettye Jo

[pepcycle]

This was a great time. Homemade desserts and food were included. I came home with about 20 glasses. (Like I needed more glassware) The best part of the night was sitting next to Booker Noe with a Booker's and BS'in about bourbon and hams. He loves his hams. The end of the evening is when the distillers draw numbers for booth spots at The Gala. This is the photo-op of the century. Best $25 I ever spent.

[bobbyc]

This event is a good one. It's a great way to anticipate the 3rd weekend in September. Who was there? It would be easier to list who wasn't than who was as far as Master Distillers go.I know some people who have been to every one of these. It gets bigger each year.

Brown-Forman was not there last year. Most everyone else was, Tom Bulleit was pouring his Frontier Whiskey. Food from all of Bardstowns best restaurants round out the event.

[Bob]

Bettye Jo,

That event sounds great, but I just re-read your post and see that its happening in April. Why isn't this scheduled for Sept during the Festival? If its in April, I can't be there, but if it was in September, I would be there in a heartbeat!

Bob

[boone]

They refer to the Sampler as the "Official Kick Off" to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Mr Ed. said they draw for positions at the gala. That sort of stuff has to be planned months in advance. It's also a reminder, to get folks to make sure they have that week booked in advance etc.

If ya ask me personally, I am kinda glad that they are having this now. Seems that during the festival there is so much going on, (I gotta run that booth) I miss a lot of the festival. I keep saying that one of these years I am going to go the the festival to see the events instead of me putting on the event.

Who am I trying to kid? Doing the booth all these years, has created some really great frienships here at SB.com. You and Nancy being just two examples Sooooooooo's I will be there. Bells on and mouth going a jillion miles and hour...can't guarantee what color my hair will be then but I will be there

Bettye Jo

[BERNCOW]

just wanted to say thanks for the info--like you my April calender has the 24th now totally off limits. No, it's not just the homemade desserts.

[gr8erdane]

Just made my reservations for the Sampler and the Festival at the General Nelson but according to them, the rooms are almost all gone. Better hurry for Festival reservations! Also called in for tickets to the Sampler and was informed that they are going to have the web site updated with this year's information very soon. But be warned if you are from out of state, the southern belle I spoke to will charm your sox off. I think her name was Mary Jane and we chatted for about half an hour. You just can't beat that good old Southern Hospitality.

[Paradox]

I think her name was Mary Jane and we chatted for about half an hour.

You're not kidding! For the past 2 years I called and got tix for events, she had me on the phone just as long, 'captivated' with my NYC accent.

I really wish I could make it to this sampler as well, but Sept will have to do.

[pepcycle]

I should be in great shape for The Sampler. I'm running a half marathon that morning in Louisville as part of Pre-Derby Festivities. If you're going to The Sampler, you should plan on spending some time in Louisville, either the night before, during the day or even the Sunday after. Lots of great activities. (Balloon glow, food booths, steamboat races, fireworks etc)

[jeff]

Anyone else staying at the GN on Saturday night of the Sampler? Leslie and I had thought about just driving back to Lexington (she would be the DD of course), but if a number of people are staying and I thought we could get a "Pre Festival Gazebo" party together after the sampler, then I would be forced to make reservations today Anyone interested?

[Barrel_Proof]

Done! A pre-Festival gazebo warm-up sounds like a plan!

[pepcycle]

Sounds Like a Perfectly Good Plan. I'll suggest it to the social coordinator. Jeff, are you and Leslie still planning on running the Derby Half Marathon that day?

I might just head to Louisville on Friday, spend the night there and then Sat. in Bardstown.

[jeff]

I'm not going to commit to it for another week or so. I really messed up my knee during the Disneyworld half-marathon, and it wasn't until yesterday that I could even run 2 miles with only slight discomfort. Actually I think it is an Illiotibial Band injury, manifesting itself in the knee. I hope it was only an overuse injury and not something more serious. I'm trying to encourage Leslie to go ahead, even if I can't.

[gr8erdane]

Knee problems? Doctor Dane recommends stay off the Knee and drink plenty of fluids (Stagg being a preferred therepeutic fluid)

[BERNCOW]

I do not have knee problems. I do like the desserts. I do drink plenty of the good fluids. I do have a DD. Best of all my tickets came in the mail yesterday Rick B

[boone]

Cliff,

We are going to have the grandest time of times...

Doin' a early head count ...

Straighbourbon.com members attending this year's Sampler. Me, You, Bobby and Amelia, Jeff, Leslie and her brother Brian?, Dane, Chuck, John Ed, Gary G., Tim S., (BERNCOW, name?), Brenda?, Mr. Ed? Marvin?

If everyone shows up, (that's sixteen people)...We will be, "The Party" ...A early pre-festival Gazebo warm up

Bettye Jo

[gr8erdane]

We also have my shy buddy Rick (SB.com name Rick of all things) who will be riding shotgun with me. The third part of my party finally said he can't make it so I will be ordering my tix tomorrow. Rick doesn't say much, but you oughta see him grin when you open a bottle of Pappy in front of him.

One question: do we need to rent tuxes? My old powder blue one from Senior Prom doesn't fit any more. Well maybe on one arm....

[jeff]

Dane, I was told by the Festival people that business casual is the appropriate dress, though I think you should wear the powder blue tux, for comic relief

[pepcycle]

I got ticket #'s 3,4,5 and 6. I will surely be prepared for a cocktail by the end of that day. Half marathon run in the morning, marathon bourbon tasting in the evening.

The Patty will be there to show off her new tattoo. Yes, The Patty now has ink!!

[boone]

Wow...is it a Straightbourbon.com logo tattoo?

Hmmmmm... I Wonder...if Jim will let you represent Straightbourbon.com in the race? I will provide the "Straightbourbon.com" tee shirt

Bettye Jo

[doubleblank]

Have you got room for two more from Texas? I checked with the boss and she likes the idea of a weekend trip to Kentucky. The sampler sounds like fun and I've never been able to make the festival in September because of conflicts. I'll call for tix, get a room at the Nelson for Fri/Sat/Sun (so we can take some tours)...flying into Louisville looks to be our best bet. Looking forward to it.

Randy B.

[doubleblank]

Well I've got all tickets and reservations made.....Mary Jane (w/Bourbon Festival) and I talked for 20 mins.....seems I may be the only one coming from Texas to the sampler. We're staying at the Gen Nelson both Fri and Sat....pm me if anyone's up for dinner or a late night cocktail and cigar on Friday. Maybe its time to open the "old" BMH 14yo?

Randy B.

[brendaj]

Bettye Jo,

Oh yeah, I'll be there!

Bj

[COPPERSTILL]

I am having a conflict that I have to treat with kid gloves. But I am planning on pulling it off and being at the sampler. Count me in.

John Ed

[boone]

Whewwwww, John Ed...Ya scared me I hope to see ya there

Randy and Val Both of you are welcome. You are in for a "real treat" Kentucky Southern Hospitality at it's finest. All the bourbon folks donin' a little song and dance before the "Big Show"...

I talked to Craig last night. I told him about all the folks (from this forum) who were going to attend the Sampler. I also "hinted" that I would "steal" him away for a bit to introduce him to everyone and party with us for awhile ...He said, I can do that, No problem

Ohhhhhhhh Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Bettye Jo