2004 Bourbon Festival Events

[jeff]

In case you haven't noticed kybourbonfestival.com has a new design and now sports an on-line order form for tickets to the different events. Leslie and I are still deciding what events to attend and we want to know what everyone else is doing? We are considering the Gala, the Cigar and Jazz evening, Let's Talk Bourbon, and the cooking class. Anyone interested in getting a group together for any of these events?

[doubleblank]

Jeff...I am assuming the Gala is de rigueur for most attendees, so we're in for it. Val and I are in for the Cigars and Jazz evening too. Otherwise, we're open for other activities. Planning on watching HH win the barrel races too. Gazebo starting Thursday evening?

Randy B.

[angelshare]

We are not holding our breath, as, with 2 kids, A LOT can happen between now and then, but...

Things are aligning for us to attend the 2004 Bourbon Festival. We actually managed to book a room at the General Nelson Thursday PM through Sunday AM, provided we were willing to switch rooms during the stay. Right now, the plan is for the girls to stay with my dad. A long adults only weekend? We won't know what to do!

As far as festival events go, do things usually sell out? With the kid variable, we hesitate to buy too much in the way of non-refundable tickets. Also, assuming we are invited, please clue us in regarding the conventions of the gazebo gathering.

[cowdery]

I haven't heard of events selling out, but I usually don't attend the events that require tickets and black tie.

I think I can safely extend a gazebo invitation since it is absolutely open to everyone. The only protocol is to bring a bottle of bourbon.

[dgonano]

I think I can safely extend a gazebo invitation since it is absolutely open to everyone. The only protocol is to bring a bottle of bourbon.

Well I will bring some bourbon and my newly found Maryland rye. Probably bring some Maryland crabcakes also.

Probably will pass on the Gala, but will be in for the others.

[Paradox]

I have seen in past years certain events do sell out so once you (anyone actually) know you are going and what you want to attend, just get tix before they are gone.

Only thing I may do this year is the four roses one and that's only if they do it like in 2002 and have the export bourbon available for drinking. If its like last year they can count me and Stacy out as I know Chris and Kristin will not attend either.

[boone]

This area is rich in History. Lots of folks who venture here every year don't get past the spirit garden I was born and raised in this very famous and very historical communities. There is alot to see. I suggest you plan your time wisely

Try not to miss a ride on the trolley. It will show and tell you alot. Heaven Hill, has always sponsored the "tourmobile". I have pictures, that go way back when tourist were hauled around by a "tractor, with what "looked" like stadium seats back to back on a wagon" ...

This article states, The tradition of the "Bardstown Tourmobile". Hmmmmmmm...When I read that, it seemed that Bardstown was paying for it?

It's great that they are going to do more with it. The city of Bardstown, is paying for the new staion, but Heaven Hill has "always" provided the tourmobile and comped it's cost, for (FREE) as long as I can remember.

One more thing...Hopefully, Chuck Cowdery's new book about bourbon, will be out by then Maybe...Maybe...We can arrange some kind of booksigning during the fest

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh

This article was in the Kentucky Standard, Bardstown, Ky.

Bettye Jo

[angelshare]

Thanks for the info, Bettye Jo! We'll definitely have to check out the Heaven Hill trolley (as we will call it, knowing who our benefactor really is) and the stops it makes. I suspect, however, that we will be spending our fair share of time in the spirit garden, too!

Thanks for the gazebo protocol info, Chuck. I doubt we'll have any bourbon exotica, except maybe our two inches of IW Harper; just stuff we can pick up on the way through KY, to which I'm sure most of you would have ready access. Hope our choices are okay. Any "taboo" bourbons at the gazebo? I have some ideas regarding bourbons we would not bring, but we wouldn't want to get 86ed from the gazebo!

[Paradox]

Nah, no real 'taboo' bourbons Dave... As long as it isn't McCormick's or something like that! We're appreciative of whatever is brought. Seeing that table grow as the night goes on is amazing. A truly fun time will be had by all!

[cowdery]

The Four Roses event is very nice for several reasons. They have the full Four Roses range there to taste, they have good food, and they give a good, very serious-minded presentation. It's not full of fluff. It's good information for the serious enthusiast. They also give a knowledgeable, in depth tour.

[cowdery]

Bringing whiskey to the gazebo is, first and foremost, so there's something to drink. Second, people who have managed to get their hands on something rare like to share it where they know it will be appreciated. Buying bourbon outside Kentucky to bring is a little like carrying coals to Newcastle. There's nothing wrong with hitting Toddy's before you come. There's always more than enough, but we like it that way. Bringing something...anything...is just polite. Somebody invariably brings something that was in the barrel that afternoon, but not all of us have that access.

[angelshare]

The Four Roses event caught our attention when we looked at the brochure. Thanks for the first hand report. I was a little unclear regarding Mark's comment - what was different in 2003? Just no export tasting? Or other stuff, too? We would probably try to attend either way, just curious.

I'm glad a Toddy's trip prior to the gazebo is a reasonable way to go. Not having been to KY since 2001, we will be excited to see the new selection that awaits us.

[Paradox]

In 2003 they did not have the full range of products like Chuck said. In 2002 they had the yellow label, black label, single barrel and super premium. Last year all they had was the yellow label. Chuck is right, it is still a nice event and informitive... But once you do it once, you did it. (In the sense of hearing about the process etc)It's having access once a year to the export only pours that makes me and my friend Chris really want to attend and makes it worth the $$$... I doubt we are the only ones who feel this way.

[cowdery]

I'll bet Jim Rutledge would be responsive to feedback on this score, though it may not be his decision.

[pepcycle]

I did not get to experience the breakfast in 2002 but did attend in 2003. The bourbon discussion was great and the tour was one of the best. Breakfast was your country ham, biscuits, scrambled eggs and grits country fare. You get a bottle of the yellow label to take home. Worth doing once. Without the exports, its not worth attending again. (BTW, the exports were absent from the gala as well, and there absence even more disturbing)

[Paradox]

The breakfast was a bit nicer in 2002 IMO Ed. I think it was because we sat under the tent in the back of the main building and the breakfast was served under the gazeebo in the back as well as all the drinks. They did give out a bottle of yellow label the previous year as well (and that certificate with your name on it). I doubt they will know now, but I need to call there and see what is up for this year. Once I do, whenever it is, I will post whether they will have the export stuff available this year.

[cowdery]

I guess I should have clarified that I attended in 2001 and 2002 but not 2003. If you have never been, it's worth going regardless of what they are pouring, even if you have visited Four Roses before and even more so if you have not.

[boone]

Randy,

Here is a picture of Heaven Hill's, Jody Filiatreau and Stacy Spalding, taken right after Stacy won the "World Champion (2000)" competition in the men's individual division

We "usually" come home with one of the famous Barrel trophies...but 2000 was the greatest...We took home every championship available...Men and Women's individual world champions...and Men and Women's team world champions

Ohhhhhhhhhh Yeahhhhhhhhhh

Bettye Jo

[gr8erdane]

You can count me in on the Cigar and Jazz, Culinary Art and Let's Talk Bourbon events. Not sure who or even if I will have company this time but I plan on ordering tickets in advance. The Gala would be a blast I'm sure, but I'm just not the black tie type. Black t-shirt maybe.

[boone]

Trolley brochure front...

Note...

Left (Bouron Heritage Center)...Visit a traditional open-air rickhouse. It says

"nothing" about touring the bottlinghouse. I have heard "rumor" that the bottling tours will cease once the Center is open. I have asked this question and...I guess this is the final answer? I hope not...

So...if you want to see inside the bottlinghouse make sure you ride this trolley before October...that way you can get to see inside before they shut the doors, just like Jim Beam did when they opened their American Outpost...

Center-green shaded area...

<font color="red"> BUY </font> your trolley tickets at the Bardstown Tourist Office. $5 for adults and $3 for children...

Bettye Jo

[boone]

Trolley back brochure

[doubleblank]

Jeff...I just signed up for the Four Roses breakfast tour and the Jazz and Cigars activity. Still undecided about the Gala.

Randy

[Bob]

I'm considering going to the Boots & Bourbon event, or the Bourbon Cooking School. Unfortunately both are on the same evening. Anyone been to both of these that could help me decide?

Nancy & I had kicked around the idea of going to the Gala, but I just can't justify spending that kind of money, only to have to wear a tux! If it only cost a lot of money, and I could wear my jeans and a SB tee shirt, maybe I'd go.

Bob

[Paradox]

We have been to the cooking school along with Chris and Kristin and it was a very fun night. Not only do you get fed some great food for the price of the tickets, but when you get there they give out little gift bags with bbq sauce, an apron glass etc. And at the end of the night they gave away the centerpiece from each tabel which was a bottle of Bookers. Maybe I'm partial to it since I ended up with the bottle at out table! But really the food was great and it was a fun night all in all.

[cowdery]

The very first gazebo party occurred when a group of gala non-attenders overflowed the General Nelson guest room where we had congregated and moved to the gazebo. I, personally, won't attend any event that requires me to wear a tuxedo. Why spend a lot of money to look like a waiter? I can assure everyone that the gazebo will be hopping throughout and after the so-called gala. (How "gala" can it be? It's in an industrial park.)