KBF pictures

[dougdog]

The Kentucky Bourbon festival has started for me today. There was an early sighting of Koji. We met just after his tour at Anchor Brewery in San Francisco today. I got to meet his lovely wife Yuki (I hope that is spelled correctly), we did a little trading then walked to a local pub and had lunch together. It was a delightful afternoon and we parted knowing we'd met again soon in Bardstown for the Festival.

That Anchor Bock is pretty good beer...

4 more days 'till Bardstown and counting...

[dougdog]

A group went over to Buffalo Trace Distillery on Thursday morning to select a barrel.

[dougdog]

From left front:

Dave Gonano's wife, Kathy; Randy Blank (doubleblank); Buffalo Trace's Kris Comstock; Ed Phelan (pepcycle); Jeff Yeast (jeff); Randy Castle (rancastle); Dane Bennett (gr8erdane); Buffalo Trace's Ken Weber; some guy...?...how the hell did he get in the picture anyway. Someone should've called security!

In back: some guy's son, Ben; Randy's friend, Gregg (SB.com name...?...); Fred Mozenter (mobourbon); Cliff Michel (Barrel_Proof); Dawn (luv2hunt) and Jon (bucky1) Gunderson; tim (TNbourbon); Dave Gonano (dgonano); Michael Gonano, Dave's son.

Good lookin' group!...'cept for that one guy...

[dougdog]

This is a picture of the Gazebo table just warming up on Thursday night; I think Tim had arrived 'cause I see the "Boot bottle" on the table...

What a row of Bourbons. I think this particular evening I tasted about 10-12 new whiskies....it gets better tomorrow night if you were even starting to be thinking that it couldn't.

Dog-Dawg

[luv2hunt]

Keep 'em coming Doug! Love the pictures!

Actually, I don't think the "bottle" table ever got as full as it did at the Sampler in April.....I actually think I saw everything on the table this time!

Dawn

[dougdog]

Greg Davis, Master Distiller from Barton Distillery was the master of ceremony at this year’s barrel rolling contest. He had asked all the Master Distillers that were in the audience to come forward. This is where I'll need help with the names. (Sorry to forget, I'm still learning)...to his left is; ____________from _________Distillery, then Bill Friel, retired Master Distiller from Barton’s, then _____________from ________Distillery and at the end is Mr. Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller from Wild Turkey.

[boone]

From left to right...

Greg Davis, M.D. Bartons

Jim Rutledge, M.D. Four Roses

Bill Friel Retired M.D. Barton's

Dave Pickerell, M.D. Maker's Mark

Jimmy Russell, M.D. Wild Turkey

[TNbourbon]

Doug, I was as surprised as anyone that those decanters I brought contained some mighty fine bourbons. The eye-opener of the event for me was that 100-month-old Beam bourbon from 1969 in the Harry Hoffman mountain skier decanter. Wow! Who knew anything labeled 'Beam' could be that good. I feel a bit guilty that, because I left earlier than expected, I wound up bringing many of them home with whiskey in them.

The biggest chuckle is that somebody 'claimed' that near-empty-but-outlawed Ridge'wood' Reserve bottle you see there. Left the cap -- but the bottle was gone!

[dougdog]

Thanks, Bettye Jo!

That's quite a bit of tallent and experience represented in that picture!

[dougdog]

Drew Kulsveen dropped into the Gazebo on more than one occasion, he brought great whiskies.

This picture was taken while we were sampling from a bottle of Old Bardstown. Memory isn't going to serve me here, but I think he said his grandfather made that whiskey. Drew, would you fill us in on the details again just for the record. A great tasting whiskey for sure...thanks for the taste of that one!

He also brought the oldest Bourbon that I have had the privilege to taste, nothing short of fantastic! It was a bottle of Old St. Nick 25 yo.

Thanks for the empty bottle! What was it you mentioned about the labels on that bottle...elephant hide or something like that?

Drew was VERY generous. There might have been a bottle or two more...I can't remember...what else did you bring?

Thanks for some great whiskies Drew!

Best regards, Dougdog

(Is it time for the sampler yet?)

[dougdog]

Tim (TNbourbon) and Mastster Distiller Bill Friel (retired)from Barton's...must have been something serious to discuss!

[dougdog]

Folks enjoying themselves...

[dougdog]

:

[dougdog]

Left to right...

Obie Kemper, wherehouseman and "Barrel Dancer" for Buffalo Trace Distillery and Kris Comstock, Bourbon Brand Ambassador for Buffalo Trace Distillery. Among others, two of the finest people you will meet at the distillery.

(Obie does a "Barrel Dance" at the annual "Barrel Rolling" competition...something you need to see and hard to describe)

[koji]

Let me post some pics too

The big man from Barton Greg Davis, and Marvin & Evelin

[koji]

Here he is at the Barrel Dancing

You could see the Full Barrell is off the ground !!

[koji]

The wonderful tour at HH,remember the 20 year old Rye

[koji]

Our wonderful host Parker Beam

[dougdog]

Our own Gary (OneCubeOnly)

Cheers!

[dougdog]

This picture was taken when Koji was at Anchor Brewing Co. in the visitors center.

Koji was taking a picture of his wife Yuki and Laura Kwiatek the person responsibe for the tours and guest center at the brewery.

[doubleblank]

I'm finally getting around to posting a few action photos from the Fest. First, the lineup of six barrels looking for a home at BT.

[doubleblank]

Now lets get those bungs out for tasting.

[doubleblank]

The winner from the group's selection process.

[doubleblank]

It was not in my top 2.....so we formed a smaller group and bought this one too. BTW, they were all fine whiskeys.

[doubleblank]

Barrels ready to be dumped ...... for AA as I recall.