Bourbon fans eager for a summer road trip are in luck. There are some cool educational opportunities coming up outside of Nashville.
The first is a fairly extensive two-hour education course in Bardstown, Ky., known as The Bourbon Capital of the World. The Bourbon Capital Academy is designed to create new ambassadors for Bardstown by educating students on how important the town is to the world of whiskey.
The $85 course includes a guided tour of the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History followed by an exploration into the history of Bardstown and comparing “old school versus new school” whiskeys through an innovative tasting. Graduates will be better prepared to enjoy distillery tours at the many operations near Bardstown, including academy partners Bardstown Bourbon Co., Barton 1792, Heaven Hill Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Log Still Distillery, Lux Row Distillers, Maker’s Mark, Old SteelHouse Distillery and Preservation Distillery.
The class is offered at 10 a.m. on Saturdays at the recently renovated Brindiamo Penthouse in historic Spalding Hall, with upcoming dates scheduled for:
Aug. 2
Sept. 27
Oct. 25
Nov. 22
Dec. 20
To learn more and sign up for classes, visit the Academy’s website.
Closer to home is the upcoming Southern Food & Whiskey Experience 2025 presented by the Southern Whiskey Society. The grand tasting event returns to The Factory at Franklin on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 6-9 p.m. VIP ticketholders can enter an hour earlier to get first dibs at tasting samples from more than 30 distilleries and local restaurants, while cigar lovers can sign up for cigar lounge access that actually opens at 4 p.m.
This is the eighth edition of the SF&WE and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Even if you prefer white spirits over brown water, many of the distilleries will be pouring craft vodka, tequila and gin alongside their whiskeys. VIPs will also enjoy access to an exclusive lounge throughout the event, receive a special gift bag, special cocktails, and the opportunity to participate in a meet-and-greet with representatives from Bardstown Bourbon Co.
The event will partner with OneGenAway through a silent auction to raise funds to support their efforts to fight food insecurity in Middle Tennessee.
Tickets start at $99 for designated drivers and range up to $399 for VIP and cigar lounge access. Get yours at the event website.
Finally, it’s almost time for the 11th SIPosium Conference happening Aug. 14-17 in Louisville, Ky. Organized and sponsored by the Bourbon Women Association, this is the only spirits conference in the U.S. designed by and executed by women and for women, offering the chance for them to foster connections over snifters and participate in curated experiences like distillery tours, whiskey dinners, tastings, workshops and cocktail excursions.
Over the course of the four-day conference, more than 500 women will gather to listen to more than 70 industry speakers and participate in more than 20 off-site events. Most of the conference will take place at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, so any hotel in that area will put you in the middle of the action.
Ticket sales will end on July 31, so don’t delay in getting yours if you want to take part in this momentous occasion!
