BourbonCon 2026 Recap: Highlights and Takeaways From The First Bourbon Festival of the Year
What makes BourbonCon unusual among major whiskey events is its origin story. It wasn’t launched by a nonprofit, a tourism bureau, or an industry group. BourbonCon was born inside a hotel.
If there were such a thing as an official whiskey‑festival season, BourbonCon would be the event that kicks it off. Firmly planted in January, well outside the crowded fall calendar, the festival opens the year with a weekend of talks, tastings, and culinary programming at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa in Lexington, KY.
What makes BourbonCon unusual among major whiskey events is its origin story. It wasn’t launched by a nonprofit, a tourism bureau, or an industry group. BourbonCon was born inside a hotel.
In 2023, the Griffin Gate team first conceived BourbonCon to meet several needs at once, including programming for a newly renovated conference center and increased hotel traffic during the quieter winter months. Hosting a whiskey festival in the middle of Dry January was a gamble, but so far it has paid off.
This year marked my first BourbonCon, which I attended alongside Bourbon & Banter Cocktail Editor Erin Petrey. Here are a few observations from the weekend.
Daytime Tastings: No Rush, No Frenzy
Most whiskey festivals concentrate tastings into evening sessions. BourbonCon took a different approach, opening its tasting floor from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The extended daytime format created a noticeably more relaxed, social environment, one where attendees could spend time with each brand without feeling rushed.
With more than 30 distilleries represented, the lineup balanced established names like Angel’s Envy and Heaven Hill with enthusiast favorites such as Old Louisville and Dark Arts, as well as newer-to-me producers including Coal Pick, McBrayer Legacy Spirits, and Burnt Tavern.
Brands Offered Early Looks at Upcoming Releases
In addition to asking brands what they had under the table, we picked up early hints about several upcoming releases.
Town Branch is preparing to release a wheated bourbon; we were lucky enough to taste an early sample, and it’s one worth watching. Jackson Purchase is also planning a follow‑up to the momentum it built at last fall’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Details were scarce, but what we heard suggests another noteworthy release is on the way. Angel's Envy also showed up with a new, aged-stated cask-strength rye expression.
Griffin’s Liquor Vault Rewarded Early Birds With Limited Releases
On‑site bottle sales have become increasingly common at bourbon events, and BourbonCon was no exception. Griffin Gate set up a pop‑up retail shop featuring bottles from participating distilleries. Attendees who lined up early had the opportunity to purchase harder‑to‑find bottles, including Knob Creek 21, Weller, and E.H. Taylor.
Cocktail and Culinary Programming Broadens the Audience
BourbonCon’s cocktail sessions and food‑and‑whiskey pairings, some hosted by Bourbon & Banter’s own Steve Coomes, helped broaden the event’s appeal beyond hardcore bourbon hunters. Erin and I especially enjoyed seeing bartender Gabe Briseno at work; his cocktail classes were consistently packed.
VIP Speakeasy Delivers Atmosphere, Needs Deeper Pours
VIP ticket holders had access to a private speakeasy with an intimate atmosphere and a rotating menu of VIP pours offered throughout the day. The concept is solid, but this year’s pour lineup didn’t quite match the level of rare pours offered in previous years.
An Exciting Auction With Unclear Intent
For the first time, BourbonCon included a bottle auction featuring allocated releases such as Rip Van Winkle 10‑Year and King of Kentucky. While it was fun to watch the bidding (which skyrocketed past our predictions), it wasn’t clear whether the proceeds benefited a charitable cause or went directly to the hotel. Organizers did not respond to our questions on this point, but the auction presents a chance for the event to give back.
Lexington has long lacked a signature whiskey festival. Bardstown has the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Louisville has the Bourbon Classic. Despite being a major town on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Lexington didn’t have a marquee event of its own until BourbonCon arrived.
In 2027, BourbonCon will celebrate its fifth year at the Griffin Gate. I’m looking forward to seeing how the festival continues to evolve, and how it further shapes Lexington’s identity as a true bourbon destination