Kentucky Bourbon Festival

The Ultimate Insider's Guide to the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival turns 35 this year, with a new Speakeasy lounge, a Jim Gaffigan fireside chat, and single barrels everywhere you look. We rounded up the parties, the pours, and the parking headaches, so you can spend less time scrambling and more time drinking.

Patrick Pho

02 Sep 2026 • 44 min read

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival turns 35 this year, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be its biggest yet. Whether you’re a first‑timer or a seasoned regular, the weekend can feel overwhelming. Bourbon & Banter has you covered with a full rundown of this year’s events, bottle releases, and everything happening in the Bourbon Capital of the World this September.

What's New?

The Speakeasy: A New KBF Lounge Experience

This year, KBF adds a third premium space to the festival, joining the Brindiamo VIP Penthouse (for President’s Club ticket holders) and the VIP Lodge (for VIP ticket holders).

The Speakeasy operates on a day‑pass system: purchase access for a specific day and enjoy the air‑conditioned lounge, comfortable seating, and curated programming. Unlike the VIP areas, Speakeasy access is not tied to a weekend‑long ticket tier.

The Speakeasy includes:

Air‑conditioned lounge tent with comfortable seating
Private bar with curated bourbon programming and signature cocktails
Three complimentary drink tickets per day (plus cash bar access)
Grab‑and‑go light bites

Daily Programming Inside The Speakeasy

Friday (2:15 - 3:15 PM): Angel’s Envy Takeover
Angel Teta and Titus Teague lead a session focused on creative cocktails and mixology flair.

Saturday (2:15 - 3:15 PM): Jim Gaffigan & Fathertime Bourbon
Jim Gaffigan and BBC’s Dan Callaway host a fireside‑style chat, with opportunities for photos and buying autographed bottles of Fathertime “The Caboose” Empty Nester Cask Strength.

Sunday (1:30 - 2:30 PM): Pappy & Company Takeover
The Van Winkle sisters guide attendees through a cocktail‑and‑food pairing featuring Pappy & Co mixers.

Official Programming

You can find the full list of KBF official programming on the festival website. On Instagram, I shared a few thought‑starters on sessions worth checking out.

Premium Events: Ticketed add‑on tastings, brunches, classes, and talks. Many are well worth the extra cost, like Pops’ Vintage Bourbon Tasting on Sunday (which sold out quickly), where attendees will sample dusty pours ranging from 1979 to 2003.

Bourbon:30: Free programming held on the outdoor stage on the Great Lawn. Hosted by Steve Coomes, Bourbon & Banter editor, these panels feature industry folks discussing a wide range of whiskey-related topics.

KBF Bottle Raffle: Enter for a chance to win a curated lot of 11 highly coveted bottles selected by the KBF team. Tickets are $100 each (max 1,000). One winner will be drawn on Saturday, September 12. Bottles must be picked up in person.

Cooperage Demonstrations: ISC not only provides the barrels you see at the festival entrance, but they also put on demos on the Great Lawn throughout the weekend. Keep an eye out for the folks assembling barrels.

Events and Parties

The festival grounds aren’t the only place celebrating the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The whole town comes alive during KBF; here's a round-up of what's happening around town.

Wednesday September 9th

Parker's Heritage Breakfast
9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience (1311 Gilkey Run Road, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004)
Tickets: $425 (Sold Out)
Heaven Hill celebrates the 20th Edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection with a seated breakfast, guided tasting of the 2026 release, cocktails, and a bottle of the 2026 Parker’s Heritage Collection to take home.

Cigar Night with Wenzel Distillery + Pappy & Co.
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium (131 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $45
Join Wenzel Distillery and Pappy & Co. for an evening of cigars, premium pours, and conversation at Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium. Guests receive a welcome cocktail and a fine cigar.

Thursday September 10

Kick Off to Kentucky Bourbon Festival with Southern Spirits
1:30 PM
Evergreen Liquors (127 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Southern Spirits, the South Carolina shop proudly known as “The World’s 2nd Best Liquor Store”, is bringing its viral bourbon games to Bardstown. At 1:30 PM, they’ll hand out 100 first‑come, first-served tickets to attendees. Then at 3:00 PM, Southern Spirits and Evergreen Liquors will host a Mystery Lottery featuring 25 Mystery Bags: 20 with allocated bourbons and 5 containing tickets to play the 5 Second Game.

Bourbon in the Air VIP Kick-off
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Mr. Tubs (104 N 4th St, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: Free
Augusta Distillery takes over Mr. Tubs for a Thursday‑night showcase featuring Buckner’s 13 specialty pours, custom cocktails crafted by Sherri Jenkins, and cigar pairings from Ember & Ash’s mobile cigar lounge.

Proof & Purpose- A Masterclass Experience
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium (131 N 3rd St, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $50
Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium and Kentucky Peerless team up for a cocktail masterclass on working with high‑proof whiskey. Led by Peerless Head Blender/Taster John Waddell, the session includes two tastings and two expertly crafted cocktails, along with an educational walkthrough on how to build balanced drinks with higher‑proof spirits.

Cellar Aged Launch Party
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Maker's Mark Distillery (3350 Burkes Spring Rd, Loretto, KY 40037)
Tickets: $79.50+
Maker’s Mark celebrates the 2026 Cellar Aged release with a special launch party at the distillery, featuring cocktails, pours, light bites, and live music. Master Distiller Dr. Blake Layfield will lead a tasting of the 2026 release. Our editor already has a review up on this year's Cellar Aged release if you want a preview of the Cellar Aged 2026 edition. Ticket + bottle packages available.

Meet the Makers
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Lux Row Distillers (1 Lux Row, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $125
Luxco kicks off the Kentucky Bourbon Festival with a meet-and-greet featuring master distillers and blenders from Lux Row Distillers, Limestone Branch Distillery, Penelope Bourbon, and Remus Bourbon. Guests can enjoy light bites, live music, an open bar, and a tour of Lux Row Distillers during the event. Attendees will also have the chance to sample and purchase exclusive festival releases from across the Luxco portfolio:

Ezra Brooks 12-Year
Yellowstone Recollection Series II
Penelope Estate Collection
An MGP 10-Year Expression

Scoops & Staves
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Chicken Cock Circa 1856 (103 E. Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown, KY 40004)
Circa 1856 brings brand‑new ice cream flavors, bourbon pours, and a laid‑back patio hang.

Willett x Brook Hill
6:00 PM
The Parlor Room (111 N 3rd St Ste 105, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $2,300/person (includes both nights)
The Parlor Room hosts an intimate two‑night experience celebrating the relationship between Willett and Rare Character. Master distiller Drew Kulsveen and Rare Character co‑founder Pablo Moix lead guests through tastings of hand‑selected whiskies, private barrel selections, and in‑depth conversation across both evenings. The event features cocktails by Katie Cruz, heavy hors d’oeuvres from chef Newman Miller, and exclusive pours of The Parlor Room’s 15‑Year Brook Hill and 15‑Year Willett Family Estate private barrels.

Bourbon in the Air
6:00 - 9:30 PM
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Grounds (114 N 5th St, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $215 (Sold Out)
Kick off the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in style with Bourbon in the Air, KBF's official kick-off and an exclusive Thursday evening celebration set against the backdrop of the Great Lawn.

The First Pour: Where Community Meets Craft
7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Trail Hotel (1875 New Haven Rd., Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: Free (RSVP) (Sold Out)
Hosted in collaboration with bourbon content creators Whiskey Dizz, Bourbon and Smoke, and Heavy Bourbon, guests will get the opportunity to sample Castle & Key's full line-up (with some new additions), experience a curated cigar and neat pour through Oxmoor Smoke Shop, and listen in on a community chat and Q&A with Castle & Key Owner Will Arvin and Master Blender Brett Connors.

Friday September 11

Augusta Distillery Tasting and Bottle Signing with Alex Castle
10:00 - 12:00 PM
Evergreen Liquors (127 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40004)

Neat Bottle Shop Allocated Drop
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop (110 W. Stephen Foster, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Throughout Kentucky Bourbon Festival weekend, Neat Bottle Shop will be releasing allocated bottles for sale in their store. No announced schedule; it will be at random throughout the weekend. Proprietor Owen Powell tells Bourbon & Banter, "attendees will have to be at the right place at the right time to score a bottle at Neat....Odds of getting a bottle go up if they stay for a drink!"

Jim Rutledge Echoes of Oak Bourbon Bottle Signing
3:00 PM
Evergreen Liquors (127 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40004)

Binder's Stash Whiskey Single Barrel Tasting
4:00 - 6:00 PM
Mr. Tubs (104 N 4th St, Bardstown, KY 40004)

Nicole Austin Blade and Bow 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve Bottle Signing
5:00 PM
Evergreen Liquors (127 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40004)

Divergent Spirits Golden Hour Pool Party
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Bardstown Motor Lodge (418 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets $20
Trey Wade has been organizing a KBF pool party for the past 4 years, and he'll be back again this year with his own brand: Divergent Spirits. Guests can enjoy Divergent’s full spirits lineup, specialty poolside cocktails, music, and a casual social atmosphere on the hotel’s outdoor deck.

Chasing Judah KBF Kickoff Party
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Chicken Cock Circa 1856 (103 E. Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown, KY 40004)
Circa 1856 kicks off KBF weekend with live music, cocktail specials, patio games, and prizes.

Route 250 - Kentucky Bourbon Festival After Party
6:00 - 9:30 PM
Bardstown Bourbon Company (1500 Parkway Dr, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $150
BBC's Annual KBF bash is typically a highlight of the weekend, and this year's is shaping up to be no different. This year's theme is the great American road trip, and guests will experience thematic pairings of chef-curated bites and cocktails drawing inspiration from regions across America: Seattle, Texas, and New Orleans.

Bespoke After Dark: A Burlesque & Bourbon Experience
8:00 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM)
Bespoke In Bond (110 W Stephen Foster Ave #2, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $58+
Bespoke in Bond transforms into a candlelit, vintage‑glam lounge for a two‑night burlesque and bourbon experience during Kentucky Bourbon Festival weekend. The evening features a runway‑style performance by Bettes Burlesque and premium bourbon offerings. Guests can choose from multiple ticket tiers, including VIPs who receive a premium bourbon pour from Wenzel Distillery and a bottle of Article & Oak Bourbon to take home.

Saturday September 12

Barrels & Biscuits with Master Distiller Stephen Beam
9:30 AM
Limestone Branch Distillery (1280 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Lebanon, KY 40033)
Tickets: $56
Guests will be welcomed with a Bourbon Bacon Bloody Mary before enjoying a hearty meal while hearing the story of Limestone Branch from Stephen Beam. After brunch, enjoy a guided tasting led by Stephen Fante featuring several Yellowstone expressions, along with an opportunity to explore the distillery, meet the team, and have bottles signed.

Brunch with Fred Noe
10:00 AM
Evergreen Liquors (127 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tasting and bottle signing with Jim Beam Master Distiller, Fred Noe.

The World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay® (presented by ISC)
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Nelson County Justice Center (200 Nelson County Plaza, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: Free (open to public)
The World Championship Barrel Relay® returns with distillery teams racing 500‑pound barrels around a timed course in one of the festival’s most spirited traditions. Established in 1991, the relay showcases the skill and precision of warehouse crews across Kentucky as they compete for speed, accuracy, and bragging rights. Buffalo Trace enters the 2026 competition defending both their Men’s and Women’s titles.

Competitors

Bardstown Bourbon Company
Barton 1792 Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Green River Distilling
Heaven Hill Distillery
James B. Beam Distilling
Maker’s Mark
Potter Jane Distilling
Whiskey House of Kentucky
Willett Distillery

Neat Bottle Shop Allocated Drop
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop (110 W. Stephen Foster, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Throughout Kentucky Bourbon Festival weekend, Neat Bottle Shop will be releasing allocated bottles for sale in their store. No announced schedule; it will be at random throughout the weekend.

Master Distiller's Bottle Auction
2:00 PM
Oscar Getz Museum - Chapel in Spalding Hall (114 N. Fifth St., Bardstown, KY 40004)
Organized by the Oscar Getz Museum, the auction will feature rare and highly collectible bottles. Proceeds support both the Oscar Getz Museum and Spalding Hall, where the museum resides. Open to the Public; no festival ticket is required to attend.

Heritage of Heaven Hill
3:00 PM
The Parlor Room (111 N 3rd St Ste 105, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $159
The Parlor Room hosts an intimate, seated exploration of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection led by Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau, and National Brand Ambassador Adam Edwards. Guests receive a welcome cocktail inspired by the Heaven Hill portfolio before diving into guided pours of five extraordinary aged releases ranging from 17 to 22 years old.

Chicken Cock 170th Anniversary KBF Bottle Release Party
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Chicken Cock Circa 1856 (103 E. Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown, KY 40004)
A special anniversary bottle release to celebrate the 170th Anniversary of Chicken Cock Whiskey. Musician Carly Johnson will provide tunes on the patio.

Bourbon, Bluegrass, & Bernie
6:00 PM
The Parlor Room (111 N 3rd St Ste 105, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $106
An intimate evening of rare whiskey, Kentucky storytelling, and live bluegrass led by Heaven Hill Whiskey Ambassador Emeritus Bernie Lubbers and National Brand Ambassador Adam Edwards. Guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail and guided pours of three age‑stated releases: Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 20‑Year Corn, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19‑Year Wheat, and Elijah Craig 21‑Year Bourbon.

Bourbon Icons Dinner
6:00 - 9:30 PM
Fred Noe's Backyard
Tickets: $500
The Bourbon Icons Dinner is an ultra‑exclusive experience held at Fred Noe’s House, featuring rare heritage‑distillery pours, intimate storytelling, and a Kentucky‑inspired multi‑course dinner from The Kitchen Table. Master Distillers from James B. Beam, Potter Jane, Whiskey Thief, Michter’s, Angel’s Envy, and Barton 1792 lead the evening, offering one‑night‑only access to legendary personalities in one of bourbon country’s most historic homes.

Bourbon, Cigars, & Jazz
8:30 - 11:30 PM
Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience (1311 Gilkey Run Road, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004)
Tickets: $225 (Sold out)
An exclusive late-night celebration featuring exceptional bourbon, live jazz, premium cigars, handcrafted desserts, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere designed for bourbon enthusiasts.

Sunday September 13th

Black Maple Hill Brunch
10:00 AM
Evergreen Liquors (127 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40004)
Tickets: $400
Join Evergreen Liquors Bardstown for an exclusive Black Maple Hill brunch experience featuring a meet-and-greet with Pablo Moix.

Each ticket includes:

Flight of Black Maple Hill Red Label, 11-Year and 16-Year
One bottle of Black Maple Hill 11-Year
Opportunity to purchase a Black Maple Hill 10-Year
Welcome cocktail
Brunch by Bourbon City Kitchen & Trade Company
Meet and greet with Pablo Moix
Evergreen Liquors swag bag

Katrina Burgoyne KBF After Party
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Chicken Cock Circa 1856 (103 E. Stephen Foster Ave. Bardstown, KY 40004)
Live music, patio games, good bourbon, and one last celebration before the weekend comes to an end.

Industry Wrap Party
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Mr. Tubs (104 N 4th St, Bardstown, KY 40004)
DJ Dnasti, Cocktails by Sherri Jenkins, Industry swag

Distilleries and Brands at KBF

Below is a rundown of all the brands that will be at the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

Several of the brands listed below are being hosted by their contract distillers and production partners: Lofted Spirits, The Blending House, and Whiskey House of Kentucky. These affiliations are noted, and you’ll find each brand placed within its respective parent booth.

New Distilleries KBF This Year

Abstraction Spirits

Located in Paducah, Abstraction Spirits captures the intersection between fine spirits and fine art. They feature fine art in both their distillery and they also feature various artists on their bottle artwork. During KBF, these artists will be on-hand to sign bottles.

Spotlight Releases

10-Year High Rye Toasted Bourbon Single Barrel
10-Year Low Rye Toasted Bourbon Single Barrel
6-Year Bourbon Single Barrel (featuring Todd Spencer’s artwork for Bourbon with Heart)

Cave City Distilling Co

A sister brand to Warren County's Balance Distilling. They will be celebrating the 101st anniversary of the Mammoth Cave National Park Association with a special cask strength release. If you drive an hour south to Cave City, they will be offering apparel discounts to festival attendees.

Spotlight Releases

Mammoth Cave Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength
Mammoth Cave Bourbon Blackberry Wine Cask Finish

Coal Pick Distillery

Located out in Muhlenberg County, Coal Pick is excited to be attending their first KBF since opening in 2017. They will have a special festival-only release that's so limited (170 bottles), they will only have a single bottle out for sampling each day of the festival. Details are scant on this: further information will drop on September 8th on their Instagram, but Master Distiller Whitney Spence tells me it's different from anything the distillery has out there right now.

Conteur Élan

A new brand founded by Frank Messina will be at KBF this year with a debut Kentucky-finished bourbon bottled by Neeley Family Distillery.

Spotlight Releases

Conteur Élan French Oak
12-year, finished in new toasted French oak barrels and bottled at 111.7 proof

Copper & Kings

While Copper & Kings has been around for a while, this will be the first time the brand is attending KBF after parting ways with Constellation.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Blended Kentucky Bourbon Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels
5-year, bottled at 123.3 proof
18-Year Bourbon finished in Apple Brandy Barrels
Kings Proof: 5-Year Bourbon finished in Apple Brandy Barrels
Bottled at 114 proof

Louisville Rickhouse Co

Nashville Barrel Company has expanded into Kentucky with Louisville Rickhouse Co., their new NuLu space. Visitors to the Louisville location may find a special 19‑year hazmat single barrel bourbon, and at KBF they’ll be featuring a Nashtucky Honey Cask Finish Single Barrel alongside additional single barrel releases.

Samuel Call

A single‑barrel bourbon from Jacob Call of Western Kentucky Distilling Co., named for the original Call family distiller from the 1700s. This 8‑year, 9‑month expression comes from Jacob’s private stocks from his time at Green River, and his family will be on hand at the festival, including his father, Ron, who is celebrating 52 years in the spirits industry.

Southern KY Distillery

Southern KY Distillery, founded in 2022, produced Cumberland County’s first legal bourbon since Prohibition. I first encountered them at BourbonCon earlier this year, and they’re not only making their KBF debut, but also preparing to open a tasting room in downtown Bardstown.

Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co

After opening their Homeplace last fall, Uncle Boojie makes their KBF debut this September. They’ll have a wooden bar setup for bottle sales and sampling, along with a single barrel available for patrons to thief from. The brand will also discuss their recent announcement of a partnership with Whiskey House of Kentucky to recreate an original Howard family bourbon recipe using archival records.

WhistlePig

WhistlePig, the Vermont‑based brand, opened the WhistlePig Vault in downtown Louisville this past December and now arrives at KBF. They expect to be pouring several of their newest releases and single-barrels, including this year’s iteration of The Boss Hog.

Spotlight Releases

WhistlePig The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh
WhistlePig 10-Year Rye Single Barrel
A KBF exclusive, chosen by The Vault team
WhistlePig 12-Year Rye Single Barrel
Another KBF exclusive, a bespoke barrel finished in Cab Franc, Amaro, and Syrah casks, also chosen by The Vault team

Featured Distilleries & Brands

15 Stars (via Lofted Spirits)

This year, the Johnson family continues to expand the 15 Stars brand, having launched the Kentucke County label in April to join their 15 Stars and First West labels. You’ll find them all weekend at the Lofted Spirits space during KBF.

Spotlight Releases

‍Kentucke County 12-Year-Old American Whiskey

31 Lengths (via The Blending House)

You won’t miss a bottle of 31 Lengths; its distinctive shape mirrors the oval of Belmont Park, where Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973 by an astonishing margin of 31 lengths. They bring that racing‑heritage theme to KBF this year over at The Blending House space.

Spotlight Releases

Thirty-One Lengths Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
15-year, single barrel wheated bourbon bottled at 100 proof

Angel's Envy

Last year Angel's Envy cocktail game scored high marks with Erin; this year they're cooking up another stellar cocktail program that will rotate through the weekend and come in the frozen variety- perfect for the hot Bardstown weather.

Spotlight Releases

Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Stout & Amburana Barrels
The latest chapter in their Distillery series is releasing both at their Louisville Distillery location and at KBF on Thursday 9/10
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Sauternes Barrel
10-year bottled at 104 proof

Augusta Distillery

The Augusta Distillery crew will open the vault and return to KBF with bottles that haven’t been seen since 2024. They’re bringing a small selection of these limited releases back for KBF, and if you want to learn more about their KBF drops, stop by their space.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Augusta Distillery Private Reserve
The age statement will be revealed at the festival, but Augusta notes it’s an age they’ve never released before. This selection draws from three single barrels, and there’s a possibility that some hazmat‑level proofs may emerge from the final bottling.

Bardstown Bourbon Company/Green River/Lofted Spirits

The Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River crews are coming in big to this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival. As in 2025, they’ll have a large footprint featuring both the Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River brands, along with a selection of their contract‑distilling clients. BBC National Brand Ambassador Jaz’min Weaver will also return with another “choose‑your‑own” adventure‑style cocktail experience.

Spotlight Releases

Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Collection
Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaboration Series: Lochs of Jura
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery 2026
Special Single Barrels selected by the Bardstown Bourbon Company Master Blender and Master Distiller
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Bardstown Bourbon Company Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
5-year bottled at 121 proof
Green River Toasted Double Oak
Green River Single Barrel Wheated (Decanters)
Grab yourself a vintage decanter full of Green River Wheated, the same ones they offer at their Louisville Tasting Room
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Green River Single Barrel Bourbon
6-year bottled at 123 proof

Barrel Global (via Lofted Spirits)

The barrel‑investment platform partnered with Peaky Blinders to launch a limited‑edition whiskey. Peaky Blinders Whiskey is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon distilled at Green River and finished with Irish‑whiskey oak staves. You can find it at the Lofted Spirits tent.

Barrel House Distilling Co

According to Head Distiller Mark Hoddinott, the Lexington, KY distillery will be debuting two new limited edition releases focused on individual grains as well as a new permanent addition to their portfolio

Spotlight Releases

Barrel House "Shuck Your Corn" Corn Whiskey
100% White Corn, bottled at 100 proof
Barrel House "Beat Your Wheat" Wheat Whiskey
90% Wheat/10% Malted Barley, bottled at 100 proof
Barrel House Select Toasted Cask Finish
4-year finished for 9 months in a toasted cask, and bottled at barrel strength 117.5 proof

Barrell Craft Spirits

When we think BCS and KBF: we think that famous Seagrass Slushie. They have told us it will make a return this year (be sure to get that Seagrass floater!) Also expect some surprises they are keeping up their sleeve until KBF.

Spotlight Releases

Single Barrel Rye 14-Year
A short barrel bottling exclusive to KBF
Barrell Whiskey Decade 2 Whiskey finished in Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak casks
20-year bottled at 141.3 proof

Barton 1792

Meet the Barton 1792 team; they’ll be working the booth and pouring expressions from their portfolio, along with an in‑house developed cocktail.

Spotlight Releases

1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
1792 XV
15-year bottled at 124.2 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Barton 1792 Full Proof Bourbon
7-year bottled at 125 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Barton 1792 Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon
7-year bottled at 100 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Barton 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon
7-year bottled at 98.6 proof

Bespoken Spirits

The Bespoken team will be launching three expressions from their "One of One" program, which allows consumers to craft their own bottle and choose everything from mashbill, age, proof, and finishing cask. These examples will feature a French Oak Finished High Rye Bourbon, Cherry Wood Finished Wheated Bourbon, and Amburana Finished Rye Whiskey.

Spotlight Releases

Kentucky Flannel
Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Green River finished with toasted & charred American Oak Staves
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Bespoken Spirits KBF Reserva de KBF
7-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in ex-PX Sherry American Oak, bottled at 125 proof

BHAWK (via Whiskey House)

Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko. will be among the many featured brands at The Whiskey House space. Halling, a veteran of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu memorialized in the film Black Hawk Down, honors his fellow servicemen through his BHAWK releases.

Spotlight Releases

Sergeant’s Valor Gratitude
8+ years, hand-selected bourbon whiskeys bottled at 106 proof in honor of the pilots and crew of Super 62

Bluegrass Distillers

They were a hit last year with their Elkwood Reserve releases, and this year they are gearing up for a strong follow-up. Thursday and Friday, they will be blind sampling three single barrels as part of a "win, place, show" competition. Attendees pick their favorite from the blind, and those that make the "winners circle" will be available for purchase Saturday and Sunday.

Spotlight Releases

Elkwood Reserve 19-Year Single Barrel
74% Corn/18% Rye/8% Malted Barley bottled at 129-133 proof
Elkwood Reserve 11-Year Single Barrel
75% Corn/21% Rye/4% Malted Barley bottled at 145-147 proof
Bluegrass 7-Year High Rye Blue Corn Single Barrel
70% Corn/21% Rye/9% Malted Barley bottled at 137 proof

Boundary Oak Distillery

Hardin County's Boundary Oak now has a home in Bardstown, only three blocks away from the festival grounds.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: My Old Kentucky Home Cask Strength Bourbon
3-year bottled at 111 proof

Bourbon De Luxe (via Lofted Spirits)

The team at Rolling Fork will be at the Lofted Spirits area, featuring a special Bourbon de Luxe cask-finished release.

Spotlight Releases

Bourbon de Luxe "Gascony de Luxe"
Armagnac-finished bourbon
Bourbon de Luxe 8-Year Small Batch (2026)
Bourbon de Luxe 7-Year Rum Cask Finish
REWCO Rye

Brown-Forman/Old Forester/Woodford Reserve

Big news: Brown-Forman is planning to unveil a brand-new bourbon during Thursday's Bourbon in the Air event.

Spotlight Releases

Brown-Forman King of Kentucky
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Old Forester President's Choice
2026 Woodford Reserve Master's Collection
Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked

Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit will be featuring their latest addition to their portfolio, Bulleit ’87: a bourbon‑rye blend. They will be serving a special Bulleit Mesquite cocktail, which features their other big release earlier this year (Bulleit Mesquite Smoked Malt).

Spotlight Releases

Bulleit '87
Kentucky bourbon and Indiana rye, each finished with toasted American and French oak staves before blending and bottling at 90 proof.

Burnt Tavern (via Lofted Spirits)

Burnt Tavern is a new brand that’s been making the festival rounds since BourbonCon back in January. Their double‑barreled expression from Chip Tate can be found at the Lofted Spirits space.

Burton James Whiskey

This year, B.H. James Distillers will be featuring their new Burton James Reserve line, which features batches of 2-3 barrel blends. They will also debut their Spirit 76 line of Flavored Bourbons, made with Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and all-natural flavors.

Spotlight Releases

Burton James Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 001
Two-barrel blend of 10-year-old bourbons bottled at barrel proof of 121.7
Burton James Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 002
Three-barrel blend of 9-year-old bourbons bottled at barrel proof of 106.48
Burton James Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey Batch 001
Blend of three barrels of 9-year-old rye whiskeys and one barrel of 10-year of rye whiskey. Bottled at barrel proof of 116.95

Buzzard's Roost:

Expect a debut of a new French Double-Oak expression as well as other special expressions on-hand for sampling and purchase, including single barrels normally exclusive to their distillery.

Spotlight Releases

Buzzard's Roost: French Double Oak Bourbon 6-Year
A new expression that was double-matured with Limousin French Oak
Buzzard's Roost Single Barrel 7-Year Wheated Bourbon
A special single barrel exclusively for KBF
"Straight from the Barrel Experience" Single Barrels:
- Straight from the Barrel Bourbon
- Straight from the Barrel Rye
- Straight from the Barrel BourRye

Calumet Farm (via Whiskey House)

The Western Spirits brand will have a few of their ultra-premium selections on hand at the Whiskey House chalet.

Spotlight Releases

Calumet Farm 18-Year Decanter
Calumet Farm Ceramic Decanter
Calumet Farm 12-year

Casey Jones

This year, Casey Jones will be celebrating the Nation's 250th anniversary, in theme with their recent Revere Small Batch release. In addition, they will have some rotating special pours; stop by their tent for a schedule.

Spotlight Releases

Casey Jones Revere Small Batch 5-Year
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Reserve Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
6-year bottled at 98 proof

CaskX

Do you feel lucky? CaskX will be bringing back their eight-foot Tasting Wheel, where patrons can take a spin for a chance to sample selections from their partner distilleries, including some rare pours like Pappy Van Winkle, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year-Old, Parker’s Heritage Collection 14-Year-Old, Old Forester President’s Choice, and more. CaskX will also be hosting private gatherings for their clients both around town as well as inside The CaskX Lounge on the Great Lawn.

Castle & Key

Castle & Key Owner & Founder Will Arvin & Master Blender Brett Connors will be signing bottles and will have three new experimental releases: one to be released each day of the festival.

Chicken Cock Whiskey

This year, Chicken Cock Whiskey is celebrating 170 years as a brand and legacy. In true Chicken Cock fashion, they are celebrating with new limited whiskey releases (like a hand-painted rooster decanter), games & prizes, merch, and their rideable rooster, Ricky! Stop by Circa 1856, their Bardstown Tasting Room; they will be hosting special events throughout KBF.

Spotlight Releases

Chicken Cock Old Glory
Chicken Cock Wheated Bourbon
Chicken Cock Miller's Reserve
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Chicken Cock Single Barrel Bourbon
7-year (70% Corn/21% Rye/9% Malted Barley) bottled at 133 proof

Coors Whiskey Company (via Lofted Spirits)

If you stop over at the Lofted Spirits space all weekend, you'll be able to sample expressions from the Coors Whiskey Company portfolio.

Dark Arts Whiskey House

You'll know what time it is at the Dark Arts booth. They are planning to bring back Blunt Blend® pours at 4:20 again this year. In regard to their upcoming releases, the list below will certainly attract throngs of attendees once the rope drops at open. Learn more about their KBF releases on their Instagram.

Spotlight Releases

Supernova 21-Year Hazmat Indiana Light Whiskey
99% Corn/1% Malted Barley, bottled at 142.7 proof
Chief Alchemist Reserve Cuvée 19-Year Mizunara Bourbon
75% Corn/21% Rye/4% Malted Barley, bottled at 115 proof
Tres Vieux Quintessence 15-Year Indiana Rye
95% Rye/5% Malted Barley, bottled at 116.64 proof
13-Year Double Oaked French Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon
78% Corn/10% Rye/12% Malted Barley, bottled at 125.2 proof
Flight of Icarus 11.5-Year Hazmat Kentucky Straight Bourbon
75% Corn/21% Rye/4% Malted Barley, bottled at 144.4 proof
Long Strange Drop Sweet n' Sour® Honey Cask
Blunt Blend®
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Barely Legal Bourbon
Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish 9-year (51% Corn/39% Rye/10% Malted Barley) bottled at 118.8 proof

Dueling Grounds Distillery

The Franklin, KY distillery is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and will be bringing two special expressions to KBF: a 7-year single barrel pick and their new Linkumpinch 6-year bourbon.

E.J. Curley (via The Blending House)

E.J. Curley will be dropping a brand new American whiskey expression at KBF, which will sport a very vintage look, inspired by an old E.J. Curley advertisement the team ran across.

Spotlight Releases

E.J. Curley American Whiskey
A blend of 14-year whiskey from Tennessee and 5-year whiskey from Kentucky bottled at 101 proof.
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: E.J. Curley Single Barrel Bourbon
8-year (70% Corn/21% Rye/9% Malted Barley) bottled at 127 proof

Fathertime (via Lofted Spirits)

If you are looking for Jim Gaffigan, he'll be all over KBF on Saturday. He's making appearances at the KBF Speakeasy, on stage for a Bourbon:30 session, and at a couple brand tents. If you are looking to try his Fathertime bourbon, however, you'll be able to find it at the Lofted Spirits area all weekend.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Fathertime "Golden Child" Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon 9-Year (78% Corn/10% Rye/12% Malted Barley) - 132.1 pf
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Fathertime "Golden Child" Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon 7-Year (63% Corn/30% Rye/7% Malted Barley) - 109 pf

Four Branches (via Lofted Spirits)

The veteran-founded brand will make an appearance at the Lofted Spirits tent.

Four Roses

Over at Four Roses, visitors will be able to hang out on the VIP Pourch. Attendees can book time to visit the space and sample some upcoming releases and rarities from the archive. Master Distiller Brent Elliott will also be on-site to sign bottles as well. If you are a Mellow Moments Club member, be sure to show the team your membership card, and you'll get the chance to sample some past MMC picks.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
9-year OBSQ bottled at barrel strength (110-112 proof)
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
10-year OBSO bottled at barrel strength (120-123 proof)

Fresh Bourbon Company

Lexington's Fresh Bourbon Company will have their flagship four-grain expression, and they just dumped some fresh single barrels you can expect to see as well, all clocking in at a cask strength of 110 proof.

Glenns Creek Distilling

The distillery that sits on the site of the former Old Crow distillery will be coming to KBF with five different expressions: all single barrels, all with different mash bills. Pro Tip: ask to try some of their Hand Filtered Bourbon, which is bourbon that is filtered through a coffee filter once it exits the barrel.

Hartfield & Co

President and Master Distiller Jeremy Buchanan will be on hand to chat, sign bottles, and share stories (like he did with last year's walk‑through of their 18‑year Family Reserve). Expect more high‑aged releases this year, with a new single‑barrel, cask‑strength Hartfield Family Reserve dropping each day of the festival. After KBF, the Hartfield team heads to Bourbon and Gentleman on Friday night and Evergreen Liquors on Saturday. Follow them on social media for updates.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Single Barrel Bourbon
14-year (74% Corn/18% Rye/8% Malted Barley) bottled at 142 proof
Old Bourbon County Toasted Finish (Batch 2)
Wheated mashbill that is finished in a toasted cask
Hartfield Family Reserve 19-Year
114.6 proof
Hartfield Family Reserve 19-Year
128.6 proof
Hartfield Family Reserve 9-Year
75% Corn/13% Rye/12% Malted Barley, bottled at 117.6 proof

Heaven Hill Distillery & Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Heaven Hill will debut a special release honoring the Kentucky Bourbon Festival’s 35th Anniversary, available for both sampling and purchase. On the Evan Williams side, the focus shifts to the distillery inside the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Main Street, where they’ll launch Evan Williams First Run: a new expression made from barrels distilled at the EWBE.

Spotlight Releases

Kentucky Bourbon Festival 35th Anniversary Commemorative Release
A blend of 13, 12, and 10-year-old bourbon bottled at 133.5 proof
Evan Williams First Run
12-year, made with the first barrels produced at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, bottled at 113 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon 9-year bottled at 126.7 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon
8-year bottled at 131.1 proof

Heaven's Door

The brand’s “Last Refuge” space has become an Instagram favorite for anyone visiting NuLu, and this year they’re bringing that aesthetic to their KBF footprint. They’ll open the vault with a full lineup of old limited releases, and throughout the weekend they’ll drop Bootleg Volumes 5 and 6 in limited quantities on different days.

Spotlight Releases

Heaven's Door: The Bootleg Series Volume VI
Heaven's Door: The Bootleg Series Volume V
Heaven's Door: The Bootleg Series Volume IV
Heaven's Door: The Bootleg Series Volume III
Heaven's Door: The Bootleg Series Volume II
Heaven's Door: The Bootleg Series Volume I
Heaven's Door "Decade 0"
The original 10-year Tennessee whisky that preceded the Decade Series

High N’ Wicked (via Whiskey House)

The brand founded by W.L. Lyons Brown III and Kevin E. Sachs will have their flagship bourbon and rye whiskies as well as their Warlander special release at the Whiskey House chalet.

HK Young (via Lofted Spirits)

The toasted‑barrel bourbon company will be at the Lofted Spirits tent with bottles from their core lineup, including their Toasted Small Batch and Toasted Barrel Blend.

Jackson Purchase Distillery

Last year Jackson Purchase made a big splash with the debut of their first product. Since then, they have already added a Bottled-In-Bond and Kentucky Select Batch to their portfolio as well. Expect the entire portfolio to be there, as well as Craig Beam and Terry Ballard.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon

James B. Beam

This year, you can expect Beam's activation to have a nostalgic bowling theme in connection with the recent re-release of their Beam's Ten Pin Bottle. In addition, there will be an exciting line-up of new and special releases.

Spotlight Releases

Beam's Ten-Pin
10-year bottled at 100 proof inside a vintage bowling pin decanter
Booker’s The Reserve 2026
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey finished in apple brandy barrels infused with cinnamon.
Little Book Infinite III
Baker’s 13 Single Barrel
A special Baker's, selected by Baker Beam himself!
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Knob Creek 12-Year Old Cask Strength Single Barrel

Jeptha Creed

Jeptha Creed will be celebrating its 10th anniversary at KBF with a booth centered around its “Our Farm to Your Glass” philosophy. In addition, Jeptha Creed will debut a special 10th Anniversary Bourbon Release at KBF. You'll be able to find them serving up some "Autumn Harvest" cocktails as well.

K. Luke (via Lofted Spirits)

On Thursday and Friday, you'll find Jonathan Maisano at the Lofted Spirits area pouring K.Luke. Besides his standard line-up, he's hoping to bring in a special high-age single barrel.

Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Kentucky Artisan Distillery will debut its first age‑stated bourbon: Oldham County Reserve. They’ll also feature a limited Trackside 109 High Proof release built on the brand’s chocolate‑malted four‑grain mash bill, along with selections from Cream of Kentucky and Whiskey Row.

Spotlight Releases

11‑Year Oldham County Reserve
KDA's first age-stated bourbon bottled at 100 proof

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co

You can catch Peerless on Thursday night at Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium, where Head Blender/Taster John Waddell will lead a session on high proof cocktails. Also, John will be participating in Pursuit Spirits' Between Two Barrels on Friday at 4:00 PM.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: High Rye "35" Bourbon
7-year, bottled at 111 proof

Kentucky Senator (hosted by Lofted Spirits)

You can expect both their recent Jim Bunning release as well as their John Edwards release on the table. Also, if you know Kentucky Senator, then you should know they may have something under the table as well.

Spotlight Releases

Kentucky Senator: Jim Bunning Release
8.5-year, (75% Corn/21% Rye/4% Malted Barley), bottled at 107 proof

Larrikin Bourbon Company

For KBF, Larrikin will have an exclusive, festive-only release called the "Australia Series." The series takes six barrels of 11-year-old bourbon and divides them between three different cask finishes using genuine Australian barrels. Each day will feature a different expression:

Friday: Manuka Honey Barrel Finish
Saturday: Golden Wattle Barrel Finish
Sunday: Sugar Cane Rum Barrel Finish

As founder Greg Keeley says, "Same bourbon going in, three very different expressions coming out — the rum barrel especially will have folks hoisting the Jolly Roger."

Left Bank & Safai Bourbon

Left Bank pays homage to the lore of bourbon's creation, featuring barrels that were shipped downriver to New Orleans. This year they are looking to debut a new expression called Shippingport Bourbon by Left Bank, a series of 8-10-year old bourbons and rye whiskies. In addition, they will have several single barrels to feature at their table. And they won't be doing it alone. Left Bank will also have Mike Safai of Safai Bourbon on hand all weekend as well. If you know about the barrel-picking prowess of Safai, then you know.

Log Still Distillery

The team at Log Still will be busy KBF weekend. Besides having a booth at the festival, they will also have Jamey Johnson performing at The Amp, the Distillery's music venue, on Friday night. It's only a 25-minute drive from the festival to Log Still Distillery in Nelson County.

Lucky Seven (via The Blending House)

Expect Lucky Seven to have pours and bottles from their core portfolio, including their Holiday Toast, Frenchman, and Small Batch.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Lucky Seven Single Barrel
4-year (70% Corn/21% Rye/9% Malted Barley) bottled at 118 proof

Lux Row, Limestone Branch and Penelope:

The Patio is back! You can expect all the brands under the Luxco umbrella to be hanging out on their elevated porch space. On the Penelope end, they will have limited bottles of the next edition of Penelope Cigar Sessions. Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 was developed to pair with Alec Bradley cigars; Alec and Bradley Rubin will be on the Patio on Friday afternoon to talk cigars and enjoy a smoke with attendees.

Spotlight Releases

Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2
Blended American Whiskey, bottled at 117.4 proof
Penelope Founder's Reserve
Penelope American Light Whiskey 18-Year
Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Lux Row Estate Single Barrel Bourbon
6-year bottled at 107 proof
Yellowstone Recollection Series II
Yellowstone Limited Edition (2026)
Yellowstone America’s 250^th Anniversary Single Barrel
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Yellowstone Single Barrel Bourbon
7-year bottled at 100 proof
Remus Repeal Reserve Series X
Remus Repeal Rye

Lythgoe Bourbon (via Whiskey House)

Named after Gertrude “Cleo” Lythgoe, a bootlegger who ran whiskey into the US from the Bahamas during Prohibition. Behind the brand is Master Blender Stephanie Shur, daughter of former Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Dave Shur. At the Whiskey House chalet, you will find Pauline's Victory: an 8-year-old small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 90 proof.

Maker's Mark

For the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Maker's Mark will release the 2026 edition of Maker's Mark Cellar Aged, their annual high age release. The distillery will host a celebratory launch event on Thursday. In addition, Maker's Mark will hold two drops daily on KBF: one for VIP open and one for General Admission open. In addition, those who visit the Distillery with a KBF wristband will be able to purchase the 2026 release of Star Hill Farm Whisky.

Spotlight Releases

Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2026
Blend of 11, 12, and 14-years bottled at 112.1 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Maker's Mark Private Selection Bourbon
Stave Combo: P2 (1), Cu (2), 46 (3), Mn (3), and Sp (1), 6-year bottled at 112 proof

McBrayer Legacy Spirits (via Lofted Spirits)

If you stop by Lofted Spirits, you may catch Bill McBrayer IV and his dad, Bill Sr., representing McBrayer. They are expected to be there Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Spotlight Releases

W.H. McBrayer Batch 5
(88.4% Bloody Butcher Corn/5.8% Heritage Rye/5.8% Malted Barley) Bottled at barrel strength. Created using McBrayer’s original mash bill, which was discovered on the back of a handwritten letter he wrote to E.H. Taylor in 1870.
Old McBrayer
8-year (70% Corn /18% Rye/12% Malted Barley) bottled at 100 proof

Michter's

If you haven’t met Master Distiller Dan McKee and Michter’s Master of Maturation and COO Andrea Wilson, they’re a dynamic duo who embody the craft and precision behind Michter’s. They’ll be around throughout the weekend, with Andrea appearing on Friday’s Bourbon:60 A Celebration of Women in Whiskey panel and both hosting a special brunch on Saturday. For those hunting special drops, Michter’s will offer bottle‑purchasing and signing opportunities at designated times to be announced at KBF.

Milam & Green (via Lofted Spirits)

You can stop by the Lofted Spirits tent for pours of Milam & Green Provisions, which I highlighted in a trend piece on lower proof bourbon, along with the latest volume in their limited‑release Unabridged series.

Neeley Family Distillery

KBF will be a big weekend for the Neeley Family. They will be releasing Papaw's Legacy Reserve, their first 10-year expression. It will be available both at KBF as well as their distillery. Last year I interviewed Molly Wellman, their new addition to the Hidden Barn team. This year she'll have her first batch of Hidden Barn available.

Spotlight Releases

Papaw's Legacy Reserve 10-Year
An expression made in honor of Royce Neeley's grandfather, who passed away in 2024. Using a Solera aging/vatting technique, this and future releases will always contain whiskey that Royce and his Papaw made together.
Hidden Barn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey "Tea Party Batch"
The first batch created by Molly Wellman and Rebekah Neeley, an 8-barrel blend
Neeley Bottled-In-Bond Four Grain Bourbon
A four-grain featuring oats blended by Rebekah Neeley that she calls the "banana batch"

New Riff

This year's featured Distillery will have a booth all about music. Inside their space, you will find a gallery wall of New Riff art, designed posters, and photography. Besides the vibes, they will also be serving a featured cocktail, the North Star, which will be a riff on a Saturn featuring New Riff Bottled-In-Bond. In addition, there will be special bottle drops on both Friday and Saturday.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon
6-year bottled at 123 proof
New Riff Silver Grove 2026
New Riff 8-Year Old Bourbon
New Riff 8-Year Old Rye
New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye

Nulu Whiskey

In typical Nulu Whiskey House fashion, they will have a wide variety of single barrel releases, including two sister Hazmat barrels (Yin and Yang) from Kentucky that you can sample but are only available at Evergreen Liquors down the street.

Spotlight Releases

New Louisville Barrel House Small Batch "Summer Jam 2026"
Mash bill: Blend of (60C | 36R |4MB) + (75C | 21R | 4MB)
Age: 8 years
Proof: 142.6
New Louisville Barrel House "Queen of Kentucky"
Proof: 134.2
New Louisville Barrel House "Not In A Rush"
Mash bill: 60% Corn/36% Rye/4% Malted Barley
Age: 6 years
Proof: 147.4
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: NuLu Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Mash bill: 51% Corn/45% Wheat/4% Malted Barley
Age: 8 years
Proof: 112

Old Louisville

Last year, the story was about Old Louisville's Kentucky series, and now owner Amine Karaoud is fresh off the launch of his Indiana series. For KBF, he's planning on bringing a couple of special single barrels as well as a new collaboration with Jorge Valdes, a former drug kingpin featured in Netflix's documentary series, "Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami ".

Spotlight Releases

King of Miami Straight Bourbon Whiskey
9-year, bottled at 107 proof

Old Steelhouse

Last year, their Tasting Room in downtown Bardstown was getting ready to open to the public. Today it's now in full swing, and Old Steelhouse will have a KBF pick available for purchase.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Steelhouse Blueprint Single Barrel Rye
7-year bottled at 133 proof

Phifer Pavitt Spirits (via Whiskey House)

Phifer Pavitt has been making wine in Napa Valley since 2005. This year, they are bringing their Phifer Pavitt Spirits line to the public with two limited-production whiskeys. Previously available only to wine club members, these two expressions have been finished in Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. Sampling will be available at the Whiskey House space Friday and Saturday, with sales available all weekend long.

Spotlight Releases

Phifer Pavitt Spirits Late Night 11-Year
Straight bourbon whiskey which was finished for 13 months in Phifer Pavitt Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon barrels and bottled at 107 proof
Phifer Pavitt Spirits Reserve 12-Year
Tennessee straight bourbon whiskey which was finished for 24 months in Phifer Pavitt Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon barrels and bottled at 115 proof, cask strength

Potter Jane Distilling Company

Jane and Denny want you to know that they are sorry. Back in June, they launched Big Vat Liar: a sourced bourbon that breaks a promise to never release sourced whiskey. You will be able to try both Big Vat Liar as well as their white dog (I've had it and it's not bad!) In addition, every day of KBF from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, Jane and Denny will be offering free apologies to attendees.

Spotlight Releases

Potter Jane Big Vat Liar
6-year (70% Corn/21% Rye/9% Malted Barley) bottled at 109.6 proof

Preservation Distillery

Preservation has been on a roll all year, kicking off 2026 with Rare Perfection 10-year and Very Old St. Nick Immaculata: both potential bourbon-of-the-year contenders with enthusiasts. This year they told me they will be bringing the heat, noting that it will be the 40th Anniversary of Very Olde St Nick.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Kentucky Pot Distilled Rye Whiskey
7-year bottled at 112 proof

Proof and Wood (via Whiskey House):

Dave Schmier will be over at the Whiskey House space and is bringing a KBF exclusive alongside other releases.

Spotlight Releases

Tumblin' Dice Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond 12-Year
Tumblin' Dice Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond 11-Year
Matt's Mitt Bourbon
6-Year, (60% Corn/36% Rye/4% Malted Barley) bottled at 105 proof. Created in support of Matt's Water of Life Charity Event, with all profits going towards fighting cancer.

Pursuit Spirits

This year, "Between Two Barrels" will be making a return! Maksymilian Podraza (@whiskey_with_maks) will host a series of four panels (Friday 2:00 & 4:00 PM, Saturday 3:00 & 4:00 PM) featuring Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, as well as other industry names including Dan Callaway, Macaulay Minton, Dave Bob Gaspar, and Jane Bowie. On the bottle front, Pursuit will debut a collaboration with Shortbarrel. Follow Pursuit on Social Media for updates on bottle drops of past limited releases. Also, the Rye-anRitas will return, the iconic rye margarita cocktail.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Pursuit Series Episode 90 Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
7-year (78% Corn/13% Rye/9% Malted Barley) bottled at barrel strength
Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon
Pursuit x Meat Church Honey Hog Barrel Bourbon
Pursuit x Shortbarrel Found Footage
Pursuit Double Oak Rye is blended with Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Bourbon and bottled at barrel proof

Rabbit Hole

The team at Rabbit Hole is excited to return to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival; you can expect them to bring some fan favorites but may have a few surprises in store as well.

RD1

For RD1, it's always been about the wood. Their portfolio of whiskies are cenetered around unique wood finishes. This year, RD1 is pouring four experimental single barrels that are sure to pique your interest. In addition, RD1 will be launching the RD1 Barrel Club, a new bottle subscription membership.

Spotlight Releases

RD1 Single Barrel: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak in a Pickle Barrel
RD1 Single Barrel: Kentucky Straight Whiskey Finished in a Jamaican Rum Barrel
RD1 Single Barrel: Hot Honey Barrel Finish
RD1 Single Barrel: Mongolian Oak Barrel Finish

Revelette Bourbon (via Whiskey House)

Founders Mason and Curt Revelette are entrepreneurs in the food and wine space. Revelette Bourbon represents an ode to their family's Kentucky Roots. You'll be able to find their flagship Black label as well as their single barrel Navy and Crimson labels at the Whiskey House chalet.

River Roots (via Lofted Spirits)

Cleveland, Ohio's River Roots Barrel Company will be at the Lofted Spirits tent Thursday and Friday of KBF and will have three different bottles available.

Spotlight Releases

River Roots "Liquid Harvest"
Barrel: #CJ-W-B38-DO
Mash bill: Wheated bourbon
Age: 9 years
Proof: 101.3
A North Carolina Double-oak wheated bourbon
River Roots "Angel's Share"
Barrel: #UB-M-A01-VSB
Mash bill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 21 years
Proof: 128.4
Kentucky American malt whiskey finished in a red wine barrel
River Roots "Devil's Cut"
Barrel: #UB-M-A05-VSB
Mash bill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 21 years
Proof: 132.61
Kentucky American malt whiskey finished in a red wine barrel

Roaming Road (via Lofted Spirits)

Described as "an independent bottler of single-cask, cask-strength whiskey and rare spirits, including rum, cognac, armagnac, and other exceptional cask selections." Founder Mike Gilmore has spent 20-years in spirits retail and is excited to offer something different targeted for the bourbon drinker.

Spotlight Releases

7-year Irish Whiskey finished in an Oloroso Cask
13-year Cognac Fins Bois
15-year Trinidad Rum

Row 94 (via Lofted Spirits)

Dierks Bentley's whiskey brand, sourced through Green River, will be poured at the Lofted Spirits booth.

SHĀNG Whiskey (via Whiskey House)

Eastern culture meets the West in the new SHĀNG baijiu whiskey line, which launched earlier this past June. SHĀNG takes Chinese baijiu, a spirit distilled from red sorghum, redistilled in a copper pot still before being shipped to Kentucky. There, it is aged, blended, and bottled by The Blending House. SHĀNG also has an "East + West" expression that is a blend of Chinese baijiu and red sorghum whiskey distilled by Whiskey House of Kentucky.

Shortbarrel (via Lofted Spirits)

Atlanta's Shortbarrel is hitching a ride to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival thanks to their friends at Lofted Spirits. You can find Master Blender Clinton Dugan at Pursuit Spirits' Between Two Barrels session on Friday at 2:00 PM.

Silk Velvet

Silk Velvet was among the new names that made a big splash at last year's KBF. This year, the Silk Velvet team is coming back with the Small Batch Select that turned heads, along with some new exciting pours.

Spotlight Releases

Silk Velvet Hazmat Release
140 proof
Silk Velvet Single Barrel Bourbon
8-year, bottled at 107 proof
KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Silk Velvet Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
7-year, bottled at 134 proof

Stetson (via Lofted Spirits)

If you've seen Danny Bardstown sport a cowboy hat recently, it's because the famous hat manufacturer recently launched a bourbon under their brand name. They will be featured all weekend in the Lofted Spirits area.

Spotlight Releases

Stetson Bourbon
A high-rye mashill at 7-years old and bottled at 100 proof

Stonestreet (via Lofted Spirits)

The founders of Stonestreet Farms in Lexington will take their whiskey brand to KBF this year through Lofted Spirits.

Spotlight Releases

Stonestreet Founder's Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Ten Runner (via The Blending House)

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney created Ten Runner Bourbon to honor his family legacy in racing. Attendees will be able to meet Ryan at The Blending House tent during Thursday's Bourbon in the Air. For KBF, they will have a new 1o-year Corn Bourbon that Ryan Blaney picked himself.

Spotlight Releases

Ten Runner Bourbon Whiskey
Ten Runner Corn Bourbon
A new release for Kentucky Bourbon Festival, the 10-year age statement is a clear nod to his NASCAR car number (10)

The Bard Distillery

As Bardstown’s First Family (the co-founder is the fourth great‑grandson of founder William Bard), the brand will debut its first single barrel at KBF and recently opened a new tasting room in Bardstown, inviting attendees to visit both their tent and the new space.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Cinder & Smoke Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
9-year bottled at 123 proof

The Blending House

Monica Wolf's Shelbyville production hub has been a longtime home to Lucky Seven and E.J. Curley brands, who both will be returning to KBF this year. New friends will be joining their space this year with 31 Lengths Bourbon, Ten Runner Bourbon, and Watch Hill Proper Whiskey Co. joining the fray.

The Ingram Distillery

Our favorite "Mellowed on the Mississippi" brand will be launching their Flagship Batch 6 during Thursday's Bourbon in the Air and is also holding a "Blind Battle of the Single Barrels" at their space throughout the weekend. Attendees will blindly try two mystery pours and vote on their favorite.

Spotlight Releases

Ingram Distillery Flagship Bourbon Batch 6

Town Branch Distillery

Town Branch is going bananas at KBF this year. Besides having some special pours, they will have pours of pre-batched Bourbonola Tropical Banana Cocktails inspired by their newly released canned Bourbonola Tropical RTD.

Spotlight Releases

Town Branch 16-Year Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey
Town Branch 2026 Imperium Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
An 8-barrel, 50/50 blend of their wheated bourbon and Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. The first time Town Branch's limited annual release will be at cask strength.
Town Branch 6-Year Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Watch Hill Proper Whiskey Co. (via The Blending House)

Watch Hill Proper hit the scene in Louisville's Norton Commons in 2022 and quickly became a must-visit whiskey bar. In 2024, they launched their own whiskey label.

Spotlight Releases

Watch Hill Sandbox Series Field Trip #1 - Kentucky Straight Bourbon
11-year, Kentucky Bourbon Festival exclusive
Watch Hill Chef Series Batch 1
12-year, straight rye whiskey single barrel

Wenzel Distillery

Wenzel will be partnering with Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium and Bespoke and Bond for events around Bardstown all weekend. They expect to have a few selections from their award-winning portfolio for sampling as well as their KBF Festival pick.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Wenzel Single Barrel Straight Rye
10-year bottled at 111.3 proof

Whiskey House of Kentucky

Last year Whiskey House literally went big with a two-story display featuring a selection of their contract distilling clients. This year the "chalet" will return with several client brands, including Proof and Wood and Western Spirits (Calumet Farm).

Whiskey Jypsi (via Whiskey House)

Eric Church's brand will have a wide selection of special releases at the Whiskey House chalet.

Spotlight Releases

Jypsi Legacy Batch 003: The Declaration
A blend of 60% Indiana Rye (8-12 years) finished in apple brandy barrels from Mt. Vernon Distillery; 30% Canadian Corn Whiskey (20-25 years) finished in New American Oak; 10% Virginia Single Malt (8-years). Bottled at 115.74 proof.
Jypsi Gibson Tonewood: Vol.1
Blend of 20-year bourbon (84% Corn/8% Rye/8% Malted Barley) and 14-year whiskey (84% Corn/8% Rye/8% Malted Barley) finished with toasted Gibson maple offcuts

Whiskey Thief Distilling Co

Director of Distilling Lisa Wicker and CEO Walter Zausch will be featured in KBF programming; you will be able to catch Lisa at the Whiskey Thief space all weekend.

Spotlight Releases

KBF Distiller's Row Festival Pick: Whiskey Thief Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
10-year bottled at 118.6 proof

Steve Coomes interviews Wilderness Trail founders Shane Baker and Dr. Patrick Heist

Wilderness Trail Distillery

Wilderness Trail will close this year's festival with a special milestone: founders Shane Baker and Dr. Patrick Heist are being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame on September 14. To mark the occasion, the distillery is celebrating with two special cask‑strength small‑batch releases.

Spotlight Releases

Wilderness Trail Cask-Strength Wheated Bourbon (Shane & Pat's Hall of Fame Blend)
10-year, bottled at barrel strength
Wilderness Trail Cask-Strength Rye Whiskey (Haley's Blend)
Wilderness Trail's oldest Rye release (8-years), blended by National Brand Ambassador Haley Perros

What To Know For This Year's Festival

Tickets

Weekend passes to the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival sold out within hours of going on sale on April 14. Thanks to this year’s new resale marketplace, you can still find General Admission passes on the festival’s TIXR page from attendees looking to offload their tickets.

Lodging

Bardstown may be the Bourbon Capital of the World, but it doesn’t have the hotel capacity to take on the September crowds. Rooms typically sell out a year in advance.

Your best remaining options:

Stay in Louisville and use the festival shuttle (details below).
Search for Airbnbs or vacation rentals in the surrounding area (expect premium pricing).
Consider nearby towns like Elizabethtown, but plan to drive yourself; taxis and ride shares will be scarce during festival weekend (also see below).

Transportation

Ride-share services may take you to Bardstown, but getting a ride from Bardstown is notoriously difficult. The city relies on small local taxi companies such as Bardstown City Taxi and Sunshine Taxi Service, and demand during KBF weekend far exceeds supply. Long waits and missed pickups are common. Don’t depend on them.

For Louisville‑based visitors, KBF offers daily shuttles from downtown Louisville. Shuttle tickets are sold through TIXR like other add‑ons. All shuttles depart after festival close and run to and from the festival’s hotel partner, Tempo by Hilton in NuLu.

2026 Shuttle Schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 10: Depart Tempo at 4:30 p.m. / Depart KBF at 10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11: Depart Tempo at 9 or 10 a.m. / Depart KBF at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12: Depart Tempo at 9 or 10 a.m. / Depart KBF at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13: Depart Tempo at 9 or 10 a.m. / Depart KBF at 4:30 p.m.

If you choose to drive, you’ll need to find a nearby cash lot or street parking. The festival does not operate a dedicated attendee parking lot.

Hours

VIP entry begins at 11 a.m. daily; General Admission begins at noon.

Friday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET
Saturday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET

Additional operating hours:

Distilleries: open until 4 p.m.
Vendor Marketplace: open until 3 p.m.
Food trucks: close at either 2 p.m. or 4 p.m., depending on business

Entry

RFID wristbands are mailed to ticketholders ahead of the event and are required for entry, exit, and access to premium on‑site events. KBF estimates wristband delivery between Sept. 3–7, 2026. You can update your address or switch to will‑call pickup in your TIXR account. Bring a valid ID.

Passholders may enter and exit the festival grounds throughout the day.

What You Can Bring Inside?

Allowed items include:

Refillable water bottles (must be empty at entry)
Individual folding lawn chairs
Clear and small bags (see details below)
Companion animals with proper paperwork (no pets)
Personal-size, handheld umbrellas
Amateur photo/video cameras

Prohibited items include:

Any outside alcohol — no bringing in of bottles
Weapons, fireworks, illegal substances
Liquids
Large bags/luggage
Scooters, skateboards, bicycles
Laser pointers, spray paint, etc.
Mace & pepper spray
Liquids, food, or beverages
Pets
Wagons/carts
Tents/canopies
External glassware — KBF glassware only
Balls, frisbees, flying objects, drones
Signs/banners

All bags are subject to search; refusal may result in denied entry.

Bag Policy

Allowed:

Clear bags (max 12” x 6” x 12”)
Small clutches (4.5” x 6.5”)
Small purses/fanny packs (subject to search)

Prohibited items include:

Weapons, fireworks, illegal substances
Liquids
Large bags/luggage
Scooters, skateboards
Laser pointers, spray paint, etc.

All bags are subject to search; refusal may result in denied entry.

Weather

KBF is a rain‑or‑shine event. Rain is common, and muddy grounds are likely if storms roll through. (Pro tip: Pack an extra pair of mud shoes as the festival grounds can get a bit messy with moderate-heavy rain.) Expect temperatures in the low to mid‑80s; it’s still technically summer.

Festival Layout/Map

To view or download the full size map click here.

Lockers

Lockers are available for rent where you can store all of your bottle purchases and gear. Reserve and rent them ahead of time here.

Water and Food

Hydration stations are located at both ends of the festival grounds; bring an empty water bottle. Food trucks line N. 5th Street; some close at 2:00 PM, while others remain open until 4:00 PM.

Vendors/Marketplace

A wide variety of vendors will be on-site; the full list is available on the festival website. Note: the Vendor Marketplace closes at 3:00 PM daily.