Bardstown sign: Bourbon Capital of the World

Celebrate National Bourbon Week in Bardstown

June 4, 2025The Bar Belle Leave a comment

Bardstown sign: Bourbon Capital of the World — Bardstown is hosting National Bourbon Week from June 9-15. | Courtesy of Visit Bardstown

Since National Bourbon Day falls on Saturday, June 14, it only makes sense that the city known as “The Bourbon Capital of the World” extends that one day into a full week. Bardstown plays host to National Bourbon Week from June 9-15, and there are many events that still have availability.

The bourbon-soaked week is organized by the Bourbon Capital Alliance, a nonprofit focused on bringing events, experiences and the visual presence of all things bourbon to Bardstown. They work closely with the nine distilleries in the area as well as Visit Bardstown, Bardstown Mainstreet, and the Bourbon Capital Guild.

If you’re not familiar with the Bourbon Capital Guild, it is an esteemed bourbon club based in Bardstown that includes the industry’s top advocates, enthusiasts, distillers and staff, etc. I was fortunate to join the Guild this year as a member of the media, and I’m looking forward to experiencing all there is to do during National Bourbon Week — along with secret handshakes, backroom pours and classified industry intel.

Only kidding about the last three, but wouldn’t that be cool?

Let’s dive into the schedule for the week, and maybe you’ll see something you want to join me at.

Monday, June 9

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

The Beam Backyard Luau — Sold Out

Tuesday, June 10

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

Whiskey & Science at the Brindiamo Penthouse — Sold Out

Tailgates & Toasts: A Celebration with Elijah Craig at Heaven Hill — 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 11

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

Old SteelHouse Distillery: Proof is in the Proof at the Brindiamo Penthouse — 4 p.m.

Master Distiller’s Dinner at Lux Row — 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 12

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

Ham & Whiskey Pairing with Steve Coomes at Preservation Distillery — 4:30 p.m.

Log Still’s Pour & Paired: A Bourbon Social at the Brindiamo Penthouse — 6 p.m.

Clermont Supper Club at James B. Beam Distilling Co. — 6 p.m.

Friday, June 13

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

Summer Patio Series at Bardstown Bourbon Co. — 5 p.m.

Bourbon Capital Mash Up at Bespoke In Bond — 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 14

Bourbon & Brunch at Preservation Distillery — 9:30 a.m.

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

Maker’s Mark Totally Bourbon Bash at the Brindiamo Penthouse — 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 15

Vintage Connoisseur Experience at Preservation Distillery — 2 p.m.

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Bourbon Capital Mash Up event poster — If you can only come to one event, make it this one!

As I mentioned, there are still tickets available to some of these events. The one I’m most looking forward to is the Bourbon Capital Mash Up on Friday at the new venue Bespoke In Bond next to Bardstown’s Neat Bourbon Bar. The inaugural event will feature special pours from the area distilleries as well as paired food from local chefs and restaurants.

There will also be a DJ and a charitable bottle pull, as well as a cash bar. And if you want to spring for the VIP ticket, you get “very special” pours (like a pre-fire Heaven Hill and vintage Maker’s Mark) and your party starts an hour earlier at 6 p.m.

Hopefully I’ll see some of you at these events! And remember, if you don’t like a bourbon, just find me and I’ll be your human dump bucket. It won’t be the first time.

Heaven Hill Springs Barrel 1

Heaven Hill brings distilling back to Bardstown

April 7, 2025The Bar Belle Leave a comment

The first barrel is filled at Heaven Hill Springs Distillery — The first barrel is filled at Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. | Photo by Sara Havens

History was made this morning as the first barrel from the new $200 million Heaven Hill Springs Distillery was filled. Dozens of people — from media to staff — gathered to witness the momentous occasion, as it signified the first time Heaven Hill distilled in Bardstown since the devastating fire at its original distillery in 1996.

“Filling this first barrel is both a homecoming and a major step into the future of Heaven Hill,” said Allan Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands, during the presentation. “This $200 million investment is our view of the future of Kentucky bourbon.”

Heaven Hill staff — Conor O’Driscoll, Max Shapira, Kate Latts and Allan Latts fill the first barrel. | Photo by Sara Havens

He shared that the new distillery will be producing about 150,000 per year but has the potential to make 450,000 annually. Heaven Hill continues to distill at its Bernheim Distillery in west Louisville as well.

In line with the family-owned company’s 2030 Environmental Sustainability Strategy, the design of Heaven Hill Springs reflects the company’s dedication to play a role in forming a more eco-conscious bourbon industry.

“Everybody has brought their A-game to this new distillery,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill master distiller. “It reflects where we’ve come from and where we’re going.” He then toasted to Charlie Downs, Master Distiller Emeritus, who has worked at every Heaven Hill distillery since its founding in 1935.

Downs even worked at this new one last week for three days, he told me. Proof that you can take the man out of the distillery but not the distillery out of the man.

The distillery will officially open to the public in September. But for now, the 60-foot-tall Vendome-made copper still will be churning out bourbon for future generations.