The Filson’s Bourbon Academy Continues Salon Series and Memorializes the Day Before Prohibition
The Filson Historical Society’s Bourbon Academy will ring out the old year with one of its highly successful Bourbon Salons and ring in the new with an additional Salon and a special “Thirsty Thursday” event, designed to recognize the day before Prohibition went into effect, leaving the whole country high and dry.
The Filson’s Bourbon Salons at Oxmoor Farm are simple, inclusive, and thought-provoking conversations about selected topics involving the burgeoning Bourbon industry. The Salons are moderated by Mike Veach, The Filson’s Bourbon Historian, and include an expert panel for presentations and open discussion. The next Bourbon Salons are:
Dec. 11: Bourbon and Food, a discussion about how Bourbon pairs with food, both at the table and in recipes. Salon panelists are Ouita Michel, Owner and Chef, Holly Hill Inn, Midway, Ky., and Chef for Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Ky., Josh Moore, Chef, Volare Italian Restaurant, and Kelly Ramsey, Owner, Art Eatables Chocolates.
On Jan. 21, 2015, Remembering the Stitzell Weller Distillery, a discussion will take place about the local distillery that was moth-balled for years and brought to life recently by the international beverage company, Diagio. Panelists are Julian Van Winkle and Sally Van Winkle Campbell, members of the family that used to own the distillery, and Ed Foot, the distillery’s former Master Distiller.
All Bourbon Salons are held on Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Oxmoor Farm, 720 Oxmoor Ave. Louisville, Ky. 40222.
The Filson’s “Thirsty Thursday” will be held in the special Speakeasy room at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on West Main Street. The event recognizes the day before Prohibition began and will offer special tastings, a look back at the history of Prohibition and self-guided tours of the micro-distillery. The Filson’s Veach will provide a look back to the onset of Prohibition, including the introduction of speakeasies, and Louisville’s own distilling past, including a history of Whiskey Row. Tastings will include Old G.D. Bourbon, bottled in the 1890’s and samples of current Heaven Hill brands. “Thirsty Thursday” will be held Thursday, Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m. Reservations are required and a password will be supplied with each ticket for admittance to the Speakeasy room.
For more information call 502.635.5083.
Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes Seven New Members
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association will officially induct seven new members as the non-profit group kicks off its 134th Annual Meeting with its highest membership total since the repeal of Prohibition.
The welcome reception is the result of the KDA’s first-ever membership drive in August, when the organization sent leather-bound packets and personalized copper membership cards to all existing and potential Kentucky distillers to explain its mission and criteria for joining.
The seven newest members are:
· Bluegrass Distillers, Lexington
· Boundary Oak Distillery, Elizabethtown
· Casey Jones Distillery, Hopkinsville
· Dueling Grounds Distillery, Franklin
· Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Louisville
· The Gentleman Distillery, Paris
· Three Boys Farm Distillery, Frankfort
KDA President Eric Gregory said the group’s 27 members are the most since the 1930s when distilleries reemerged after the repeal of Prohibition. Fraser and Gregory will present each new member with a special barrel head at the reception, which comes on the eve of the Annual Meeting of Members.
Kentucky Bourbon is now a $3 billion industry that generates 15,400 jobs with an annual payroll of $707 million. Distillers have invested more than $400 million in the last five years, and expect to spend another $630 million in the next five as the Bourbon boom continues its momentum.
For more information call 502.875.9351.
The 29th Annual Four Roses Bardstown Road Aglow Features New Attractions
The popular holiday event, Four Roses Bardstown Road Aglow on Saturday, Dec. 6th, will feature new attractions this year in addition to the traditional favorites.
New this year is the Park Community Credit Union’s Polar Palooza. Breakfast with Santa at Qdoba, which kicks off the event. The breakfast will held from 7-10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Mexican restaurant located at 1500 Bardstown Road in the Highlands.
Festivities continue Saturday from 5-9 p.m. with a DJ, kids activities such as face painting, games, letters to Santa, “Selfies” with the Park Community Credit Union’s youth mascot, “Parkie the Dog”, an Ugly Sweater Contest for cash prizes at 7 p.m. and Elvis Tribute artist Dan Goodfleich performing at 8 p.m.
Free parking can be found at Bellarmine University, where event-goers can take advantage of the “Park and Hop” Trolley to and from Aglow. The trolley will pick up and drop off in front of Bellarmine’s Knight’s Hall.
Another new attraction is “Selfies with Elfie”. All Aglow participating merchants will have a cute little elf displayed in their store. Patrons that take a Selfie with that Elfie and post it to Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #SelfieWithElfie can win prizes along with their winning smile.
Aglow-ers will also be able to enjoy the traditional events such as the Big Spruce Light Up. The magnificent blue spruce tree located in the Wendy’s parking lot on the corner of Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive will be lit up with gorgeous holiday lights.
In addition, there’s a “Selfie With Santa” from 6-8 p.m. at the Bearno’s Pizza Winter Wonderland on Bardstown Road. The event will benefit the Gilda’s Club of Louisville.
For more information go to www.TheHighlandsOfLouisville.com.