The Bourbon Capital of the World Plans Big Weekend for National Bourbon Day

National Bourbon Day Celebrations in Bardstown Kick off June 14th, 2019.
National Bourbon Day Celebrations in Bardstown Kick off June 14th, 2019.

Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World, is planning a huge weekend of celebration for National Bourbon Day from June 14 – 16th.

National Bourbon Day falls every year on June 14th, but Bardstown is celebrating all weekend long. Both the city and the surrounding distilleries will host events as part of the festivities, which will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 14th on the lawn of Spalding Hall. Live music, food, and of course, a bourbon toast will welcome guests to the party.

That night, The Bardstown Bourbon Mixer will be held at The Barn at Preservation Distillery, complete with tastings, southern inspired appetizers, and dueling pianos from Howl at the Moon. A VIP tasting event will be held prior to the event from 7 to 8 PM. Get your tickets here. 

If you’re looking for a way to burn off some bourbon calories, you can register here to run the Bourbon City Mile at 6 PM on Friday, June 14th. Or head over to 3rd Street on Saturday for Whiskey City Cruisers or the Bourbon City Street Concert from 6 to 11:30 PM.

“Our goal is to highlight our distilleries while showcasing Bardstown as a premiere tourism destination,” said Mike Mangeot, Executive Director of the Bardstown – Nelson County Tourism Commission. “We invite everyone to visit and experience our historic distilleries, legendary bourbons and endless Southern charm.”

Bardstown has a total of nine distilleries within 16 miles of downtown, aging a combined 2.8 million barrels of bourbon. Each of these distilleries will be hosting events throughout the weekend, including:

Heaven Hill Distilleries: “A Cure Under Construction”

Lux Row Distillers: Lux Row Premium Experience, “Flights, Cocktails and Music”

Willett Distillery: “Distillery & Production Tour”, “Seasoned to Perfection Tour”

Bardstown Bourbon Company: Music, special cocktails, bottle signings and more

Barton 1792: free tours including the exclusive Estate Tour (reservations required)

Preservation Distillery: tours of our newest craft distillery

Jim Beam American Stillhouse: live music, food and tours

Makers Mark Distillery: free tours on Friday, June 14, Dinner Series with Chef Newman Miller

Four Roses Bottling Facility: Aging, Bottling & Guided Tour, Tasting & History Tour

If you’d like more information about the weekend, please click here. 

Caroline Paulus
Caroline Paulus is the Senior Editor for The Bourbon Review. She lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky. Follow her on Instagram @misswhiskeyhistorian to keep up with her latest in bourbon news - and a few old finds, too.