Bourbon on the Banks
“Wherever bourbon flows and friends gather, fun is sure to follow.” — Unknown
LBS Joins this Exciting Festival in Kentucky's Capital
The Lexington Bourbon Society is excited to attend and share in the festivities during this exciting weekend celebration.
Bourbon on the Banks is an annual festival gathering bourbon fans in Frankfort, Kentucky. The weekend occurs towards the end of September and the beginning of October. This year, The Lexington Bourbon Society is excited to present a couple of mini-classes for attendees. If you are planning to visit, please stop by, rest, and learn more about our bourbon society. You may even get a tasty treat to enjoy!
September 30 - October 1, 2022
Bourbon on the Banks Festival | Frankfort, Kentucky
Mini classes (approximately duration 30 minutes each) are free and provided by the Lexington Bourbon Society. Each class is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will take place in person during the 2022 Bourbon on the Banks event.
2:00 & 2:30 p.m. — Barrel Aging
Join James Woolverton as he shares on the barrel aging requirement for all bourbon whiskeys.
This class is free and will take place in person during the 2022 Bourbon on the Banks event and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A few facts to help guide you through this experience:
Bourbon is required to age in a new charred oak container.
Most distilleries use American white oak, but any oak can be used (French oak, Red oak, etc.)
Barrels impart flavor into the aging spirit.
After distillation, the spirit is placed into the oak container to age or "mature". Typically, the longer the spirit sits in the barrel, the more brownish amber the color and the more "oak-y" flavors like vanilla and toffee it will acquire.
Char and toasting levels impart different flavors to the spirit.
Most distilleries use char levels ranging from One (15 seconds) to Four (55 seconds). The Char Four is also known as the "alligator char" due to its texture resembling the back of an alligator.
Warehouse level, temperature, and age all play a part in how much the spirit goes in and out of the wood staves.
Together, we will explore concepts (like red line and soak line) surrounding how our favorite liquid interacts with the barrel during the aging process. We will also learn about the power of position, angel's share, and more!
3:00 & 3:30 p.m. — Bottle in Bond
Join John Coffee IV as he shares on the requirements to meet the Bottle in Bond specs in a bourbon.
This class is free and will take place in person during the 2022 Bourbon on the Banks event and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A few facts to help guide you through this experience:
These specifications are based on the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
The barrel needs to fulfill one distillation season. (January–June or July–December)
The product must only come from one distillery.
Barrels must age in a federally bonded warehouse for at least 4 years.
When ready to be bottled, the product must be at 100 Proof.
Only whiskey spirits produced in the United States may be designated as bonded.
4:00 & 4:30 p.m. — Bourbon Balls
Join Norma Taylor and Rick Showalter as they dive into the history and world of bourbon balls from Kentucky!
This class is free and will take place in person during the 2022 Bourbon on the Banks event and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A brief overview to help guide you through this experience:
The iconic Kentucky Bourbon Ball is a candy made with a cream center to which bourbon is mixed after cooking. The center is then dipped in dark chocolate, and most often topped with a pecan.
Ruth Hanley Booe of Rebecca Ruth Chocolates is credited with inventing the first bourbon ball in 1938, and the Rebecca Ruth company continues to make them today, producing their originals as well as Bourbon Balls for Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, and other distilleries.
Ruth Hunt Candy Co., in Mt. Sterling Kentucky, is the largest supplier of Bourbon Balls. Making their own brand and producing exclusively for Woodford Reserve, they made over 5 million in 2020, and with post-pandemic sales back up are on target to make about 5.5 million in 2022.
Several other Kentucky companies and many home cooks also make Bourbon Balls. Quickly becoming one of the most popular home producers is Rick Showalter, who has “turned a hobby into a passion”, making his bourbon balls in the traditional manner, but from a wide variety of bourbons and ryes, from both large and craft distilleries.
Join us to hear more about the history of bourbon candy in Kentucky and taste some of these wonderful treats.
5:00 & 5:30 p.m. — Bourbon Society Q&A
Join the Lexington Bourbon Society as they discuss the bourbon industry from the eyes of a local group of bourbon appreciators. The group will share insights from the officers and talk about all things bourbon!
This class is free and will take place in person during the 2022 Bourbon on the Banks event and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Be sure to come to enjoy the event! The group will be here to help answer questions, spark discussion on bourbon and related topics, and enjoy the remainder of the festival together.
A couple of additional Lexington Bourbon Society pages to check out:
Interested in joining the Lexington Bourbon Society and sharing a sip with us?
Learn more about our organization and how we appreciate all things bourbon!
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