There’s a lot for bourbon lovers to hear beyond the music at Bourbon and Beyond

Bourbon lovers can get an earful from some of the top industry experts and bourbon celebrities not to mention a mouthful of bourbon cocktails and tasting opportunities. Here’s the lineup for some of the best acts in bourbon at this years’ 2023 Bourbon and Beyond.

The Firkin Podcast Live: Every Drink Tells A Story with Stephen Wilson Jr.

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Thursday, Sep 14, 2:10 PM - 2:55 PM

Host: Chris Blandford & Brian Probus

Special Guest: Stephen Wilson Jr.

Pouring: Jack Daniels Bonded Rye, Jack Daniels Twice Barreled Heritage Rye

Description: Give me a ‘FIRKIN’ break! B&B patrons will be the very first to see this popular podcast LIVE ON STAGE as hosts Chris Blandford & Brian Probus welcome singer/songwriter from rural Southern Indiana, Stephen Wilson, Jr. Sipping bourbon and talking about how he went from the boxing ring to the stage where according to Holler “Wilson blends the indie, country and pop influences he was brought up on into a deeply affecting brand of storytelling punctuated by his signature approach to gut-string guitar’.

Spice It Up With Maneet Chauhan

Monogram Culinary Stage

Thursday, Sep 14, 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Event Description

Chef Maneet Chauhan is highly lauded for her bold and beautiful dishes. Join us as she spices it up on the Monogram Culinary Stage!

A Seat At The Table: Grand Traditions with Fresh Perspectives

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Thursday, Sep 14, 3:35 PM - 4:30 PM

Host: Jamar Mack, Kentucky Original Black Bourbon Enthusiasts

Panelists: Melissa Rift, Master Taster, Old Forester

Richie Michaels, Uncle Nearest

Rob Dietrich, Blackened

Tracey & Scott Jacobs, Inclusion Brands

Pouring: Russell KOBBE Barrel Pick, Uncle Nearest 1856, Old Forester: Bourbon & Beyond Barrel Select, Inclusion Brands Include Me Bourbon, Blackened - Blend of Straight Whiskey in Brandy Cask- Wednesday

Description: Although whiskey is renowned across the world and bourbon is officially America’s spirit, it’s widely accepted that the producers, brands, and workforce haven’t been representative of the vast diversity of spirit enthusiasts and, in some cases, founders. This has been changing rapidly as dynamic interest and opportunity are leading to expansive ‘next generation’ thinking. Grab a seat, everyone is welcome to lean in and learn from some of these change-makers - while drinking of course!

Fire It Up with Kamado Joe's Tom Jackson

Monogram Culinary Stage

Thursday, Sep 14, 4:35 PM - 5:05 PM

Tom Jackson knows how to truly #fireitup. Come learn tips and tricks as he grilles up something delicious. A lucky few may even get to taste test!

It's A Family Affair: Generations of Whiskey

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Thursday, Sep 14, 5:10 PM - 5:50 PM

Moderator: Chris Blandford

Panelists: Eddie Russell, Master Distiller, Wild Turkey

Bruce Russell, Associate Blender and National Ambassador, Wild Turkey

Pouring: Wild Turkey 101, Russel Reserve 10 yr, Russel Reserve Private Barrel Kroger’s Selection

Description: The saying, “like father, like son” isn’t lost on Eddie and Bruce Russell. In Eddie’s case, his own 42-year career was built on the legacy of his own father - the legendary maker Jimmy Russell. According to a letter Bruce, who holds the title of Associate Blender and National Ambassador, posted on the Wild Turkey website, Wild Turkey 101 will take on a new meaning on September 10 when Jimmy and Eddie will celebrate their combined 101 years of Bourbon industry experience. Join us to hear stories from and about this legendary family with samples from the brand.

McTavish Spirits Bottle Release: EXCLUSIVE

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Thursday, Sep 14, 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Host: Chris Blandford

Special Guest: Graham McTavish, McTavish Spirits

Pouring: The Warchief

Description: A Bourbon & Beyond FIRST! Renowned actor and whiskey aficionado Graham McTavish (“The Hobbit”, “Outlander”, “The Witcher”, “Men in Kilts” and so much more) will share his first American whiskey - McTavish Spirits - with patrons. The first release, a 7-year-old Bottled in Bond bourbon from Indiana, has been named THE WARCHIEF. McTavish said “As a Scotsman who grew up dreaming of America, this whiskey is the perfect expression of my own life path and of my love for the true ‘American spirit.” Come toast (cheers) Slàinte mhath - pronounced Slan-ge-var - for us Americans!

Building An "Influential" Bourbon Collection: The Expert Edition

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Friday, Sep 15, 1:40 PM - 2:25 PM

Moderator: John Wadell, Single Barrel Coordinator - Peerless

Panelists: Tyler Zoller, Louisville Bourbon Buzz

Brandon Smith, The Daily Dram

Steve Higdon, Big Bourbon Club

Blake Riber, Bourbonr/Seelbach-s

Pouring: Kentucky Peerless High Rye Bourbon, Starlight Bourbon & Beyond Pick, Bardstown Bourbon Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Collaborative Series, Seelbach’s Private Reserve 16 year, 1948 Spanish Brandy Finish

Description: Come for the bourbon, stay for the bragging rights. You don’t have to be a millionaire to start a bourbon collection that everyone will envy. But there are so many decisions and distilleries, you protest. Questions abound about bargain bottles or name brands, award-winners, or upstarts. Whether you’re a newbie or a know-it-all, this panel is sure to be a wild whiskey ride!

Deep Thoughts with Christian Petroni

Monogram Culinary Stage

Friday, Sep 15, 2:30 PM - 2:55 PM

New York born and bred, Chef Christian Petroni will join the stage to share how he's a red sauce legend.

Between The Chefs: Dishing & Drinking

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Friday, Sep 15, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Moderator: Chris Blandford

Panelists: Chef Chris Santos

Chef Darnell Ferguson

Chef Amanda Freitag

Pouring: Amanda Freitag Cocktails Easy AF - Margarita, Negroni, Manhattan

Description: Let’s get down and dirty with some Chef Talk! What really goes on inside the kitchen and after hours. Is it truly like a “Hell’s Kitchen” reality show or an episode of the popular FX show “THE BEAR”? Want to know what chefs eat, drink and gossip about when no one is around? Then this is the panel for you! Join us and sip along with some notable chefs. You may even learn a secret or two.

Claudette Zepeda, LA JEFA

Monogram Culinary Stage

Friday, Sep 15, 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Chef Claudette Zepeda hailing from San Diego is a celebrated culinary anthropologist. She's able to translate beautiful culture, heartfelt stories and bold flavors into her dishes that transports you to Mexico and Beyond! She's simply put, La Jefa!

Smokin' and Sippin'

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Friday, Sep 15, 4:40 PM - 5:15 PM

Title: SMOKIN’ and SIPPIN’: Pairing Cigars with Whisky

Moderator: Chris Blandford

Panelists: Carrie Greener Pappy Co.

Willy Herrera, Drew Estate

Special Guest: Wayne Newton

Pouring: Pappy Van Winkle 10-year + Pappy Cigars

Description: Holy Smokes! We’ve got Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, cigars AND Mr. Las Vegas on the same stage – “DANKE SCHOEN” to that. Join Carrie Van Winkle Greener and her cigar partners from Drew Estate along with WAYNE NEWTON to discover what makes the Pappy cigars and their bourbon so special. According to Advanced Mixology magazine, “There are various reasons why cigars work well with whiskey, but perhaps the most common is their very similar flavors. You can find richness, smokiness, essences of spice, and a bit of sweetness. The warmth of a cigar brings comfort to your mouth, while whiskey brings stomach fire to keep away the cold! Both are also meant to be savored slowly.” The coveted line of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is no exception and is the reason why Pappy & Company offers some of the most unique bourbon barrel-aged cigars in the world.

The Firkin Podcast LIVE: with Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Friday, Sep 15, 6:05 PM - 7:00 PM

Moderator: Chris Blandford

Special Guests: Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley

Pouring: Brothers Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Brother Bond Original Cask Strength, Brother’s Bond American Blended Rye Whiskey

Description: Un-FIRKIN-believable! Last year’s blood-sucking good conversation and Brother’s Bond tasting was just so good, we’ve brought Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley back for an even deeper sip into the story of their hand-selected bourbons. This year they return to spin more tales about their success, how their brand supports regenerative agriculture, and their particular ethos around bourbon while they sip along with fans. Brother’s Bond whiskeys have become platinum and double gold award winners for taste and received over 18 awards so far - you can bet the tastings at this panel will be FIRKIN good!

Hot Damn, Hot Brown Grilled Cheese with Sara Bradley

Monogram Culinary Stage

Saturday, Sep 16, 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Paducah's hometown darling, Chef Sara Bradley is bringing to the stage her Hot Damn, Hot Brown Grilled Cheese. Don't sleep on this Louisville culinary treasure.

Boozy AF, Delicious AF, Easy AF with Amanda Freitag

Monogram Culinary Stage

Saturday, Sep 16, 2:55 PM - 3:25 PM

Amanda Freitag has graced us with being a celebrated chef, author, television personality and now a cocktail creator! Join us at the Monogram Culinary Stage where bites meet Boozy AF.

Two Lee's are Better than One! A Korean Feast throw down with Ed and Danny Lee and Joe Kwon

Monogram Culinary Stage

Saturday, Sep 16, 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM

Local legend Ed Lee will be joined by DC's chef Danny Lee and Joe Kwon of the Avett Brothers to share the delights of Korean BBQ.

The Big Finish: Barreled Again

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Saturday, Sep 16, 4:50 PM - 5:30 PM

Moderator: Kenny Coleman, Bourbon Pursuit

Panelists: Brandon O’Daniel, Master Distiller, Copper & Kings

Owen Martin, Angel’s Envy

Christian Huber, Starlight Distillery

Jessica-Ann Adkins, H&A Barrel Management

Pouring: Angels Envy Finished in Tawny Port Wine Barrels, Starlight Distillery Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Amburana Rum Barrels, Copper & Kings Finished In America Apple Brandy Barrels (6 Bottles), Pursuit United Bourbon Finished with Toasted American and French Oak, V.Sattuui Madeira Wine

Description: A long-established practice in scotch, barrel finishing is a newer practice for whiskey but my oh my is it special! According to Whisky Advocate, “Today dozens of finishes, from port, tequila, and armagnac, to chardonnay and rhum agricole, offer bourbon lovers an array of new flavors to explore.” Join expert Kenny Coleman as he walks the audience through the wide variety of barrel finishes with some brands that are finishing it just right!

The Firkin Podcast LIVE: Every Drink Tells A Story with Kaveh Zamanian, Rabbit Hole

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Saturday, Sep 16, 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM

Moderator: Chris Blandford & Brian Probus

Special Guest: Kaveh Zamanian, Rabbit Hole Distillery

Pouring: Mary Dowling Tequila Finish, Rabbit Hole Bourbon & Beyond Single Barrel Pick

Description: There are odes, poems and songs written about love. But perhaps Bourbon company founder Kaveh Zamanian is the first person who can say a bourbon was created for it. A former clinical psychologist, he founded Rabbit Hole Distilling when his passion for bourbon took over when he fell in love for his wife from Louisville. Producing an impressive range of award-winning spirits, their bourbon and rye whiskies, as well as a gin and vodka expression, are all 100% Kentucky-made. You won’t regret going down this rabbit hole when the FIRKIN explores this upstart distillery and its founder.

Pappy and Company

Monogram Culinary Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Pappy and Co will take center stage to share how Bourbon can shape the taste Beyond what's poured in a glass!

Badass Bartenders & Bourbon

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 2:05 PM - 2:50 PM

Moderator: Ian Sulkowski, Brown-Forman Brand Ambassador

Panelists: SC Baker, Epiphany Bar and Winner of the B&B Cocktail Competition for “The Louisville”

Susie Hoyt, The Pearl

Lili McCabe Lambert, Galaxie Bar

Sherri Jenkins, Epiphany Bar, Freelancer, 2023 USBG Member of the Year

Pouring: Cocktails

Description: In 1948 a United States Supreme Court case upheld a Michigan law that prohibited women from bartending in all cities with a population of 50,000+ unless their father or husband owned the establishment. The state argued that the profession of bartending could lead to moral and social problems for women. Oh really?! Ruth Bader Ginsburg helped overturn that law in 1976 and my how times have changed! These badass bartenders are ruling the bars here in Louisville. Come for the conversation, stay for the cocktails.

Darnell SuperChef Ferguson x SelvaRey's Brian Klemm

Monogram Culinary Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 2:55 PM - 3:25 PM

Darnell 'SuperChef' Ferguson will take on the Monogram Culinary Stage with Brian Klemm of SelvaRey. These two will dish out delightful bites and beverages featuring the highest rated and most awarded Rums ever from SelvaRey Rum.

The Arcadian Wild

Bluegrass Situation Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

The Firkin Podcast LIVE: with Hailey Whitters

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 3:30 PM - 4:10 PM

Hosts: Chris Blandford & Brian Probus

Special Guest: Hailey Whitters

Pouring: Four Roses Barrel Strength Chris’ Pick, Four Roses Small Batch Select

Description: Give me a ‘FIRKIN’ break! B&B patrons will be the very first to see this popular podcast LIVE ON STAGE as hosts Chris Blandford & Brian Probus welcome viral country star and ACM New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters to sip bourbon and talk about “Everything She Ain’t” and all that she is as a country singer-songwriter.

The Perfect Pairing: Bourbon & Cheese

Monogram Culinary Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM

Panelists: Bernie Lubbers, Heaven Hill

Lisa Ueltschi, Murray’s Cheese Shop

Dewanna Walker, Murray’s Cheese Shop

Chef Amanda Freitag

Description: A chef, a bourbon expert, and a cheesemonger walk into a bar…you can imagine what happens next. It’s a food fight of the flavorful kind as the rich flavors of several bourbons are partnered with fanciful cheeses for delicious, mouth-watering goodness. Not only will you entice your friends to visit, but your next cheese board will thank you! The same flavor wheel profile. Lay them together. Opposites Attract.

Bourbon & Basketball

Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Panelists: Robbie Valentine, Chris West, Wiley Brown and Scooter McCray

Pouring: Michter’s Bourbon and Michter’s Rye

Description: Bourbon isn’t the only thing Kentucky is known for around the country. Bring up college basketball and everyone has a story to tell in this town. In 2012 when the University of Kentucky faced off against the University of Louisville, even the Mayors got involved sending each other bourbon gifts from their hometown as a good-natured taunt to make the loss go down easier. Join us to sip along with the 1980 and 1986 University of Louisville Championship basketball stars Robbie Valentine ’86, Chris West ’86, Wiley Brown ’80 and Scooter McCray ’80 who will share tales from their own glory days and why bourbon is still a favorite after the locker room.

Dan Tyminski

Bluegrass Situation Stage

Sunday, Sep 17, 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM