Heaven Hill Scores at Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2024
This year’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, KY was a standout event and as the 2024 presenting festival sponsor, Heaven Hill was front and center, making a lasting impression on all 6,200 ticketed attendees and the many others who attended associated festivities.
Nearly 2,000 visitors attended events at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience (HHBE) over the course of the three-day festival. A highlight of the visitor center’s involvement was the revival of “Bourbon, Cigars, and Jazz” at the HHBE for the first time since 2019, with 400 guests enjoying a memorable evening of Bourbon and live music.
Our participation extended beyond the HHBE, with our team contributing to a variety of festival events. Our Co-Presidents Kate and Allan Latts, Executive Chairman Max Shapira and his wife Ellen Shapira participated in a main stage panel, which highlighted Heaven Hill’s rich, family-owned and led history.
Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll led tastings, participated in discussions on the future of whiskey, and hosted exclusive experiences for Bourbon enthusiasts. Notably, Bernie Lubbers shared the rich history of Bottled-in-Bond whiskey during a special tasting, which included Heaven Hill BIB and the rare Old Fitzgerald BIB. General Manager HHBE Josh Hollifield also participated in a main stage panel.
The World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay was one of the largest to date, with 10 distilleries competing.
Our teams delivered strong performances, with the men’s team, Michael Keeling, Tyler Wethington, Trevor Prewitt, David Hoffman, and Tyler Jones, finishing in 3rd place with a time of -47.29.
Our individual competitors also made impressive showings with Michael Keeling placed 3rd in the men’s individual event with a time of -31.59, and Taler Snellen, competing in her first individual event, placing 3rd in the women’s division with a time of 1.56.
Additionally, on the Bourbon Festival lawn, Heaven Hill hosted three incredible experiences that drew in record sales and enthusiastic crowds. A special thank you goes out to everyone who hosted and put together the eye-catching Heaven Hill Bourbon tasting, showroom and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience booths.
