Let me start off by mentioning Kentucky Peerless has a birthday coming up. I’m beyond thrilled with all the progress they have made over the last year and I cannot wait to buy that first bottle of whiskey next spring. Until then, go take a complimentary tour June 3rd!

I’ve covered a lot of ground this month and my calendar is telling me it’s not even over yet. In Louisville we always start May with Derby, but thanks to the Bourbon Boom of recent years it doesn’t seem to slow down anymore. Not that I’m complaining- I just haven’t had the chance to write about every single thing I’ve been doing lately. I can’t even fit it all into this post, so here are the highlights:

Blade and Bow Dinner at Stitzel-Weller

This fabulous feast was preceded by Blade and Bow cocktails and ended with a live concert by Dawes.

Premiere of Straight Up: Kentucky Bourbon

Documentary Filmmaker Eric Byford has been working on Straight Up: Kentucky Bourbon for over 2 years. It tells the story of bourbon in a real and complete way. Can’t wait for this to come out on DVD!

Toured Kentucky Artisan Distillery

This place has grown significantly since the last time I was there. They have built and filled a palletized warehouse and are about to add a fourth pot still. They can now serve whiskey for tastings after tours, so tourism has picked up significantly. If you haven’t yet visited the Kentucky Artisan Distillery now’s the time!

Bourbon And Cigar Pairing Study

I’ve been meeting with Michael Veach and Wayne Klawier to study bourbon and cigar pairings. May’s pairing was Surrogates Animal Cracker and 5 bourbons. Check out the results over at Michael Veach‘s website.

Lucky Happy Hour At Kentucky Peerless With The Whisky Chicks

What’s better than meeting your girlfriends at a distillery after work for cocktails and a tour? Kentucky Peerless is making great whiskey and I can’t wait for it to hit shelves soon. The next Whisky Chicks event is the Bourbon Curious Mix and Mingle June 9 at Liquor Barn Springhurst.

The Bourbon Salon at Oxmoor Farm

This was the last Bourbon Salon with the Filson Historical Society at Oxmoor Farm. The topic was the Maker’s 46 Private Barrel Selection Program. Bill Samuels, Jr. was hilarious as always and Jane Conner knows more about various wood staves than any one person I know. Maker’s Mark in the house!

Spoke with Woodford Reserve Master Taster Elizabeth O’Neill

Like many of the top folks in the bourbon industry today, O’Neill didn’t set off in her career with this job title at Woodford Reserve Distillery in mind. Look for the story soon on The Whiskey Wash.

Checked Up On Castle and Key Distillery

The progress being made at Castle and Key is exciting. These folks want to restore this place to glory and do Colonel E.H. Taylor’s vision justice. I can’t wait to see where this project goes. Look for the story soon on Kentucky for Kentucky.

Historic Flights at The Silver Dollar

This was the first of Michael Veach’s monthly series at The Silver Dollar. Check their Facebook page for more info about the next class or follow Bourbon Veach.

Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl