LIVE PANEL SERIES
THE Bourbon:30 SHOW
People come to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival to sip whiskey and meet the people who make it, sell it, market it and promote it.
Those stories are told each year on The Bourbon:30 Show, a series of thirteen 30-minute-long live panel discussions held over three days featuring interesting and influential whiskey leaders representing every part of this expansive industry.
What Created the Bourbon Bubble, and Could It Still Burst?
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on where bourbon sales are globally today, and what lies ahead for the future. Joining him are:
- Gigi DaDan, general manager, Angel’s Envy & D’USSE
- Chuck Cowdery, author, “Bourbon Straight”
- Kyle Swartz, editor, Beverage Dynamics
- Janet Patton, reporter, Lexington Herald-Leader.
Full Throttle or Easy Does it? The Risk of Growing Brands Too Quickly or Slowly
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on how these panelists approached growing their now-successful whiskey brands. Joining him are:
- Zach Hargis, president, Silk Velvet Whiskey
- Kim Bard, co-founder, The Bard Distillery
- Walter Zausch, Owner, Whiskey Thief Distillery
- Autumn Nethery, VP of operations, Jeptha Creed Distillery.
Go to the Source! How Contract Distillers and NDPs View Bulk Whiskey
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on how hundreds of non-distilling producers find contract producers to make their whiskies for them. Joining him are:
- Craig Beam, master distiller, Jackson Purchase Distillery
- Chase Hazelbaker, president, The Barrel Connection
- Jade Peterson, master distiller, Kentucky Artisan Distillery
- Jeremy Kassler, CEO, CaskX
Is Older Whiskey Really Better?
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on the beneficial impact of age on whiskey, but also the risk of letting it rest longer in the barrel. Joining him are:
- Ross Cornelissen, master distiller, Barton 1792 Distillery
- Beth Buckner, lead blender, Mark’s Mark Distillery
- Jarred Bickel, director of customer relations, Bespoken Spirits
A Celebration of Women in Whiskey
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on the growing number of women leaders in the American whiskey industry. Joining him are:
- Marci Palatella, founder, Preservation Distillery + Farm
- Peggy Noe Stevens, founder, Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates
- Jane Bowie, owner and founder, Potter Jane Distillery
- Andrea Wilson, master of maturation, Michter’s Distillery
- Hannah Lowen, CEO, New Riff Distilling Co.
- Sherrie Moore, plant manager, Castle & Key Distillery
The Psychology of Scarcity: How FOMO Drives Whiskey Sales
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on how buyers’ fears of missing out on great bottles drives them to panic buy, and how those purchases impact sales forecasts and trends. Joining him are:
- Kyle Swartz, editor, Beverage Dynamics
- Mike Fisk, CEO, Evergreen Liquors
- Chrissy Cortese, key accounts manager, Castle & Key
- Jeff Crowe, director of experiences, Heaven Hill Distillery
“Look! Something New!” Does Product Innovation Build Sales?
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on how well new and innovative whiskey products create consumer excitement, while spurring short and long-term sales. Joining him are
- Blake Layfield, master distiller, Maker’s Mark Distillery
- Dave Bob Gaspar, head of distilling, Town Branch Distillery
- Heather Greene, CEO, Milam & Greene Whiskey
Mythbusting! Dispelling Bourbon Lore
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on whiskey myths, how they came to be, whether there’s any truth in them or whether they’re just fun. Joining him are:
- Chuck Cowdery, author, “Bourbon Straight”
- Chris Morris, master distiller emeritus, Brown-Forman
- Bernie Lubbers, whiskey ambassador emeritus, Heaven Hill Distillery
Here’s Laughing at You, Kid: A Chat with Comedian, Fathertime Bourbon Founder, Jim Gaffigan
In this discussion, Steve Coomes will talk with Jim Gaffigan about how Covid shutdowns triggered his interest in bourbon, and how that became an obsession that led to the launch of his own brand, Fathertime Bourbon.
The New Riff Story
Moderators Chuck Cowdery and Patrick “Pops” Garrett will lead this discussion on the founding and growth of one of Kentucky’s most innovative distilleries. Joining them on the panel are New Riff leaders:
- Ken Lewis, founder
- Mollie Lewis, president
- Bryan Sprance, master distiller
- Creola Dickerson, lead single barrel ambassador
Tourism: Our Favorite Kentucky Whiskey Experiences and Why
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on where to find the most interesting and exciting bourbon tourism experiences in the Bluegrass State.
Joining him:
- Aaron and Amy DuVall, owners
- Date List Louisville
- Claudia Coffey, host of The Best Bet Podcast
Whiskey Writers’ and Influencers’ Panel: Stay or Go?
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this always entertaining discussion about what bourbon trends should stay and grow, and which need to go.
Joining him are:
- Jesse Jones, owner, Bourbon Showdown Podcast
- Sara Havens, journalist, Bourbon + magazine
- Claudia Coffey, The Best Bet Podcast
- David Thomas Tao, journalist VinePair.com
Time for a Change: Upgrading to Your Ideal Bourbon World
Moderator Steve Coomes will lead this discussion on what our whiskey media panel wants from an ideal bourbon world.
Joining him are:
- Jake Lewellen, co-owner, Bourbon Lens Podcast;
- Christy Pruitt-Haynes, owner, The Whiskey and Cigar Chic;
- Patrick “Pops” Garrett, owner, BourbonBanter.com’
- David Thomas Tao, journalist, VinePair.com