Bourbon and Time 2019
Bourbon and Time
Last weekend Eric, better known as Scotch and Time, took a break from his namesake spirit to host the first annual Bourbon and Time event in the heart of bourbon country. His invite-only events, invite social media influencers from across the country to take part in incredible experiences hosted by some of the biggest names in the industry. As Eric says, he is a connector not an influencer, for Bourbon and Time he connected some of the biggest and largest growing names in bourbon with some of their biggest admirers from across the country.
Day 1
The event blazed into action with an exclusive tasting of Coopers Craft and a tour of the Brown Forman Cooperage. Where we got to watch coopers construct After the tour we got on our beautiful bus from Pegasus Distilled to relax with a lovely pour on the way to Bardstown Bourbon Company for a reception with industry legends Al Young whiskey legend, Mark and Sherri Carter (founders of Old Carter), the entire Bardstown Bourbon Company team (David Mandell President and CEO, Dan Callaway Cocktail Expert, Steve Nally Master Distiller, and John Hargrove VP of Manufacturing Operations ), Nate Woodruff from Whistle Pig, and many more.
It was impossible to pick a favorite experiencing one exclusive pour after another, many yet to be released to the public. We all drank Al Young 50th Anniversary Four Roses with Al Young! Some of the other highlights of the night included Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaboration Pre-release, a pour of Whistle Pig so secret we were not allowed to know the name or age, and a beautiful pour of a nicely aged Old Carter. Luckily for everyone there, we had an unlimited supply of Oak and Bond coffee and delicious food from the Bottled in Bond kitchen to keep us going for the entire weekend. At the end of this lovely experience, we boarded our tour bus back to Louisville.
Day 2
Then began the day of surprises! We went back to Bardstown Bourbon Company for a tour from the Master Distiller and President of the Company. As we walked through, we got one surprise after another. The first surprise of the morning was when we walked down the stairs to see pours of Old Crow limited edition Chessmen. I have expressed my love to several whiskeys over the years, but I was ready to propose to this pour.
Our tour continued through to the beautiful rick house; we continued our tour to the top for our second surprise. When we got to the sixth floor of the rick house, we found three barrels complete with bung puller and barrel thief. We got to pick a Bourbon and Time! We all took tasting notes on each and voted on a barrel that the group will get to sample each year until it is ready to go into the bottle. Once it is ready the entire Bourbon and Time crew will receive a bottle.
The afternoon continued into Whiskey Masters Classes starting with you guessed it Bardstown Bourbon Company, they introduced us to their new make (unaged whiskey) and discussed the creative, collaborative ethos that leads them to create their delicious blends. The day continued with class after class from New Riff, Old Carter, Wilderness Trail, Woodinville Whiskey, and a surprise visit from Copper and Kings. Every class was terrific and taught by the Founders, Master Distillers, or National Brand Ambassadors. They were fun and informative and of course, taught while we experienced delicious pour after delicious pour.
We finished the day at Bardstown Bourbon Company and took a tour of their vintage collection! I could live in the vault! It has more antique bottles than I have ever seen in one place. Woodinville whiskey continued their tasting on the bus ride back to Louisville. In the spirit of the day of surprises, Pegasus Distilled had limos and party buses waiting to take us out on the town! We separated into groups to enjoy a fantastic night out in our luxury rides.
Day 3
The next morning began our day of tours starting with a quick stop at Wild Turkey gift shop on our way to Four Roses. We received an exclusive tour of Four Roses; we even got to see their protect cypress mash tubs. We finished the tour with yet another limited pour and a beautiful toast from the man himself, Scotch and Time. Then we hopped on the bus for yet another surprise. We took a break for bourbon to enjoy a pour of Yamazaki 18, thanks to @doctorvikram, on our way to the Michter’s Distillery
Their new Master Distiller Dan Mckee greeted us at the door. He took us on a dream tour complete with sensory training and a special tasting. In real Bourbon and Time fashion, we received yet another surprise, a pour of Michter’s 20 year. Yes, it is as delicious as you always dreamed it would be! They truly pulled all the stops ending with a custom Scotch and Time cocktail menu, complete with beautifully crafted cocktails.
Last but not least, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company took us through the distillery for yet another exclusive tour, where we got to listen to the best distillery story in Kentucky. We ended in their tasting room to sample several single barrels ryes and their bourbon that was released less a month ago. After Peerless Pegasus Distilled taking us all to dinner for a final toast and goodbyes.
The weekend was truly excellent in every way. Scotch and Time outdid himself, and all of the sponsors did a spectacular job of making all of us feel like part of the family. A huge thank you to Bardstown Bourbon Company, Pegasus Distilled, Michter’s Whiskey, and Oak and Bond Coffee for keeping us fed, caffeinated, and ensured that we made it everywhere safely throughout the weekend.
I am off to do some Yoga and write about all I learned during Bourbon and Time! Cheers!