Between Two Barrels will be hosted at the Pursuit Spirits booth on both Friday and Saturday of the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, featuring 10-15 minute sessions every hour. These concise, impactful presentations will cover a diverse range of bourbon-related topics, from industry history to cocktail crafting.
This event is free for all Kentucky Bourbon Festival attendees.
DAILY SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
1:00 PM
Drinking Less While Still DrinkinG
Chris Blatner / @urbanbourbonist
Explore the concept of mindful drinking—how we can enjoy the pleasures of alcohol, particularly whiskey, while embracing a lifestyle of moderation. The focus is on the growing trend of “session cocktails,” lower ABV (Alcohol by Volume) drinks that allow you to savor the complexity and flavors of whiskey without the intensity of high-proof cocktails. The goal is to shift the narrative from abstinence to balance, encouraging a more thoughtful approach to drinking that aligns with modern wellness trends.
2:00 PM
Origins of the 3 tier system of distribution
Jacob Kiper / @comingwhiskey
The 3-tier system of distribution may seem counterproductive in 2024, but it was installed for good reason. This session will explore Pre-Prohibition America and the tied-house saloon model that necessitated the development of the 3-tier system that has been largely intact since 1934.
3:00 PM
Living The Bourbon Life: Turning A Passion Into a Way of Life
Mark Rucker / @the_bourbon_life
Join Mark Rucker, the Creator of The Bourbon Life Podcast, as he shares his story of how his passion for three things: photography, Bourbon, and his home state, Kentucky – has led him on an exciting journey in the Bourbon world and helped him create one of the most popular Bourbon podcasts in the world. He’ll share the stories of the ups and downs of creating The Bourbon Life brand and will also take a look into the future of the Bourbon world and share his thoughts on where we are headed.
4:00 PM
Whiskey Content Creation 101
Tyler Zoller / @louisvillebourbonbuzz
Learn what it takes to create content and build a following in the whiskey space. Whether you’re an aspiring content creator or looking to refine your existing approach, this session will provide valuable tips and strategies to help elevate your whiskey content game.
5:00 PM
Bourbon Women Secrets: Selecting the Perfect Bourbon for Your Cocktail
Heather Wibbels / @cocktail_contessa
Ready to mix up something special? Bourbon cocktails shouldn’t be mysterious! This session reveals the inside scoop on choosing the right bourbon for your favorite cocktails. Learn how to match flavors, balance your drink, and impress your friends with every pour.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
1:00 PM
The Price is Right… Sometimes
Chris Chapanar / @whiskey_noobs
Overpaying for bourbon is easy to do with the current state of the industry, and you don’t want to get caught spending too much money on a bottle that disappoints you. An opportunity to try a bourbon is an opportunity to make sure that doesn’t happen. Getting the most out of your tastings with methods such as blind reviewing can completely change the way you view the value of a bourbon – both to you personally, and to the overall market.
2:00 PM
Making Cocktails Easy
Chad and Sara / @itsbourbonnight
At-home Old Fashioneds with our Elemental Elixir “Golden Hour” Cocktail Syrup + Pursuit Spirits.
3:00 PM
Why are we trying to kill craft whiskey distilleries?
TJ Gamble / @brewzle
The spirits industry has built itself on a distribution system that puts small distilleries at a severe disadvantage. It takes a level of investment and capital that many small boot-strapped distilleries do not possess to even attempt to break into new markets. We then pair this system with outdated (and well-lobbied and entrenched) laws that prevent these businesses from having a direct relationship with consumers. I’m not sure we could make it more difficult for small distilleries to thrive if we tried.
4:00 PM
From One Mash Bill Many Bourbons Are Born
Frank Dobbins / @bourbyourenthusiasm
Many of the bourbon world’s most popular brands use a single mash bill to create several expressions, but how do they do it? For this session I’ll talk about the brands who are using a single mash bill to produce multiple bourbon offerings, often with wildly different price points, proofs, and perceived qualities.
5:00 PM
SPICES AND WHISKEY: A sensory experience
Jack Beguedou / @hood_sommelier
How we should pay more attention to our spice cabinet as whiskey educators.