The Way forward for Bourbon Fests & Tendencies

However does such enthusiasm actually mirror the well being of the bourbon class? Are occasions just like the Bourbon Pageant and WhiskeyFest and myriad different whiskey-centric occasions across the nation actually indicative of the class’s well being?

In case you’ve by no means listened to the Bourbon Pursuit podcast, do your self a favor and tune in to this most up-to-date episode. In it, hosts Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil ask their group roundtable if the well being of U.S. whiskey festivals displays the general wellness of the American whiskey trade. Per standard, the roundtable members’ feedback have been insightful, and in abstract, because it pertains to the current and profitable 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Pageant (KYBF) in Bardstown, Ky., they view causation as correlation.

The podcast occurred simply days after Cecil and Coleman (additionally house owners of Pursuit Spirits) reported what they skilled on the KYBF. Calling them enthusiastic about it’s an understatement.

Cecil mentioned he was “blown away” by the crowds and the variety of bottles of Pursuit United whiskeys they bought there over the KYBF’s three-and-a-half days. They pointed to a strong quantity of bourbon-centric schooling occasions on supply, in addition to many alternatives to purchase single barrels, uncommon bottles and hard-to-find allotted bottles.

One among them talked about assembly attendees from Eire and Australia—journeys that Cecil estimated price “1000’s of {dollars}”—simply to come back drink, rejoice and expertise bourbon.

I do some work for the competition, so I noticed that occur up shut. The sellout crowd of seven,000 individuals have been clearly happy to be there. On supply have been an estimated 250 merchandise poured by 62 collaborating distilleries, and bottle gross sales have been sturdy. Individuals who didn’t get a locker reserved willingly dragged round sacks filled with glass-encased liquid all the day. In case you have been there that weekend and never happy about it, one thing is flawed with you.

However does such enthusiasm actually mirror the well being of the bourbon class? Are occasions just like the Bourbon Pageant and WhiskeyFest and myriad different whiskey-centric occasions across the nation actually indicative of the class’s well being? Or are they mere micro-examples of the leisure selections of hard-core lovers solely?

Imagine me, the large image topic broached usually was the overall gross sales droop within the class. American whiskey is down, however so are gross sales (to a higher or lesser diploma) of each different grownup beverage. In case you’re a daily reader of BourbonBanter.com, you’re in all probability nonetheless out shopping for such as you did earlier than Covid. However I do agree with researchers who say common drinkers are nonetheless whittling away at their Covid-era booze stashes.

A current report from the Distilled Spirit Counsel U.S. (DISCUS) claimed that “authorized ingesting age shoppers aren’t going out as a lot” as a result of they’ve decreased their discretionary spending on alcohol. As any bar or restaurant operator they usually’ll inform you that is true. And that leads me to view this as a extra correct perspective of the larger image well being of the trade.

This yr’s KYBF was a gathering of happy-happy individuals collaborating in a shared love of American whiskey, a gathering of strangers who made buddies with anyone inside attain. Whiskey is the tie that binds right here, in fact, however there’s deeper worth if you get to share that with different people. When whiskey will get social, whiskey is at its most pleasant.

However are all these good feels actually an correct measurement of the well being of the American whiskey class?

I’m a bit skeptical, frankly, however skepticism is a part of a journalist’s DNA. However should you hearken to Cecil and Coleman’s pleasure on the podcast, chances are you’ll suppose in any other case. Make sure you test it out. You received’t remorse it.