By Jen Roytz
Typically it's Lexington that's known for combining fast horses and smooth bourbon, but this week The Big Easy is putting both front and center, playing host to not only the GII Louisiana Derby, but the New Orleans Bourbon Festival.
Presented by Beam Suntory on March 20-23, the New Orleans Bourbon Festival will be a coming together of many of the world's finest bourbons and New Orleans finest cuisines, as well as live music, culture and more.
“The New Orleans Bourbon Festival couldn't come at a better time with the Louisiana Derby happening the same week,” said Tracy Napolitano, who, along with his wife, brought the festival to the area three years ago in an effort to connect the city with bourbon's Kentucky and French roots. “We will have seminars with legendary distillers from around the country, many of whom are based in Kentucky, bourbon pairing dinners at some of the city's top restaurants, fine bourbon and cuisine tastings and more.”
The festival's schedule includes the V. I. P. Bourbon and Burlesque Show, “From Bourbon Street to Bourbon Country – The Ultimate Road Trip Experience,” the Bourbon Women V.I.P Lounge and the Jim Beam Bourbon Brawl, a cocktail-crafting competition featuring bartenders from around the country. The festival will also include tastings and seminars, as well as bourbon and dinner pairings at many of the city's top restaurants.
“Kentucky is considered both bourbon and horse country, but this week New Orleans is going to take that title,” said Hayley Amoss of Estes Public Relations. The daughter of trainer Tom Amoss handles public relations for the Festival on behalf of the Louisville-based PR firm. “Those who are coming to town for a few days for the races and are looking for something to do have the opportunity to meet bourbon legends, attend seminars and enjoy bourbon tastings before they head to the track to watch one of the Kentucky Derby's largest prep races.”
For more information on the New Orleans Bourbon Festival or to purchase tickets to any of the special events, go to neworleansbourbonfestival.com.
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