BourbonCon returns to Lexington with 40+ distilleries, chef’s dinners, VIP pours
BourbonCon, a two-day celebration of Kentucky’s favorite spirit, returns to Lexington next week.
The 2025 event will be Jan. 17 and 18 at Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa for the third year in a row.
Tickets are on sale at Bourboncon.com. Prices range from $139 per person for a Friday-only pass without VIP upgrade to $2,500 Platinum+ for two, which includes all-access passes as well as VIP, dinner, autographed bottles and books and more.
This year’s BourbonCon offers a chance to sample bourbons, whiskey and ryes from over 40 partners including Paul Sutton Bourbon, Angel’s Envy, Barrel House Distilling, Limestone Branch, RD One, Fresh Bourbon, Peerless, Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, Lux Row, James E. Pepper, 2XO, Mary Dowling, Whiskey Thief Distilling, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Suntory Global Spirits, 15 Stars and more.
There also will be a cooking demonstration again this year. James Beard Award-winning chef and Food Network’s Extreme Chef Anthony Lamas will join Bourbon Hall of Famer and founder of Bourbon Women Peggy Noe Stevens. There will be photo opportunities and a cookbook signing after the demonstration.
You can also hear from distillery experts and ambassadors during breakout sessions and discussions.
Extra experiences include Friday night’s Taste of Kentucky Pop-Up Dinner.
On Saturday night, chef Ouita Michel and Myra Barginear, founder and CEO of Paul Sutton Bourbon, will explore bourbon flavors during a four-course bourbon-inspired inner and tasting.
There will be a VIP tasting lounge with a selection of rare and allocated bourbons, as well as live music in a speakeasy ambiance.
And local bartenders will compete in a mixologist competition to see who can create the best bourbon cocktail, based on taste, appearance, creativity and speed. The winner gets $1,000 and a chance for the winning cocktail to be featured on the menu in the hotel restaurant, Bluegrass Bistro.
BourbonCon Lexington 2025
When: Jan. 17 & 18
Where: Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Resort & Spa
Tickets: $139-$2,500 at BourbonConLex.com
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
