For Immediate Release – May 21, 2015

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Eight of the country’s most prestigious Bourbon authors will be featured at “Bourbon Under the Rocks,” the opening ceremony for this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Affair, where they will talk about their books, sign autographs and discuss America’s only native spirit.
“Bourbon isn’t just a drink anymore: it’s also a cookbook, travel guide, entertainment manual, history lesson, cocktail compendium and more,” said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
“This is a great opportunity to meet these famous Bourbon experts in one setting and get autographed copies of their best-selling books,” Gregory said. “Plus, you get to sample some daring Kentucky Bourbon cocktails in a 100-acre limestone cave. How cool is that?”
 
The event is Wednesday, June 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Louisville Mega Cavern

Tickets are available at www.kybourbonaffair.com.

Books will be available on-site for purchase.
 
Featured authors will include:
 
Tim Laird, author of “That’s Entertaining!” and “That’s Entertaining! Cocktails and Appetizers.” Laird, Chief Entertaining Officer for Brown-Forman Corp., is a connoisseur of fine wines, spirits and champagnes, a gourmet chef, and a master at entertaining and execution with more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He is a veteran of television and radio having appeared on The Tonight Show, CNN, FOX News Network, The Today Show and many others. Laird also hosts Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs, Secrets of Louisville Chefs Live and Secrets of Resort Chefs weekly TV shows in Kentucky.

Bernie Lubbers, author of “Bourbon Whiskey – Our Native Spirit.” Known more informally as “The Whiskey Professor,” Lubbers is the International Brand Ambassador for Heaven Hill Brands, Inc. Before Bourbon, he spent 20 years traveling the country as a stand-up comedian. As a result, his whiskey tastings are not only informative, but a lot of fun. Lubbers hosts the popular website WhiskeyProf.com and is a contributing writer for DrinkWire/Liquor.com. Lubbers lives in Louisville, Ky.

Fred Minnick, author of “Whiskey Women: The Untold Truth About How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch & Irish Whiskey” and the upcoming “Bourbon Curious: A Simple Tasting Guide for the Savvy Drinker.” Ascot-wearing Minnick has been writing for newspapers and magazines since he was 15 and currently contributes to Parade Magazine, USA Today, Scientific American, Whisky Magazine and Whisky Advocate, among others. He has published three books, including the Wall Street Journal bestseller “Camera Boy: An Army Journalist’s War in Iraq” and “Whiskey Women.” He lives in Louisville and can be found at fredminnick.com.

Susan Reigler, author of “Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide” and co-author of “The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book.” From 1992 to 2007, Reigler was a restaurant critic, beverage columnist and travel writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal. She has been a regional judge for the James Beard Foundation Restaurant Awards since 1997 and is the current President of the Bourbon Women Association. She has conducted many bourbon tastings to benefit non-profit organizations, written about Bourbon for Malt Advocate and Wine Enthusiast and boasts three other books on Kentucky travel and cuisine. She is co-author of the forthcoming Bourbon Tasting Notebook with Mike Veach.

Noah Rothbaum is the author of the new book, “The Art of American Whiskey: A Visual History of the Nation’s Most Storied Spirit, through 100 Iconic Labels.” He is the former editor-in-chief of Liquor.com and the author of The Business of Spirits: How Savvy Marketers, Innovative Distillers, and Entrepreneurs Changed How We Drink. He has spoken at Tales of the Cocktail, the Rochester Cocktail Revival and the National Restaurant Association Show.

Albert Schmid, author of “The Kentucky Bourbon Cookbook,” has worked as an executive chef and currently is a Professor and the Director of the Hotel-Restaurant Management and Hospitality Management Departments at Sullivan University’s National Center for Hospitality Management Schmid lives in Louisville and also is the author of “The Hospitality Manager’s Guide to Wines, Beers and Spirits” and “The Old Fashioned: An Essential Guide to the Original Whiskey Cocktail!”

Mike Veach, author of “Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage,” is a 2006 member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and currently works as the acclaimed Bourbon historian at The Filson Historical Society in Louisville. Veach can often be found conducting tasting and history events for a variety of charitable organizations and educating hospitality groups through The Filson’s Bourbon Academy. A native of Louisville, he is co-author of the forthcoming Bourbon Tasting Notebook with Susan Reigler.

Molly Wellmann, author of “Handcrafted Cocktails: The Mixologist’s Guide to Classic Drinks for Morning, Noon & Night.” Wellmann is a self-taught mixologist in Cincinnati who has immersed herself in the history and proper preparation of classic cocktails. She is co-owner of Japp’s, Neons Unplugged and Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar. The Cincinnati native uses classic cocktails as a base for creating new and innovative drinks containing simple syrups, bitters, liquors and fresh juices she makes herself – and has been voted Best Mixologist/Bartender for CityBeat magazine the last five years.

 
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair is a five-day Bourbon fantasy camp that will be held June 3-7, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and events at the most famous Bourbon distilleries in the world. It’s the only whiskey event created and executed by the distilleries themselves.
The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official Host City sponsor, showcasing the city’s unique urban Bourbon experiences and burgeoning culinary scene.
Kentucky Proud is sponsoring farm-fresh ingredients from savory Bourbon-inspired food pairings to cocktail components and even an on-site farmer’s market.
And, the Kentucky Bourbon Affair will benefit three groups involving retired racehorses, forestry research and a support fund for employees of a recent distillery accident.
“The Kentucky Bourbon Affair is a classic, unforgettable Bourbon lover’s dream. It’s a great escape to experience the art and science of crafting the world’s finest whiskey, our genteel Southern hospitality and Louisville’s passionate spirit. Get your tickets today.”