Bardstown, Ky. (March 5, 2026) - The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is preparing to celebrate its milestone 35^th anniversary this year, bringing bourbon enthusiasts from all over the globe to celebrate the spirited history and craft of bourbon during National Bourbon Heritage Month. Alongside the celebration, the festival announces its renewed sponsors and featured distillery. For more information, visit www.kybourbonfestival.com.

“The success of the festival in the past five years is thanks to the dedication of all the staff, board, distilleries, sponsors and volunteers who have worked diligently to create what is now widely considered the preeminent whiskey event in the world,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO of the festival. “The festival brings together more than 60 of the top bourbon brands, plus enthusiasts from across the globe.”

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is also proud to announce the return of several valued sponsors. The festival is presented by long-term sponsor The Koetter Group, a third generation-owned family business specializing in construction, real estate, building services and K-Rax premium spirits barrel storage systems. Joseph & Joseph Architects is the presenting partner of the VIP Penthouse, KPFF Consulting Engineers the presenting partner of the Great Tent and Oris, one of the few remaining independent Swiss luxury manufacturers of mechanical watches, is the official timepiece of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and sponsor of the Oris President’s Club.

This year’s featured distillery is New Riff Distilling, an independently-owned distillery in Northern Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country. The award-winning distillery is known for its bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, available nationwide.  

“The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is one of our cornerstone events each year,” said New Riff President Mollie Lewis. “We love having that face-to-face time to meet fans of the distillery — and make new ones! — in a setting unlike any other. We’re thrilled to be the featured distillery this year and can’t wait to celebrate KBF’s milestone anniversary with everyone in September.”

The 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival takes place Sept. 10-13, 2026, in Bardstown, Ky. An on-sale date for 2026 tickets will be announced in the future. Subscribers to the KBF e-newsletter receive advance notice of ticket sales, special events and other news.

About the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown, Ky.):
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sept. 10-13, 2026) is a celebration of Kentucky Bourbon and the Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, Kentucky. What began as a Bourbon tasting dinner has grown into a truly authentic experience that brings together bourbon enthusiasts from all over the world. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is one of the Commonwealth’s leading cultural festivals. For more information, visit kybourbonfestival.com.