2025 New Orleans Bourbon Festival: Full Schedule

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10:00am CDT

Martin Duffy - Glencairn Crystal

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - New Levee

Speakers

Martin C. Duffy

US Brand Representative, Glencairn Crystal

Martin C. Duffy, Whisk(e)y Educator, is an internationally known spirits educator and enthusiast. His appreciation of adult libations started during his early years as a bartender and continues on to this very day. A stellar presenter on the finer qualities of spirits (ham always... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - New Levee 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

10:00am CDT

Mike Hiatt - The Whiskey Trip

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Julia

Speakers

Michael Hiatt

The Whiskey Trip

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Julia 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

10:00am CDT

Potter Jane Distilling Company

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (D,E,F)

Speakers

Jane Bowie

Potter Jane Distilling Company

Jane is a 16-year Veteran of the Spirits Industry, which is a miracle since she didn’t really want the first distillery job she applied for. Working and traveling abroad was her only priority until her mom saw an ad in the local paper for a position at Maker’s Mark Distillery... Read More →

Denny Potter

Potter Jane Distilling Company

A 26 year “world class bullshitter” in the Spirits Industry, Denny’s first paid job in whisky was as a lab tech at the Jim Beam Distillery in 1998. His years of being curious and disciplined took him from quality to wastewater and eventually put him in his dream job running... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (D,E,F) 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

10:00am CDT

Seven-Three Distillery

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom I

Join Seven Three Distilling Co.'s Head Distiller, Luka Cutura, for a fascinating deep dive into Bourbon's storied past. While Bourbon County, KY, is known as the birthplace of America's favorite whiskey, it was the journey - "by water" on riverboat down the Mississippi to a bustling New Orleans neighborhood - that truly shaped the spirit we know today.

Speakers

Adam Fayard

Brand Director, Seven-Three Distilling Company

As Brand Director, Adam brings over a decade of experience in both marketing and sales of wine and spirits. Born and raised in Slidell, Adam has always had deep roots in New Orleans from business relationships to his love of the city's food and culture. After selling wine and spirits... Read More →

Luka Cutura

Head Distiller / General Manager, Seven-Three Distilling Company

Luka Cutura began his distilling career at Seven three Distilling Co. Luka’s family hails from northern Croatia and Bosnia where they not only cultivated corn and wheat, but also oversaw vineyards where wine making and distilling spirits became part of the family’s culture... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom I

General Seminar

10:00am CDT

The Art of Pairing Bourbon and Cigars

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Courtyard

Please join American Whiskey Magazine content editor and World Whiskies Co-Chair Maggie Kimberl as she guides you through her method for finding your favorite bourbon and cigar pairing.

Speakers

Maggie Kimberl

Writer, Blogger, Cigar Aficionado, Author

Maggie Kimberl is a bourbon writer focusing on bourbon culture and tourism in Louisville and Kentucky. When she's not covering the bourbon beat you can find her browsing through vintage vinyl with her kids or tending to her homegrown tomatoes. Follow her on Twitter https://twitte... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Courtyard 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar, Cigar

11:15am CDT

Bourbon 101: A Class for Forgetters and Beginners

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton

A true 101 course. Are you an expert with a couple of holes in your memory? This is your all-purpose refresher course to top off your bourbon-brain. Or are you just getting into whiskey but would love it if someone could just break it all down in a way that's quick and easy? This is your chance to get up to speed before the next bourbon tasting so you can sound like a grizzled old bourbon nerd!
This class tackles the grains, the history, the tasting notes, and why so many brown liquors can call themselves whiskey, but bourbon remains in a category all by itself.

Speakers

Matt Ray

Experience Ambassador - Team Lead, Sazerac House

Matt Ray is the Team Lead of the museum at the Sazerac House in New Orleans, where he is responsible for the tours, tastings, and education. A former bartender and high school educator, he now works with the Sazerac Company to help demystify spirits so everyone can have a little more... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

11:15am CDT

Bourbon thru Bluegrass/Heaven Hill Distillery

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (A,B,C)

Imagine a Ken Burns documentary on bourbon brought to life through live bluegrass music. Then all throughtout the performance, you actually experience the evolution of bourbon by tasting the different whiskies and bourbon that folks were drinking starting back in the 1700's, move on to what they were drinking throughout the 1800's, all the way up through present day, and you have, Bourbon Thru Bluegrass.

Speakers

Bernie Lubbers

The Whiskey Professor, Heaven Hill Brands

Known as The Whiskey Professor, Bernie Lubbers is the Global Whiskey Ambassador for the family owned and operated Heaven Hill located in Bardstown and Louisville, KY; the largest American owned bourbon company, and holders of 25% of the world's aging bourbon. He hosts the popular... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (A,B,C) 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar, Music

11:15am CDT

Mike Veach - 20th Century Distilling History

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Delta Queen

Speakers

Michael Veach

Bourbon Historian, Author, Bourbon Veach LLC

Michael Veach was the luckiest student at the University of Louisville's History department when he accepted a job as North American Archivist for United Distillers in 1991. The knowledge learned while spending five years at that position has made him a leading authority on the history... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Delta Queen 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

11:15am CDT

Pinhook - Sean Josephs

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Tchoupitoulas

Speakers

Sean Josephs

Founder & Master Blender, Pinhook Bourbon

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Tchoupitoulas 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

11:15am CDT

Trey Zoeller , Jefferson's Bourbon , Founder of Jefferson's Bourbon

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom II

Speakers

Trey Zoeller

Founder of Jefferson's Bourbon, Jefferson's Bourbon

Friday March 21, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom II

General Seminar

1:00pm CDT

Andrea Meriwether - Bourbon & Bubbles

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton

Speakers

Andrea Meriwether

Andrea is a career professional in hospitality workforce development , tourism development, and experiential marketing design. As a Louisville native Andrea is passionate about advocating for the historic preservation of Black and Brown contributions and spaces in the hospitality... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

1:00pm CDT

Angel's Envy

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (A,B,C)

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (A,B,C) 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

1:00pm CDT

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Master Blender, Drew Mayville

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom I

Speakers

Drew Mayville

Master Blender, Buffalo Trace Distillery

Drew Mayville has more 40 years of experience with some of the largest companies in the beverage alcohol industry. Drew joined Sazerac (at its Buffalo Trace Distillery location) in 2004 as the Master Blender and Director of Quality. The vast breadth of his experience comes from almost... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom I

General Seminar

1:00pm CDT

Jamar Mack - Bourbon & Benevolence

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Julia

Learn information and tips on how to build relationships with some of your favorite brands. Enjoy a single barrel flight during the panel discussion with special guest speakers.

Speakers

Jamar Mack

K.O.B.B.E

Founder of the Kentucky’s Original Black Bourbon Enthusiasts (K.O.B.B.E.)

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Julia 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

1:00pm CDT

The Art of Pairing Bourbon and Cigars

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Courtyard

Please join American Whiskey Magazine content editor and World Whiskies Co-Chair Maggie Kimberl as she guides you through her method for finding your favorite bourbon and cigar pairing.

Speakers

Maggie Kimberl

Writer, Blogger, Cigar Aficionado, Author

Friday March 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Courtyard 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar, Cigar

2:15pm CDT

Chicken Cock Whiskey

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

2:15pm CDT

Cocktails by Four Roses

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (D,E,F)

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (D,E,F) 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

2:15pm CDT

Mike & Matt Hard Truth Whiskey

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Delta Queen

Mike and Matt lead a tasting of three whiskies made at the Leiper's Fork Distillery in Tennessee. They will taste two whiskies with dried cranberries, pecans and chocolate kisses.

Speakers

Michael Veach

Bourbon Historian, Author, Bourbon Veach LLC

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Delta Queen 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

2:15pm CDT

Penelope Bourbon - The Estate Collection - A journey of the founders principals.

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom II

In this session you will discover how the team’s journey lead to the release of the founders series of 11 years .. and what the future holds at Penelope.

Speakers

Matt Ward

Vice President of Brand Strategy, Penelope Bourbon

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom II

General Seminar

2:15pm CDT

The Greatest Stories Ever Told

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - New Levee

When the glass is empty, the one thing that you can always take with you is a good story. This seminar is a collection of some of the best and wildest stories ever told about whiskey. This is a lively retelling of some of the greatest true-tales and a few off the TALLEST tales ever spun with the goal of sharing stories that you can take home with you, even after the bottles are long gone!

Speakers

Matt Ray

Experience Ambassador - Team Lead, Sazerac House

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - New Levee 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

3:30pm CDT

Blind Flight Fight

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - New Levee

Join Chad & Sara, hosts of the YouTube channel It's Bourbon Night, for a mystery blind flight! Together we'll work towards discovering your tasting preferences when the biases of branding are removed. This is one of the most fun ways to progress down the path of your bourbon journey!

Speakers

Chad & Sara

Founder/Co-Host, It's Bourbon Night

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - New Levee 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

3:30pm CDT

Neeley Family Distillery

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Julia

Speakers

Jackie Zykan

Hidden Barn

Royce Neeley

Neeley Family Distillery

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Julia 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

3:30pm CDT

Old Carter Whiskey Co.

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton

Mark Carter, founder and blender of Old Carter Whiskey Co, will be talking about his journey from the wine industry to co-founding Kentucky Owl to present day taking Old Carter into a new chapter. He will be discussing his blending practices and considerations for barrel selection, double barreling vs double oaking, and curating whiskey profiles.

Speakers

Mark Carter

Old Carter Whiskey Co.

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Fulton 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

3:30pm CDT

Old Elk

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (A,B,C)

Speakers

Melinda Maddox

Master Blender, Old Elk

Deep whiskey knowledge with a creative mixologist spirit.Melinda (Mel) Maddox is a true industry vet with over two decades of experience in bar and hospitality management, including a decade of distillery operations and production management. Maddox entered the industry on the mixology... Read More →

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Gravier (A,B,C) 859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

General Seminar

3:30pm CDT

Picking Peerless

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT

New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom I

Speakers

John Wadell

Head Taster, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CDT
New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District - Cypress Ballroom I

General Seminar