Events
On the calendar.
Featured Charlotte Bourbon Society events plus the year's bourbon festivals, national days, releases, and tastings across the country.
Bourbon Events Calendar
This year in bourbon.
Festival/Tasting
Louisville Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival
A delicious fusion of chocolate, wine, and spirits featuring bourbon tastings paired with artisan chocolates and premium wines. Perfect for winter tasting with a festive atmosphere.
Major Festival
Bourbon Classic
Signature bourbon festival bringing together the best in bourbon, culinary arts, and cocktails. Features exclusive tastings, interactive workshops, and unique experiences including Cocktail & Culinary Challenge, Bourbon University, and TASTE events. Named one of Travel + Leisure's '7 Best Cocktail Festivals in the U.S.' Since 2013.
Charlotte Hospitality
Savor Charlotte
Food, beverage and hospitality celebration showcasing Charlotte culinary talent.
Festival
New Orleans Bourbon Festival
Annual festival featuring bourbon seminars, live music, and extensive tastings. Celebrates bourbon culture with a New Orleans twist, including educational sessions and unique pairing opportunities.
Industry Holiday
International Whiskey Day
Annual celebration honoring whiskey appreciation around the world.
Charlotte Hospitality
Charlotte Wine & Food Week
Premium culinary and beverage event attracting food, wine and spirits enthusiasts.
Festival
Texas Whiskey Festival
Showcasing Texas-distilled whiskeys with tastings, seminars, and celebration of Texas whiskey culture. Features local distillers and unique regional expressions.
Major Sporting Event
Kentucky Derby
The 152nd running of 'The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports' and first jewel of the Triple Crown. America's most prestigious horse race, held annually since 1875. Famous for mint juleps, elaborate hats, and bourbon culture. Derby Week runs April 25-May 2.
Festival
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Popular festival combining bourbon tastings, barbecue and live entertainment.
Industry Holiday
World Whiskey Day
Global celebration encouraging people to try and share whiskey.
Celebration Period
Old Fashioned Fortnight
Two-week celebration of Louisville's official cocktail, the Old Fashioned. Kicks off on Kentucky's birthday (June 1) and concludes on National Bourbon Day. Created at Louisville's Pendennis Club before spreading worldwide as 'The World's First Classic Cocktail.'
Dinners
Bourbon Dinner Series
A four-course dinner expertly paired with exceptional bourbons hand-selected by the CBS tasting committee.
Major Festival Week
National Bourbon Week
Third annual week-long celebration featuring exclusive distillery events, tastings, distillery-hosted dinners, limited-edition releases, educational experiences, and the 23rd Annual Bourbon City Street Concert. Bardstown has 11 distilleries within 16 miles. Organized by Bourbon Capital Alliance.
National Day
National Bourbon Day
Official day to recognize bourbon as 'America's Native Spirit.' Celebrated nationwide with tastings and special events. Bourbon was designated America's Native Spirit by Congress in 1964. Also celebrated as National Old Fashioned Day.
Tastings
Summer Tasting Night
Explore a curated lineup of seasonal pours, rare allocations, and a side-by-side flight from a featured distillery.
Barrel Picks
CBS Barrel Pick Release
Be the first to taste our latest single-barrel selection — Private Reserve members get first allocation.
Festival
Watch Hill Proper American Whiskey Festival
Festival featuring vast collection of American whiskies with tastings and education sessions. Focuses on the breadth of American whiskey styles beyond just bourbon.
Conference/Festival
Bourbon Women SIPosium
The only consumer-based, female-focused whiskey conference in the US. Nearly 500 women gather for four days of spectacular bourbon experiences. Part industry conference, part girls' weekend, part family reunion. Features VIP tours, exclusive dinners, workshops, and networking with industry leaders.
National Day
National Whiskey Sour Day
Celebrates the classic whiskey sour cocktail made with whiskey/bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar. First recorded in Jerry Thomas's 1862 'The Bartender's Guide.' Origins trace to sailors mixing spirits, citrus, and sugar to fight scurvy in the 1700s.
Release Event
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Release Dinner
Annual celebration of Old Forester's Birthday Bourbon release with special dinner event. Features exclusive tastings and commemorative bottles. Old Forester is America's first bottled bourbon.
Heritage Month
National Bourbon Heritage Month
Month-long observation celebrating bourbon's heritage with special tastings, events, and celebrations. Particularly prominent along Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail. Designated by the U.S. Senate to honor bourbon's cultural and economic significance to Kentucky and the nation.
Major Festival
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
35th anniversary of the world's original bourbon festival! One of Kentucky's premier cultural festivals featuring 60+ distilleries with 200+ brands. Includes tastings, master distiller workshops, panel discussions, food offerings, and bourbon marketplace. Sells out every year since 2021. 21+ only event.
Industry Celebration
Negroni Week
Global fundraising celebration of the Negroni cocktail hosted by Imbibe Magazine and Campari. Bars worldwide mix classic Negronis and creative variations to support Slow Food's mission. Bourbon enthusiasts love Negroni variations including the Boulevardier (bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth). Over $5 million raised for charity since 2013. Popular among bourbon lovers for bourbon-based variations.
Major Festival
Bourbon & Beyond Festival
World's largest bourbon, food, and music festival. Four-day event combining bourbon tastings from premier distilleries, culinary experiences from top chefs, and major music performances. Features camping options and hotel packages. Massive celebration of bourbon culture.
Charlotte Hospitality
Ballantyne Wine & Food Festival
Regional food and beverage festival with opportunities for spirits activations.
Festival
Bourbon & Belonging
Queer bourbon festival celebrating diversity and inclusion in bourbon culture. Creating welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ bourbon enthusiasts and industry professionals.
Festival
Great American Whiskey Fair
Large-scale event featuring hundreds of American whiskies for tasting and education. One of the Southeast's premier whiskey celebrations.
Festival
St. Louis Bourbon Festival
Annual bourbon festival featuring tastings and bourbon education in the Gateway City. Showcases both Kentucky classics and regional craft distilleries.
Festival
Bourbon on the Banks
Annual bourbon festival along the scenic Kentucky River banks. Features 75+ distilleries, craft spirits, wines, and beers. Includes live music, local food vendors, artisan shops, and bourbon demonstrations. A 501(c)(3) that funds scholarships and White Oak Initiative. VIP access Friday evening.
Industry Celebration
Old Fashioned Week
10-day celebration hosted by Elijah Craig Bourbon (Heaven Hill). Bars nationwide offer creative twists on the classic Old Fashioned while raising funds for bar and restaurant workers through charities like Southern Smoke Foundation. Over $400,000 donated to date. Find participating bars at website. Extremely popular among bourbon enthusiasts!
National Day
National Mezcal Day
Celebrates mezcal, the smoky agave spirit from Oaxaca, Mexico. Perfect day to enjoy the Oaxaca Old Fashioned (created by Phil Ward at Death & Co NYC) - a beloved bourbon enthusiast's cocktail made with reposado tequila, mezcal, agave syrup, and mole bitters. Many bourbon bars feature this smoky twist on the classic Old Fashioned. Officially celebrated in Mexico since 2017.
Charlotte Festival
Whiskey Wine & Fire Festival
One of Charlotte's premier whiskey and culinary festivals featuring brands, chefs and live fire cooking.
Charity Event
Bourbon Charity Auction
Annual charity auction featuring rare and limited-edition bourbons. Proceeds support Kentucky charities and bourbon industry causes.