BARDSTOWN, Ky. (March 18, 2026) — The Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF) has officially announced that tickets for its milestone 35th-anniversary celebration will go on sale April 14, with exclusive early access for “Bourbon Insiders” starting April 13.
Scheduled for Sept. 10–13, 2026, in Bardstown, the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” the festival coincides with National Bourbon Heritage Month. This year’s event features more than 60 Kentucky distilleries, exclusive single-barrel releases, and elite VIP experiences that historically sell out in minutes.
“Reaching the milestone 35th anniversary is a testament to the continued support of our distillery partners and the growing passion of bourbon enthusiasts worldwide,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO of the festival. “The ability to sample and purchase limited releases and other hard-to-find bourbons directly from the distilleries is what has established KBF as the must-attend whiskey experience each year.”
2026 Ticket Tiers & Highlights
The 2026 festival introduces six distinct ticket options, ranging from single-day samplers to ultra-exclusive memberships:
- Bourbon Taster (3-Day GA): $225 (Early-bird $205 for Insiders)
- VIP Decanter Club: $1,495
- Oris President’s Club: $6,995 (Limited to 30 guests; includes a limited-edition Oris watch and luxury stay at The Trail Hotel).
- The Experience: All passes include unlimited re-entry, sampling from 60+ distilleries, and access to the Bourbon Marketplace and Bourbon Capital Bites.
Attendees can purchase “Distillers’ Row Series” bottles found only at the festival and utilize on-site lockers to secure their finds. This year’s featured distillery is New Riff Distilling.
“Every year, our team explores ways to make improvements, and we cannot wait to welcome enthusiasts back,” added Prasse.
For more information and to sign up for early access, visit www.kybourbonfestival.com.
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