Why You Should Include the New Orleans Bourbon Festival in Your Calendar

New Orleans, also called the “Big Easy,” is known nationwide for its vibrant nightlife, classy music scene, and exquisite restaurants serving American, French, and African cuisines. Apart from the food, Jazz, and brass bands, the city has a thriving distillery scene that produces excellent bourbon. This post is the ultimate guide for everything you need to know about the city’s favorite event, the New Orleans Bourbon Festival.

About the event 

The New Orleans Bourbon Festival is an annual four-day event celebrating American spirits and pairs them with the city’s top-rated eateries and restaurants. It’s an event open to bourbon enthusiasts, food lovers, expert connoisseurs, and anyone in between. It occurs from March 22 to 25 at select locations in the city.

You will get exclusive opportunities to taste and learn about the origins of premium-level American whiskeys. Attendees also have a chance to interact with master distillers and fellow bourbon enthusiasts while enjoying the city’s vibrant culture. The event’s co-founder and Executive Director, Tracy Napolitano, says their main aim is to grow the festival further and provide a memorable experience to all attendees.

Things to do at the New Orleans Bourbon Festival 

Bourbon Brawl

On Wednesday, March 22nd, the festival starts with a bourbon brawl, a competition among bartenders that features the region’s top mixologists. The competition occurs at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Jim Beam will sponsor the competition, and master mixologist Bobby Gleason will host it. Bartenders from all over the region will be mixing stunning concoctions, all aiming to win numerous prizes, including an all-paid trip to Kentucky. If you are a bartender looking to participate in the event, you can sign up via email and send your signature cocktail recipe to thebourbonbrawl@gmail.com

Two-day Seminar 

From 10 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, March 23rd, attendees with VIP tickets head to New Orleans Riverside Hilton (found on Poydras Street) for a VIP reception. The mid-century-themed party will feature live music, cocktails, and more.

The two-day seminar will be held at the same hotel from March 24th to 25th. Whiskey experts and master distillers at the workshop will take you through

  • Guided tastings
  • Cocktail classes
  • Discussion panels 
  • Bourbon history 
  • Food pairing workshops and more

Some speakers at the seminar include Michael Vich, a Kentucky Hall of Fame member, and renowned spirits writer Maggie Kimbrel, the American Whiskey Magazine content editor. Seminar tickets cost $159 plus fees for two days and $89 for a single day.

Grand tastings 

The New Orleans Bourbon Festival will reach its peak with grand tastings on Friday and Saturday at the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, found in the Warehouse Arts District. Each day, there will be a VIP tasting from 7-8 p.m. and a general tasting from 8- 11 p.m.

Here you will taste barrel-proof and small-batch spirits from some of the nation’s finest distilleries like:

  • Four Roses
  • Beam Suntory
  • Austin Whiskey Co.
  • Brown- Forman
  • Sagamore Spirit Rye
  • Heaven Hill Distillery
  • O.H. Ingram River Aged
  • Penelope Bourbon

Apart from whiskey, the tastings include food from famous New Orleans restaurants like Lucky Dogs, chicken and beef bites from Toulouse Gourmet Catering, and creole from Saint John. That’s not all; the festival will have live musical performances from New Orleans Jazz Revival Band. For patrons seeking a non-bourbon experience, there will be aged wine and beer. 

Ticket Charges

Tickets for grand tasting go for $129(+ plus fees) for an individual, and food-only tickets retail at $79 (plus fees). Bourbon fans and lovers can purchase VIP tickets for $379 (plus fees). The VIP ticket includes the two-day seminar, early entry to grand tastings, and the VIP party on Thursday. Ultimate VIP tickets cost $559 (plus fees), including a judge panel seat at the Bourbon Drinker Awards. Kindly note that Ultimate VIP tickets are limited, so buying one in advance is better.

Also, all the New Orleans Bourbon Festival proceeds go to Raising Spirits Alliance (previously called Kids Can NOLA). Raising Spirits Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works to improve young adults’ general welfare and education.

Other things to do in New Orleans 

Below are some of the top tourist attractions you can check out after the Bourbon Festival.

French Quarter

Sit alongside the Mississippi River, and the French Quarter has magnificent buildings over 300 years old. Most buildings currently contain galleries, restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops, and entertainment spots. Ensure you get a guide to walk you through the Quarter as it’s relatively large and crowded, especially at night when the city comes to life.

National WWII Museum 

The museum has documentary snippets and engaging exhibits which tell a story of how WWII occurred in the Pacific and Europe. It’s divided into three sections; the first showcasing war in the Pacific, the second contains WWII artifacts, and the last describes the war in Europe.

As you walk through the rooms in the museum looking at exhibits, you’ll watch tiny documentary segments explaining how soldiers used the items in the war.

  • Address- 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 

Preservation Hall 

The Preservation Hall is an old building that hosts jazz music performances by local New Orleans artists. Since it’s a small building with limited seating, it has a relaxing and intimate feel. 

You’ll have to check their website two weeks in advance to get entry tickets, as the hall sells out fast. You could get exact day tickets if you are lucky, but it’s rare.

  • Address- 726 St. Peter Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get New Orleans Bourbon Festival tickets?

To buy festival tickets, visit neworleansbourbonfestival.com. Also, purchasing tickets months in advance is better to avoid a last-minute rush, as they sell out.

How long is the event?

The festival runs for four days, which is from March 22nd to 25th 

Where do I pick up my tickets?

After payment, you’ll get the ticket in the email address you provided during registration.

Do hotels offer discounts to festival fans?

Some of the hotels in New Orleans may offer small discounts to fans attending the festival. However, many of the city’s hotels charge affordable rates, so you should find one that meets your needs.

Conclusion

The New Orleans Bourbon Festival allows you to enjoy whiskey from some of the region’s best distilleries, not forgetting the music and food from local restaurants. At Distillery Nearby, we are dedicated to showcasing America’s thriving craft distilling industry. Visit our website to learn about other whiskey events, cocktail recipes, distillery tours, and more.

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