Spirited women from across the country will gather for the Bourbon Women Association’s Fifth Annual Sip-osium conference Aug. 24 through 26 at the historic Brown Hotel. The weekend-long event provides informative workshops, meetings with industry leaders and tours of nearby distilleries. Registration options range from $85 to $360.

“Women have a keen interest in learning more about America’s native spirit,” said Kerri Richardson, president of the Bourbon Women Association. “We are excited to host more than 150 women from about two dozen states to provide an educational, engaging and fun weekend in the heart of bourbon country.”

The Bourbon Women Association is the organization for women who are passionate about exploring bourbon and the culture that surrounds it. Events provide educational and networking opportunities, bringing together bourbon consumers and industry professionals. The first female-focused group in the industry, Bourbon Women now has six branches, including the national base in Louisville plus Chicago, Indianapolis, Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati, Washington D.C., and Tennessee.

Highlights of this year’s Sip-osium conference schedule include:

  • Welcome dinner at Maker’s Mark Distillery
  • Exclusive tour of Vendome Copper & Brass Works
  • Bourbon and Bluegrass Music workshop with Bernie Lubbers, international whiskey brand ambassador for Heaven Hill Distillery
  • Keynote presented by Rebecca Messina, senior vice president and global chief marketing officer of Beam Suntory
  • Tours of the Old Forester Distillery, Rabbit Hole Distillery, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller, Lux Row Distillery and Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse
  • Trends panel featuring national spirits writers Robert Simonson (New York Times), Paul Clarke (Imbibe magazine) and Heather Greene (author of “Whiskey Distilled, A Populist Guide to the Water of Life”)
  • Presentation on Blade and Bow’s solera aging system
  • “In a Bourbon House” dinner experiences including with Bourbon Women founder Peggy Noe Stevens or the chef’s table at the Brown Hotel’s English Grill