The fourth annual Bourbon Classic will begin Tuesday, Feb. 23 with a special Top Shelf dinner by chef Sean Brock of Husk restaurant in Nashville (already sold out), continue on Wednesday, Feb. 24 with a Loft Party featuring small plates created by up-and-coming local chefs, hit one high point on Thursday, Feb. 25 with a Savor dinner featuring Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons and prepared  by the culinary team from Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN, and reach another on Friday, Feb. 26 with two rounds of the Bourbon cocktail challenge, classic and contemporary cocktails, paired with more small plates.

There is a serious, educational side to the event, too, on Saturday, Feb. 27with Bourbon Classic University offering seminars and discussions (most with tastings) on a variety of topics, ranging from Bourbon and county ham pairing to a discussion of the future of Bourbon distilling with a panel of young distillers to a session on training your nose to detect more complexities in the aromas of Bourbon. For a full list of the events and Bourbon U. courses, click here

Wednesday’s Bourbon Classic Loft Party, sponsored by Four Roses, will be at Bluegrass Brewing Co’s. Bourbon Barrel Loft at 300 W. Main St. Master distiller Brent Elliot will be the host. Tickets are $50.

The Thursday “Savor” Blackberry Farm Dinner will be held at the Frazier History Museum. Cocktail hour starts with tastes of Pappy Van Winkle 15-year-bourbon, and dinner will include samples of Blackberry Farm’s private label bourbon and beers. Tickets are $200 and space is limited.

Friday’s Bourbon Classic Cocktail Challenge and Saturday’s classes and seminars will be held at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Bourbon Classic Tickets for February 26-27 are available through the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. To purchase General Admission tickets, $135 for Friday events and $155 for Saturday, click here  or call 502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777.