Those dusty old bourbon bottles and time-worn advertisements in your attic could be worth some money. Find out how much – and their history – June 6, during this year’s Kentucky Bourbon Affair fantasy camp. Appraisals will be conducted from 1-4 p.m. at the Filson Historical Society headquarters in downtown Louisville.
“American Liquors,” sponsored by the Filson Historical Society and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, will once again offer advice and appraisals on rare Bourbon items as part of the five-day showcase of America’s only native spirit.
“Last year’s event was an incredible success and unearthed a treasure trove of old bourbon memorabilia,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “People brought in everything from full bottles to historic advertising signs and massive collections of old distillery documents.”
Mike Veach, bourbon historian and a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, will provide background on brands and items, while Bill Thomas, owner of the Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C., will be on hand to appraise whiskey bottles.
To get the most in-depth research, ticket holders will be asked to submit photographs and descriptions of their items beforehand. Similar items might be grouped together for analysis and discussion to ensure an efficient and smooth process.
“Last year a man brought a collection of pre-Prohibition advertisements that were stunning,” Veach said. “We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the bourbon treasures tucked away in local attics and basements.”
Thomas said two items stood out in last year’s event. A bottle of Fortuna from Glencoe Distillery Co. was distilled in 1938 and bottled in 1945. “The bottle was in fantastic condition with a high fill level,” he said. “Its vintage design just screams Kentucky.”
A descendent of the R.E. Wathen & Company brought a collection of huge books that explained the distillery and its whiskeys, as well as smaller old advertising pieces. “There were so many great items,” Thomas said. “It was unbelievable.”
Tickets are still available for this year Kentucky Bourbon Affair, a five-day Bourbon fantasy camp that will be held June 3-7, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and events at the most famous Bourbon distilleries in the world.
Nightcap events throughout Louisville will highlight the city’s burgeoning culinary scene. It’s the only whiskey event created and executed by the distilleries themselves. For tickets or more information, go to www.kybourbonaffair.com.
From Kentucky Distillers’ Association