Lexington, Kentucky, January 14, 2026
BourbonCon, a leading bourbon and food convention, will return to Lexington, Kentucky, offering attendees a weekend filled with tastings from over 40 distilleries, interactive breakout sessions, and a unique Bootleggers Banquet experience. Visitors can enjoy rare bourbons in exclusive lounges, bid on limited bottles, and participate in engaging culinary experiences. Tickets are available now for both general admission and VIP access, providing various perks for bourbon lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
Lexington, Kentucky
BourbonCon Returns with Tastings, VIP Pours & the Bootleggers Banquet
BourbonCon, a premier bourbon and food convention, is set to return to Lexington, Kentucky, on January 16-17, 2026. The event will be held at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa, offering attendees a weekend filled with bourbon tastings, culinary experiences, educational sessions, and live entertainment.
Event Highlights
- Tasting Floor: Sample bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes from over 40 distilleries. Engage with distillery representatives to learn about their products and upcoming events. Complimentary swag will be available at participating vendor booths.
- Bottle Auction: Bid on rare bottles, including Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, Calumet Bourbon Ceramic Farm Decanter (Centennial Release), and King of Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey 17 Year (2025).
- Griffin’s Liquor Vault: Purchase bottles to take home, featuring products from official partners. Official BourbonCon merchandise will also be available.
- VIP Speakeasy & VIP Loft: Enjoy rare and allocated bourbons in an exclusive lounge setting. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment will enhance the speakeasy ambiance.
- Rolling Leaf Mobile Cigar Lounge: Savor premium cigars hand-selected to complement the finest bourbons in a lavish mobile lounge.
- Breakout Sessions: Participate in guided tastings, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions with master distillers, brand ambassadors, historians, and mixologists.
- The Bootleggers Banquet: Experience a Prohibition-era themed 4-course dinner with premium bourbon pairings and an immersive interactive show.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available for purchase on the official BourbonCon website. General Admission includes access to the tasting floor, panels, select tastings, and live demos. VIP tickets offer early entry, exclusive tastings, lounge access, and more. Hotel packages are also available for attendees seeking overnight accommodations.
Event Details
BourbonCon is a premier bourbon and food convention hosted in Lexington, Kentucky. It brings together distilleries, industry experts, bourbon lovers, and foodies for a weekend of tastings, panels, demos, shopping, and unforgettable experiences.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official BourbonCon website.
FAQs
What is BourbonCon?
BourbonCon is a premier bourbon and food convention hosted in Lexington, Kentucky. It brings together distilleries, industry experts, bourbon lovers, and foodies for a weekend of tastings, panels, demos, shopping, and unforgettable experiences.
Who can attend BourbonCon?
Anyone who enjoys bourbon, Kentucky culture, food, and immersive experiences! Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a casual fan, or new to the bourbon world, there’s something for you here.
Is this a 21+ event?
Yes. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older and present a valid government-issued ID at entry.
What’s included in my ticket?
General Admission includes access to the tasting floor, panels, select tastings, and live demos. VIP tickets include early entry, exclusive tastings, lounge access, and more. Full details for each ticket can be found on the Tickets Page.
Will there be hotel packages?
Yes! View the Tickets Page to see which tickets offer overnight accommodations.
Are there events beyond bourbon tasting?
Absolutely. Enjoy panels, live music, dining experiences, merch shopping, wellness offerings, and opportunities to meet distillers, authors, and influencers in the bourbon and foodie worlds.
Will food be available?
Yes! Some snacks and bites are included with your ticket, and certain ticket types include breakfast and lunch buffets. The resort also offers an onsite restaurant, Bluegrass Bistro, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus you can visit CafeLex and grab Starbucks coffee, tea, and quick snacks during BourbonCon weekend.
Are tickets refundable?
Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferable. Please see our Ticket Page for full details regarding our ticket policy.
Is there parking available?
Yes, free parking is available onsite. If you are not staying with us and plan to enjoy tastings, we strongly encourage you to use ride-share services or arrange a designated driver. We’re all about good times, but never at the expense of safety. Please don’t drink and drive.
Will there be opportunities to buy bourbon onsite?
Many vendors will have bottles, merchandise, and specialty items available for purchase.
How can distilleries and vendors get involved?
We’d love to have you join us! Distilleries, lifestyle brands, and vendors interested in participating in BourbonCon 2026 can contact Jeff Clemens. Space is limited, so early applications are encouraged.
Who can I contact for media inquiries?
For press and media inquiries, please contact Lauren Cox. We’re happy to provide press passes, brand assets, and interview opportunities upon request.
Key Features of BourbonCon 2026
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Tasting Floor | Sample bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes from over 40 distilleries and engage with distillery representatives. |
| Bottle Auction | Bid on rare bottles, including Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year and King of Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey 17 Year (2025). |
| VIP Speakeasy & VIP Loft | Enjoy rare and allocated bourbons in an exclusive lounge setting with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. |
| Rolling Leaf Mobile Cigar Lounge | Savor premium cigars hand-selected to complement the finest bourbons in a lavish mobile lounge. |
| Breakout Sessions | Participate in guided tastings, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions with industry experts. |
| The Bootleggers Banquet | Experience a Prohibition-era themed 4-course dinner with premium bourbon pairings and an immersive interactive show. |
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