National “Bottled-in-Bond Day” is March 3rd. As if you didn’t already know? This very special occasion which rightfully celebrates the 1897 “Bottled-in-Bond” Act is coming in hot. Thankfully, the good folks in Northern Kentucky’s Covington area have us covered with a tongue smacking foot tapping delicious celebration. And for good reason. Hang with me here.

You see, the “BiB” Act was the first major legislation providing specific standards of quality for American Whiskey. It guaranteed you knew who made your whiskey, where it was aged, a minimum age of at least 4 years, and a 100 proof (50% abv). Hard to imagine now but back in those days, it was truly The Wild Wild Wild Wild West and a lot could happen to your whiskey from producer to barkeeper. Keep in mind, whiskey was a common remedy in those day for infants and children. Nothing like coating those teething baby gums with whiskey that was adultered with tobacco spit and just a smidge of some rust for coloring and good measure. Maybe a dash of paint thinner to top it off.

The Kentucky Connection: Bottled-in-Bond’s Hero

Northern Kentucky’s Covington area was the native stomping grounds to the most important politician backing BiB – US Secretary of Treasure John G. Carlisle (resume also boasts US Senator, POTUS candidacy, and a bunch of other gov stuff). As a proud Kentuckian, he was certainly immersed in the Bourbon world as he, along with close friend E.H. Taylor, fought hard and diligently to push BiB through.

Heyyy…Where The Party At?!

*MARCH 2nd – COVINGTON, KY* Mark your calendar March 2nd for the first-annual Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, at Smoke Justis in Covington, Ky. Brought together in partnership with meetNKY and The B-Line^®, the festival celebrates the spirit of the Bottled-in-Bond (BIB) Act of 1897 and features a cocktail competition, food and a live music lineup featuring Grammy-nominated bluegrass artists Sister Sadie and The Goodwin Brothers.

“Everyone knows Kentucky has a rich history rooted in bourbon but what many don’t know is Northern Kentucky’s role in that history,” said president and CEO of meetNKY, Julie Kirkpatrick. “The Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival is the perfect way to celebrate the Bottled-in-Bond Act, which Covington’s very own John G. Carlisle was instrumental in passing in 1897. We partnered with our friends at Smoke Justis— a B-Line location — to bring together the perfect collision of bourbon and bluegrass to draw visitors to our region and give them and locals another fun thing to do that weekend in addition to Bockfest.”

DATE: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

TIME: 5 – 10 pm EST

LOCATION: Smoke Justis (302 Court St, Covington, KY, 41011)

COST: $100 General Admission and $175 VIP

TICKET INFO:  HERE

Bottled-in-Bond Cocktail Competition!

In the spirit of celebration, the festival also hosts a competition to crown the best BIB cocktail, enlisting bartenders from across the Commonwealth to showcase creativity and highlight the unique qualities of BIB spirits. Bartender contestants will represent Second Sight Spirits and Rich’s Proper from Northern Kentucky, Old Bourbon County (OBC) Kitchen and The Manchester Hotel from Lexington, Ky. and 21c Proof on Main and Goodfella’s from Louisville, Ky. All participating bars were selected to participate by The Bourbon Review.

GENERAL ADMISSION INCLUDES: Roebling Rickhouse General Admission tickets are $100 and include six samplings of BIB cocktails, one beer or wine drink ticket, light bites and access to the music lineup.

VIP TICKETS: John G. Carlisle VIP Experience Tickets are available for $175 and include exclusive access to the Smoke Justis Bourbon Lounge, the opportunity to cast a vote for the Best BIB Cocktail, six samplings of BIB Cocktails, two full BIB cocktails, a buffet dinner served in the Smoke Justis Bourbon lounge, and more.

Arrangement of Grammy-Nominated Artists

The music lineup includes Grammy-nominated acts, Sister Sadie and The Goodwin Brothers, as well as regional musical group Moonshine Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m., with Moonshine Drive taking the stage at 5:30 p.m., followed by Sister Sadie at 7 p.m. and The Goodwin Brothers at 8:30 p.m.

“Covington owns the unique Bottled-in-Bond aspect of bourbon’s long-standing history in this country,” said Smoke Justis founder, Richard Dickmann. “Smoke Justis looks forward to celebrating bourbon and bluegrass with whiskey enthusiasts from all over against the backdrop of our iconic Roebling Bridge.”

Those interested in purchasing tickets can through Eventbrite here. Guests must be 21 to attend.

The post UPCOMING EVENT: Ultimate Bottled-in-Bond Celebration! “Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival” in Covington, KY first appeared on The Bourbon Review.