Both of us are heading to Bourbon Classic in Louisville. The Kentucky International Convention Center weekend where the master distillers walk the floor and the master classes earn the ticket — Bourbon University, the Cocktail & Culinary Challenge, and TASTE for the close.

Expect coverage on The Cut Daily through the event, plus a Beyond The Cut episode unpacking the conversations that matter most.

What is the Bourbon Classic?

Bourbon Classic in Louisville is the annual industry-and-enthusiast convergence — founded in 2012 by FSA Management Group in partnership with The Bourbon Review. Originally hosted at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts; in recent years the marquee weekend events have run at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville.

The signature programs are Bourbon University (master-distiller-led panels and demos), the Cocktail & Culinary Challenge (head-to-head competition pairing top chefs and bartenders), and TASTE — the grand-finale evening tasting featuring dozens of bourbons paired with curated dishes from prominent Louisville restaurants. The 2026 edition runs February 25–28.