New Lexington bourbon convention gives you the chance to sample dozens of whiskeys

A new bourbon event is coming to Lexington: BourbonCon.

The two-day tasting event will be at Marriott Griffin Gate on Newtown Pike, with more than 30 distilleries on hand with whiskey samples as well as special events.

Tickets for the Jan. 20-21 bourbon convention are available at BourbonConlex.com and range from $75-$350, with rooms at the hotel available separately.

Besides chances to taste a wide variety of Kentucky bourbons, ryes and whiskeys, there will be brand ambassadors there to answer questions.

Panel discussions will include: Myra Bargainer, co-founder and CEO of Paul Sutton Bourbon; Beth Burrows, American Whiskey Ambassador with Jim B. Beam Distilling Co.; Michael Crisp, author and filmmaker; Marc Therrien, executive chef at Keeneland; Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and Freddie Johnson, VIP tour guide with Buffalo Trace Distillery.

On Saturday, Food Network celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian will host a bourbon-inspired cooking demonstration and judge the mixology competition. And on Saturday night, chefs Erik Fowler of the Lexington Marriott Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa and Therrien of Keeneland will prepare a four-course dinner with bourbon pairings.

Participating distilleries include Green River Distilling, Elijah Craig, Smooth Ambler, Barrel House, Fresh Bourbon, Four Roses, Lexington Brewing & Distilling, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Wilderness Trail, Evan Williams, Jefferson’s Bourbon, Michter’s, Widow Jane, New Riff, Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole, Beam, Castle & Key, Buffalo Trace and Knob Creek.

Industry experts on hand include Pat Heist of Wilderness Trail, Tia & Sean Edwards of Fresh Bourbon, Wally Dant of Monk’s Road and many more.