New crop of Bourbon experts graduate from certification program

Program preps hospitality staff for whiskey tourism

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 9, 2015) — Stave & Thief Society, an industry-leading bourbon certification program, graduated its most recent class on Monday. This was the third class to graduate the course.

Representatives from Keeneland Race Course, Mint Julep Tours, Louisville Sports Commission, Bar 145, the Brown Hotel and Whisky Chicks completed the day-long course at Distilled Spirits Epicenter in Louisville. As bourbon culture and tourism continues to grow in Kentucky and beyond, more businesses are sending front-line staff to this standardized training program.

The one day course at Distilled Spirits Epicenter in Louisville preps hospitality industry employees with hands-on education in distilling, tasting and serving Bourbon. Attendees distill bourbon, fine-tune their senses with tasting and smelling evaluations, study bourbon history and learn about area distilleries.

The next Stave & Thief Society class will take place Nov. 2. Businesses can enroll now at www.staveandthief.com. Downtown educational distillery Distilled Spirits Epicenter, 801 S. 8^th St., is responsible for coordinating the curriculum and administers workshops, learning materials and exams to prepare students to explain the Louisville’s rich bourbon history, discuss Kentucky brands and guide customers to the ideal choice for their palate.