An inaugural event celebrating Kentucky’s signature bourbon industry is coming to Louisville in 2026, the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration (KBCA). This first-of-its-kind event brings together Kentucky’s legendary distilleries, rising stars and bourbon enthusiasts from across the nation for a historic three-day experience Feb. 13-15, 2026.

Timed to coincide with President’s Day Weekend and America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the KBCA honors bourbon as America’s native spirit with exclusive opportunities over its three days, celebrating bourbon, cuisine and community, all in the spirit of giving back. Auction proceeds will benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans, first responders and their families.​

“Kentucky Bourbon, with its legendary, unmatched quality, is the galvanizing lifestyle that binds us together in this great city and state and is exported around the world daily,” Andrew Varga, Founder of the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction, said in a news release. “The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is one premier way to celebrate its majestic reverence by raising a glass in community while giving back to those who have protected our freedom for 250 years by way of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.”

The KBCA will showcase an extraordinary lineup of award-winning and visionary bourbon brands joining together for this landmark event to auction their exclusive barrels and luxury lots, including brands from Brown-Forman, Four Roses, Heaven Hill and J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.

These legendary names represent the very best of Kentucky bourbon and are a living reflection of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Their participation, as well as others soon to be announced, underscores the state’s continuing influence as the global heart of bourbon culture.

Ticket sales begin Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, online at KYBCA.com. Pricing and availability vary by event and ticket package, with prices starting at $150 for individual events and $1,550 for weekend passes.

“In Bourbon City, bourbon isn’t just a drink; it’s a culture,” Louisville Tourism Chief Marketing Officer Stacy Yates said. “BourbonCountry.com is proud to help launch an event that celebrates that spirit and the people who shape it.”

The weekend will kick off with the Grand Reveal Tasting, hosted at the Frazier History Museum. This exclusive evening invites guests to savor the rarest bourbons paired with Kentucky-inspired culinary creations, entertainment and immersive experiences, celebrating the beginning of the bourbon year and all things Kentucky.

The signature event, The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction, will feature a bourbon-paired dinner by Kentucky’s top chefs and a live auction of the world’s most collectible and extraordinary bourbons, with proceeds benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

Other exciting weekend offerings include an interactive blind-tasting brunch curated by Chef Michael Crouch at Watch Hill Proper, a live culinary experience showcasing a Bourbon-inspired lunch hosted by Chef and owner John Varanese at Savor at River House, and distillery tours at participating distilleries across Bourbon Country, offering behind-the-scenes experiences, tastings, and limited-edition releases available only during the KBCA weekend.

Read more: Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2024 Ranked

About the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction

The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is a first-of-its-kind gathering honoring Kentucky’s bourbon legacy while giving back to the heroes who protect our nation. Founded in Louisville by Andrew Varga, a longtime spirits industry executive, the inaugural KBCA committee includes bourbon industry luminaries, authors and executives such as America’s CEO- Chief Entertaining Officer Tim Laird and Lori Laird, former PriceWeber VP, Exec. Creative Director Larry Profancik and brand strategist Henrietta Pepper. KBCA unites distilleries, chefs and bourbon enthusiasts for three unforgettable days of tastings, events and philanthropy — all “for the greater great.” For more information, visit visit www.KYBCA.com.