Oxford Bourbon Festival Brings Education, Entertainment in Tasty Fashion

If you’re a Bourbon-loving foodie and want to taste some savory Oxford eats while listening to incredible live music, then mark your calendars for this year’s inaugural Oxford Bourbon Festival.

Set to take place March 30-31, the bourbon festival entertains with community events, tastings, food seminars and workshops while educating on the role of Bourbon in the American culinary experience. In addition, all of the net proceeds benefit the Exchange Club Family Center of Oxford.
“The Oxford Bourbon Festival is exceptionally pleased to forge a partnership with King’s Steak House, Rich Grain Distillery and Old Dominick Distillery, in the first ever event in the state of Mississippi which celebrates Bourbon as an American Spirit,” said Jan Linders,
festival director.
The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, March 30, at King’s Steak House with a four-course Bourbon dinner and Bourbon pairing with Chef Corby King. Later that night from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the festival moves to Tallahatchie Gourmet with an after-dinner “Blues Jam” featuring Grammy Nominated bluesman R. L. Boyce and bluesman Lightnin’ Malcolm.
Saturday, the festival begins at 11 a.m. at The Lyric Theatre with keynote speaker Alex Castle, head distiller of Old Dominick Distillery. 
The last event of the festival will be the Grand Tasting. From 6:30-10:30 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with Bourbon distillers, ambassadors and local chefs while enjoying delectable treats along with Bourbon, the great American Spirit.
For a full list of events planned for the weekend, see below. To purchase your tickets, click here. You must be 21 or older to purchase a ticket.

Oxford Bourbon Festival Schedule of Events 

Friday, March 30 

Bourbon Dinner featuring Chef Corby King

First Course: Bourbon infused Pork Belly served with a Pomegranate Bourbon Glaze. (With Old Dominick High Rye Bourbon)
Second Course: Bourbon Poached Lobster Tail served with Polenta Cake topped with Bourbon Brown Butter Sauce. (Rich Grain Bourbon Whiskey)
Third Course: Bourbon Marinated Heart of Ribeye served with Sweet potato Gratin and Cold Smoked Bourbon Gouda Cheese. (Knob Creek Single Barrel)
Fourth Course: Fresh Grilled Peaches topped with Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Smoked Bourbon Butter Scotch Sauce. (With Pennington’s Rye Whiskey)

After Dinner Bourbon Jam: Concert with Grammy Nominated Bluesman, R. L. Boyce & Lightnin’ Malcolm

This concert features North Mississippi Hill Country Bluesmen who have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to their craft of music performance.
Where: Tallahatchie Gourmet
When: 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 31 

BourbonTalk Seminars & Sessions at The Lyric Theatre 

 
11 – 11:45 a.m. – Keynote Address: Alex Castle, Head Distiller – Old Dominick Distillery
Noon – 1:15 p.m. – Bourbon: How it is made. A Crash Course in the Past and present Manufacturing Methods of America’s Favorite Spirit – featuring David Rich, owner of Rich Grain Distillery.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Bourbon Cocktail Creations: How to influence friends and family with mixed drinks. – Mixologists, Nick Spiller and Jeff Callaway.
2:45 – 4:15 p.m. – Explore the Bourbon Flavor Map with Award-winning writer and Bourbon expert, Susan Reigler. She will help to reveal the intriguing layers of flavors in bourbon with an expertly guided tasting of a trio of bourbons, each with its own unique flavor profile. Fruit, spice, nuts, candy, grains, and more will be well-represented. At the end of the session, participate in a blind tasting to find out if women and men have different or similar tastes in bourbon whiskey.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Bourbon Bootleg & Blues featuring Greg Johnson, Director of the Blues Archives at the University of Mississippi.
6:30 – 10:30 p.m. – GRAND TASTING – Sample Bourbons and taste small bites of delicious food prepared by local restaurants and chefs from the surrounding area. 
For more information, visit the Oxford Bourbon Festival Facebook Page or their website, oxfordbourbonfestival.com. 

By Randall Haley, Editor-in-Chief of HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at randall.haley@hottytoddy.com.