September is Bourbon Heritage Month, an occasion that is widely observed in the United States, and this year the ‘Cheers! Spirits from the USA’ campaign – which is sponsored by the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) and supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – is bringing a series of virtual experiences to life for Australian fans.

The series will be focused on highlighting the versatility and quality of bourbon and will be hosted alongside some of the world’s most iconic bourbon brands, including Woodford Reserve and Wild Turkey.

Charles McEntee, Director of Export Promotion for DISCUS, said: “Australian adult consumers have an affinity for bourbon.  In fact, Australia is the third-largest export for US distilled spirits in general. Whether you are a bourbon enthusiast, or just someone who is interested in learning more about the spirit, these weekly events will educate and entertain you – especially if you’re in lockdown!”

The weekly schedule for the bespoke bourbon-centric events is:

Week one – September 9

Wild Turkey: A Guided Bourbon Tasting Experience

To kick off the series, Wild Turkey is offering adult consumers in Australia the chance to enjoy their new guided Bourbon Tasting Experience. The virtual trip will transport you to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, home of the Wild Turkey Distillery where you’ll enjoy an audio tasting experience narrated by the legendary Russell family, including Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell, to learn about their boldest bourbons.

Wild Turkey Creative Director Matthew McConaughey also makes an appearance in the podcast, so keep an ear out for him. To activate this experience all you need to do is say “Alexa, enable Wild Turkey Tasting” or “Hey Google, talk to Wild Turkey Tasting”. If you do not have a smart speaker, you can also download the apps for your smart phone.

Week Two – September 16

Woodford Reserve: How to master the perfect Old Fashioned

This event is an immersive session into Woodford Reserve, and how to make the perfect at-home Old Fashioned.

During this session Woodford Reserve will take you through an interactive session exploring the iconic brand, where you will taste their signature whiskey while learning about different food pairings that accentuate the flavour complexities. In addition, you’ll learn how to make the classic Old Fashioned cocktail at home. Attendees will receive a tasting kit with Woodford Reserve samples, as well as syrup to help make the delicious drink.

Week Three – September 23

Old Forester: Discover the 151-Year Legacy Behind the World’s first Bottled Bourbon

This is the perfect opportunity to learn about Old Forester, the brand that revolutionized the bbbbourbon sector through its innovation and commitment to quality. While tasting a range of the Old Forester products, you’ll also hear about the key milestones that have impacted Bourbon as we know it today.

Attendees will receive a tasting kit with a range of Old Forester samples to enjoy during the event.

Week Four – September 30

The Experimental Side of Bourbon and What’s Ahead

Through this intimate event you’ll have the opportunity to hear from a leading bourbon expert about some of the world’s most experimental expressions, and the future of the sector.

Attendees will receive a tasting kit showcasing some of the most innovative and rare American whiskies – experimenting with different mash bills, wood finishes and mellowing processes; reimagining bourbon as we know it.

To find out more about the series, and how to get involved with the events, visit: https://cheersspiritsfromtheusa.com/au/

For more information on the events visit  https://www.instagram.com/americanspiritsinaus/  or https://www.facebook.com/AmericanSpiritsinAus.

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