2025 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Judges’ Choice Best Cocktail
Guava Nice Day
Featuring Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon
Created by:
Bartender Anthony Cox, Castle & Key Distillery
Distillery Partner:
Castle & Key Distillery
Judges’ Choice Best Small Plate
Tandoori Spice Rubbed Berry Beef Tenderloin with Bourbon Barrel Foods Aged Kentucky Sorghum Sweet Potato Cream, Zhug and Pomegranate Molasses
Featuring: Berry Beef Tenderloin
Created by:
Chef Dallas McGarity, The Fat Lamb
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Brands
Judges’ Choice Best Pairing
Whiskey Waddle
Featuring Baker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Created by:
Bartender Lee Caldwell, The Kitchen Table
Duck Commander Ducketta with Turnip Puree and Barley Szechuan Sorghum Gastrique
Featuring: Bourbon Barrel Foods Sorghum and Soy Sauce
Created By:
Chef Deniz Burns, The Kitchen Table
Distillery Partner:
James B. Beam Distilling Company
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Peoples’ Choice Best Cocktail
Whiskey Waddle
Featuring Baker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Created by:
Bartender Lee Caldwell, The Kitchen Table
Distillery Partner:
James B. Beam Distilling Company
Peoples’ Choice Best Small Plate
Pork Belly Kara Miso Yaki
Featuring: Marksbury Farm Pork
Created by:
Chef Kento Kobayashi, Shoku Club
Distillery Partner:
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Peoples’ Choice Best Pairing
Whiskey Waddle
Featuring Baker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Created by:
Bartender Lee Caldwell, The Kitchen Table
Duck Commander Ducketta with Turnip Puree and Barley Szechuan Sorghum Gastrique
Featuring: Bourbon Barrel Foods Sorghum and Soy Sauce
Created By:
Chef Deniz Burns, The Kitchen Table
Distillery Partner:
James B. Beam Distilling Company
2024 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Judges’ Choice Best Cocktail
Rye Me Up
Featuring Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight RyeÂ
Created by:
Bartender Justin Keating, Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Distillery Partner:
Michter’s Distillery, LLC
Judges’ Choice Best Small Plate
Bison Tartare Cone
Featuring: Bison from Woodland Farm and Paddlefish Roe from Fish Co. & Smokery
Created by:
Chef Seth Kinder, Executive Chef, Barn8 in Hermitage Farm
Distillery Partner:
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
Judges’ Choice Best Pairing
What’s the Tea?
Featuring Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond
Created by:
Bartender Celeste Downey, MeeshMeesh Mediterranean
Freedom Run Farm Lamb Tartare with 9 Spice Pomegranate Crisp
Featuring: Lamb from Freedom Run Farm
Created By:
Chef Noam Bilitzer, MeeshMeesh Mediterranean
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Brands
Peoples’ Choice Best Cocktail
Rye Me Up
Featuring Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight RyeÂ
Created by:
Bartender Justin Keating, Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Distillery Partner:
Michter’s Distillery, LLC
Peoples’ Choice Best Small Plate
Confit Chicken Tostada, Bourbon Mole, Charred Mandarin Marmalade
Featuring: Chicken from Cedar Creek Farms
Created by:
Chef Glenn Dougan, The Kitchen Table
Distillery Partner:
James B. Beam Distilling Company
Peoples’ Choice Best Pairing
Holy Mole
Featuring Knob Creek Rye
Created by:
Bartender Haley Hogan, The Kitchen Table
Confit Chicken Tostada, Bourbon Mole, Charred Mandarin Marmalade
Featuring: Chicken from Cedar Creek Farms
Created by:
Chef Glenn Dougan, The Kitchen Table
Distillery Partner:
James B. Beam Distilling Company
2023 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Judges’ Choice Best Cocktail
Medjool of the Nile
Featuring Angel's Envy Bourbon
Created by:
Bartender Mike Bohn, Angel’s Envy Distillery
Distillery Partner:
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Judges’ Choice Best Small Plate
Freedom Run Smoked Lamb Hummus with Pomegranates, Jerusalem Artichokes, Pine Nuts and Soft Herbs
Featuring: Lamb from Freedom Run Farm
Created by:
Chef Noam Bilitzer, Meesh Meesh Mediterranean
Distillery Partner:
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Judges’ Choice Best Pairing
The Peerless Archivist
Featuring Peerless Double Oak Bourbon
Created by:
Bartender Karla Green, Watch Hill Proper
Marksbury Farm’s Pork Belly with Smoked Curry Coconut Cream, Pineapple Togarashi Jam and Cucumber Blossom
Featuring: Pork Belly from Marksbury Farm and Togarashi and Smoked Curry from Bourbon Barrel Foods
Created By:
Chef Michael Crouch, Watch Hill Proper
Distillery Partner:
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co
Peoples’ Choice Best Cocktail
Straw Hat
Featuring Basil Hayden Straight Bourbon
Created By:
Tin Le, The Kitchen Table
Distillery Partner:
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Peoples’ Choice Best Small Plate
Lexington Pasta with Bourbon, Bacon and Ricotta Stuffed Ravioli. Served with a Sailor & Smoke Rubbed Berry Farms Brisket Burnt End and Horse Soldier Bourbon Local Honey Demi Cream
Featuring: Special Made Pasta from Lexington Pasta, Brisket from Berry Family Farms and Rub & Marinades from Sailor & Smoke
Created by:
Chef Chris Roth, Kentucky International Convention Center
Distillery Partner:
Horse Soldier Bourbon
Peoples’ Choice Best Pairing
Smooth Moves
Featuring Barrell Bourbon Batch 32
Created by:
Bartender Oliver Miller, Red Hog Butcher Shop & Restaurant
Smoked Red Hog Sausage
Featuring: Pork from Valley Spirit Farm, Mushrooms from Frondosa Farm and Sweet Potatoes from Rootbound Farm
Created By:
Chef Katie Smith, Red Hog Butcher Shop & Restaurant
Distillery Partner:
Barrell Craft Spirits
2021 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Best Classic Cocktail
Falling
Featuring Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Bourbon
Created by:
Mara Hartings, The Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company
Distillery Partner:
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Best Classic Small Plate
Sweet Potato Crostini with Goat Cheese, Molasses & Balsamic Glazed Figs and Broadbent Country Ham
Featuring Kentucky Proud Broadbent Country Ham from Kuttawa, KY.
Created By:
Chef Lee Mayfield, Louisville Thoroughbred Society
Distillery Partner:
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Best Classic Pairing
Creole Cocktail
Featuring Monk's Road Bourbon
Created By:
Jayma Neese, Bob’s Steak and Chophouse
Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Sausage and Creole Gravy
Featuring Kentucky Proud Grits from Weisenberger Mills in Midway, KY and Cheddar Cheese from Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese in Austin, KY.
Created By:
Chef Christopher McIntosh, Bob’s Steak and Chophouse
Distillery Partner:
Log Still Distillery
Best Contemporary Cocktail
Matzatli Mole
Featuring Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye
Created By:
Isaac Fox, La Chasse
Distillery Partner:
Michter's Distillery
Best Contemporary Small Plate
Cocoa Foie Gros Mousse with Maple Cotton Candy & Black Locust Vinegar
Featuring Kentucky Proud Chicken Liver from Rivercrest Farm in Prospect, KY.
Created By:
Chef Jeff Dailey, Proof on Main
Distillery Partner:
1792
Best Contemporary Pairing
The Blind Pilot
Featuring Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Created By:
Jacob Buckingham, Repeal
Grilled Carrots with Tahini Yogurt
Featuring Kentucky Proud carrots from Mount Pleasant Acres in Owingsville, KY.
Created By:
Chef Joshua Carter, Repeal
Distillery Partner:
Buffalo Trace Distillery
2020 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Best Classic Cocktail
Taiwanese Manhattan
Featuring Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
Created by:
Dante Wheat, The 502 Bar and Bistro
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Classic Small Plate
Cavehill BLT Grits
Featuring Kentucky Proud Grits from Weisenberger Mills in Midway, KY and Tomatoes from Field Day Family Farm in Louisville, KY.
Created By: Bluegrass Supper Club
Chef Coby Ming
Chef Damaris Phillips
Distillery Partner:
Rabbit Hole Distillery
Best Classic Pairing
Mint Julep
Featuring Cavehill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Created By:
Barret Cooper, Bluegrass Supper Club
Cavehill BLT Grits
Featuring Kentucky Proud Grits from Weisenberger Mills in Midway, KY and Tomatoes from Field Day Family Farm in Louisville, KY.
Created By: Bluegrass Supper Club
Chef Coby Ming
Chef Damaris Phillips
Distillery Partner:
Rabbit Hole Distillery
Best Contemporary Cocktail
Green Beans
Featuring Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye
Created By:
Josh Anderson, Butchertown Grocery
Distillery Partner:
Michter's Distillery
Best Contemporary Small Plate
Smoked Pork Cheek Sausage
Featuring Kentucky Proud Pork Cheek from Marksbury Farm in Lancaster, KY.
Created By:
Chef Zach Chancey, RYE
Distillery Partner:
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Best Contemporary Pairing
Water Buffalo
Featuring Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Created By:
Kelsey Hofmann, RYE
Smoked Pork Cheek Sausage
Featuring Kentucky Proud Pork Cheek from Marksbury Farm in Lancaster, KY.
Created By:
Chef Zach Chancey, RYE
Distillery Partner:
Buffalo Trace Distillery
2019 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Best Classic Cocktail
Bourbon Amaretto Sour
Featuring Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Created by:
Kelsey Hoffman, RYE
Distillery Partner:
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Best Classic Small Plate
Woodford Blintz
Featuring Kentucky Proud Microgreens from Salad Days Farm in Versailles, KY, Kentucky Rose Cheese and Frommage Blanc Cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese in Austin, KY
Created By: Ouita Michel Family of Restaurants
Chef Ouita Michel
Chef Charles Taylor
Chef Nat Henton
Distillery Partner:
Woodford Reserve
Best Classic Pairing
Rickhouse SourÂ
Featuring Michter's Small Batch Bourbon
Created By:
Jayma Neese and Sarah Thomas, Bob’s Steak and Chop House
Bourbon Corn Mash Pancakes
Featuring Kentucky Proud Smoked Salmon from Shukman’s Fish Co. and Smokery in Louisville, KY
Created By:
Chef Paul Sant, Bob’s Steak and Chop House
Distillery Partner:
Michter’s Distillery
Best Contemporary Cocktail
The Beetnik
Featuring Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon
Created By:
Karla Plott, ON3 at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Contemporary Small Plate
Winter Tok-Sel: Lima Bean Puree with Roasted Winter Root Vegetables and Pumpkin Seed Oil
Featuring Kentucky Proud Elephant Ear from Field Day Family Farm in Louisville, Kentucky
Created By:
Chef Bruce Ucán, Mayan Cafe
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Contemporary Pairing
The Beetnik
Featuring Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon
Created By:
Karla Plott, ON3 at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Winter Tok-Sel: Lima Bean Puree with Roasted Winter Root Vegetables and Pumpkin Seed Oil
Featuring Kentucky Proud Elephant Ear from Field Day Family Farm in Louisville, Kentucky
Created By:
Chef Bruce Ucán, Mayan Cafe
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Distillery
2018 Cocktail & Culinary Challenge Winners
Best Classic Cocktail
Final Ward
Featuring 1792 Small Batch Bourbon
Created by:
Oliver Miller, Proof on Main
Distillery Partner:
Barton 1792 Distillery
Best Classic Small Plate
Fried Plantains
Featuring Kentucky Proud Sunflower Shoots from Fire Greens LLC in Louisville, KY
Created By:
Chef Bobby Benjamin, Butchertown Grocery
Distillery Partner:
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Best Classic Pairing
New York Sour
Featuring George Remus Bourbon
Created By:
Austin Garrison, Bouquet Restaurant
Bourbon Soy Cured Kentucky CarpÂ
Featuring Kentucky Proud Carp from Fin Gourmet Foods in Paducah, KY
Created By:
Chef Stephen Williams, Bouquet Restaurant
Distillery Partner:
George Remus Bourbon
Best Contemporary Cocktail
Hair of the Dog
Featuring Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon
Created By:
Brianna Hlava, Butchertown Social
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Contemporary Small Plate
Steak and Eggs
Featuring Kentucky Proud Strip Loin from Foxhollow Farms in Crestwood, KY and Farm Fresh Eggs from Farmer Joe’s in Salvisa, KY
Created By:
Chef Loreal Gavin, Private Chef
Distillery Partner:
Heaven Hill Distillery
Best Contemporary Pairing
Flamenco
Featuring Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Created By:
Nic Christiansen, Butchertown Grocery
Street Taco
Featuring Kentucky Proud Black Radish from Spade & Table Farm in Louisville, KY
Created By:
Chef Bobby Benjamin, Butchertown Grocery
Distillery Partner:
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
