May 27, 2026
Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome back two familiar faces to
the corner of Rick House in Frankfort: Diane Strong, the driving
force behind the Bourbon on the Banks Festival, and Bo Cumberland,
the festival's videographer and distillery film maker. Together
they settle in for a relaxed preview of the 2026 Bourbon on the
Banks Festival — now in its seventh year — touching on new events,
expanded programming, sold-out tickets, and the evolution of the
single barrel program that has become one of the festival's most
celebrated features.
On the Tasting Mat:
- James E. Pepper 1776 Single Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon
on the Banks 2025 Pick): A barrel selected the prior year
by Jim, Todd, and Bo at James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington.
Clocking in at 109.4 proof, this single barrel pours with rich
aromas of cherry cola, leather, and a subtle barrel funk. The
palate delivers a lush butterscotch sweetness — evoking Werther's
Original hard candies — balanced by a satisfying peppery bite on
the mid-palate. The finish is long, warm, and refuses to fade. A
confidently balanced cask-strength pick available at the festival
for around $60–65. *(00:01:54)*
- Jeptha Creed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single
Barrel Reserve (Bourbon on the Banks 2025 Pick): A
four-grain bourbon — built on the distillery's heirloom Bloody
Butcher corn alongside wheat, malted barley, and rye — bottled at
119.52 proof from Warehouse B after seven years and one month of
aging. The nose opens with intriguing complexity, revealing sweet
cinnamon, a whisper of root beer, and a hint of fresh strawberry.
The palate is full-powered and richly flavored, landing on buttered
cinnamon pancakes with a wave of deep caramel. A distinctive
expression that showcases just how compelling Jeptha Creed's
long-aged releases have become. *(00:20:05)*
On the Tasting Mat:
Beyond the pours, the crew digs deep into everything Bourbon on the
Banks 2026 has to offer: a sold-out Bourbon Bell River Tour with
Ingram Distillery, the returning Whiskey Thief Kickoff Party
(barrel burning included), a free family-friendly Friday night on
the lawn with circus performers and a mermaid, the Culinary Bourbon
Geek class with Peggy Noe Stevens now pushed to 2 p.m., a Friday
VIP Reception and Auction sponsored by Larkin Bourbon, a Saturday
morning brunch at Cypress and Oak, expanded single barrel picks
from eleven distilleries including Angel's Envy, Pursuit Spirits,
Jeptha Creed, Jackson Purchase, Boondocks, and others, and an
after-party headlined by Creekwater with bluegrass openers Hancock
and Schaus. Twilight tickets for the October 3rd main event are
still available at bourbononthebanks.org.
Be sure to visit thebourbonroad.com