A Salute to Veterans

This fall, Kentucky Derby Museum proudly launches its Legends Series event with a Salute to Veterans, celebrating veteran-owned and operated distilleries. This event is a special tribute to those who have served our country and continues the museum's tradition of honoring legendary innovators and leaders in the bourbon industry.

This event will feature four distinguished veteran-owned and operated distilleries and a panel discussion led by bourbon industry legend and veteran Fred Minnick. Heather French Henry, former Miss America 2000 and founder of the Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc., will host the evening.

November 14, 2024

5:30-8:00pm at Kentucky Derby Museum

Purchase Tickets

Tickets: $100* per person

*Veterans and active-duty military personnel are eligible for a $75 ticket. Use promo code VETERAN24 at checkout (Promo code applies once per transaction). Please present Military ID upon arrival.


The Tasting Lineup:

Event Highlights:

  • Bardstown Bourbon Co. and Green River: Led by Colonel (Ret.) Mark Erwin, Bardstown Bourbon Co. and Green River have transformed American Whiskey as the foremost custom distiller in the U.S.
  • Four Branches Distillery: Co-founded by Veterans, each representing a branch of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force), this distillery embodies the spirit of true service.
  • Larrikin Bourbon Co.: Established by Greg Keeley, an Australian-born U.S. Navy Combat Veteran, the distillery is built on the principles of pride, competence, discipline, and integrity.
  • MB Roland Distillery: Founded by Paul Tomaszewski, a U.S. Army Infantry Officer and West Point graduate, the idea for the distillery was conceived during his service in Iraq.
  • Mission BBQ dinner buffet. Mission BBQ has been serving authentic BBQ since 2011 and supporting those who have sworn to protect and serve.
  • Welcome cocktails and bourbon tastings from each distillery.
  • Bourbon Authority: Fred Minnick, Renowned Bourbon Curator & Tasting Expert
  • Host: Heather French Henry

 

Bardstown Bourbon & Green River
Four Branches Bourbon
MB Roland Distillery

Mission BBQ

 

Fred Minnick

The event is hosted by Iraq War Veteran and KDM Bourbon Authority, Fred Minnick. This event offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and support distilleries founded by veterans. Fred is an American wine and spirits writer, who began professionally writing about wine and spirits in 2006. He helped found Bourbon+, which covers the bourbon industry. 

 

Heather French Henry

Ms. Henry is an accomplished American fashion designer, politician, veterans advocate, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss America in 2000 – the first Miss Kentucky to do so. Heather is a life-long advocate of American veterans and began raising awareness of homeless veterans with her Miss America platform. Her father, Ron French, was a wounded veteran of the Vietnam War. Henry received numerous awards for her work with veterans, including Kentuckian of the Year by Kentucky Monthly. You can learn more about her veterans’ foundation at heatherfrenchfoundationforveterans.org

*Must be age 21+ for bourbon tasting. Purchase is nonrefundable.
Tickets will not be mailed. Bring your confirmation e-mail (QR ticket). Your name will always be on the check-in list the night of the event.

 

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