RECAP
BOURBON ON THE RIVER
Recap: A Bourbon on The River Experience
Harvest Homecoming 2018 may be in the rear view mirror, but now is the
time to make plans for next year’s Bourbon on the River
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIRANDA MCDONALD
Even though Harvest Homecoming is one of
Southern Indiana’s most anticipated annual events,
I have to admit that I’d never attended it before this
year. As I divulge what must seem like a completely
shocking revelation, seeing as Southern Indiana
has proudly become a second home to me since
joining the staff at this publication several years
ago, I also must make it known that my absence
from the Harvest Homecoming activities hasn’t
come without some serious regret. Every October,
my social feeds fill up with photos of friends and
colleagues posing proudly with a unique piece of
art or that perfect fried pork tenderloin sandwich
they found while perusing the tents lining the
streets in downtown New Albany. That being
said, you can only imagine my delight when after
years of almost, but not quite making it to the
yearly festivities I was invited to attend one of the
festival’s newest additions, Bourbon on the River.
“We are the first to bring bourbon tasting,
cigars and jazz – all the things we love about
the south – to this side of the river,” said event
organizer Rosie Bryant.
Bourbon on the River made its debut in 2017
as the premiere bourbon tasting event at Harvest
Homecoming. This year, it not only expanded the
list of distillers participating from four to eight also
quickly sold out, even after doubling its attendance.
The expanded list of distillers involved in this year’s
event included Diageo Bulleit Bourbon, Michter’s
Distillery, Jeptha Creed Distillery, Copper and
Kings American Brandy Company, Evan Williams
Distillery, Brown-Forman, the Kentucky Peerless
Distilling Company and Starlight Distillery, one
of the event’s main sponsors.
At the event, all distilleries showcased a unique
cocktail or pour featuring their specific libation.
Each of which, I had the pleasure of tasting. A
few of my favorite alcohol-infused concoctions
included the Peerless Harvest Apple Rye and the
Double Starlight Blackberry Lemonade, a sweet
mix of lemon juice, Starlight Distillery Blackberry
Whiskey, and simple syrup that was topped off
The team from
Starlight Distillery
with Dana and
Ted Huber
EXTOL : DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019
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