Green River Distillery will field both a men’s and women’s team in the upcoming World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, scheduled for September 14 in Bardstown.
Nicole Ebelhar, manager of visitor experience at Green River, shared details about the event and the distillery’s efforts to prepare for the competition.
“The Bourbon Barrel Relay race is divided into four categories: Women’s Individual, Women’s Team, Men’s Individual, and Men’s Team,” Ebelhar said. “Competitors race against the clock, rolling 500-pound barrels around a track, replicating tasks they perform daily in a warehouse setting.”
Scoring is based on the time taken, the position of the barrels, and the alignment of the logos and bung — the hole on the barrel’s side. The Independent Stave Company logo (the event’s sponsor) must be positioned correctly, and a special tool must be used to verify if the bung is perfectly aligned.
Coach Reed Van Winkle leads the men’s team, which includes Dominick Cobb, Aireon Phillips, Keon Roberts, and Jacob Kirkman. Kegan Gentry and Arron Washam are participating in the individual category.
Paige Anderson coaches the women’s team, which features Kaylin Szczublewski, Jordyn Martin, Haleigh Bickett, and Briana McDonald. Taya Stanley and Hannah Adams will compete individually.
“This year is significant for Green River as it marks the first time we have a women’s team competing,” Ebelhar said. “Both teams have been practicing weekly, with the women’s team starting in June and the men’s team in August.”
The event is free and open to the public. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST, there will be food trucks and family-friendly activities.
