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The Forbidden Bourbon Blending Experience

The Forbidden Bourbon Blending Experience

District Smokehouse and Turbine Market + Cafe Oct 1, 2026 5:30 PM $150++
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Join us for an exceptional evening where bourbon, fire and flavor converge at District Smokehouse for an immersive celebration of craftsmanship, culinary artistry and Kentucky bourbon tradition.
The evening begins fireside with a welcome toast and chef-curated bites served straight from the smoker, inviting guests to savor the rich, smoky flavors of Southern barbecue alongside their first pour of Forbidden Bourbon.
Guests will then step behind the bottle and into the art of bourbon making with Forbidden Bourbon Master Distiller Marianne Eaves, Kentucky’s first female bourbon Master Distiller since Prohibition. In this exclusive, hands-on blending experience, Marianne will guide guests through the nuances of bourbon—exploring aroma, flavor, balance and finish as they craft their own signature blend.
And the experience doesn’t end at the table. Each guest will create a custom bourbon blend to take home, making the evening as personal as it is memorable.
Following the blending experience, guests will gather for a chef-curated Smokehouse dinner, showcasing bold, smoke-kissed flavors thoughtfully paired with the depth and character of Forbidden Bourbon.
From the first pour beside the fire to the final sip at the table, The Forbidden Bourbon Blending & Smokehouse Dinner Experience is an evening of discovery, craftsmanship and indulgence—where guests don’t simply taste bourbon; they become part of its story.

Master Distiller Marianne Eaves

Marianne Eaves has built a career on innovation, pushing boundaries while honoring the craft of whiskey-making. Raised in Kentucky, she studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville, where an internship at Brown-Forman set her on the path to becoming a leader in modern bourbon.

At Brown-Forman, she rose to Master Taster and was positioned as the next Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve. However, in 2015, at just 28, she left to take on an even greater challenge—restoring the historic Old Taylor Distillery. In doing so, she became Kentucky’s first female Bourbon Master Distiller since Prohibition and co-founded Castle & Key.

Her work at Castle & Key earned industry acclaim, landing her on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40 Tastemakers” lists. But she wanted to make an even broader impact.

Transitioning to consulting, she helped develop award-winning projects like
Sweetens Cove. These experiences led to Forbidden Bourbon, her most personal creation yet—a bold, small-batch wheated bourbon that reflects her fearless approach to whiskey-making.

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