Hide Transcript Show Transcript

GET CREATIVE. DISTILLERIES ARE TRYING NEW THINGS TO REACH THEIR CUSTOMERS. ANDREW: IF YOU ARE STUCK AT HOME, OR STANDING IN YOUR KITCHEN, YOU CAN STILL LEARN ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE BOURBONS BECAUSE DISTILLERIES ARE STILL GIVING YOU PLENTY OF CHANCES TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS. >> THAT’S WHAT BOURBON IS ABOUT, ABOUT SHARING STORIES. ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER THAT WE CREATE. ANDREW: THERE IS NO WAY FOR PEOPLE TO PHYSICALLY VISIT DISTILLERIES. PLACES LIKE THIS ARE BRINGING INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO YOUR COUCH BY DOING STUFF LIKE THIS. A VIRTUAL TASTING ON INSTAGRAM. >> IT’S A LOT BETTER TALKING TO A PERSON, BUT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. ANDREW MANY DISTILLERIES ARE USING THEIR DIGITAL PLATFORMS TO DO TASTINGS COCKTAIL CLASSES, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ENGAGE PEOPLE. >> I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO FUN THINGS AT HOME. ANDREW: THE FEEDBACK SO FAR HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD. OR BEEN FANS CAN ASK QUESTIONS DURING THESE VIRTUAL SESSIONS. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO IS SHY AT IN PERSON TASTINGS, YOU MAY LIKE THIS FORMAT BETTER. >> WE STILL SEE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET INTO THE BOURBON CATEGORY PHIL INTIMIDATED. THERE IS ALWAYS THE PERSON WHO SAYS THEY GET THIS AND THAT AND YOU ARE LIKE, I DON’T GET THAT. WE REMOVED ALL OF THAT. IT’S BASICALLY A PRIVATE BOURBON TASTING EXPERIENCE. ANDREW: AN EXPERIENCE THAT COULD

Advertisement Bourbon distilleries still reaching people even if those people are at home Distilleries taking advantage of social media to share knowledge with bourbon fans Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Bourbon distilleries are trying new things to reach consumers and fans during this COVID-19 pandemic. They're figuring out new ways to connect with those people even if those people are hanging out in their homes. "That's what bourbon is about, is about sharing stories," said Dan Callaway, vice president of hospitality at Bardstown Bourbon Company. "It's about relationships with each other that we create over the pour of bourbon. "Places like Bardstown Bourbon Company are bringing information directly to your phone, specifically through social media, by holding things like virtual tastings and cocktail classes for bourbon fans to enjoy. "It's a lot better if you're talking to a person," joked Bardstown Bourbon Company master distiller Steve Nally. "But, we'll do what we have to do."It's not just Bardstown Bourbon Company though that is taking part in these new ways to connect with people. Other distilleries like Old Forester and Woodford Reserve are doing similar things."It's really challenged us to think about things that I've always been excited to share and want to share with people," said Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve assistant master distiller. "At home cocktails and doing fun things at home." Plus by doing these virtual sessions, the distilleries are noticing a lot of engagement with their fans. "We are sharing the love of people that are tagging us in their home cocktail experiments that they have going on," said Jackie Zykan, master taster at Old Forester. "So, it's just like a constant stream of stuff, which is great." Click on the video above for more.