Bourbon Capital Alliance Launches Bourbon Capital Diplomat Certification Experience

New educational program teaches hospitality professionals about Bardstown’s bourbon heritage

Image Credit: Bourbon Capital Alliance

Bardstown, Ky. (June 22, 2026) - - - The Bourbon Capital Alliance is excited to announce the Bourbon Capital Diplomat Certification Experience, a new educational program designed to deepen bourbon knowledge and elevate hospitality experiences throughout Bardstown. For more information, visit www.bourboncapitalacademy.com.

Created with hospitality industry professionals in mind, the Bourbon Capital Diplomat Certification Experience provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of Bardstown’s rich bourbon heritage, the history of the Bourbon Capital of the World®, and the ten partner distilleries that make up the Bourbon Capital Alliance: Limestone Branch Distillery, Potter Jane Distilling Company, Log Still Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Preservation Distillery, Old SteelHouse Distillery, Lux Row Distillers, Maker’s Mark Distillery and Barton 1792 Distillery.

"When guests come to the Bourbon Capital of the World, they expect a certain level of hospitality and bourbon knowledge," said Sam Lacy, Executive Director of the Bourbon Capital Alliance. "The Bourbon Capital Alliance is excited to begin building the bourbon knowledge of our hospitality team members, further enhancing the experience for our guests from far and wide."

Hosted in the Bourbon Capital Academy classroom in the Brindiamo Penthouse, located on the third floor of historic Spalding Hall, the experience features a proprietary, hospitality-focused curriculum developed through collaboration with the Alliance’s partner distilleries and key local stakeholders. Participants will gain valuable insights into bourbon production, Bardstown’s history and the brands that have helped establish the destination as the Bourbon Capital of the World®.

"We have been quite intentional throughout the process of building the Diplomat program, gathering input from our ten partner distilleries and local stakeholders," said Lacy. "The key to the sustainability of the Diplomat program is ongoing education. Distillery experiences and core brands change, so it's imperative that we keep our certified Diplomats engaged and up to date on current distillery happenings through biannual Bourbon Capital Diplomat Summits and other efforts.

Open to both hospitality professionals and bourbon enthusiasts, the experience includes the proprietary educational curriculum, four guided bourbon tastings featuring selections from Bourbon Capital Alliance partner distilleries, a take-home Diplomat Handbook and more. Upon successfully passing a 50-question certification exam, participants will earn the title of Certified Bourbon Capital Diplomat and gain access to exclusive benefits and continuing education opportunities.

"While we have built this program for hospitality industry employees, we absolutely invite general consumers to book the experience," said Lacy. "This program will grow over time and we're very excited for its potential, not only locally but well beyond."

The Bourbon Capital Diplomat experience will launch officially to general consumers and hospitality industry team members on Monday, July 6. Additional experience dates can be found on the Academy website in the near future. Following certification, Diplomats will be invited to attend biannual Bourbon Capital Diplomat Summits, where they will hear directly from partner distilleries about new products, experiences and industry developments. Additional ongoing educational opportunities are currently in development.

Classes will be available for booking at www.bourboncapitalacademy.com.

Bourbon Capital Alliance:

Founded in 2017, the Bourbon Capital Alliance is committed to building upon Bardstown’s status as the Bourbon Capital of the World. Working alongside local distilleries and community partners, the nonprofit Alliance is elevating and expanding experiences and educational opportunities. The Alliance’s initiatives include National Bourbon Week, the Bourbon Capital Guild, the Bourbon Capital Academy, the Bourbon Capital District entertainment destination center, Bardstown special license plate, and other projects that improve the Bardstown community. Learn more at bourboncapital.org.