Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information
Stave Awards 2025
The 2025 Stave Awards returned this week to the Legacy at Log Still Distillery after a year’s absence. The venue is the distillery’s premium event space and it did not disappoint. Over 250 people gathered at the third annual event which was created by Bardstown Tourism to recognize, honor, and celebrate the incredible individuals within the Bardstown and Nelson County hospitality industry.
From frontline hospitality workers to those behind the scenes, from leaders to innovators, these Stave Award nominees represent the best of those who help to make Bardstown THE place to visit. According to Hannah Medley, Marketing Director for Visit Bardstown, the program has grown from 5 to 7 categories since its inception three years ago. Medley believes this year they have achieved the perfect number of categories to accurately and authentically represent the booming hospitality industry in the Bourbon Capital of the World.
Nominations for the Stave Awards are open to the general public as is choosing each category’s three finalists. This year’s winners were selected with the help of the surrounding counties’ tourism heads. The following are this year’s nominees with the winners in bold.
Ambassador of Bardstown
- Randi Mouser
- David Dones
- Victoria Hoff
Attractions
- Adrienne Gabehart
- Shelby Nash
- Nikki McIntyre Smith
Bar
- Crystal Pratt
- Luke Barton
- Kayla Horton Kramarczyk
Behind the Scenes
- Chuck Clements
- Natalie DeShazer
- Carrie Pride
Hotel/B&B
- Hannah Woosley
- Mary Stivers
- Rosie Chaudhary
Leadership
- Landon Foster
- Veronica Burger
- Julianna Leach
Restaurant
- Angie Almanza
- Ed Gutierrez
- Estelle Mattingly
Jeff Crowe, Director of Kentucky Experiences at Heaven Hill Distillery, and Stacey Phelps, President of the Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist & Convention Commission introduced the evening. Following the introductions, the event was emceed by country music star and Season 15 winner of American Idol, Trent Harmon. A video was presented briefly introducing each finalist, with more in-depth videos played for each winner. The food, drinks and hospitality provided by the folks at the Legacy at Log Still were all top notch, and it is safe to say that a good time was had by all.
Congratulations to all of the Stave Award finalists and winners. Thank you for all you do to make Bardstown a great place to visit and live!🥃
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About the Editor: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.
Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.
Ed can be found on social media on Instagram at @bourbon_obsessed and on Facebook at @BourbonObsessed
About the author: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.
Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.
Ed can be found on social media on Instagram at @bourbon_obsessed and on Facebook at @BourbonObsessed
