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The Bourbon Women SIPosium is the United States’ only female-focused whiskey conference held annually in Louisville. This year’s conference welcomed nearly 450 women from across the country, all coming together to celebrate, learn, and connect.
Over three and a half days, attendees engaged in 18 workshops, 14 excursions, and 22 off-site events that showcased 70 speakers and 50 top-shelf sponsors. This year also brought several new and unforgettable experiences, including a tasting and dinner at The Last Refuge, a fully immersive Maker’s Mark and Chihuly collaboration, and an extraordinary Hard Truth Distilling event at the Kentucky Castle.
“We were especially proud to spotlight the launch of Sherri Carter’s new brand, Mahogany Fox Spirits, during the SIPosium,” said Bourbon Women’s Board of Directors Chair Carol Otto.
As bourbon’s best friend, Louisville Water proudly hydrates Bourbon Women each year.
This year, Louisville Water provided 13 coolers in addition to the bottle-fill stations located at the Kentucky International Conventional Center, allowing guests to drink like a local while in Louisville.
“A key part of our success is the ongoing partnership with Louisville Water,” said Otto. “It’s such a natural fit – water is at the heart of bourbon. Whether it’s releasing flavors with just a few drops, ensuring guests stay hydrated while sipping, or elevating bourbon’s profile through its own unique quality, Louisville Water is woven into the SIPosium experience year after year.”
In addition to its hydration sponsorship, Louisville Water also led short water tastings for attendees as they checked into the conference.
Attendees sampled one bottled water alongside Louisville Pure Tap®. They were instructed to treat each sip of water just like a bourbon tasting – sniff, hold it up to the light, and drink!
Many attendees commented on the plastic aftertaste of the bottled water option. They preferred the crisper finish and flavor profile of Pure Tap.
“Bitter” and “acidic” are never words you want to hear used when describing your bourbon. Thankfully, in Kentucky, we tend to use the words “smooth” and “mellow” to describe our bourbon. A lot of that is thanks to the water.
Bourbon distillers prefer water with a high pH to manage the acidity of the mash and enhance the fermentation process. The high pH comes from the famous limestone water that is naturally rich in minerals like calcium and low in minerals like iron.
When we think of “flavor,” a lot of this is perception and certainly subjective. However, Water Quality and Compliance Manager Chris Bobay said pH and mineralogy are two factors that affect mouth feel.
The higher the mineral content or “total dissolved solids” (TDS) in the water, the more flavor someone may pick up. Pure Tap’s TDS level sits around 213 parts per million (ppm), according to the 2024 Water Quality Report. For comparison, Aquafina was the bottled water the attendees sampled, and its TDS level is around 5 ppm.
When talking about taste, Bobay stressed the importance of odor, too. These sensory details drive perceptions of taste. That’s why you might notice a taste on your tongue when sniffing something with your mouth open.
Great bourbon starts with great water. Thankfully, no one knows this ingredient better than Louisville Water.
Learn more about bourbon’s best friend at LouisvilleWater.com.
