We're raising a glass to some of the Bluegrass State's best legends on Kentucky's unofficial day off! Leave your fancy hat at home and join us for some mid-morning bourbon fun
Hosted by Phil Talks Whiskey
Friday, May 1st | 11:30 AM @ Story
Oaks Day has traditionally been a day designed for Kentuckians to celebrate ...and we’re claiming it back! We'll toast the local legends and lore of the whiskey world and beyond on the day before that famed First Saturday in May.
Presenting "Pocket Cone" - a bourbon ballyhoo dedicated to celebrating all things Bluegrass. And, let's be honest, almost none of you plan on really working anyway on Oaks Day...so it's another reason to come spend your morning with us.
We're throwing it back: the ticket price for thia bourbon event is the same as it cost to access the Derby infield back in 1996 - $25
Why "Pocket Cone"?
The names comes from one of the state's most famous pieces of legal lore. Years ago, cunning Lexington horse thieves would slip an ice cream cone into their back pocket to lure away horses with a sweet tooth. If caught by the local law, they would claim innocence and point out no one was actually stealing a horse. The thoroughbred was simply following the dessert to their wagon. To close this ridiculous loophole, the town allegedly made it illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket.
The Experience: Top Notch Tales & Proud Pours We are reclaiming some of the best, most bizarre Kentucky stories and pairing each one with a fantastic bourbon. For Oaks Day, we've selected pours that represent some of the absolute best values in spirits today.
Parading in the Paddock...Our Featured Drams for the day:
Old Grand-Dad 114 Kentucky Bourbon
James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Bourbon
Trackside Founder Release 2025 Kentucky Bourbon
Booker's Kentucky Bourbon
Sip and savor as Phil dives deep into larger-than-life Kentucky legends and lore, including:
The Pocket Cone Prohibition & Other Bluegrass Legal Oddities. Dig into some Bizarre Bluegrass Laws with The Case of the Pocket Cone and other quirky statutes...including one that allows a dog to become Mayor (hey ho, shout out to Rabbit Hash, KY)
Notorious Governors: Profiling the untimely fate of would-be-governor William Goebel and the sometimes wild political exploits of 1902's Governor A.O. Stanley.
Tales behind the whiskey legends Booker Noe, Bill Samuels Sr. and James E. Pepper. Some unforgettable and infamous stories from Kentucky bourbon giants.
A Throwback Ticket Price
To truly celebrate Oaks Day, the price of admission is exactly what it cost to get into the Churchill Downs infield 30 years ago in 1996—just $25.
Tickets will sell quickly for this one-of-a-kind storytelling and tasting event. Grab your spot, skip work, and let's toast to the history, humor, and whiskey of Kentucky!
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About Phil Kollin Phil has a lot to say about whiskey. Over the last several years, Phil has hosted countless groups on bourbon adventures, tastings, whiskey educations, and other ridiculously fun custom experiences.His favorite Derby horse of all time is Charismatic and his least favorite horse is Thunder Snow. He boxes his trifectas, drinks his bourbon neat and can tell you 86 interesting facts about Abe Lincoln.
All tickets - $25. Must be21 or older. Limited spots available!