Spirits of optimism - a tasting event
Join Us for The Spirits of Optimism
The Spirits of Optimism is a bourbon and whiskey tasting event presented by the Lebanon Optimist Club.
Our Age of Jazz themed event will feature bourbons and whiskeys from six Ohio and Kentucky Distilleries. We will enjoy great bourbon paired with hors d'oeuvres specially chosen to complement the spirits. In addition we'll have great music and entertainment, a live auction, and raffle. Dress up in your favorite Age of Jazz attire and join the fun.
When we decided to organize our tasting fundraiser, The Spirits of Optimism, our club members decided to choose one organization to receive the profits from the event. This year's recipient will be Warren County Peer Support Team. Our law enforcement and firefighting professionals run into danger while the rest of us run away. They experience trauma in so many ways. The Warren County Peer Support team arrives on scene at these critical times. Made up of first responders, they make sure their peers receive the support needed to work through these experiences.
We are limiting tickets to 80. This event will sell out. Don't wait! Get your tickets now below!
Spirits of Optimism
Saturday February 1, 2025
6:00-9:00pm
Camp Kern
Schweitz Assembly Hall
5291 OH-350
Oregonia, OH 45054
Tickets $75 each
(purchase below)
Age of Jazz Attire Suggested
Featuring 6 Ohio and KY Distilleries
Light Food Pairings will be served with each spirit
Sponsorship Opportunities Available (see below)
Meet Our Expert
Our Presenter - Distilled Living
We are excited to announce our partnership this year with Distilled Living, and we introduce our host for the evening, Tim Knittel, Founder of Distilled Living & Bourbon Industry Insider.
Tim Knittel is a Kentucky bourbon industry insider with over 13 years experience in bourbon education & event design.
- Former Culinary Center Manager and Homeplace Host at Woodford Reserve Distillery (2009-2016) under the dual direction of James Beard Nominated Chef Ouita Michel & Master Distiller Chris Morris with the culinary program. In 2013 he transitioned to being the first Homeplace Host for Woodford Reserve responsible for VIP tours & tastings, and representing the brand and master distiller at the distillery.
- Founded Distilled Living in 2016 when he began presentations, tastings, distillery consulting, bar and restaurant consulting & publishing in both consumer & industry magazines.
- Certified Executive Bourbon Steward through the Stave & Thief Society (often compared to a Bourbon Sommelier) which is the highest classification available for a professional bourbon educator.
- Adjunct Professor of Bourbon Studies at Midway University (fall 2017 – current)
- Appointed the 1st Official Bourbon Ambassador of Churchill Downs (2020 – current)
He has assisted in developing new spirits for restaurants, bars and emerging brands both grain-to-glass and sourced.
He has written for numerous industry and consumer publications including Artisan Spirit Magazine, DrinkDistiller.com and Whisky Wash and he has been featured in Maxim, Forbes, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, American Whiskey Magazine, GoodMorningAmerica.com, NBCNews.com, Washington Post, Bourbon Review, Film Journal, Wonderlust, Bourbon & Bartner, Bourbon Pursuit podcast and more.
He additionally has the only “Bourbon Technical Advisor” credit in IMDB for his work on the independent feature film Bluegrass Spirits starring Jake Busey and expected to be released soon.
Tim is passionate about crafting meaningful experiences and uses Bourbon as a vehicle to sensory awareness.
Meet our Entertainer
Soulful Jazz Musician Meghan Watkins
Beyond her roles as Lead Teacher at Crimson Yoga Cincinnati, Executive Assistant for The Life Stylist Podcast, passionate baker, and wellness enthusiast, Meghan Watkins has always identified foremost as a musician. A Cincinnati-based singer with a natural gift for soul, Meghan’s versatility and powerful range have taken her from Ohio University’s vocal performance program to local music theatre and the national stage as a featured performer in NBC's holiday special, “Clash of the Choirs” with Nick Lachey.
She also graced the international stage, singing with the World Youth Choir at the 2008 Olympic Games.
In recent years, Meghan has captivated audiences with the Steve Schmidt Jazz Trio and delivered high-energy performances with her former band, Swamp Thang, among other talented musicians. Her powerful vocals bring fresh interpretations to soulful classics, while her magnetic on-stage presence energizes every crowd.
Whether on the yoga mat or performing live, Meghan pours her heart and soul into every experience. With a blend of passion, determination, and grit, she promises an unforgettable offering that will resonate long after the final note.
We are thrilled Meghan will be sharing her musicianship with us at this year's Spirits of Optimism event.
Get Your Event Tickets
This event is limited to 80 tickets and will sell out. Get yours now, and don't forget to buy extras for gift-giving!
REMEMBER YOUR EXPERIENCE
Enjoy Our Custom Bourbon Blend
The Lebanon Optimist Club has created "Spirits of Optimism", our custom blended bourbon. Pre-order your bottle and pick it up at the event on February 1, 2025. Can't make it to the event? Order a bottle, and we will arrange a custom pick-up. (Label design may change, but the recipe will not.)