LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., September 1, 2015—The team from MGP’s Lawrenceburg, Ind., facility is eagerly preparing for their second appearance ever in the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay™ in Bardstown, Kentucky.  The relay is scheduled to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, as part of the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival®. It is one of the highlights of the six-day festival that kicks off on Sept. 16.

“Once again, our team will be touting the slogan ‘That’s How We Roll’ as they literally barrel their way toward a top finish in the competition,” said MGP President and CEO Gus Griffin.  “We’re going into the event with a tremendous amount of pride as the lone Indiana contender, and motivated by our reputation as a leading producer of world-class bourbon and whiskeys.  That’s our heritage and we’re excited to carry it forward in this fun-filled competitive arena.”

MGP’s barrel rolling team is comprised of personnel from the Lawrenceburg facility’s warehouse department and is coached by Robert McCormack, warehouse manager. All other teams entered in the relay represent bourbon companies located in Kentucky.

The relay is sponsored by Independent Stave Company, Lebanon, Mo. It is a timed race in which team and individual speed and accuracy are key factors. Ten barrels, each filled with 500 pounds of water, must be rolled around a 40-foot by 28-foot railed track, and one person, called the “ricker,” sends the barrels down a rick similar to those in bourbon warehouses.  Another person outside the rick is tasked with helping position the barrels according to rigid guidelines. Ten seconds are subtracted for each barrel that meets those guidelines, and the lowest time wins.

“Considering that last year was our first experience in the competition and that we had limited practice opportunities, our team made a rather impressive showing,” McCormack said. “We feel we have the potential to do even better this year, raising our score among the much more seasoned competitors.”

Attracting a large crowd of spectators, along with widespread news coverage, the relay has continued to gain popularity since being organized in conjunction with the first Kentucky Bourbon Festival in 1991. For additional details about the festival, visit KyBourbonFestival.com.  More information about MGP can be accessed at mgpingredients.com.

About MGP

MGP is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science and backed by over 170 years of experience. The company's proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the company facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.