Bourbon in the Bluegrass State
- The Inspired Nomad
- Oct 31, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 14, 2021
One Week. Three towns. Eleven Distilleries. ALL the bourbon! 🥃
If you're in a rush to head over to Kentucky, check out this video...
If you have some extra time, check out all the links and tips below!
The Frankfort Distilleries.
Woodford Reserve, Versailles
The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve distillery, a national historic landmark, in 1812. Woodford believes the history of bourbon is the history of Kentucky, is the history of the United States. Locals' tip: Versailles is pronounced "ver-sall-is."
Castle & Key, Frankfort
In 2014, the founders purchased the Old Taylor Distillery and restored it, putting their own individual spin on the bourbon tradition using local ingredients. There's a lot of bourbon history here, but the beautiful grounds are now home to a gin distillery with cocktails available at it's outside garden bar.
Glenn's Creek Distillery, Frankfort
There could be no more perfect motto for a distillery than Glenns Greek's "a little different... a lot better." It's run by three friendly, knowledgeable, and witty men, who also give the tour. Their bourbon is genuinely delicious and their vodka is shockingly smooth. No fuss, just great spirits. Their support for law enforcement and military also made me swoon.
Buffalo Trace, Frankfort
No trip to Kentucky's Bourbon Trail is complete without a tour or five at Buffalo Trace. In 1171, Daniel Boone journey's along the Buffalo Trace, a major trackway running through what are now Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. A hundred years later, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., grand nephew of the 12th U.S. President Zachary Taylor, purchases a small distillery, christens it O.F.C. (a reference to the old fire copper stills), beginning the story of Buffalo Trace bourbon. After over 200 years, the distillery now has the capacity to produce over 2.65 million gallons of whiskey per year. We took the Old Taylor Tour, which ran 75 minutes and focused on the history of, you guessed it, E.H. Taylor Jr.
Where to eat.
A breakfast must, check out this local family owned 50s style restaurant in the heart of Frankfort.
The oldest restaurant in frankfort – opened in 1943 – is located next to the “singing bridge” in Frankfort, Chef Rick Paul brings “a little bit of bayou to the kentucky river" at this small, offbeat diner.
With the motto “what’s good for bourbon is even better for beer,” Goodwood brews pay homage to the region’s distilling legacy and to those old barrels out there that still have so much flavor left to give. Go to dinner and order literally anything on the menu, it's all DELICIOUS.
A no frills "bourbon experience" restaurant based in a 2-story historic brick building with a large tiered outdoor deck overlooking the Kentucky river and the State Capitol.
If you're still in the mood to drink, check out a heritage brewery originally formed in 1866 by Swiss immigrant Sigmund Luscher, whose mission is to make simple, delicious, “historically good beer.” A relaxed vibe, check out their calendar for live music, too!
Other things to see.
American folk hero Daniel Boone wore many hats - pioneer, explorer, woodsman, frontiersman, businessman, soldier, politician- but he is most famous for his exploration and settlement of present-day Kentucky. He’s buried on a hilltop in Frankfort Cemetery overlooking a gorgeous view of the city's historic downtown and the Kentucky River.
No stop to Frankfort would be complete without splurging at Rebecca Ruth Candies. Since 1919, the family has been actively making fine chocolates. The founder, Ruth Booe, is the inventor of Bourbon Balls, and the fourth generation has just joined the family business.
The Bardstown Distilleries.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown
In the late 1800s, a russian immigrant brought his entrepreneurial spirit to America. He settled in Kentucky, started a successful business, and raised five sons: the Shapira brothers. In 1933, the end of prohibition sparked new interest in Kentucky bourbon. In bardstown, those brothers agreed to invest in a new distillery, and eventually bought it outright. They had no inventory, no warehousing, and no brand. Since 1935, the Shapira family has been at the helm of the largest family-owned and operated distillery in America.
Barton 1792, Bardstown
Barton 1792 distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating distillery in Bardstown. Named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States, the distillery boasts 29 barrel aging warehouses, 22 other buildings including an impressive still house, and the legendary Tom Moore spring on its 196 acres.
Willett Distillery, Bardstown
In 1936 Thompson Willett founded Willett Distillery. You'll love the grounds here, from underground, spring-fed lakes, to the Kentucky split-face limestone exterior, to the old turn-of-the-century belt and pulley fan systems running throughout the distillery and visitor center. In 2017, it hit it's 25,000th barrel and today, the tradition continues.
Lux Row, Bardstown
Boasting real roots, real family, real products, Lux Row is a newer member of the bourbon gang and produces Rebel bourbon, Ezra Brooks, David Nicholson, Davies's County, and Blood Oath at this Bardstown location.
Where to Eat
Mammy's Kitchen & Bar, Bardstown
"Country cookin' makes ya good lookin’" ... Right in the heart of downtown Bardstown, Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar is a family owned and operated restaurant that offers authentic southern hospitality and the best country cookin' around. Breakfast, bourbon, burgers and more! We loved it so much, we ate here twice!
Bullitt’s Winery & Bistro, Bardstown
Bullitt's continues Kentucky’s tradition of excellence with their own wines and Italian cuisine.
Rickhouse Restaurant & Lounge, Bardstown
For a barrel of bourbon to obtain that beautiful color, delicious smell, and full flavor it is stored and aged in the rickhouse. This lounge won't disappoint. The atmosphere is on theme and the food is delicious. Like a barrel in the rickhouse, you’ll want to hang around for a while.
Other things to see.
Mammoth Cave, Cave City
Over five thousand years of human history, including mummies and even wars, abound in Mammoth Cave National Park, the world’s longest known cave system. Formally becoming a national park in 1941 and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981, it spans over 285 miles and is home to more than 130 species that dwell within the cave system, including 70 threatened, endangered, or state listed species. The cave's mammoth dome is 192 feet high and the bottomless pit is 105 feet deep. The underground wonderland of spectacular mammoth cave was formed, and is still being formed, as limestone, also called calcium carbonate, dissolves in water seeping through the ground.
The Louisville Distilleries.
Kentucky Peerless, Louisville
Originally operating as Worsham Distilling Company, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company began in Henderson, Kentucky in the early 1880s. All under one roof, select grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled, barreled and bottled as bourbon and rye whiskey. The original Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. was distilled spirits plant (dsp) number 50. Today, they are privileged to have that same number as the newly assigned dsp numbers are in the 20,000s.
Stitzel-Weller, Shively
In 1987, Thomas E. Bulleit, Jr., fulfilled a lifelong dream of reviving an old family bourbon recipe by starting the Bulleit Distilling Company. Inspired by his great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit, who made a high-rye whiskey between 1830-1860, Tom left a successful law practice and risked everything to experience life on the frontier.
Angel's Envy, Louisville
Hand crafted, small batch whiskey produced by Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited. Angel’s Envy is what happens when 200 years of bourbon tradition meet an independent master craftsman’s instinct to improve. It’s a total return to the art of craft-first, hand blended batches of 8 to 12 barrels at a time.
Where to Eat
Biscuit Belly, Louisville
Southern food mixed with unexpected flavors to make out of this world biscuit sandwiches.
Merle's Whiskey Kitchen, Louisville
Merle's Whiskey Kitchen is a toe-tappin classic whiskey hall located in Downtown Louisville on Whiskey Row. Featuring an award-winning menu of Southern/American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and live music from local, regional, as well as national artists. When you enter through the open-air vintage doors, you’ll be transported to a classic western whiskey hall. The historic interior features belt-driven fans and a bar built in the 1920’s.
La Bodeguita De Mima Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar, Louisville
Upon arrival to La Bodeguita de Mima you will be transported back in time to 1950’s Cuba. From the moment you set foot inside you will smell the delicious Cuban aromas coming from Mima’s kitchen. Truly unique dishes and the absolute best rum cocktails will leave you satisfied and ready to party!
Other things to see.
Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville
Explore the story behind the world-famous Louisville Slugger baseball bat, and the family-owned company that has created it since 1884. A free mini Louisville Slugger bat meets you at the end of a factory tour, but stick around to hit some balls, take pictures with famous players' game used bats, and life-sized figurines of historic players.
Churchill Downs, Louisville
Famed for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875 and was named for Samuel Churchill, whose family was prominent in Kentucky for many years. The first Kentucky Derby, a thoroughbred sweepstakes and part of today's horse racing triple crown, and the first Kentucky Oaks were held in the same year.
I know, there's so many distilleries we missed and I can't wait to go back.
Which other distilleries must we hit next time? Let me know in the comments!
Cheers!
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