So this time we were guaranteed to come back because we left the kids behind. We escaped for just over 48 hours and it was fabulous. We headed down to the
Bourbon Trail in Kentucky with the goal of stopping at each of the 9 distilleries. If you get your Bourbon Trail passport stamped at each one you can earn a free t-shirt. We didn't have time for tours at all of them, but we did pick up a bottle of bourbon at each one.
In order to make it to all 9 we had to start in Louisville, because Bulleit is not open on Mondays. Were we to do this again I'd start in Lexington on a different day of the week and then end in Louisville. We'd planned for Bulleit to be our first tour, however there were some issues with their posted hours versus their actual hours thanks to the blue laws in Kentucky. When we pulled up to Bulleit it took us a minute to figure out what the
crazy looking structures on the property were. We later figured out
they are rickhouses where the bourbon is stored. We wandered around the property on our own and read some of the history
posted on the walls before heading to Evan Williams in downtown
Lousville.
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| Here's one of Bulleit's rickhouses. I'd totally believe these things are haunted. |
Evan Williams was a quick stop as well. I wish we'd had more time in Louisville to see some of the other non-bourbon related sites downtown. Maybe next time? From Louisville we headed to the Bardstown area to go to Jim Beam and then Heaven Hill. Our stop at Jim Beam was another quick one. We made it to Heaven Hill just in time to join the Connoisseur tour. It was a sort of condensed version of info we'd end up getting on our next two distillery tours. The connoisseur tour was special because we got to try some of the REALLY expensive bourbons and ryes. I believe we were told the one Elijah Craig we tried goes for $70 a shot. I had a list of reasons I found it appalling people would spend $70 on a shot that I politely kept to myself. The people who worked here were incredibly nice. The little breadstick like things they had with the tasting were super tasty, although we hadn't eaten all day so maybe I was just deliriously hungry at that point.
We decided to stay the first night in Bardstown because it put us closed to the next day's distilleries. Barstown is a beautiful area and there are lots of other attractions besides just the bourbon distilleries. Sadly Sunday is not the best day to be there because most places are closed. Even the Catholic church was locked up for the day by the time we arrived. We also seemed to have just missed what I imagine are very impressive fall colors. If we did this trip again I'd go earlier in October and try to head down on a Thursday or Friday.
We stayed at the Jailer's Inn because I'd found a deal on Priceline. It was adorable and Paul is an amazing host with great stories. The ladies working when we arrived were also very friendly and helpful. We ate at the Old Talbott Tavern next door because most other places were closed. I highly recommend it!!! The burgoo, hot brown, and country fried steak were fantastic. My only regret is not requesting a side of grits. I'd almost be willing to move south for the food.
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| Our breakfast table at the Jailer's Inn. The whole place was so pretty. |
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| Paul loves to take pictures of guests and strongly encourages posting them online ;) |
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| Our gracious host was willing to get in a picture too. |
The next morning after our breakfast and tour of the jail we headed to Maker's Mark. The facilities and grounds were beautiful. The history of the company and the fact that they are still running with less than 150 employees was amazing. Watching their label makers and bottle dippers was like going back in time. It was a great tour and they make a great bourbon. As a bonus you get to see the Chihuly ceiling!
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| This is where they print all their labels. |
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| I could've spent all day in here. The smell and the amazing light from the ceiling were my favorite part of all the tours. |
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| The woman giving him instructions said he made her day because he had a perfect number of drips. |
From Maker's Mark we went to Four Roses and Wild Turkey for brief stops. Our second to last stop was Woodford Reserve. It is a crazy drive from Wild Turkey to Woodford. To say it's a little off the beaten path would be an understatement. Woodford's property is second to none. They are surrounded by gorgeous Kentucky horse farms. This tour involves a bus and audio system. Everything about Woodford just seemed a cut above.
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| Woodfords stills |
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| The buildings here are their storage and bottling facilities. |
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| This is quite the set-up |
The last stop we made was Town Branch in Lexington where they also make the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This distillery was only about 5 minutes from the Lexington Visitors Center where we turned in our stamped passports for a FREE t-shirt. Then we had a celebratory dinner at Saul Good where we maybe over-ordered a smidge.
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| Saul Good was definitely all good! Two pizzas, nachos and an old fashioned. Perhaps we overdid it? |
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| Best souvenirs ever! |
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| Free t-shirts!!!!!! |
