Kentucky Bourbon Trail

[bigman]

Well, I haven’t been around much lately; I’ve been busy at work, with new responsibilities, and also at home with my recent wedding. So, I figured I’d drop in and catch up a little, and this seamed to be the right forum for this, if not please move.
Anyway, my wife and I decided that for our honeymoon we would take a week of R&R on the Bourbon trail, and let me tell you, it is highly recommended that everyone that can follow the trail at least once, even if you’re not a bourbon drinker.
We started out in the town of Brooks, Ky, and the first day we toured the Jim Beam distillery, of the distillery tours this one was our least favorite. It was in a very nice location and all, however, there is no guided tour, and there isn’t much to see, at the end you do get to sample some of their bourbon, and get a little background, but other tours were better, however, they did say that in two years they will open up the actual distillery to tours, and this will improve tings a bit. Anyway there we sampled the Baker’s 107, and the Booker’s (approximately 121proof) of the two the Bookers was defiantly the better of the two, also, with the tasting, they didn’t explain the art of tasting very well, unlike the other 6 distilleries, who offered tips. From there, we diverted to two wineries in the area, before moving on to Bardstown, Ky, and the next two distilleries. Day two was Makers Mark, there you get a guided tour of the entire distillery, as well as a tasting and the opportunity to hand dip your own bottle. This was one of our favorite tours, just getting to the distillery was a very scenic rout, and the people there were great. Here, we got to sample the “white dog” (straight from the still whisky) and some bottled makers, they explained the whole process of tasting and all. We also took in the Old Talbert Tavern, a local tourist hot spot, for dinner. Day three was the Heaven Hill Distillery, also a very good tour, we actually went twice, once in the morning, and then we took a trolley tour of the town and got to do it over. However, the tour without the trolley ride was more in-depth. Both time we got to sample the Even Williams Single barrel vintage (96) and the Elijah Craig 18yo, the 18yo being our favorite of the two and the second favorite of the trip, mined you I’m a Makers Mark Ambassador and Makers ranked third for me. That night we went on the Old Kentucky Dinner Train, it was expensive but a once in a life time experience for us, so why not. Then on to Lexington, for the next 3 days, day four we rented a Harley and went to Wild turkey and Four Roses, Wild Turkey was an interesting tour with the whole process available like Makers Mark, but no tasting. Then we went to Four Roses, again a full tour and a tasting. This distillery is in a old Spanish Mission, very cool building, and we tasted there, “white dog”, there yellow label, the Small batch and the Single barrel, the small batch was a 90 proof, and our favorite not only of the Four Roses, but of the trip, we bought a bottle, as it is not available in all states yet, and Indiana isn’t one of them yet. Day five we did Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve. Buffalo Trace was a fairly informative tour as well, followed by tasting of their Bourbon and their Rain brand Vodka. This is very good Vodka, and one that doesn’t remind me of rubbing alcohol. And finally Woodford Reserve, the trip to the distillery was very scenic again, and the tour was very good, you do have to pay for this one, but they bus you to the Rick house and back. They are owned by the same company as Jack Daniel’s and the tour is almost a production, but worth the $5. at the end you get to taste there bourbon as well. At all the distilleries they also give you a sample of their Bourbon Balls, I recommend picking some up for home, Buffalo Trace had some of the best. We rounded off our weak in Berea, Ky, my wife had a mission trip there years back.
But, again I recommend the experience to anyone, and to those who like good Bourbon, and live in Ky, Ny, Nj, Tn, Il, and I think Tx and Fl, the only states that currently carry the brand, you really must try the Four Roses Small Batch it is some of the best Bourbon I have ever had.

[Mr.Maduro]

Sounds like an awesome time!! This is definately on my "to-do" list!!

[tsolomon]

Sitting here on the front porch with a bourbon and cigar thinking I have got to do this.

[hotreds]

Did Makers Mark have any cigars available?

[newcigarz]

I always leave shots of Bourbon on the trail so I can find my way back.

[BengalMan]

I'm hitting this tour up with my Step Dad later this year, can't wait. Four Roses has been one of my go-to bourbons for some time now. The single barrel is hard to beat for $28.

[garyatmaui]

I have a houseboat on Green River and go by several of these each week when going to the boat. A couple of the other guys at the marina and I have been talking about doing this some time this summer. I think you just pushed me over the edge. I am also a big fan a Makers, also Evan Williams, actually I haven't met to many bourbons I don't like. I have never had the Four Roses. i am going to be there the whole week after the 4th, I believe I know what I will pick up to sample.

Great review..............thanks very much.

[bigman]

If you plan on going to all of the distilleries, pick up a Bourbon Trail Passport at the first one, and have all of them stamp it, supposedly they will give you a shirt or something.

Also, Makers Mark dose have Cigars available, however, they are expensive, and not in a humidor.

[mikey202]

Cool!!! My brother lives in KY. I'll have to do this some time.

[gvarsity]

Sounds like an amazing trip. Glad you had a great time and congrats on the recent wedding. I'll have to make a run over the border to Il to pick up some Four Roses Small Batch.