Making a trip to Kentucky…

[SteelSchaben]

@FL shaver Traveling mercies on your trip, take lots of pictures and please share here so we may be envious

 

[FL shaver]

Thanks and will do! Might have to come up with some sort of PIF, too!

 

[Timeclo]

I visited KY couple months back and visited a lot of the distilleries. Unfortunately, most of the places were closed off other than the gift shops (unless you reserve ahead of time for the guided tours). I did enjoy going through Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace distilleries. Got myself a bottle of Blanton's.. if you ask them at the front counter, they have some in reserve. Eagle Rare was sold out 5min before I got there, haha.

 

[FL shaver]

I hope I won't run into closed distilleries...

 

[ackvil]

I hope I won't run into closed distilleries...

Check in or call the Bourbon Trail Welcome Center in Louisville. Last year many of the distilleries were shut down at times because of COVID. You can also go to the Center's Distilleries Page to see the hours of operation and contact info.

Distilleries | Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Tap into our world-famous Bourbon distilleries with generations of storied tradition. This is our culture, our heritage and our pride.

kbt.wpengine.com

https://kybourbontrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/KBT-Map-2-01-scaled.jpg

 

[FL shaver]

Thank you. This trip is happening whether our reserved tastings get canceled or not. I want to run along the river, drive by Churchill Downs, see the big bat….

 

[njpaddy]

Thank you. This trip is happening whether our reserved tastings get canceled or not. I want to run along the river, drive by Churchill Downs, see the big bat….

Don't forget the Belle of Louisville, if you have time.

 

[The Knize]

Peerless in Louisville has a nice tasting room and you can taste and buy special expressions not available elsewhere. My favorite rye.

 

[Duke of the Deck]

Makers Mark is a must see as is Woodford. Both have great tours.

 

[FL shaver]

Thanks for the recommendations. Anticipation is building.

 

[NovaDave]

Check out Proof in Louisville for food and cocktails!

 

[FL shaver]

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[FL shaver]

The Heaven Hill strike has ended!

 

[FL shaver]

Ok…. Louisville is under way…
First night, Hell or High Water Speakeasy. Nice concept. Nice space. Excellent cocktails. Fair execution. Suffice it to say we didn’t need the secret password.

I ordered a Calling Card No. 1 with Old Forester 1920 and sweet vermouth, but it was eclipsed by the Highland Frost. What a great cocktail!

 

[FL shaver]

Day 2

About an hour’s ride east to Frankfort to visit Buffalo Trace. We woke early, participated in remote zoom meetings (ugh), and arrived at a bustling gift shop where hundreds of visitors were gathering bottles of Buffalo Trace and Blanton’s (only 425 bottles of Blanton’s sold).

Very cool property and complimentary tour and tasting. All four of us purchased a bottle of BT at $27 and Blanton’s at $63. One lady sacrificed a bottle of BT on the concrete floor of the gift shop.

We had lunch at the Taylorsville Rd. Mussel and Burger. Weller Special Reserve was the call here.

 

[FL shaver]

Day 2 evening

Folks arriving for Clemson-Louisville tomorrow night. Stayed at the hotel for good seafood (Yup!!) and some adult beverages. The hotel serves a complimentary OF at 7:33pm, but the star of the evening was the Quinta do Noval 20 Tawny!

 

[FL shaver]

Taquitos and mussels in a Basque sauce at Mussel and Burger for lunch today. The seafood sliders and lamb burger were delicious, too. We learned too late that there is a downtown restaurant not far from the hotel.

 

[FL shaver]

Missed the 9 am tasting at Four Roses, so headed to Willett…

 

[FL shaver]

Waiting for lunch before Heaven Hill…

 

[FL shaver]

Heaven Hill and Bulleit…