May 10th 2012 in Lexinton, Virginia. Best Bourbon Tours???

[Pastor Bourbon]

I'm viisting family in Lexington in 2012. I really want ot take advantage while I'm there. I have relatively limited time; and would really appreciate informed help in picking things to do with regard to Bourbon sampling and culture.

If you had 4 days ONLY to immerse yourself in the Bourbon states and history, what would you do?

Self-guided tours are my preferred method; but am happy to hear about organised tours too.

Looking at a day at Chapeze House for half day cooking school, tasting and dinner. Is this a good option?

Also thinking about Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival on the 12th of May at Charlotte North Carolina. Any knowledge of these events?

Thanks for any input!

[autiger23]

I'm viisting family in Lexington in 2012. I really want ot take advantage while I'm there. I have relatively limited time; and would really appreciate informed help in picking things to do with regard to Bourbon sampling and culture.

If you had 4 days ONLY to immerse yourself in the Bourbon states and history, what would you do?

Self-guided tours are my preferred method; but am happy to hear about organised tours too.

Looking at a day at Chapeze House for half day cooking school, tasting and dinner. Is this a good option?

Also thinking about Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival on the 12th of May at Charlotte North Carolina. Any knowledge of these events?

Thanks for any input!

Four roses and Buffalo Trace hardhat tours are the best. Of course it's all part of the fun to check out the makers, heaven hill and woodford one's just because. Went to wild turkey but they had shutdown the old one.

[Pastor Bourbon]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I know the names and am interested in seeing some distilleries, so will look them up.

Thanks again.

[Enoch]

I'm viisting family in Lexington in 2012. I really want ot take advantage while I'm there. I have relatively limited time; and would really appreciate informed help in picking things to do with regard to Bourbon sampling and culture.

If you had 4 days ONLY to immerse yourself in the Bourbon states and history, what would you do?

Self-guided tours are my preferred method; but am happy to hear about organised tours too.

Looking at a day at Chapeze House for half day cooking school, tasting and dinner. Is this a good option?

Also thinking about Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival on the 12th of May at Charlotte North Carolina. Any knowledge of these events?

Thanks for any input!

I have been to a couple of the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festivals. It is a good deal if you haven't tried many of the bourbons available or want to compare a lot together. The lines aren't a problem because more prople are interested in the beer. I would get the VIP tickets because several distillers have special bourbons out for the first two hours. I clearly got my money's worth. I would stay at one of the hotels (Renaissance or Doubletree) at Southpark Mall because you can easily walk to and back from the festival.

[Clavius]

I've been to Maker's Mark, Four Roses and Buffalo Trace. Buffalo Trace is by far the best experience, in my opinion. Do the "Hard Hat" tour if you can (you just need to call ahead and make reservations for a time). Maker's Mark and Four Roses were both good tours as well. I've been told that Woodford Reserve is a good tour but I believe they charge a small fee. Whereas Maker's and Buffalo Trace are both free tours (I can't remember if Four Roses was free or not as I was there for work).

[Beer&Bourbon]

My wife and I just went with my bourbon drinking buddy and his wife - got back last night. We spent the weekend + Monday there and hit:

WT, Woodford, Barton/1792, Heaven Hill, Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, Maker's Mark, 4R Cox's Creek, 4R distillery, and BT hard hat tour

With 4 days and planning ahead, I would think you'd be able to hit all of these and the independent stave cooperage as well as another place or two (Chapeze house).

[Beer&Bourbon]

A quick run down of my experience: I liked the 4R Cox's Creek and BT Hard Hat tours the best.

The best tastings were had at Heaven Hill (although ours was not the standard tasting) and 4R (join the mellow moments club - you'll get to try all of the export expressions in addition to the US regular line up that everyone gets to try).

I really liked the look of Heaven Hill; as a fungal researcher, I think the Angel's share fungus is a mark of beauty, not one that should be covered up. I loved the industrial look/feel of BT. I enjoyed the serenity (and decorations) at Maker's Mark.

Best bourbon balls: Barton > BT > everything else. We visited Barton on the first day; if I had known how much better their bourbon balls were, I would have bought a box.

Best gift shop:
1. Heaven Hill - lots of product (including limited editions), many types of branded glencairn glasses, nice looking displays, lots to choose from
2. 4R - bourbons available for purchase (including limited editions when available), glassware (no glencairns), and just beautiful stuff with their nice logo
3. BT - very limited bourbon selection (ER, BT cream, Rain vodka only), but had ORVW and BT glencairn glasses along with a decent selection of clothing and other tourist-y stuff

[Pastor Bourbon]

Thanks again for your great suggestions, help and comments. I appreciate your opinions. There is such a lot of info. on the net which presents a particular company's product; but it is valuable to have informed personal opinion which is not filtered through incentives.