Easiest/best liquor store close to Buffalo Trace Distillery

[WhiskyRI]

I have a friend driving cross-country (NY to CA), and he and his friends are going to do the BT distillery tour because it is on their way to California.

They only have 5 days to make it cross-country so the BT tour is one of their few stops they’ll make for other than gas or food until they get to Zion National Park in Utah. I'd welcome any recommendation of a liquor store that is easy for them getting on/off I-64 going to/from the distillery and has a good selection of KY regional Bourbons. I've asked him to pick up a few bottles for me - what is the best, easiest place for him to go buy some stuff?

Not having been to any of the Kentucky distilleries myself yet, are there special bottlings in the BT gift shop that I should have him acquire for me that wouldn't be available elsewhere? What 3 whiskies likely only available in Kentucky would you have someone get for you or would you recommend I ask him to look for? Thanks for the help.

[mbroo5880i]

I just visited BT this week. MyOldKyDram suggested Red Dot. I believe I visited all of the liquor stores in town...Red Dot (both stores), Ocean Breeze (the one Chuck suggested), Capital Cellars (downtown, another MOKD suggestion). I did not visit Johnnies on Holmes Street, although I drove by it. Red Dot on 127 had the largest selection and best prices in Frankfort. 127 has an exit from I-64. They were very friendly and helpful. Don't be fooled by the run down shopping center that it is located in. They had pretty brisk business during my two visits.

BTW, Frankfort is pretty easy to travel through. A lot of traffic but it is really difficult to get lost since there are just a few main streets in town. Frankfort isn't very big for a state capital.

Based on the great suggestions from SB members, I purchased Ancient Ancient Age 10 (AAA10) and Heaven Hill 6-Year BIB. Neither are available in Indiana. I am sure that you will get other suggestions.

They had a few special bottles at BT but the prices were high and it is the same bourbon that you can buy retail. For example, they had the BT bottle with a buffalo nickel glued on it for $8 more than you can buy a bottle for retail in Indy.

[p_elliott]

Red Dot that is the name of that liquor store I was trying to think of it to post back to here. They do have a nice selection prices are decent. Now if you want some OGD 86 before they are all gone continue down that road till you get out of town. Their is building on the right that has a few business in there including a liquor store they have 5 1.75 ml of OGD 86 proof in there. Store didn't have a name as I remember

Edited June 2, 2013 by p_elliott

[WhiskyRI]

Thanks for the help everyone - I spoke with the guys at Red Dot - (super nice btw) and they agreed to set aside some AAA, some VOB BIB and some ETLSB for my buddies to pick up. I'd have them buy more but they only have so much room in their luggage for their flight home.

[Colonel Duke]

I stop in Red Dot when I'm in town. Capitol Cellars is a good shop too though, and if you're in town around lunch I believe there is a nice deli style place next door.