Advice Needed - My Kentucky Derby Friday Afternoon Bourbon Trail

[greatgoo]

Hi Guys,

I know there are many threads on this topic, and I have read a bunch, but wanted to get specific opinions on my short bourbon trip. I’m meeting up with friends to go to the derby. On that Friday, I have a small window of 12:30pm-6:00pm to have lunch, bourbon hunt, and hopefully go on one tour. Below was my game plan based on other threads that I have read. Any input/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

- Party Source: this will be a sole mission to Party Source as I’m meeting up with Friends in Louisville. Heard I shouldn’t miss out on visiting this store once I pass through Cincinnati into Kentucky.

- Silver Dollar (Louisville): meeting up with friends in Louisville to grab lunch then go to Bardstown. Was thinking Silver Dollar since it seems they have a good bourbon and food selection, but I’m open to other recommendations in Louisville. The group of guys I'll be with all like bourbon, but not as into it as me. However a couple are interested in buying some good bottles of bourbon.

- Liquor Barn: heard this is a good store to visit. Any recommendations on a particular store between Louisville and Bardtown?

- Willett: gift only

- Heaven Hill: gift shop only. Heard it was super close to Willett and they got some interested bottles in their gift shop.

- Four Roses: Tour and gift shop. Will miss the BT hard hat tour so FR seemed like the next best option. Plus I heard they might have some interesting bottles in the gift shop.

Cheers!

[Flyfish]

If you are a member, don't overlook Costco. The Louisville store has a relatively nice selection with excellent prices. Also, take another look at your KY map. The trip to 4R from Louisville after lunch may take longer than you think. Beam and HH are more convenient to Louisville. Barton is virtually across the road from HH.

[greatgoo]

If you are a member, don't overlook Costco. The Louisville store has a relatively nice selection with excellent prices. Also, take another look at your KY map. The trip to 4R from Louisville after lunch may take longer than you think. Beam and HH are more convenient to Louisville. Barton is virtually across the road from HH.

Wow great catch. Yeah a extra 45 minute trip to Lawrenceburg probably isn't in the cards.

Looks like I should try to do the tour at Willett instead. How is the Beam or Barton gift shop? Anything worth purchasing there?

[petrel800]

I'm assuming you'll be driving through Cincinnati on your trip one way or another. Just an FYI, the Party Source of today isn't the Party Source of yesterday. I've been disappointed the last 2 times I've stopped. I still stop when I travel through Cincinnati, but I wouldn't go way out of my way at this point to stop. Their website is typically a pretty good representation of whats on the shelves. Don't forget, if you want to save time, you can order online and pickup at the store, in fact for some of their private selections, this is a good idea as they can fly off the shelves.

Liquor Barns typically have some good private selections, obviously, you've probably read this before, don't expect to find many special releases in KY, they go quick anymore and if they're on the shelf, be prepared to shell, they're likely there because of the price.

If you really want to go to Four Roses, you could cut your time at the Party Source. For me, Rutledge's selections in the gift shop are typically worth the drive and if you gave me the choice, I'd skip the Party Source or just shop on line, do a quick breeze through/pick up and book it to 4 Roses.

Willet typically has some offerings, but be prepared to spend big $$$$ to take anything home. HH has some GS only stuff, but again, $$$$. Finally, Beam has the Distillers Masterpiece, Old Tub and A Stillhouse Select that aren't sold elsewhere, but in my opinion, none are worth the trip or extra time unless you really want to go to Beam. Oh, you can bottle your own KCSB for about $10-15 more than you can buy one in a store. Barton GS is the basic Barton stuff and swag. Liquor stores around Bardstown can be pricey, but you may want to stick your head in Toddy's, I always do. Don't forget Krogers sell booze in KY as well. Sometimes they have some decent sales.

[greatgoo]

I'm assuming you'll be driving through Cincinnati on your trip one way or another. Just an FYI, the Party Source of today isn't the Party Source of yesterday. I've been disappointed the last 2 times I've stopped. I still stop when I travel through Cincinnati, but I wouldn't go way out of my way at this point to stop. Their website is typically a pretty good representation of whats on the shelves. Don't forget, if you want to save time, you can order online and pickup at the store, in fact for some of their private selections, this is a good idea as they can fly off the shelves.

Liquor Barns typically have some good private selections, obviously, you've probably read this before, don't expect to find many special releases in KY, they go quick anymore and if they're on the shelf, be prepared to shell, they're likely there because of the price.

If you really want to go to Four Roses, you could cut your time at the Party Source. For me, Rutledge's selections in the gift shop are typically worth the drive and if you gave me the choice, I'd skip the Party Source or just shop on line, do a quick breeze through/pick up and book it to 4 Roses.

Willet typically has some offerings, but be prepared to spend big $$$$ to take anything home. HH has some GS only stuff, but again, $$$$. Finally, Beam has the Distillers Masterpiece, Old Tub and A Stillhouse Select that aren't sold elsewhere, but in my opinion, none are worth the trip or extra time unless you really want to go to Beam. Oh, you can bottle your own KCSB for about $10-15 more than you can buy one in a store. Barton GS is the basic Barton stuff and swag. Liquor stores around Bardstown can be pricey, but you may want to stick your head in Toddy's, I always do. Don't forget Krogers sell booze in KY as well. Sometimes they have some decent sales.

Some great recommendations. Thank you. I just checked the party source website. Not impressed at all.

I'll have to try to sell the group on the extra 45 minute drive to four roses.

[LilBoosie030]

Your trip looks great. I live in Louisville and The Liquor Barn in Springhurst is where you want to go. They have a huge selection of bourbon and you can taste most before you buy.

If your going to go to Four Roses you might as well stop by Wild Turkey too. It's like 10 minutes away. Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve is about 30 minutes away from there too. So you have plenty of options.

Enjoy

[EvergladeSlim]

Might want to call ahead to the Silver Dollar. I ate dinner there last year on the night before the Derby and reservations were required well ahead of time. I'm not sure if that will be the case for lunch, but why take the risk?

[heydobro]

If you're going to Willett, there is the second Four Roses gift shop at Cox's Creek 15 minutes or so away. Not sure how their selection compares to Lawrenceburg, but I'll be there at the end of the month and will let you know

[fozzy71]

If you're going to Willett, there is the second Four Roses gift shop at Cox's Creek 15 minutes or so away. Not sure how their selection compares to Lawrenceburg, but I'll be there at the end of the month and will let you know

[mark fleetwood]

I'm assuming you'll be driving through Cincinnati on your trip one way or another. Just an FYI, the Party Source of today isn't the Party Source of yesterday. I've been disappointed the last 2 times I've stopped. I still stop when I travel through Cincinnati, but I wouldn't go way out of my way at this point to stop. Their website is typically a pretty good representation of whats on the shelves. Don't forget, if you want to save time, you can order online and pickup at the store, in fact for some of their private selections, this is a good idea as they can fly off the shelves.

Liquor Barns typically have some good private selections, obviously, you've probably read this before, don't expect to find many special releases in KY, they go quick anymore and if they're on the shelf, be prepared to shell, they're likely there because of the price.

If you really want to go to Four Roses, you could cut your time at the Party Source. For me, Rutledge's selections in the gift shop are typically worth the drive and if you gave me the choice, I'd skip the Party Source or just shop on line, do a quick breeze through/pick up and book it to 4 Roses.

Willet typically has some offerings, but be prepared to spend big $$$$ to take anything home. HH has some GS only stuff, but again, $$$$. Finally, Beam has the Distillers Masterpiece, Old Tub and A Stillhouse Select that aren't sold elsewhere, but in my opinion, none are worth the trip or extra time unless you really want to go to Beam. Oh, you can bottle your own KCSB for about $10-15 more than you can buy one in a store. Barton GS is the basic Barton stuff and swag. Liquor stores around Bardstown can be pricey, but you may want to stick your head in Toddy's, I always do. Don't forget Krogers sell booze in KY as well. Sometimes they have some decent sales.

What he said. We moved from Cinti area a few years ago and what Petrel says about bourbon is right, but if you go (and I reco you do) be sure to allow for 1-2 hours and scour everything they have, bourbon, scotch, armagnac, tequila... you may find something(s) that make the visit worthwhile.

[Hershmeister]

The woodford distillery in versailles is lovely