Spur of the moment trip to Kentucky, what to see?

[Duxnutz]

Hi folks,

Spontaneous trip to the States this week and now visiting (staying with) a friend in Cincinnati. I'm super keen on checking out Bourbon distilleries and interesting places this week around the area. I live in Sydney so trying to see as much as possible and try stuff I won't otherwise get to enjoy.

Dont know whether to do an organized tour or just drive myself (my buddy will accompany me at least 1 day). What are some 'must-see' places?

Thanks. If anyone would like to catch up for a cigar or some bourbon give me a shout!

Cheers

adam

[smokinjoe]

Hi folks,

Spontaneous trip to the States this week and now visiting (staying with) a friend in Cincinnati. I'm super keen on checking out Bourbon distilleries and interesting places this week around the area. I live in Sydney so trying to see as much as possible and try stuff I won't otherwise get to enjoy.

Dont know whether to do an organized tour or just drive myself (my buddy will accompany me at least 1 day). What are some 'must-see' places?

Thanks. If anyone would like to catch up for a cigar or some bourbon give me a shout!

Cheers

adam

[Flyfish]

You might start by doing a web search for Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It is easy to plan a great circle tour from a base in Cinci. Buffalo Trace in Frankfort is not on the "official" Trail but they have a nice tour. With enough advance notice, you might be able to book their hard hat tour. While in the area, check out the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to see how Thoroughbreds are raised and trained.

[GaryT]

Hi Adam. What days will you be here?

Because if you'll be there any nights from Thursday - Saturday, while this might seem strange - our highest recommendation would be a gazebo behind a hotel in Bardstown

Regardless, I would definitely hit whatever distilleries are convenient, and if you don't have time for tours - I'd hit the Heaven Hill and Four Roses gift shops.

[Richnimrod]

If you have time to do a 'Distillery Tour', one of the closest to Cinci would be Buffalo Trace. ...And, in my opinion one of the best, most interesting places to tour. Going a step further, if you can gey on one of their 'Hard Hat Tours' I'd definitely take that over the regular one, though there is certainly nothing wrong with the regular tour. Darylld911's suggestion of the Bardstown gazebo is absolutely worth the time and effort, if you can get there any of the evenings he mentioned.

[BFerguson]

Drinks and dinner @ Proof on Main.

Consider your life complete.

B

[Duxnutz]

I previously recommended the Four Roses distillery to another member here. It's a "must see" and would be my first choice.

Thanks for the tips! Apologies for not replying earlier, had some phone issue but turned out for the best. Kinda nice being off the grid! Really enjoyed Four Roses and Buffalo Trace, the tour guides were amazingly knowledgable. Ran into Mr Russell @ wild Turkey and had a good discussion on Australia and mashing techniques amongst other things. Super awesome talking to a master distiller.

Im currently headed up to Milwaukee but the car is full of plenty of booze! Didn't know anything about stuff at Heaven Hill (prices seemed inflated) but bought something tasty at Willet.

Looked all all over for Weller 12. Hope they have some up

north!

[flahute]

Thanks for the tips! Apologies for not replying earlier, had some phone issue but turned out for the best. Kinda nice being off the grid! Really enjoyed Four Roses and Buffalo Trace, the tour guides were amazingly knowledgable. Ran into Mr Russell @ wild Turkey and had a good discussion on Australia and mashing techniques amongst other things. Super awesome talking to a master distiller.

Im currently headed up to Milwaukee but the car is full of plenty of booze! Didn't know anything about stuff at Heaven Hill (prices seemed inflated) but bought something tasty at Willet.

Looked all all over for Weller 12. Hope they have some up

north!

[Flyfish]

Didn't know anything about stuff at Heaven Hill (prices seemed inflated) but bought something tasty at Willet.

On our first distillery tour, I thought the prices would be better in the gift shops. Was told they did not want to take business away from their retailers. Still, the gift shops have stuff you can't find elsewhere.

[fozzy71]

I am doing something similar and heading down next week on short notice. I plan to 4R and HH distilleries, spend a night or two in Louisville to see the sites then head up to Hammond, IN to visit a friend and hit liquor stores on the way looking for things I can't get in MI (or things that are significantly cheaper than here, which will probably be everything). Can I get some recommendations for best liquor stores to hit in the Louisville area. And if you know of ones in IN that are good too all the better.

[willmohawk5]

Me and a couple buddies did the bourbon trail a couple weekends ago. We got into Louisville Friday around noon and managed to do all of the 9 distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Passport plus Buffalo Trace before we left Monday evening. It was a blast. We also visited Country Boy Brewing in Lexington which is a must visit if you're into craft beer. And in Louisville the Haymarket, Sergios and Holy Grale were awesome spots. Down One was our last stop before the airport. Great bourbon menu but they were out of most of the good stuff from Buffalo Trace. Kinda annoyed we missed out on Jockey Silks, didn't know they were closed on Sunday and Mondays.

I managed to pick up some Old Weller Antique from a Kroger liquor store near Frankfort. Didn't have much time to do a lot of liquor store hunting though.

I would go back down there in a second to do it all over again and see different distilleries and hit more bourbon bars.

[fozzy71]

Sounds like a blast and thanks for the PM. I am undecided on KY at this point as this was all really spur of the moment and couple nights in a hotel + gift shop bottles sounds really expensive the more I think about it.

[JvW]

I always recommend the tour at Woodford Reserve Distillery...

[willmohawk5]

I always recommend the tour at Woodford Reserve Distillery...

That was the best tour of all the stops we did. Our tour guide, a heavyset bearded dude with glasses was on point and kept it entertaining with his unique brand of humor.

[JvW]

That was the best tour of all the stops we did. Our tour guide, a heavyset bearded dude with glasses was on point and kept it entertaining with his unique brand of humor.

I concur, the tour guide did a great job...

[dkn]

I have never touched toe or tire tread in KY. I need to remedy this.

[TheBeerdedGuy]

The Hard Hat tour at Buffalo Trace is amazing, made even more so by our guide, Don. But, I highly recommend stopping by Wallace Station in Midway for a bite to eat. It can be a bit tricky to find, but well worth it.

[lukehalee]

Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg with a bourbon tasting with Dixon Deadman. Highlight of my recent bourbon tour.