What do you think of this plan

[BourbonGuy]

My Friend Steve came up with this for our visit to Kentucky.  What do you guys think.  Suggestions welcomed.  

I tried to tie together 3 days of touring.  The are generally 3 locations: West of Lexington, South of Louisville and outside of Bowling Green.

 

West of Lexington:  Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Westport Whisky & Wine (Great Kentucky whisky store), Best Western Lawrenceburg $90/night and centrally located), two interesting restaurants, not fancy, but killer Bar-B-Que, Blue Door Smokehouse & Red State Bar B Q

 

South of Louisville: Barton, Heaven Hill, Willett, Maker Mark, places to stay = General Nelson Inn $90/night, Old Talbot Tavern $110/night and they have a great restaurant, bar and entertainment (Check this out), another restaurant is Rickhouse Restaurant & Lounge

 

I would also love to visit the Corvette museum down there on the 4th day. 

 

[GaryT]

Are you just wanting to drop in to each distillery (like run through their gift shops), or do tours?  My Dad and I did a long weekend through KY 4 years ago, and trying to hit 4 in a day is tough.  I think we hit 3 each day, and felt like we were pushing it.  We did the tours (and tastings of course!)

Honestly, the basics of most tours aren't terribly different (they'll go over how bourbon must be 51% corn, the process of making mash, distilling, etc).  For us geeks - the nuance can be interesting as hell ("Did they go into the barrel at 110 or 115?") but if you're limited to time and trying to get in as much as possible, I'd try to prioritize the best "tours" in each spot, and the best "gift shops" in each.

Personally, I like the tours at Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey.  Buffalo doesn't have anything in the gift shop in terms of special releases, etc - Wild Turkey does (but typically stuff that isn't hard to find).  But both do a nice job of the tour.  Last time I was at Woodford they didn't have anything in the gift shop - and while their property and facilities are nifty - I would skip that one if I had to pick.  I would have a stop at either Four Roses gift shop as a "must hit" on my list (their Cox Creek location south of Louisville is smaller, but has private barrel picks sometimes).  

Maker's is a bit of a hike from the others, although it is a cool tour - but if push came to shove, that might be what I cut.  Heaven Hill has a variety of tours - and also a variety of tasting options!  By law (as I've been told) the tastings have to be done as part of a tour, but some include about a 2 min tour followed by a tasting of some premium stuff (look for the Whiskey Connoisseur Experience - last I checked, it was $20 but included 4 really premium pours; I've tried Evan Williams 23 yr, Elijah Craig 21 yr, Heaven Hill Select Stock, etc - plus you get to keep the glass).  They also have a nice selection at their gift shop.  Willett for me has priced their gift shop to curb flipping - which I don't blame them for, but also wouldn't buy any of their stuff for what they charge.  I really like Barton, as it is the least "showy" in terms of seeing a working distillery.  Their tasting doesn't include anything special, but I like the contrast from the polished tours elsewhere.

Usually by dinner I'm either too tipsy to care where I eat, or in too big a hurry to enjoy whatever we picked up shopping.  But in Bardstown, I'd hit Kurtz Restaurant.  Not sure where in Frankfort area though.

Most importantly - have fun!

[Paddy]

You can't go wrong with Rick's White Light Diner for breakfast, or dinner, while in Frankfort.  Just ask him! 

http://www.whitelightdiner.com/

[BourbonGuy]

On ‎2‎/‎22‎/‎2016‎ ‎8‎:‎26‎:‎32‎, darylld911 said:

Are you just wanting to drop in to each distillery (like run through their gift shops), or do tours?  My Dad and I did a long weekend through KY 4 years ago, and trying to hit 4 in a day is tough.  I think we hit 3 each day, and felt like we were pushing it.  We did the tours (and tastings of course!)

Honestly, the basics of most tours aren't terribly different (they'll go over how bourbon must be 51% corn, the process of making mash, distilling, etc).  For us geeks - the nuance can be interesting as hell ("Did they go into the barrel at 110 or 115?") but if you're limited to time and trying to get in as much as possible, I'd try to prioritize the best "tours" in each spot, and the best "gift shops" in each.

Personally, I like the tours at Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey.  Buffalo doesn't have anything in the gift shop in terms of special releases, etc - Wild Turkey does (but typically stuff that isn't hard to find).  But both do a nice job of the tour.  Last time I was at Woodford they didn't have anything in the gift shop - and while their property and facilities are nifty - I would skip that one if I had to pick.  I would have a stop at either Four Roses gift shop as a "must hit" on my list (their Cox Creek location south of Louisville is smaller, but has private barrel picks sometimes).  

Maker's is a bit of a hike from the others, although it is a cool tour - but if push came to shove, that might be what I cut.  Heaven Hill has a variety of tours - and also a variety of tasting options!  By law (as I've been told) the tastings have to be done as part of a tour, but some include about a 2 min tour followed by a tasting of some premium stuff (look for the Whiskey Connoisseur Experience - last I checked, it was $20 but included 4 really premium pours; I've tried Evan Williams 23 yr, Elijah Craig 21 yr, Heaven Hill Select Stock, etc - plus you get to keep the glass).  They also have a nice selection at their gift shop.  Willett for me has priced their gift shop to curb flipping - which I don't blame them for, but also wouldn't buy any of their stuff for what they charge.  I really like Barton, as it is the least "showy" in terms of seeing a working distillery.  Their tasting doesn't include anything special, but I like the contrast from the polished tours elsewhere.

Usually by dinner I'm either too tipsy to care where I eat, or in too big a hurry to enjoy whatever we picked up shopping.  But in Bardstown, I'd hit Kurtz Restaurant.  Not sure where in Frankfort area though.

Most importantly - have fun!

I like to do tours.  Living in New York, this is quite a drive.  So I want to make the most of it.  If I wanted to buy bourbon down there, are there good stores or can you buy bourbon at the distillery?

Driving down so I can take a few bottles home for bottle not available locally.

[tanstaafl2]

Most distilleries have whiskey available for sale but as a general rule it is typically a little more expensive than what you might find in a store (presuming you can find it in a store). If there is something relatively hard to find in general that you want and you see it at a distillery gift shop you might consider buying it. Otherwise check local stores.

Depending on the way you are driving in there is the Party Source and Cork n Bottle in Bellevue just across the river from Cincinnati. Although the last few times I passed through the area, which has been a while, unless you get lucky and something has just arrived, they don't have much more than any other store. Liquor Barn is a big chain in Kentucky. There are a couple of small stores in Bardstown but again it is hit or miss finding anything of note. Westport Liquor store on the east side of Louisville had a decent selection but also a pretty nice tasting bar in back which was convenient.

[p_elliott]

I don't recommend eating at Talbot tavern a few from this site have gotten sick there.

[BourbonGuy]

Where not to eat is just as valuable as where to eat.  Thank you! 

[Hop]

If you like BBQ and make it to Bowling Green search out Smokey Pig BBQ on Louisville Rd about 3 miles from the Corvette Museum - it's a "joint" so don't expect much but the food is great and it's been there for over 35 years so they must be doing something right.  Before they had a beer license 30 years ago you could go in an ask for a shake you could get it heavy or light - hint they didn't sell milkshakes...