Whiskey Row - Louisville - Options and Recommendations

[Bob_Loblaw]

I am headed to Louisville in just under three weeks to participate in some barrel picks with my local.  Super exciting trip at several distilleries over 3 days.  I am driving to avoid air travel and to also be the mule for the group.  As such, I am staying one night longer since I can't drive home after a barrel pick.  Will be walking distance from Whiskey Row.  I was thinking I would like to do some distillery only shopping at Old Fo and Evan Williams.  Are these places open to just walk in and purchase or is a tour required first like at Heaven Hill?

 

Any other recommendations ion Whiskey Row?  I will just have that one afternoon so limited to 1-2 options

[0895]

The Louisville slugger museum/ factory is really neat if you have time.

 

Peerless & Angels Envy are nice tours too, along with the others you mentioned.

 

Haymarket bar is fun too, but not directly on the row.

Edited February 18, 2021 by 0895

[flahute]

You can walk into both Evan Williams B.E. and Old Fo to purchase without a tour. I do highly recommend the Old Fo tour if they are doing them. It's the only tour that shows every step in the process - including barrel making and charring. The tasting at the end is good as well. Do yourself a favor and buy some Modjeskas.

[Bob_Loblaw]

2 hours ago, 0895 said:

The Louisville slugger museum/ factory is really neat if you have time.

 

Peerless & Angels Envy are nice tours too, along with the others you mentioned.

 

Haymarket bar is fun too, but not directly on the row.

 

2 hours ago, flahute said:

You can walk into both Evan Williams B.E. and Old Fo to purchase without a tour. I do highly recommend the Old Fo tour if they are doing them. It's the only tour that shows every step in the process - including barrel making and charring. The tasting at the end is good as well. Do yourself a favor and buy some Modjeskas.

 

Thank you both!  Time will be at a premium for sure as the only day available is one afternoon after an early Maker's pick.  I would guess I will be back in Louisville around 2pm so only will have 2-3 hours before things start to close.  Great to hear that both EW and OF are open to the public. I will give the nod to the OF tour if I only have that choice.    

 

Those Modjeska's (had to google)  look like the perfect gift to bring home to the wife.  They also look like something that will need to go into the trunk in order to survive the trip home.  

[flahute]

20 minutes ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

 

 

Thank you both!  Time will be at a premium for sure as the only day available is one afternoon after an early Maker's pick.  I would guess I will be back in Louisville around 2pm so only will have 2-3 hours before things start to close.  Great to hear that both EW and OF are open to the public. I will give the nod to the OF tour if I only have that choice.    

 

Those Modjeska's (had to google)  look like the perfect gift to bring home to the wife.  They also look like something that will need to go into the trunk in order to survive the trip home.  

If they are still doing the same thing you get a taste of Modjeska with the bourbon tasting at the end. They go together incredibly well.

[Marekv8]

The swag at the Old Forester shop is of the highest caliber–- far removed from the tchotchke found at most distilleries.

 

On a side note: I ordered my traditional “Black Coffee & Fernet-Branca” at the end of my meal at the Repeal bar a few doors down and was quite surprised to be served the two blended together-- maybe it's a Louisville thing.

 

[gurgalunas]

Merle's Whiskey Kitchen was a stop for us for grub, right across the street from OF.  Good bar food and decent whiskey menu.  That was several years ago.

[fishnbowljoe]

Art Edibles Chocolate Shop is another place worth stopping at. It’s a bit expensive, but their bourbon chocolates are crazy good.

 

Biba! Joe

[flahute]

2 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

The swag at the Old Forester shop is of the highest caliber–- far removed from the tchotchke found at most distilleries.

 

 

Yeah they do! I made the mistake of not buying anything because I thought I could get it online only to find out they didn't have an online store.

They recently did launch one but it's limited offerings at the moment.

[Whiskeythink.com]

Haymarket. great choices, dustys to sip.

[PhantomLamb]

Troll Pub and Sidebar are favorite haunts pre-covid. Jim Beam store (can’t remember the name), is in the promenade there, cool as well.

[Bob_Loblaw]

1 hour ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Art Edibles Chocolate Shop is another place worth stopping at. It’s a bit expensive, but their bourbon chocolates are crazy good.

 

Biba! Joe

 

Thank you Joe!  This is just a block or so from my hotel and looks like the right kind of splurge.  The hours are tough, but I will give them a call the week before and see if they would deliver an order to the hotel.  Would be pretty awesome to show up for a 4 Roses pick with 4 Roses truffles!

[geclbxf]

The Peerless single barrels are worth tasting before you contemplate buying.   Evan Williams has very limited days/hours right now , but had EW23 last time I was there.   OldFo also had Presidents select, and we love their old fashioned mix and definitely agree with the swag being the best!!

 

I also like the Frazier History museum if you like those type things, and believe it or not they sometimes have barrel picks for sale amongst their limited bourbon selection.

 

Finally, 21-C is a must stay/stop/eat/drink place for me.   Amazingly different hotel concept, but an incredible bar list.  One of the best in Louisville that I have ever been to.   Also consider the Seelbach for a drink.

 

You probably have done many of these things, but just wanted to share my reconnaissance from the last several trips in December/January while work travelling.

 

[flahute]

3 hours ago, Whiskeythink.com said:

Haymarket. great choices, dustys to sip.

I think they shut down. If not, way too many questionable allegations against the owner for me to be comfortable giving them business. My opinion only.

[flahute]

3 hours ago, PhantomLamb said:

Troll Pub and Sidebar are favorite haunts pre-covid. Jim Beam store (can’t remember the name), is in the promenade there, cool as well.

Troll Pub is great! Just a few doors down is Hell or High Water - a great speakeasy. Not sure if they are open right now.

[BottledInBond]

I like Doc Crows for a restaurant in that area. Good whiskey selection and good food. 
 

There is also the Muhammad Ali center if museums and stuff like that is of interest. 

[fishnbowljoe]

Lest we not forget Bourbons Bistro.

 

Biba! Joe

[PhantomLamb]

9 hours ago, flahute said:

Troll Pub is great! Just a few doors down is Hell or High Water - a great speakeasy. Not sure if they are open right now.

Thanks Steve!  I never got to check that out and almost forgot Doc Crow's (I like the fact that they offer 1oz pours if you're chasing unicorn bottles).

 

Once this pandemic is over, a trip back to the motherland is definitely in order.

[Marekv8]

13 hours ago, geclbxf said:

The Peerless single barrels are worth tasting before you contemplate buying.   Evan Williams has very limited days/hours right now , but had EW23 last time I was there.   OldFo also had Presidents select, and we love their old fashioned mix and definitely agree with the swag being the best!!

 

I also like the Frazier History museum if you like those type things, and believe it or not they sometimes have barrel picks for sale amongst their limited bourbon selection.

 

Finally, 21-C is a must stay/stop/eat/drink place for me.   Amazingly different hotel concept, but an incredible bar list.  One of the best in Louisville that I have ever been to.   Also consider the Seelbach for a drink.

 

You probably have done many of these things, but just wanted to share my reconnaissance from the last several trips in December/January while work travelling.

 

 

Fully agree that Proof on Main in the 21c is a great spot.

[Jazz June]

It might be a bit out of your way, but the Silver Dollar is a must if you have time.

[B.B. Babington]

On 2/18/2021 at 6:02 PM, Marekv8 said:

On a side note: I ordered my traditional “Black Coffee & Fernet-Branca” at the end of my meal at the Repeal bar a few doors down and was quite surprised to be served the two blended together-- maybe it's a Louisville thing.

 

because louisville has mixed, old culture and whole lotta people, there's lots of fun traditions.  Awesome fireworks, great oktober fest, etc.  derby week insane with lots of races, balloons, steamboats, waiters with trays, but traditional kick off 1st race is a rat race (yes, real rats) at a girl's college.  

[Bob_Loblaw]

Thanks all! 

 

Some great suggestions and I really would like to have more time to explore and also to get into some of these restaurants/bars.  Every time I start looking up some of these places my stomach starts to growl!  

[B.B. Babington]

On 2/22/2021 at 1:07 PM, Bob_Loblaw said:

Some great suggestions and I really would like to have more time to explore and also to get into some of these restaurants/bars. ...

Unfortunately, my fav hangout gone, blues & beer.  Inch thick of meat on sandwiches, incredible fries.  Over 110 beers, 20 on tap, and NO NO budweiser.  Incredible blues people.  I drank beers with Roy Buchanan there one night.

[Bob_Loblaw]

I reached out to Art Eatables this morning and after a nice conversation, placed an online order with a special request for delivery to the hotel front desk.  

 

Have both light and dark chocolate 4R truffles, Elijah Craig, BT (but asked if ER would be possible) and MM46 so I've got all our distilleries covered!  Then one extra dark 4R and a Rare Breed for the missus.

 

Not the cheapest, but I think it will be a really fun add to our picks and I think the small splurge will be well worth it.  

 

Thanks again Joe!  Even though this is just a block from my hotel I doubt I would have found them or if I did it would not have been until that last afternoon when I am on my own.  

[fishnbowljoe]

5 hours ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

I reached out to Art Eatables this morning and after a nice conversation, placed an online order with a special request for delivery to the hotel front desk.  

 

Have both light and dark chocolate 4R truffles, Elijah Craig, BT (but asked if ER would be possible) and MM46 so I've got all our distilleries covered!  Then one extra dark 4R and a Rare Breed for the missus.

 

Not the cheapest, but I think it will be a really fun add to our picks and I think the small splurge will be well worth it.  

 

Thanks again Joe!  Even though this is just a block from my hotel I doubt I would have found them or if I did it would not have been until that last afternoon when I am on my own.  

You are more than welcome Ben. WARNING! Be judicious when you start trying their chocolates. They are wonderful and addicting. It’s kinda like the old Lay’s potato chips adds. No one can eat just one. Enjoy! 
 

Biba! Joe