Whiskey Speak

The language of Bardstown, Kentucky.

Bardstown, Kentucky, contains more aging bourbon barrels than citizens in the town. Let that marinate a moment.

This blended mid-western and Southern town has a populus of just over 13,000; today, there’s a record 11.4 million barrels soundlessly aging in rickhouses. This may not be surprising to any bourbon lover, for Kentucky is as synonymous with its amber juice as it is the Kentucky Derby and signature Mint Julep. Visitors flock to Kentucky

Southern

from all over the world to see rickhouses rise from the earth, to count the days (or years) until the liquid in one of the barrels makes it to their lips, and to experience the offerings of a community steeped in bourbon heritage.

More Than Bourbon in Bardstown

Within 16 miles of the Bardstown downtown square, there are 11 bourbon distilleries and one is sure to rein in the perfect personal taste. Known as The Bourbon Capital of the World™, Bardstown of- fers a rich history beginning with Baptist minister Elijah Craig who, in 1789, developed that juice that exalted the evening cocktail. In addition to the distillery visits, it’s the regional experiences that heighten a trip to Bardstown.

Hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a slow-paced experience and an overview of the historic city. Then, take to the streets for a self-guided tour and revisit some of the locations that piqued interest.

Celebrate 170 years of the state song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Tour the restored Federal Hill mansion which inspired Stephen Foster to write the lyrics and even take in an evening Broadway-style performance of The Stephen Foster Story. In a neighboring community of Gethsemani perched along a long, rural road, the Abbey of Gethsemani was founded in 1838 by the Order of Trappist Cistercians. The abbey opens doors to visitors who want learn about monastery life. The abbey is the ideal introduction to the family story of Log Still Distillery. Additionally, in 1944, monks left Gethsemani and traveled to rural Georgia and founded the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.

Dining in Bardstown is as much fun as drinking.

Step into the Flemish bond stonework Talbott Tavern and Inn, built in 1779 and is considered the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. It has welcomed Daniel Boone, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln as guests. Venture up the staircase to the room where the outlaw Jesse James left his bullets in the wall. Some say his spirit still appears in the halls that connect the six rooms still available for guests.

From its rough beginnings to an ideal evening dinner destination, the Talbott Tavern presents the passage of time as a showcase to the centuries of activity within its stone walls. As with many venues in the area, they connect to their bourbon and historical heritage. Try the Pulled Pork Bourbon BBQ Chips. The chef pays homage to past guests with the Daniel Boone Pot Roast and Lincoln’s Bourbon BBQ Ribs. Save room for the Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce. Stay for a nightcap at the Bourbon Bar, where over 200 choices meet the Kentucky traveler head on.

Toogie’s Table serves up their take on modern American classics and regional flare. Collaborating with local farmers and distillers, their revolving seasonal menu produces house made pasta plus the Hog Chop and Cast Iron Salmon. Steps away from the boutique Bardstown Motor Lodge, the table is a worthy option if you’re staying at this retro lodge. From outdoor spaces to fire pits to a poolside bar (and Swim Club), this setting awakens memories of iconic summer seasons and nostalgic road trips.

After a tour of James B. Beam Distillery tour in Clermont, head to The Kitchen Table located on the Beam campus. Inspired by the original Beam family kitchen table, it is a setting for storytelling, whiskey sampling, and good eating. Gather around the table— Some families want a fancier kitchen. All we want is a bigger table. —where their message is burned into each wooden dining table. The Kentucky bourbon influence fills the menu with items like Kentucky Burgoo and the wood-fired pizzas. Save room for the decadent Bourbon Balls to highlight the meal.

With multiple lodging options within driving distance of the distilleries, The Mansion at Log Still Distillery and Dant Crossing elevates the adventure to breathtaking luxury. This fully-restored Georgia-style home built in 1840 sits centerstage on rolling hills and farmland where the sunrises are exquisite. Its expanse makes it perfect for couples to celebrate milestones or escape for a weekend in bourbon country. And when breakfast is delivered to your backdoor, the thought of never leaving is a true possibility. Dant Crossing offers multiple rental Airbnb options as well as experiences without leaving campus. At The Amp, artists like

Martina McBride, Lady A, Colt Ford, and more take the stage just outside your front door. There’s also walking trails, a train depot with a train experience coming soon, plus a farm-to-table restaurant.

With a quick flight from Atlanta to Louisville, a weekend in Bardstown might be what the doctor ordered.

The Exclusive Bardstown Collection

In the 21st century, it’s a stretch to consider competing companies joining together for the greater good. However, it’s happening in Bardstown.

It’s the second year of a collection joining competing distilleries in a community effort to highlight the most premium, hand-selected bourbons in the world. Only available on-site, the 2023 collection is now available.

“The heart of bourbon lives in Bardstown, Kentucky, and the Bardstown Collection is the perfect way to tell the story of the legends, the bourbon pioneers, the modern-day innovators, and the town that truly bonds them together,” says Samantha Brady, executive director of Bardstown Tourism.

Beyond the liquid, the collection tells the story of Bardstown through each glass of these rare bourbons, the perfect narrative for this small town nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of the Bluegrass State. Bardstown’s rickhouses dot the local landscape, the smell of sweet bourbon mash fills the air, accompanied by the sound of barrels rolling from their resting places to be shipped all over the world.

In addition to the local distilleries of Makers Mark®, Old Steelhouse Distillery, Willett®, Four Roses® Bourbon and Barton 1792 Distillery, there are six distilleries that are exclusive to the 2023 collection. Bardstown Bourbon Company®, Heaven Hill® Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Log Still® Distillery, Lux Row Distillers, and Preservations Distillery and Farm utilize three barrels for special bottles that represent their company’s best bourbon. The collection is limited in number, and bourbon aficionados yearn for this depth of an experience.

Each distiller selects a premium product, all under the brand name of “Bardstown Collection,” with their label as the secondary icon and one of six different editions. All share the iconic images like My Old Kentucky Home that is synonymous with Bardstown and its history.

“A collaboration like this is unheard of in the bourbon industry,” says Conor O’Driscoll, master distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery. “We are so pleased to be a part of the collaboration and camaraderie between so many Bardstown distilleries.” Heaven Hill’s inventory exceeds 1.5 million barrels.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join Bardstown Collection Bourbon for a second year in a row,” says Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller of James B. Beam Distilling Co. “This year, our limited-edition features Bourbons from 10, 11 and 12 millionth milestone barrels that have been left untouched for years until we found an opportunity worthy of using them. The result is a well-balanced and intricate bourbon.” Beam is known as the First Family of bourbon.

A newcomer is Lux Row Distillers, situated on a 90-acre campus minutes from downtown Bardstown. “Lux Row is proud to be the newest member of the Bardstown Bourbon Collection,” says John Rempke, master distiller. “We are offering three single barrels, which are over six years old and bottled at 129 proof. These barrels feature our low rye bourbon recipe.”

For Log Still Distillery, it’s a family operation. “This collaboration is a representation of the incredible bourbon that Bardstown is built on,” says Lynne Dant, master distiller of Log Still Distillery. “We are honored to join the Bardstown Collection in creating a one-ofa-kind bourbon that directly impacts our community and raises the standard of the industry.”

Bardstown Bourbon Company opened in 2016 and offers a Napa-style experience for visitors.

“An important responsibility of this preeminent bourbon community is to ensure the longevity of the Bardstown distilling tradition,” says Dan Callaway, vice president of Product Development at Bardstown Bourbon Company.

The community element extends with a donation from the sales going to Nelson County nonprofit organizations (Oscar Getz Whiskey Museum and Kentucky colleges) with a focus on educating the next generation of bourbon distillers and enthusiasts from Nelson County.

The first pot-distilled producer is Preservation Distillery and Farm, the sixth member of the Bardstown Collection. The Palatella family, owners of Preservation Distillery add, “Our family has loved being a part of the Kentucky Bourbon community for many decades. We’re honored to join our fellow bourbon distillers in Bardstown as we come together for an incredible cause — and great bourbon.”

The formal release of the collection occurred in April. Each distillery has limited quantities of bottles and the chance of getting an entire set is truly based upon luck. However, through July 2023 on select dates, tickets can be purchased for The Bardstown Collection VIP Bourbon Experience through Mint Julep Transportation. This two-day experience is an all-access pass through these six distilleries. There will be a tasting as well as the only chance to purchase the full set of bottles.

“The Bardstown Collection,” says Noe of James B. Beam, “is more than a delicious bourbon; it’s a celebration of the town’s history and camaraderie. It’s this fellowship of the folks living in Bardstown that kept Bourbon alive during the toughest times. They helped solve problems for the industry and assisted the community. It’s been such a strong part of my own family’s history and such a robust component of bourbon’s history – we’re excited to celebrate with this new release.”

There’s no better time to experience this collection and experience than on National Bourbon Day, June 14. For more information and to plan your trip, visit the following websites: visitbardstown.com; bard- mintjuleptours.com.