DESTINATION AGING AND ENGAGING

BOURBON TOURISM FUELS KENTUCKY’S ASCENT

BY RACHEL CRICK

Kentucky’s bourbon country offers a taste of some of the boldest flavors in the Bluegrass.

From Whiskey Row in Louisville to the Distillery District in Lexington, distilleries pepper the rolling hills of central Kentucky, drawing thousands of visitors annually for tastings and tours. The small towns that surround these distilleries are nearly synonymous with the rich spirits they produce, but they also offer travelers historic downtowns, iconic attractions and breathtaking Kentucky scenery.

In addition to stopping at distilleries to enjoy behind-the-scenes tours and samples of some of the state’s most distinctive bourbons, groups should maximize their time in these small towns in bourbon country.

Bardstown

Home to famous distilleries such as Willett, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Heaven Hill and Lux Row, Bardstown claims the right to Bourbon Capital of the World. Founded in 1780, this small town just 40 miles outside of Louisville is a well of history, with over 300 of its buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Among the best known historic sites in Bardstown is My Old Kentucky Home State Park, home to Stephen Foster, who wrote the signature Kentucky ballad played before every Kentucky Derby. Groups can tour this historic home, complete with period furnishings and art, and wander its lush grounds. During warmer months, they can catch a production of “The Stephen Foster Story,” an outdoor musical production.

“We’re small town America with some big city amenities,” said Samantha Brady, executive director of the Bardstown Nelson County Tourist and Convention Commission. “Each distillery is different from the next, but on top of that we have rich history steeped in culture. A lot of that is bourbon culture, but a lot of that is just Southern hospitality culture.”

In addition to its vintage architecture, history buffs will enjoy Bardstown’s selection of museums, such as the Kentucky Railway Museum, the General Hal Moore Military Museum, the African American Heritage Museum and the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History. At the Bardstown Civil War Museum, groups can purchase tickets to see Old Bardstown Colonial Village and Park, a re-creation of a 1790s village featuring historic cabins and an accurate representation of life on the frontier. Groups can also opt for self-guided historic downtown walking tours.

To enjoy fine dining with a side of scenery, groups can reserve seats on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, where they’ll enjoy multicourse meals on a train ride through Bardstown and the surrounding countryside. Another town dining staple is Old Talbott Tavern, the oldest bourbon bar in the world and one of the oldest buildings in Bardstown. Groups can choose from a selection of hearty menu items, such as a traditional Hot Brown, ribeye and bourbon-inspired dishes. In addition to its many distilleries, Bardstown also has several wineries. Groups can tour the vineyards, taste some of the distinct varietals and dine at Forest Edge Winery, Springhill Winery, Chuckleberry Farm and Winery, and McIntyre’s Winery and Berries.

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Lebanon

Due south of Bardstown is Lebanon, a town known for both bourbon and beer. Home to several distilleries, nature attractions, and a charming selection of local restaurants and shops, Lebanon makes an excellent stop on any group itinerary.

Nena Olivier, director of Visit Lebanon Kentucky, said what sets Lebanon apart is “the hospitality, and then the variety of not just bourbon attractions but outdoor activities, arts and other attractions you can visit.”

Maker’s Mark is among the most famous brands of bourbon, making its distillery an obvious destination for tours. Groups can take a guided tour of the distillery’s campus to learn about the brand’s history or opt for the more in-depth Behind the Bourbon Tour, which gives them a detailed walk-through of the bourbon’s production process. Both tours are rounded out with a tasting. Also in Lebanon is the Limestone Branch Distillery, which Steve and Paul Beam, descendants of the Jim Beam empire, opened in 2011; a tour through this facility explores the family’s heritage in the Kentucky bourbon industry. These distilleries aren’t Lebanon’s only claim to bourbon fame; the city is also home to Independent Stave Company’s Kentucky Cooperage, which makes the oak barrels that age bourbon at many distilleries in the state. Groups can tour the cooperage to see how each barrel is handcrafted and learn about the significance of oak barrels to the bourbon industry.

In addition to these bourbon hotspots, Lebanon offers plenty of outdoor activities for active groups, from hiking and biking its trails to canoeing in the Fagan Branch Reservoir. History buffs will enjoy the city’s self-guided Historic Homes and Landmarks Tour, which explores Lebanon’s rich Civil War history. They can visit the Lebanon National Cemetery, the historic cemetery where soldiers who perished in the Battle of Perryville were interred. Lebanon is also the site of the Loretto Motherhouse, where the Sisters of Loretto reside. Groups can visit its heritage center to check out artifacts and exhibits detailing the history of the organization and of Kentucky, dating back to pioneer days. Finally, groups can catch a theater production or participate in an art workshop at Kentucky Classic Arts.

Groups can grab a slice of pizza or some classic bar food at Pub 68. Or they can try the Rosewood Bar and Grill, where they’ll find a selection of choice steaks, seafood and sandwiches. At Cedarwood, groups can expect a homecooked meal and a bit of Southern hospitality with country classics like bourbon chicken and country fried steak.

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Lawrenceburg

Prior to the prohibition, Lawrenceburg had a wealth of bourbon distilleries and was something of a hub for the spirit’s production. Its prominence in the bourbon industry stemmed from the vast network of waterways that once wound through Anderson County, before the Kentucky River was dammed. Today, it’s home to two well-known distilleries, Wild Turkey and Four Roses. Wild Turkey provides excellent views of the Kentucky River and pre-Prohibition memorabilia, while Four Roses was built in the Spanish Mission-style, making it some of the most unique architecture among Kentucky’s distilleries. A couple more distilleries are in the works, one of which will be built on the foundations of the pre-Prohibition Old Hoffman Distillery.

“We are the heart of bourbon country,” said Robbie Morgan, director of tourism at the Lawrenceburg/Anderson County Tourism Commission. “We have the stories of people who were very passionate about bourbon that really tweaked these recipes and came up with processes and techniques for making it.”