Beyond Bourbon

from 2023-2024 Drink Local

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IF THE AMBER SPIRIT ISN’T YOUR CUP OF TEA (OR EVEN IF IT IS), MANY KENTUCKY DISTILLERIES HAVE OTHER OPTIONS

BY JACKIE HOLLENKAMP BENTLEY

When you hear the word “bourbon,” Kentucky naturally comes to mind. But there’s more to the Bluegrass State when it comes to making exquisite adult beverages.

“To reshape a line from Raising Arizona, ‘The sun don’t rise and set on Kentucky bourbon, y’all,’ ” said Steve Coomes, a Louisville-based food and drink writer. “Between its base London-dry style and biannual special seasonal releases, Castle & Key Distillery gins are some of the finest in the country, maybe even the planet.”

Coomes added that, even though vodka is famously known as flavorless and odorless, Kentucky distillers have been known to produce a few that buck the “bad rap.”

“Neither character is in play with Castle & Key Vodka, whose base spirit is the distillery’s bourbon new make,” he said. “You’ll want to sip it neat! Same for the ultra-pricey CLIX Vodka made by Buffalo Trace. It’s the silky-smooth big sister to the subtler but still suitable Wheatley Vodka.”

Buffalo Trace began producing CLIX in 2007 as a hybrid small-still creation. The distillery had introduced its Rain organic and

Platinum 7X vodkas in the 1990s but was eager to take things up a notch.

“We set out to make the best-tasting vodka we could,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “It was such a small still that we had to use multiple batches and several iterations, and when it was all said and done, we were left with 159 separate distillations—hence the Roman numerals CLIX.”

CLIX eventually led to Wheatley Vodka.

“We wanted it to be a craft-style vodka made here at Buffalo Trace, and we think we achieved that. The taste is the way vodka is supposed to taste,” Wheatley said. “Similar to the demand for Buffalo Trace’s world-class bourbons, our vodkas have continued to see high demand in the last few years.”

Buffalo Trace is one of many bourbon distilleries in Kentucky that produce quality vodka for those who enjoy the clear spirit.

Kentucky offers plenty more options for those who may not appreciate bourbon or need a change of pace. Q

Cosmopolitan

1½ ounces Castle & Key Sacred Spring Vodka

¾ ounce Cointreau (or Triple Sec)

¾ ounce lime juice

¾ ounce cranberry cocktail

Lime twist or orange twist garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice. Serve up with lime twist or orange twist.

ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Home to two distilleries, dozens of lodging options, one-of-a-kind dining, and fun-ﬁlled outdoor recreation, there’s no shortage of adventure to ﬁnd in Shelbyville, Simpsonville, and Shelby County.

Learn more and start planning at visitshelbyky.com.

Shelby County’s Jeptha Creed offers tours and experiences featuring their bourbon and other spirits. On the right, a photo that distracted us while researching… Learn more about The Bloody Mary Pitcher on Jeptha Creed’s Facebook page.

Barrel House Distillery Lexington 859.259.0159 barrelhousedistillery.com

Blue Rook Distillery Danville 859.209.2136 bluerookdistillery.com

Buffalo Trace Distillery Frankfort 1.800.654.8471 buffalotracedistillery.com

Casey Jones Hopkinsville 270.839.9987 caseyjonesdistillery.com

Castle & Key Frankfort 502.395.9070 castleandkey.com

Copper & Kings Louisville 502.561.0267 copperandkings.com

Kentucky Spirits

Below is a partial list of the Commonwealth’s distilleries and the spirits that broaden their product portfolios. Visit their respective websites for more information.

Hartfield & Company Paris 859.474.0345 hartfieldandcompany.com

Jeptha Creed Distillery Shelbyville 502.487.5007 jepthacreed.com

Limestone Branch Distillery Lebanon 270.699.9004 limestonebranch.com

MB Roland Pembroke 270.640.7744 mbroland.distilleryspirits.com

New Riff Distilling Newport 859.261.7433 newriffdistilling.com