The Bourbon Trail in Kentucky
You can make this happen in a lot of different ways if you go to Kentucky. Because the state is famous all over the world for its bourbon distilleries, which can be found all over the countryside. Trekking the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky is the best way to see the most famous ones. This trip gives visitors a chance to learn about the history of bourbon and see how it is made. Find out everything you need to know about this famous event.
A Quick History
Bourbon has been made in Kentucky for almost as long as the United States has been around. In the late 1700s, a lot of German, Scottish, and northern Irish people came to Kentucky to learn how to make whiskey. This was made possible by the Corn Patch and Cabin Rights Act, which gave residents 160 hectares of land to build homes and grow corn. Before, rye was the main ingredient in whiskey, but because there were so many corn crops, distillers changed their method to make whiskey from corn. By the 1780s, Kentucky was making a unique type of whiskey. It got its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, which used to be the main shipping point for spirits going south on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, Louisiana. Along the long trip, the whiskey aged in oak barrels, giving it its unique, smooth taste and amber color.
In 1964, Kentucky whiskey was made an official product of the United States by the US Congress. It was also called “America’s Official Native Spirit.” In every part of the state, tours are available to teach people from near and far how to make whiskey and to tell stories from the spirit’s long history. Today, Kentucky makes and ages more than 95% of the world’s bourbon. About 5 million barrels of bourbon are always aging in the cellars of Bourbon County.
Where to Get Alcohol
Taking four or five days to visit bourbon hot spots across the state is the best way to see the most famous bourbon companies in Kentucky. Louisville is one of the liveliest towns in Kentucky, so that’s where you should start. On the first day, go to Stitzel-Weller for the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience. Then, go back to downtown Louisville’s Whiskey Row for a tour of Angel’s Envy. There, you’ll see the whole distillation process, from starting to finishing with a taste at The Finishing Room bar. The James B. Beam Distillery is located in Clermont, Kentucky, just outside of Louisville. It lets you help make Jim Beam products and even lets you bottle your own. Other suggested stops are tours and tastes at well-known brands like Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve Distillery, and Wild Turkey.
People often think that the only way to enjoy bourbon is to sip it. Many places in Kentucky, like Bourbons Bistro in Louisville, serve food that is influenced by bourbon culture. For example, they grill tender short ribs that have been braised and covered in a rich rye bourbon demi-glace.
Have Fun Responsibly
Apps that let you call a ride can help you if you’ve had too much to drink. Lyft and Uber both offer safe rides on demand all over Kentucky. You could take a tour with Mint Julep Tours or make your schedule with Pegasus Distillery Tours to skip all the planning and driving.