Bourbon Trail Recommendations

[ColonelCrazy]

We are planning trip to the Bourbon Trail soon. We are looking to hit 2-3 different stops. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that none of my family has been, so I'm looking for recommendations on what to do (or what to avoid).

[sumoroyal]

Scott Sloan of WLW said he was going this weekend. Might contact him for some advice.

[jpa2825]

Heaven Hill's Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown is very nice. Pretty close to Loretto where Maker's Mark is as well.

[NEERFAN]

We started in Clermont, home of Beam. Next we hit Bardstown for Heaven Hill and finished in Loretto. We then traveled to Springfield and stayed at a B&B/winery.

[Jim Schue]

Don't forget that Bardstown also has Barton (free tour) and Willett (not a half-mile from HH).

[mcpapa]

Went to Woodford Reserve today.

[ColonelCrazy]

Should we plan to drive from place to place?

 

Best places to stay overnight?

[littleluck55]

Should we plan to drive from place to place?

 

Best places to stay overnight?

 

Are you going to be drinking bourbon?

[ColonelCrazy]

Are you going to be drinking bourbon?

 

A little bit, at least. We will have 4+ people though, one of which will be the DD. If there is an easy shuttle or transportation available, we might not need a DD.

[World B Free]

If going to Woodford, stop in Midway for lunch at Wallace Station. Worth the wait in line (outdoor tables), was featured on Diners, drive Ins & Dives.

[mcpapa]

If going to Woodford, stop in Midway for lunch at Wallace Station. Worth the wait in line (outdoor tables), was featured on Diners, drive Ins & Dives.

 

Yep. There were about a dozen people ahead of us in line at 2:00; we still got in and out in under an hour. The Big Brown Burger was the one featured on the DD&D episode and it was fantastic. Easy to find, right on Old Frankfort Pike (one of the prettiest October drives in the Commonwealth).

[BigVMan23]

What, no love for Anderson County and Wild Turkey Trace and Four Roses, with shopping and lunch/dinner at our newly renovated downtown area?

[BIG BLACK JACK]

So much to do and so little time.

 

I've been to I think all the Distilleries on the tour, excluding some of the stuff they've recently added in Louisville.

 

With that said, my two favorites were Makers and Woodford. Only problem is they are no where near each other.

 

To get to Makers you have to travel pretty far off the beaten path. Gorgeous area, but man it's far. Only plus is that Bardstown is relatively close, which means you are fairly close to the Old Talbott Tavern, which I recommend stopped at for lunch.

 

Woodford is also very pretty, however they no longer give out free shot glasses. Kind of a bummer to me. Also, they only allow you to taste the original Woodford and the Double Oak.

 

Interesting note, it wasn't too long ago all these places were free to tour and taste, with the exception of Woodford which I believe charged only $5. However, with the Bourbon Boom, just about every place charges now (and they would be silly not to).

 

If you're making 2-3 stops, I would say hit Wild Turkey, Woodford, and either Buffalo Trace or Town Branch. I'm not a big fan of Town Branch, but am a fan of Altech which makes Bourbon Barrel Ale. At Town Branch you get to same the beers as well as the bourbons, which I am a big fan of.

 

Hope that helps.

[TTS_JF]

My dad is going next week for his birthday, I've never been but they seem to love it.

[ColonelCrazy]

Do we need reservations or can we just show up?