USA Travel Guide

I hope residents don’t object to this generalization, but in Kentucky they’ve got three things: thoroughbred horse racing, bluegrass music and bourbon. We’ve talked Kentucky thoroughbred racing in the past, and no doubt we’ll get to bluegrass sometime in the future, but for a fun afternoon post we’re thinking bourbon.

Explore this fine Kentucky tradition from seed to bottle at any of eight distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Here are two of our favorites:

Woodford Reserve
7855 McCracken Pike
Versailles, KY  40383
859-879-1812
Tours: Tuesday – Saturday

The historic Labrot & Graham’s Old Oscar Pepper Distillery, opened in 1812, and Woodford Reserve welcome guests for a fascinating in-depth tour of premium, small batch bourbon making. If the process itself is not as much a fascination for you, consider the “National Landmark” tour, which delves into the architectural and cultural history of the distillery. Bourbon sampling at the end of some tours (21 and up).

Maker’s Mark
3350 Burks Spring Road
Loretto, KY  40037
270-865-2099
Tours: Daily (closed Sundays in Jan/Feb)

See how the bottles get that iconic wax seal at the Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto, about an hour out from Lexington. Tour includes a look into several stages of the bourbon making process as well as stops at several other buildings on the grounds. The Old Gristmill was put into operation in 1805 and today is the oldest operating distillery still at its original site.

We chose these two, because they work well as trips out of Lexington, the nearest large city. For hotels in Lexington, we often stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Lexington Hotel. The property always has a fresh, inviting appeal that brings us back.

Note: Due to Terms of Use restrictions, we’re unable to provide links to the above attractions. A Google search should take care of it for you.