Friends, Hokies, Countrymen,
I'm writing because I'm going to Kentucky for a week for the Louisville game and some bourbon. Okay, a lot of bourbon. Borderline bootlegging.
One of my favorite small distilleries currently occupies the former Old Crow campus outside Frankfort, and very rarely, they do a tour of the grounds and talk through the history of the place. The last one for the year is on November 5th, the day after we beat that Cardinal ass. Problem is, they won't go with fewer than 8 people, and currently only have one person signed up. If any of y'all are going that way for the game, and like booze, sarcasm, and/or history, I'd highly recommend signing up. Link.
Forums:
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
I've heard the Heaven Hill distillery is well worth the visit.
It was alright imo. Different tours have different perks so maybe I just got one on an off day.
So far my tour power rankings are 1a/1b Beam and Makers, 2 Bardstown, 3 Heaven Hill 4 Four Roses. Usually go to a new one each year visiting family.
Some under the radar ones worth a tour: Kentucky Peerless in Louisville, Castle and Key outside Frankfort, Preservation in Bardstown.
Most other places we just do tastings. Think the only tours on the docket this time are Stitzel Weller, Bardstown Bourbon, and Old Pogue.
Good looking out, thanks! Now that we've hit the big ones, we'll likely hit some under the radar spots next
I like the bar and gift shop. Didn't feel the need for a tour. Gonna go at open one of the days to try and grab an Elijah Craig grenade.
Can't swing it but hope you get enough Hokies for a fantastic tour/story.
I would love to do that tour, but will not be in the area. Good luck and hoping you can find enough people for them to set it up for that group.
I'm forwarding to my uncle in law. Not a Hokie, but a UK fan so he will be rooting for us. Super cool dude, originally from Buffalo, but settled in Kentucky a few years ago and is involved in one of western Kentucky's bourbon societies. A wealth of bourbon knowledge and dry humor.
If it doesn't fill up, I highly recommend going just slightly down the road to Castle and Key. Built in the 1890s with the intention of being a destination for tourists and parties. Was closed in the 70s and then recently cleaned and brought back up and running. Really cool history, beautiful grounds and gardens. Their whiskey is meh, but their gin is fantastic
Yeah, we did that tour the first time we were in Kentucky and it was cool. We've since learned you can see 90% of what's there by just going for a drink at their bar cause most of the property is open.
Definitely agree on the gin. Whiskey just needs more time
Not a Bourbon or whiskey guy, but we went to Louisville for an overnight stay on the way back to NJ from vacation in Missouri. The Louisville slugger factory and museum was a really cool experience. Against the Grain and Apocalypse brew works were good breweries.....
Woodford is a bit out of the way but also a beautiful location and great tour. 2nd the Makers Tour. Whiskey Thief was also kinda neat where you pull your own whiskey and can blend if you like. Buffalo Trace is a must, and hopefully you get there on a day they are selling some of their limited stuff.