Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Bourbon capital of the world



It has taken  me awhile to start to catch up on the places we visited on our recent trip.  This is mainly due to the time we have devoted to our new Grandson -Nico since our return.  While three weeks is not a long time, it is nearly half of his life so far, so we wanted to make up for lost time.


We decided that we would stay an extra day in Bardstown, KY to see some additional sites. Bardstown has several claims to fame.  They consider themselves to be the bourbon capital of the world and have been voted to be the most attractive small town in American. I was not able to determine just who did the voting for the latter, but we did find it to be a very pleasant place.  There are several historic buildings in town as well as some very well preserved homes.  You cannot not help but notice, as you stroll around town, that nearly every shop, no matter what they sell, have bourbon products displayed in their windows.  Even the family diner where we enjoyed a breakfast had a large bourbon display.




The first thing we did after exploring the downtown area, was checkout a new campground for our second night.  Staying at the state park was not an option.  We found the White Acres campground  just a few miles west of town .  The owner was very friendly and also provided us with several suggestions of other things we might like to explore.  The sites were full hookups with level ground and some shade.  If we ever are here again, this will be our home base.


We visited the Jim Bean Distillery, as we had heard that they had a new and interesting tour.  We were here in 1988 and the tour consisted largely of looking at the outside of some of the warehouse and some static displays on how the bourbon was made.  This time the tour was very detailed and at the end there was free sampling. In 1988, samples were not allowed since it was a dry county.  During the tour, we were able to see every part of the production and storage operation and given a very good explanation of how each  type of bourbon is produced.  Some of the fun facts mentioned was that 90% of all bourbon made in the world is made in Kentucky and that Jim Beam  is the largest producer. We have been through several distillery tours and I would have to say this was the most extensive.  During the tasting portion of the tour, the samples were dispensed by a electronic bartender. You were given a kind of debit card good for two shots. It was well worth the visit.




















After the tour, we made one final visit of the day to the Bernheim park and  garden that was recommended by the campground owner. This was a very large private nature and art park that is open to the public free during the weekdays.  On weekends, it regularly has special nature and or art events on the extensive grounds.  It was a very relaxing place to spend some time.





14 comments:

Wanderin' said...

I can certainly understand why you would want to hang around. I love the header picture of your Big Sister. That is precious. Of course, the little brother is a cutie too.

Gail Houle said...

Looks like a great tour. I guess we are going to have to acquire a taste for bourbon if we want to spend much time in KY. :)

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

We did six distilleries on the Bourbon Trail a few years ago. We had a great time. We had each place stamp our book and got a t-shirt sent to us with all the different Bourbon distilleries.

Jim Beam is one we haven't done. That is amazing that they give tastes now. Everyone that we have talked to that did the tour never got to a taste. Lucky you.

JerryC said...

Looks like a nice tour. The only distillery we have toured was Jack Daniels, and no tastings. Will put Jim Beam on our to-do list. Interesting pictures of the gardens, also.

Big EZ Travels said...

I have the Bourbon Trail on my list of places to visit. I too had always heard the Jim Beam distillery was in a dry county so no tasting. Glad to know about the new and improved tour!

Jim and Sandie said...

I would love to do more of the Bourbon tour. The only place we stopped was the Jack Daniels distillery and of course, they are still in a dry county.

Travels with Emma said...

I've done several wine tours, but never a bourbon tour. I think I might have skipped the taste test.

Sherry said...

Can't say I'm a Bourbon fan but the tour definitely looks interesting. Those grandchildren of yours are adorable. I cannot believe how Victoria has grown and so fast. It seems no time ago that you were posting about her birth. She's a real beauty that's for sure.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

Was it really the park that you found so relaxing or was it the two shots of Bourbon?

Your grandkids are so photogenic! They certainly brighten your life, don't they? :c)

Rick said...

Both Victoria and Nico are absolutely beautiful grandchildren - no wonder you want to spend more time with them.

It sure looks like Bourbon has been good to the town of Bardstown, what a nice looking place.

Thanks for the tour - perhaps as close as I'll ever get to Jim Beam!!

Unknown said...

Good to know they allowed tastings now. I still think its odd that it is distilled in a dry county.

Laura said...

CUTE grandkids :-)

I had no idea that there were dry counties in the US, the idea is very strange to me, as if they've been trapped in a time long ago.

I don't have much experience with bourbon (or any at all), but the tour sounds like a good way to start.

Laura said...

Well, it just goes to show what I know! There are a few dry towns in Canada still.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_Canada

Nancy said...

Lucky you to have such beautiful grandchildren! Thanks for sharing your joy.