Day 1 Wednesday Oct.23
On the road by 7:30. We’ve rented a Navigator to accommodate 7 of us. Our friends attached a rack to the trailer hitch and we are loaded and ready to go. A 3 hour trip gets us to our first stop.
Castle & Key Distillery
We met our other group members, who flew into Louisville and spent the night there. I haven’t gone on a tour of Castle & Key for a while, so I was excited to see how it was although we always stop there to have a drink, walk the grounds and visit the gift shop. I had a funny feeling from the start that our tour guide wasn’t going to be up to par when as we were checking in, I tried joking with him and he had nothing to do with me. We all got drinks before the tour and walked around the grounds before our tour. My premonition of the guide was not wrong. By far in all my trail experiences, this was the worst tour guide we ever had. When they’re bad, I won’t mention names, but he set the tone for a bad tour. The other thing that disappointed me was the building inside had not changed. I’m sure they want to maintain the rustic state they found the place in, but it just had not been cleaned up since our last tour 6 years ago, unfinished walls, floors and walking down tight staircases. I’m sure they want to keep the original look, but the facility could use a little work. This tour also was different than before as there were parts we saw before that we really wanted to see, the herb garden, the longest rickhouse in Kentucky, none of this was on the tour. The grounds are beautiful, and the garden is worth a look. They do a good tasting but we had planned on lunch there and the food trucks do not come on Wednesday. Still a top favorite of the group, but the tour & guide were lacking.
The Stave
We didn’t plan on eating at the Stave which is just down the road but since Castle & Key didn’t have their food trucks, we took a chance. I’ve had great luck getting in and terrible luck there, so I was nervous. They were able to accommodate all 11 of us with no problem and the service, food, and time was excellent. Recommended the Pimento Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Fried Chicken Sandwich. This time I got the smoked pork platter which was okay but someone in our group got the smaller smoked pork small plate and it had double the meat mine had.
Woodford Reserve
We did not have a tour here but a tasting. We tried their new food pairing tasting tour. You take a bus through the facility and go to an older building and learn about Woodford and do a tasting paired with small snacks. Very good and fun, our group enjoyed it. They then take you through a rickhouse and talk more about Woodford. While this does not give you the total Woodford experience, it was more than enough for us. All and all a great experience.
Wild Turkey Distillery
To end the day, we had a tour scheduled for Wild Turkey. I have not done a tour here since a terrible experience we had years ago with a bunch of highly intoxicated people(not us) on our tour, so I was looking forward to this experience. Jimmy Russel, the Budha of Burbon, Mr. Bourbon, The Master Distiller there since 1954 was in the lobby greeting guests as they came in, obliging for pictures and signing bottles. At 90 years old he still comes in almost every day. He just celebrated working 70 years at the facility. I have probably 10 bottles signed by him, so I opted for him signing a Christmas ornament. The tour was good, more of a modern facility, but our guide, Caleb, was knowledgeable and gave a very good tour. At the end of the tour we did the tasting, which was like most tastings. Not real keen on their tasting room. You sit with two groups facing each other, I felt it had the feel of a college bowl quiz show. Afterwards we had looked forward to having a drink in their bar only to find both bars closed. They have two bars, one upstairs and downstairs where you can sit outside enjoying the beautiful view. And to have both bars closed really was a disappointment.
Night in Lexington – Hyatt Hotel
Dinner Carsons
Great restaurant never disappoints. Downtown Lexington, walking distance from the hotel. Accommodated us with no problems although we did have reservations. Reservations are recommended
Day 2 Thursday Oct.24
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Everyone was excited because the odds-on favorite for Buffalo Traces allotment for the day was Blanton's. Buffalo Trace has 4 Bourbons you have a hard time finding in the stores. Besides Blanton's there’s EH Taylor, Weller and Eagle Rare. Doors open at 9 so the earlier you’re there the better chances of getting that day’s allotment. We got there about 7:50am and we were 8th in line. Have never been that close. Once the doors opened, we heard todays bottles were Eagle Rare and Weller and you could get one of each. Usually, you can only get one of the allotted bottles and you can only get that same bottle once every 90 days, after 90 days you get out of “Bottle Jail” and can get another of that bottle. We only did the gift shop, which is the best in the industry, and a tasting, which is the only free tasting we’ve found on the trail. I do recommend their tours. They are hard to reserve online but when you check in they seem to always have tours available.
Whiskey Thief Distillery
We were scheduled to eat lunch in Louisville, but some of our party had heard of this distillery and wondered if we could fit it in with our schedule. I’ve been here a couple of time but just to look around. This is a very small craft distillery all in one pole building. You can only buy their bourbon there on site. You taste directly out of the barrel, but you do have to take the short tour. The tour was short and quick but the tasting is fantastic. We were able to taste 6 different products with ABV ranging from 95 to 128 proof. And it’s no little sip, you get it straight out of the barrels using a whiskey thief, a device you put in and pull out samples of whiskey. They serve food there which everyone thought was very good along with other drinks. Our group thought this was one of the best distilleries they had been to, ranked one of the top ones of this tour. It’s a little off the beaten path, but well worth the dive. Worked out great as it’s between Frankfort and Louisville. The most friendly people working thee which I had experienced before. Give yourself time here. Even though it’s a shorter than normal tour, the tasting and ambiance of the place makes you want to just kick back and relax the afternoon away. Outdoor seating so plan with the weather accordingly.
Rabbit Hole Distillery
A smaller distillery downtown Louisville. All in one building. Our tour guide, Owen, was excellent and everyone agreed this was worth the trip. They take you through the whole process and it is a modern distillery facility. The tasting was very good and we decided to stay in their bar for drinks. This will be a normal stop from now on.
Barrels and Billets
While this is not a distillery it’s more an experience. You mix a number of different Bourbon tastes to come up with your own mash bill, you watch a short video and then you’re left to make your own concoction and if you want, in the end they will make a bottle of you’re specific mash bill. I assumed this would be the highlight of the day but no one was that impressed. I was the only one buying a bottle. I guess I’ll cross this off my future experiences.
Hotel-Louisville Omni
Dinner Doc Crows
A Barbecue and Sushi restaurant. Never disappointing, everyone had a good meal here.
Evening Entertainment
3rd Street Dive Bar (Truly a $2 PBR dive bar) then the Speakeasy in the Omni
Day 3 Friday Oct. 25
Makers Mark Distillery
About an hour and a half drive to Makers Mark. Checked in and went on the back porch for a drink before the tour. This is definitely one of the nicest and most picturesque settings and with the leaves turning, made for some outstanding pictures. Makers never disappoints. Our tour guide, Taylor, was excellent. Out of all the tours I’ve probably done this one the most, 10-12 times at least and it’s always the same, yet always enjoyable. Just to walk the grounds is worth the visit, and they do allow you to do this. The tastings also are very good, and they usually include something unusual. After the tour in the gift shop, you can dip your own bottle. This is one location you should give yourself 2 ½ hours. I only gave us 2 and we felt rushed. They have a nice bar area where you can sit outside and enjoy the sights. This was the number one tour among everyone.
Jim Beam Distillery
We had reservations for lunch, and I was a little worried since there was 11 of us and this restaurant can be busy. They handled us with ease, and we had plenty of time and not rushed. I always have liked the Jim Beam tour and I feel it’s one you at least have to go to once. The Bourbon group rated this tour one of their least favorite and the only thing that didn’t put it at the bottom was the restaurant. I have mentioned before I don’t like their tastings anymore, you taste on the run during the tour, and I’m not sure this was their reason. This was a new tour for 7 out of the 11 and pre-covid tour for 2 out of the 11. This also was my 3rd this year. I was a little worried because I had the same tour guide the last two trips and he was bad but this time our guide was very good.
Michters Fort Nelson Distillery
We had just planned on stopping in, seeing their gift shop and having drinks. I didn’t make reservations and knew it might be a problem with 11 of us but felt it was early enough to get in. I’ve been to their bar 3 times before for drinks and it’s a very nice smaller bar on the second floor. Here’s the thing, you first must talk to the host “guarding” the elevator. The last time I was there she made it sound like we were going to one of the most exclusive bars in not only Louisville, but Kentucky. We had to wait until upstairs was “ready” for us and after about a 20 minute wait we went up to a half empty bar. This time the host who was more like the elevator secret security guard, abruptly told me we would have to wait 1 ½ hours, and that was it, no friendly interaction, no personality. When I advised him we could split up, he simply said it would be the same wait time. Maybe he didn’t like our looks, of course we probably looked shady, two doctors, four engineers, a nurse, a practice administrator, and a former fire chief. Michters is not that special of a stop, there are far better bars and restaurants to go to nearby in Louisville.
Dinner Bluegrass Brewing Company
Normal bar brewery with very good food and a good beer selection.
Day 4 Saturday Oct. 26
Bulleit Distillery
This was going to be our last stop before heading home. Shelbyville is closer to Louisville but between Louisville and Frankfort. The west coast group decided to pass on this as they didn’t want to risk missing their flights home. This is a newer distillery and very nice and modern. A good tour and a good guide. The tasting is different, it’s one for the senses. They change the lighting and music for each different taste along with scents to smell while sampling their products. Totally different than any other tasting. They have a nice bar area and a nice gift shop.
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