Why Bluegrass State is more that horses and Bourbon

The popularity of flavor tourism, especially in the beverage industry, is increasing as people pay more attention what they eat and drink. Visits to Cognac Chateaus, France, and Mezcal in Mexico. Bourbon distillery in KentuckyUp.

If the idea of ​​a well-crafted Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, or a simple measure of elegant whiskey fills you with joy, a trip to Kentucky is a must. Louisville is the natural starting point for most people. It is one of the largest cities in Kentucky and home to many well-connected people. Mohamed AliThe airport is named after the city’s most famous son.

The urban Bourbon trail makes it easy to miss this spot, which is located at the state’s northwest boundary. Louisville is easily accessible via several domestic flights. It is also only a two-and a half-hour drive from Nashville Tennessee, where you will be able to fly directly with. British Airways.

You can see that Louisville’s center of attention is Bourbon Row, downtown. Here, there are many options for tourists looking for a local drink. There are many trendy spots to visit in the Old Louisville area, famous for its streets lined with beautiful Victorian mansions.

Trouble bar, which Nicole Stipe started with Caitlin Oaks, is a proudly woman-owned venture. They opened their doors in 2019 to challenge the traditional demographic of bourbon drinkers by offering tasting flights and delicious seasonal cocktails. It is more than a bar. It has become an important place for the local community to meet, share a drink, and offer support.

Lexington, Kentucky’s equestrian capital, is located in central Kentucky, about an hour drive west of Louisville. After driving through rolling green hills with white picket fencing and thoroughbred horses you can enjoy fine dining at 21C Hotel. You can also sip local beers on the Brew-rass beer track or visit the old gym bars. The Historic Distillery District is home to this distillery. Lexington is also the home of the first African-American bourbon that Kentucky has recognized in modern times. This shows that the bourbon industry is making a comeback.

Lexington is also the perfect location to explore Bardstown (officially the “Bourbon Capital of the World”, an hour’s drive from Lexington). Bardstown is the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America” and hosts the Kentucky Bourbon Festival every September.

Bardstown Bourbon Company offers great cocktails and contemporary local food. It is located just outside the city. This new distillery has been designed to provide exceptional experiences to visitors. The Harrison-Smith House is a great place to find Southern specialties such as banana pudding or heirloom tomato pies.

Staying in Covington, Kentucky is an unexpected surprise and a great way end your Kentucky tour. The state’s northern border is located just across the river to bustling metropolitan Cincinnati, Ohio. Covington is Cincinnati’s “Brooklyn”, with a multitude of breweries and trendy coffee shops as well as natural wine outlets. Cincinnati is home of street murals and streetcars as well as farmers’ markets.

Revival Vintage Spirits is the hidden gem in Covington. It’s a small bar and bottle shop run by Brad ‘Dusty” Bonds. Dusty is determined to open, uproot, and sell vintage and rare spirits in accordance with procedure. This makes bourbons like pre-Prohibition bourbon easily accessible to the masses.

What’s the difference between Bourbon and Single Malt Scotch ?

Two white wines in one glass may look very similar, but the buttery oak Chardonnay can be seen galaxies away. Two liquors that look very similar are not different but have very different taste profiles. The amber-colored spirit of Scotch malt as well as bourbon is different.

Both start with natural base ingredients, just like all good drinks. Single malts are made from 100% barley. Bourbon is made from a mixture of grains, with at least 51% corn. Bourbon tastes creamier and sweeter than scotch because it is made from corn. The rest are usually wheat or rye. The wheat gives it a soft, absorbent texture and the rye (popularized in the 50’s/60’s craze) gives it a spicy kick. Scotch can be smoky from its malt taste, which is due to the use of peat fires. This characteristic is not usually found in Bluegrass State’s best.

Scotch whiskey can be distilled before being placed in oak barrels. These barrels are sometimes seasoned using russet to give it rich, fruity flavours. Bourbon must mature within new oak barrels. This is due to Kentucky’s warmer climate. Bourbon is typically aged between 7-10 years, unlike Scotch, which can take many decades before it is ready to drink.