Kentucky: a road trip through the state - Part 23 - Orlando / Florida Guide
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The second day of this part of the trip saw us heading to Lawrenceburg which is just down the Bluegrass Parkway. Here you can join a tour at the Four Roses Distillery. You’re sure to enjoy the story behind this brand and the unique Spanish Mission style architecture of the buildings. Walk through the grounds and smell the many types of roses that are abundant all around. If you just want to rest for a while then head for the gazebo or barrel swing. If you can take a tour during July, August or September then the Four Roses Distillery’s Summer Tour Schedule will be in effect. That means the regular tour is modified to include special behind the scenes components which is worth the trip.
Only 8 miles away is where the Wild Turkey Distillery sits on a hill overlooking the Kentucky River. It’s known locally as “the house that Jimmy built”. Their new state of the art distillery looks it, you may even see Master Distiller Jimmy Russell roaming the grounds. He’s been here creating bourbon for over 60 years and is always willing to sign a bottle or pose for a picture.
As we head towards the end of this part of the trip we enter Woodford County. This is the home of several Kentucky Derby winners, scores of beautiful thoroughbred farms and even a old castle. After passing some of the world’s fastest horses you will arrive at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery. You can just join the hourly Bourbon Discovery Tour but if you call ahead there may be availability for the National Landmark Tour and the Corn to Cork Tour that are offered at different times of the week.
Woodford Reserve does have a seasonal offering of Picnic on the Porch. This usually includes Kentucky favourites such as country ham, barbeque and homemade desserts. The distillery is built on history as it sits on Kentucky’s oldest distilling site where Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey in 1812. It also has a unique 500 foot long gravity fed run to transport the barrels.
We were now heading for the next part of our journey as we headed for our hotel in Lexington. Still we could not miss AllTech’s Town Branch Distillery, named after the limestone stream that runs through Lexington. It’s conveniently located in the centre of downtown Lexington near Rupp Arena and the Lexington Visitor’s Centre so not too far out of our way.
In case you don’t like neat bourbon then the local are always ready to offer you one of the famous Bourbon cocktails below.
Old Fashioned : -Don Draper’s favourite drink in Mad Men, this classic whiskey cocktail is a mix of bourbon and angostura bitters, served over ice and laced with sugar, an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. It’s traditionally served in a ‘lowball’ glass, a short tumbler designed for cocktails on the rocks.
Mint Julep :- The mint julep is the cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, made with bourbon, sugar, water and fresh mint. The drink dates from the 18th century, when it was served in silver or pewter cups. It’s estimated that more than 120, 000 mint juleps are made over Derby weekend, served in collectible glasses made especially for the event.
Brown Derby :- Named after one of LA’s most fashionable 1930s hangouts, this bourbon cocktail was developed by Billy Wilkerson, who ran the legendary Vendôme club. Sometimes known as the De Rigueur, it’s a spin on a classic whiskey sour, made with premium bourbon, honey syrup for sweetness and grapefruit juice to provide the sour.
We are now going to put our head down for the night before we find out what Lexington has to offer in part 24.
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