Bourbon, Thoroughbreds, and Bourbon Balls

 

When a friend offers to guide you on the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky, you take him up on his offer.  Along with our bourbon-loving friends from San Diego, we arrived in Louisville and headed to the capital of Kentucky, Frankfort for the night.  

Up bright and early the next morning for a tour/tasting at Buffalo Trace distillery.  Situated along a river, the distilleries all emphasize the importance of the water here in Kentucky (which is delicious) since the springs come up through Limestone without any iron or other minerals, to give the Bourbon a pure taste.  Buffalo Trace has gone through many owners/corporations since its founding in 1811, but is now family-owned by the Sazerac family since 1992 establishing the Buffalo Trace Brand.   

Of course there is a gift shop!

Pappy Van Winkle is made here at Buffalo Trace

Blanton worked his way up from office boy at 16 to plant supervisor in 1900

And, now the tasting:  All of these are Buffalo Trace Brands, truth be told, Bourbon isn't my thing, but the Bourbon cream is delicious and so is the Freddies' root beer.  I kept pouring my tasting bourbon into our friend's glass since he's the connoisseur.  

  

Leaving Buffalo Trace, we headed to Sun Valley Farm, a thoroughbred nursery, raising and selling horses worldwise.  We met Brett and his mom and dad, the family that owns this beautiful piece of the Kentucky countryside and toured the beautiful barns, and got to see some of their gorgeous babies.

Brett with one of his "kids"

Lots of $$ represented here

Stud fees are mind-boggling

We came away with an appreciation of the work and money involved in raising these horses.  This family loves every one of the horses they raise and we loved the tour.  

Our surprise this day is that Kentucky is a stunner; the countryside, and the beauty here is not what we were expecting.  I'd taught in Louisville 30 years ago, but really never got out of Louisville, I'm so glad we did this day.  We are on to Woodford and Makers Mark tomorrow.  But first, there are Bourbon balls!

Ruth Boos bourbon balls are legend in Frankfort, Kentucky.  We visited Rebecca Ruth chocolates, took the short tour, had a bit of a taste, and then headed off to dinner.  

Tomorrow, Woodford Reserve and Makers' Mark.  Cheers for now.