Lux Row, Evan Williams, and Louisville Sluggers

Lux Row distillers are new to the bourbon trail, but its history dates back to the 1800's.  They make five different bourbons here on site, Rebel, Ezra Brooks, David Nicholson, Davies County, and Blood Oath.  The facility here is modern, and the tour takes you through the distilling process, with the ubiquitous Bourbon tasting at the end in a lovely tasting room.  

Fermenting grains

Bourbon cathedral

With most of these tastings we were also given chocolate covered Bourbon balls to sample

As the newest of the distilleries we visited, this was also the most modern.  Each one has its own flavor, and ambiance, and they do hospitality well.  Now we are off to Louisville and Evan Williams.  

Located along the river in downtown Louisville, Evans Williams is part of the Heaven Hill Distillery group.  Evan Williams, a Welsh immigrant came to the United States towards the end of the 18th century. Williams settled in Kentucky and began distilling in 1783, in Louisville, Kentucky.  A historical marker in Louisville marks the site as Kentucky's first commercial distillery. Williams was the first wharf master of Louisville in 1797.  The modern brand was introduced in 1957.

Our last Bourbon tasting of the tour topped off with more Bourbon balls.  Heading down the street, we came to the Louisville Slugger museum.  

Lots and lots of bats

We watched as the bats were made, labeled, and then finished.  Having grown up as a Red Sox fan and now a Padres fan, it was fun to see the bats belonging to baseball greats.  These are special bats designed by the players for the all-star game.  

Downtown Louisville

So, all in all, this was a great 4 days in a beautiful state (who knew?) and the history of the Bourbon distillers was really interesting.  If you are a Bourbon lover, it's a great trip to take.  

Kentucky, you are a stunner.  Cheers!

 

Woodford Reserve and Maker's Mark

Another Day another Bourbon tasting!

Day 2 has brought us to the beautiful Woodford Reserve distillery.  Woodford was founded in 1996 by the conglomerate Brown-Forman.  Originally founded as the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery in 1812.  The site has not been a continuously operational distillery since then.

Oscar Pepper died in 1867 the distillery was passed to his son James Pepper. 

The Pepper family sold the property to Leopold Labrot and James Graham in 1878, who owned and operated it (except during Prohibition) until it was sold to Brown-Forman in 1941. 

Brown-Forman operated it until the late 1960s, then sold the property and its accompanying acreage to a local farmer. Brown-Forman re-purchased the property in 1993, and brought it back into operation with Woodford Reserve debuting in 1996. 

Fermentation Tanks

Copper Distillation

Destined for a Princess cruise ship

After an interesting Bourbon tasting, we were off to Maker's Mark.  

Maker's Mark's origin began when T. William "Bill" Samuels Sr., purchased the "Burks' Distillery" in 1953. Production began in 1954, and the first run was bottled in 1958 under the brand's dipped red wax seal. Currently owned by Beam-Suntory group, the Samuels family continues to be involved in the distillery.  

 

Bubbling cauldron of corn and grains

Each bottle is hand-dipped.  Every so often the dipper will dip deeper into the wax and create a unique, larger seal on the bottle.  We were told that Bourbon "nerds" look for this!

Glass ceiling created by Dale Chihuly

The inevitable tasting of Bourbon at the end of the tour.  

On our way out of town, we passed the Jim Beam Distillery--closed on Monday and Tuesday, but photo-ops are free.  We are off to Louisville, two more distilleries, and the Louisville Slugger museum.  Cheers!