Like wine lovers who dream of traveling to Bordeaux or beer enthusiasts with visions of the breweries of Belgium, bourbon lovers plan their pilgrimages to Kentucky. Some of the most famous distilleries are tucked away in the scenic Bluegrass region, which is home to nearly seventy distilleries and responsible for 95 percent of all of America's bourbon production. Locals and tourists alike continue to seek out the world's finest whiskeys in Kentucky as interest in America's only native spirit continues to grow.
In Kentucky Bourbon Country, now in its third edition, Susan Reigler offers updated, essential information and practical advice to anyone considering a trip to the state's distilleries (including the state's booming craft distillery sector) or the restaurants and bars on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Featuring more than two hundred full-color photographs and a bourbon glossary, the book is organized by region and provides valuable details about the Bluegrass—including attractions near each distillery and notes on restaurants, lodging, shopping, and seasonal events in Kentucky's beautifulhistoric towns.
In addition to providing knowledge about each point of interest, Kentucky Bourbon Country weaves in little-known facts about the region's best-kept secrets, such as the historic distillery used as a set in the movie Stripes and the fates of used bourbon barrels. Whether you're interested in visiting the place where your favorite bourbon is made or hoping to discover exciting new varieties, this handy and practical guide is the key to enjoying the best of bourbon.
Susan Reigler is a former restaurant critic for the Louisville Courier-Journal and a current correspondent for Bourbon+ and American Whiskey magazines. She has also authored or coauthored six books on bourbon, and in 2019, she was inducted into the Order of the Writ. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Carol Peachee is a fine art photographer and cofounder of the Kentucky Women's Photography Network. She has published several books and is the winner of the 2010 Elizabeth Fort Duncan Award in photography from the Hopkinsville Art Guild. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky. Pam Spaulding, a veteran photographer and photojournalist, is the photographer of The Complete Guide to Kentucky State Parks and The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 2. Bourbon Basics: Made in America 3. How to Taste Bourbon 4. Louisville: The Beginning of Bourbon Country 5. Bourbon Balls and Beyond 6. Shelbyville, Frankfort, and Midway: Jeptha Creed, Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and Castle & Key 7. Barrels and Cooperages 8. Lexington and Horse Country: Town Branch 9. The Master Distiller 10. Lawrenceburg: Four Roses and Wild Turkey 11. Not Just the Angels' Share 12. Bardstown: The Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Lux Row Distillers, Barton 1792, Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, Willett Distillery, Maker's Mark, and Jim Beam 13. How to Buy Your Own Barrel of Bourbon 14. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour 15. Acknowledgments 16. Appendix A: More Resources for Bourbon Lovers 17. Appendix B: Bourbon Retailers 18. Glossary: The Bourbon Lexicon
