This page is all about the Nip. There are over 40 bourbon distilleries in Kentucky on the Bourbon Trail. Maker's Mark, Bulleit, Angel's Envy, Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey...no, I won't list them all...and no, I haven't made it to them all (yet).
Let's establish a key distinction you'll learn on any tour of these distilleries...the difference between bourbon and whiskey. All bourbon is whiskey, not all whiskey is bourbon...clear?! 😂 Basically, bourbon is specific type of whiskey, which requires 51% of the mash (dry ingredients) to be corn. It does not contain flavoring. Fireball is whiskey, not bourbon.
It also has to rest in new American oak barrels. Unlike vodka and gin, which can bottled and sold immediately after distilling, bourbon must be aged. The amount of time depends on the distillers but it must be at least two years. The average number I was hearing for standard bourbons was seven to nine years.
Bourbon is also a protected product which must be made in the United States. It can be made in any state but anything that is otherwise true to the product (51% corn, no flavorings, etc) is more of a bourbon-style product. It's like Champagne, which must be made in the Champagne region in France...everything else is sparkling wine or a Champagne-style product.
Pro Tip: Many of the tours on the trail are paid tours...you can expect to pay $15-40 for the basic tour, depending on the distillery. Expect to pay quite a bit more for 'behind-the-scenes' or 'distillery master' tours. They also book up fast. if you really want to get in on the action, you must reserve in advance or be prepared to settle for a view of the gift shop.
Buffalo Trace Distillery: This is one of the most popular bourbons on the market right now. It's not overly priced ($25-$30/bottle) but they just can't make enough. The company even spent $1 billion (yes, with a 'b') on upgrades to the distillery. However, they let standard Buffalo Trace bourbon sit in the barrel for seven to nine years...so even if production doubles today, it'll be years before you see the end product on store shelves.
Castle and Key Distillery: After Col. E. H. Taylor left Buffalo Trace, he opened the Old Taylor Distillery as his last project. The idea was to create a recreational space where visitors would like to spend time. The distillery exterior is designed like a castle and the spring where the water comes from (the key to the bourbon) has been routed into a key shaped Roman inspired bath.
The building fell into disuse and disrepair until it was purchased by a lawyer watching a horse race (while drinking bourbon) in 2014 wondering what else he might do with his time. He found this place for sale as scrap and decided to save it under the new name.
Lexington Brewing Co: Brewing...I thought you said this was about bourbon, not beer?! It is. The company that makes delicious brews also makes bourbon, gin, and other spirits. Remember bourbon has to age in new American oak barrels? They reuse some the barrels for their Bourbon Barrel Ale and house whiskey.
