3 Tips to Help You Enjoy the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
The vast majority of the bourbon that is produced in the entire world is produced in one place: Kentucky. With so many bourbon distillers in the area, there are lots of bourbon tours you can take to learn more about this drink. If you want to go on a bourbon tour and see what there is to try, there are a few things you can do to enhance your enjoyment of the process.
#1: Don't Rush Through the Tour Process
There is indeed a large number of bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. However, you don't have to see them all in one day. They have been around for decades, and plan on staying around for decades more.
As you plan out your day, give yourself at least two hours per distillery. Most distillery tours are at least an hour long. Giving yourself at least two hours per distillery allows you time to get to the distillery, enjoy the tour, taste some samples, and make purchases.
Some distilleries also offer more in-depth tours, and even classes, so find out what the distillery offers—you may want to make some stops longer than two hours. Don't rush the process; take your time to enjoy the beauty of each distillery and its unique location and bourbons.
#2: Buy Bourbon You Can't Find at Home
After you take the tour and enjoy the tasting rooms, it can be tempting to purchase a bunch of bourbons. As Kentucky is the supplier for most of the bourbon in the world, you don't have to buy all the bourbon you tasted and enjoyed on-site. Make a list of the bourbon you liked, so when you go to your local liquor store, you know what to purchase.
Don't buy the distillery's most popular bourbons. Instead, spend your money on unique blends that they don't distribute across the United States, or focus on unique brands that you have never seen where you live before. Get a few unique bourbons, and use the information you learn from your tours to make more informed purchasing choices when you are at home.
#3: Bourbon Tours Are for Everyone
You don't have to be a bourbon enthusiast to enjoy touring a bourbon distillery. If you are in Kentucky, you should visit at least one or tour Bourbon facilities. Many bourbon distilleries in Kentucky have been around not just for decades, but for centuries. When you tour a bourbon distillery, you are going to learn not just about the drinks, but also about the history of the region.
Bourbon distilleries in Kentucky are also located in many beautiful locations, much like wineries in California. Visiting will allow you a chance to see some really beautiful landscapes and areas. If you are planning on visiting Kentucky, be sure to visit some of the many great bourbon distilleries in the area. You don't have to be a bourbon enthusiast to enjoy visiting one of these fine establishments; they are filled with history and beauty for everyone.
Don't rush your visit; give yourself at least two hours per distillery you visit. Purchase name or unique bourbons on your trip, and use the knowledge you gained to help you make more informed choices when you purchase bourbon at home.