Kentucky
How to Sip Your Way Through Kentucky’s Lesser-Known Bourbon Trail
Then, settle in to a dinner of actual Kentucky fried rooster at Purple Poulet, opened inside a historic restaurant. The menu consists of traditional Southern dishes like shrimp and grits from Charleston, and turtle soup from New Orleans.
Day 3
Cross the river to find out about Newport’s whiskey-soaked Prohibition period on the Newport Gangster tour. The town attracted bootleggers and on line casino operators, with Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin performing right here throughout the space’s heyday. The debauchery got here to an in depth in 1961, however reminders are throughout.
New Riff Distilling simply exterior of downtown Newport has gained notoriety for its rye whiskeys that incorporate heritage grains. Opened in 2014, the huge nonetheless is on show as you enter the distillery, which provides excursions and tastings of its bottled in bond merchandise.
Within the small city of Ludlow, a ten-minute minute drive west of Newport, is Second Sight Spirits, a sideshow-themed distillery with a nonetheless that resembles a fortune teller. The homeowners labored collectively behind the scenes at Las Vegas exhibits, and now craft Kentucky bourbon and rum aged in bourbon barrels with infusions of cherry and hazelnut.
Return to Newport for dinner at The Baker’s Desk, a prix-fixe eating expertise centered on native substances (reservations really helpful). Or choose up a pizza from Baker’s Desk Bakery, the informal sister cafe.
Day 4
Head an hour east to Maysville, positioned close to the state’s first distilleries. The Previous Pogue Distillery opened in 1876 and was given the third distilling license in Kentucky, persevering with the legacy to this present day. For a time it was owned by George Remus, a infamous bootlegger, however the sixth era Pogues now distill the small-batch bourbon right here. Excursions can be found by appointment.
Then, study in regards to the Ohio River Valley historical past on the Kentucky Gateway Museum Heart in downtown Maysville, which features a customer’s middle with uncommon bottles of Previous Pogue. One other spotlight is Kenton Tales with Spirit, a bookstore with plush leather-based couches and a menu of sandwiches and bourbon. Nosh on a cheese board from Kentucky’s personal Cloverdale Creamery whereas sipping an Previous Customary.
In your method again into Covington detour to Augusta, house of traditional singer and movie actress Rosemary Clooney (and the place her nephew George—sure, that George—attended highschool). B-Chicken Distillery opened in 2018 on the location of a former distillery began by a Revolutionary Battle veteran in 1797. It makes use of unique recipes, and features a vineyard with America’s oldest wine cellar. Attempt the Whiskey Revolt, named for a dramatic interval of American historical past when distilleries have been taxed to pay for the brand new authorities.
Your final meal of the journey ought to be at The Beehive, a legendary tavern that opened in 1796. It’s proper by the ferry that shuttles automobiles throughout the river, with dishes like bourbon-glazed salmon and bourbon cocktails—the proper end on a boozy go to to bourbon nation.