I wasn't too keen on driving all that far one way to view a distillery, but once I started driving through the beautiful Kentucky countryside I was into it. The distillery is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail - something that should be on everyone's bucket list.
We met up with Nikki and Cory and Cory's mom, Pidgn, and sister, Kenzie, at the reception building of the Woodford distillery, which included a tasting area, gift shop which also sold their bourbon, and a cafe. We kicked around a bit until our tour number was called. We were gathered in a small theater-type room to become educated to what we were about to witness. And then it was time to board an air-conditioned bus to take us on the tour of the real distillery process.
Did I mention it was hot? In case you hadn't heard, it gets toasty in Kentucky in the summer. Nah, it gets Africa hot. It was so hot that I saw two trees fighting over a dog.
Getting into the air-conditioned bus was a real treat, but the two minute ride ended too quickly. When we got off the bus, our tour guide reminded us that we were entering a distillery and things get even warmer inside. The mash has to ferment and then that mash has to be heated to distill the alcohol that eventually becomes bourbon.
After we entered the fermentation building, we discovered that our guide was quite loquacious, Marianne just about passed out from the heat. And this was just on the bottom floor of barn. We climbed up a flight of stairs to see the the bubbles escape from the 7500 gallon vats. And if you don't remember from your junior high science class, heat rises, so it was even hotter on this second floor. Three vats were bubbling like a witches brew, the bubbles were carbon dioxide created from the yeast consuming the mash mixture. We were warned not to stick our heads directly over the vats since the CO2 displaces the oxygen, which may cause you to faint, which may cause you to fall into these vats, which may ruin a perfectly good batch of mash. Marianne wasn't worried about the lack of oxygen, but about the amount of facts the tour guide as reciting in the immense heat.
I, on the other hand, was absorbing all these factual tidbits. Did you know why all great thoroughbred race horses are bred in Kentucky? It's the water; it has a high calcium and magnesium levels and low in iron content since it is filtered through a labyrinth of limestone (you've heard of Mammoth Cave, right? The longest cave system known in the world.). It's this same water that gives bourbon its specific taste. This water is only found in this part of the world.
Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky (which, in turn, was named after the French House of Bourbon royal family). It has been produced since the 18th century. While it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the American South in general, and Kentucky in particular. I do declare.
The tour and the heat continued for an hour. At its conclusion we were rewarded with the air-conditioned bus ride back to the reception house. Although I think we learned just about everything there was to learn about the making of bourbon, I have to admit, I've never tasted it. But my fortunes would be changed when we were escorted into the tasting room to partake a sample of Kentucky's finest.
Wow! That was some potent stuff. I discovered I like mine diluted with water. Now I understand why some folks order bourbon and water. And as an added bonus, we got to keep the shot glasses we received to down the samples. I now have six. Beat that.
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| Woodford Reserve Distillery click on collage to enlarge |
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| Wallace Station click on photo to enlarge |
After the tour we headed to a quaint roadside cafe frequented by the horse breeding set. The place, Wallace Station, was packed. And I have to say that the horsey crowd knows where to eat. Sorry Jared (Jared S. Fogle - also known as the Subway Guy). The sandwiches we had were delicious.
On the way back to our KOA campground in Shepherdsville, we did get a little lost exploring the back roads in this area. The farms with their stately homes, stone or wood fences, and elegant horses are a scene right out of a movie.
When we got back on the main road we drove right into and through a rain deluge. One minute high and dry, the next soaking wet, and then high and dry again. And the temperature dropped 20° when we drove through the rain. What a relief. . .no matter how short-lived.
That evening we drove back into Louisville for a dinner party for Nikki and Cory at Kenzie and Jansen's home with Pidgn and Gary, friends and relatives. Jansen barbecued a pork tenderloin and bacon wrapped lamb. These Kentuckians were going to spoil us. That evening Marianne and I became part of a new family.
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| The Clinton/Mueller Gang Jansen, Kenzie, Gary, Pidgn, Rainer, Marianne, Cory, and Nikki click on photo to enlarge |
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