Which Kentucky Bourbon distillery has the best tour?
This may not qualify as “first-hand” but I report it directly from my father, who shares my love of bourbon. He toured Maker’s Mark and found it “delightfully interesting”. So far as B&B’s go, Beautiful Dreamer in Bardstown is lovely, and also next to Kurtz’s restaurant, which many sources (my father and R.W. Apple included) think has some of the best fried chicken in memory.
We did the Woodford Reserve Tour last year and it was great. The tasting was a little skimpy, but there are free bourbon balls (chocolate candy) to be had as well (yum!). The copper stills are impressive. I have some pictures from the tour on flickr here. We also went to the The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown (114 North Fifth Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004, (502) 348-2999) which was amusing if you’re into museums and historical artifacts and all that. I really wanted to go to Maker’s Mark but one member of our party was being a heel, so we had to make tracks for Nashville and dinner. I’ve heard that it’s wonderful. Next time we want to go to Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace. Have fun!
