Friday April 19, 2024
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The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center and The Spirit of Kentucky® exhibition has officially opened at the Frazier History Museum in downtown Louisville on historic Main Street.
Located on the first floor of the Frazier and founded in partnership with the KDA (Kentucky Distillers’ Association), the KBT® Welcome Center will be the Official Starting Point of the KBT® tour.
A professional concierge service will help visitors plan their trips to Bourbon distilleries throughout Kentucky and navigate the hot spots of Louisville’s burgeoning Bourbon, culinary and nightlife scenes. Visitors will also get to test their knowledge of alcohol and responsible drinking by taking a DRINKiQ quiz.
“The Frazier History Museum is where the world meets Kentucky,” said Frazier President Penny Peavler. “With the launch of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center and The Spirit of Kentucky exhibit, we hope to spotlight Kentucky as the one, true home of Bourbon whiskey — America’s only native spirit.”
Admission to the KBT® Welcome Center will be free of charge. Continue reading
Eight Establishments in Louisville Named among America’s 80 Best Bourbon Bars
Bourbon industry publication, The Bourbon Review, has released its annual list of America’s 80 Best Bourbon Bars. During National Bourbon Heritage Month, The Bourbon Review will partner with Four Roses Bourbon for a nationwide “toast” to each of the 80 establishments selected.
Eight Louisville bars were selected as part of the list, including: Bourbons Bistro, Charr’d Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge, Derby Café, Doc Crows, Down One Bourbon Bar, Haymarket Whiskey Bar, Proof on Main, and Silver Dollar
Louisville has the most recognized bourbon bars than any other city in America. All eight of the establishments honored are also a part of the city’s Urban Bourbon Trail, a “pub crawl” that celebrates Louisville’s bourbon heritage and culture.
The nationwide “toast” will take place on Friday, September 30, when The Bourbon Review and Four Roses Bourbon will encourage fans to take part by tagging their favorite bourbon bar from the list using the hashtag #80Toast.
In addition to the toast, on-site visits to select winning Bourbon bars across the country by Four Roses Bourbon and The Bourbon Review are planned for September and October.
“We are proud to once again partner with The Bourbon Review to help celebrate its Top 80 list,” said Brent Elliott, master distiller, Four Roses Bourbon. “It’s an honor to recognize and toast these establishments who take their Bourbon as seriously as we do.”
To see the full list of America’s 80 Best Bourbon Bars, please visit www.gobourbon.com/best-80-bourbon-bars-2016.
Kentucky is known for a lot of things. Thoroughbred horses. Fried Chicken. Abraham Lincoln. Cassius Clay. The Kentucky Derby. And sweet, sweet bourbon.
Although the popular myth that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky is not true, it might as well be. More than 95% of the world’s bourbon comes from Kentucky. In fact, we have more barrels of bourbon aging here in the Commonwealth (nearly five million) than we have Kentucky residents! Kentucky bourbon is so good for the same reason that our horses are so good: the low-iron, high-calcium water that is filtered through our ubiquitous limestone.
So, if it is not being made in Kentucky, what makes bourbon bourbon? According to US law (27 C.F.R. S5.22), bourbon has to meet several requirements. It must be:
- Produced in the United States
- Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume)
- Barreled for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% ABV)
- Bottled at 80 proof or more (40% ABV)
Knowing a few random facts about bourbon is nice, but it does not tell the whole story. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, stretching across the central Bluegrass State, offers opportunities to tour the distilleries to learn about bourbon’s history, watch the production process, breath in a portion of the Angel’s Share and, if you’re over 21, even try out a few sips of the amber-colored treasure.
