In 1999, the Kentucky Distillers Association formed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in order to give folks a firsthand look at “America’s Native Spirit,” to explore its fascinating roots dating back to the 1700s, and to experience the art of crafting bourbon at seven major distilleries. In 2012 the Bourbon Trail set new attendance records with a whopping 509,292 visitors.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour connects seven artisan distilleries from across the state. Representatives from the distilleries display commemorative barrels after the tour was announced last fall. The distilleries on the tour include: Barrel House Distillery of Lexington, Corsair Artisan Distillery in Bowling Green, Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, MB Roland Distillery in Pembroke, Old Pogue Distillery in Maysville, Silver Trail Distillery in Hardin, and Willett Distillery in Bardstown.
Following the trend of rising interest in bourbon, micro-distilleries crafting small batches of bourbon, malt whiskey, vodka, gin, moonshine and other spirits have been springing up across the country. That includes Kentucky, of course, and in October 2012 Gov. Steve Beshear announced the launch of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour that stretches from Marshall to Mason counties. Entrepreneurs and adventurers own some of the seven artisan distilleries, while others are reviving a family legacy.
Participants in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour’s Passport Program who collect stamps from visiting all seven distilleries will receive an official mint julep cup.
Following is a peek at what awaits guests on the tour.
Barrel House Distilling Company
Set to reawaken Lexington’s Distillery District, Barrel House began operations in 2008 in the barreling house of the Old Pepper Distillery, which operated from the late 1700s until 1958. Currently, Barrel House features three spirits: Oak Rum, aged in bourbon barrels; Devil John Moonshine, named for the legendary Devil John; and Pure Blue Vodka.
Corsair Artisan Distillery
With operations in Nashville, Tenn., and Bowling Green, Ky., the Corsair Artisan Distillery was co-founded by Nashville natives Andrew Webber and Darek Bell. Bell has written a book, “Alt Whiskeys,” about innovative techniques, alternative and unconventional grains and unusual botanicals in microbatch whiskeys.
“We’re experimenting with other grains, such as spelt, amaranth, quinoa and different types of corn, such as blue corn,” explained Clay Smith, head distiller and distillery manager for Corsair’s Kentucky plant, which opened in late 2008. “We just came out with amaranth whiskey.”
The winner of 41 medals at international spirits competitions, Corsair makes gin, vodka, rum and absinthe at its Bowling Green location, and whiskey and moonshine in Nashville.
Limestone Branch Distillery
Brothers Steve and Paul Beam carry on a family tradition in Lebanon at Limestone Branch Distillery. Their great-grandfather began distilling mash whiskey in 1836, only a few miles down the road from their current operations.
On a tour, visitors learn the distillery process in layman’s terms, including bottling and proofing methods. Afterwards, you can sample 100 proof, flavored moonshine and also a ‘shine aged in used bourbon barrels. The distillery’s bourbon and rye may be available in late 2013.
MB Rowland Distillery
Set on a former Amish dairy farm in Christian County, MB Rowland Distillery, opened in 2009, is owned and run by wife and husband entrepreneurs Merry Beth (Rowland) and Paul Tomaszewski, who use local grains to produce handmade distilled spirits, including various whiskies, flavored moonshines, rum and whatever they “get an itch to try,” like Kentucky Mint Julep liqueur.
Cashing in on the region’s dark-fire tobacco heritage, the distillery’s most popular product to date is Black Dog. The corn for this product is dark fired, or smoked, in a tobacco barn to impart a smoky, sweet flavor. White Dog, or Silver Bourbon, is made from sweet white corn.
A few times each year, MB Rowland offers Camp Distillery, an all-day class on how to start your own distillery. The next session is on April 8, with reservations required and a class limit of 15.
Old Pogue Distillery
During the Whiskey Rebellion, settlers from eastern states fleeing the whiskey tax came to Mason County and began distilling bourbon in 1790. At one time, 300 distilleries operated in the area. Several generations of Pogues were involved in distilling from 1876 until Prohibition.
Picking up that historic thread, last April the Old Pogue Distillery, operated by fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation Pogues, opened in the family’s historic home in Maysville, making small-batch bourbon and rye whiskeys.
Tours are by appointment only.
Silver Trail Distillery
A visit to the Silver Trail Distillery’s website may entice you to make a trip to Hardin just to find out more about its exciting history. Owner Spencer Balentine’s dad was a moonshine runner in West Kentucky’s Golden Pond area. Silver Trail was the proud winner of gold in the moonshine category of the 2012 SIP Awards International Spirits Competition.
Willett Distillery
Willett Distillery in Bardstown is all about family history. Born in 1841, John David Willett was master distiller at Moore, Willett & Frenke. His son Lambert was in the bourbon business, as was Lambert’s son, Thompson, who founded the Willett Distilling Company in Bardstown. Thompson’s son-in-law, Even Kulsveen, has headed the business since 1984.
After seven years off for renovations, the Willett family began distilling once again in January of 2012.
Katherine Tandy Brown is a correspondent for The Lane Report. She can be reached at editorial@lanereport.com.