With so many distilleries and satellite tasting rooms opening in Kentucky these days, the focus is now about “How can we be different?” The average bourbon tourist is becoming more knowledgeable, and this pushes distilleries to switch gears from the 51%-corn basics to more experiential, exclusive opportunities.
Case in point: Starting Saturday, Dec. 9, the guys behind Louisville’s Pursuit Spirits, Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, are offering bourbon fanatics two unique behind-the-scenes experiences at their newly opened warehouse in the Clifton neighborhood.
The first one, called “The Whole Shebang: Tasting + Barrel Pick + Fill Your Own,” is a 90-minute choose-your-own-adventure excursion where you literally sample through eight batched bourbons and ryes, pick which one you like best, and then fill an empty bottle using your own whiskey thief. You then have to cork it, seal it and even add on the label and fancy “barrel select” sticker.
The second option is a general “Pursuit United Breakdown,” which is a 45-minute deep dive into Pursuit’s award-winning small-batch bourbons and ryes. You’ll hear the story on how the brand got started and get to sample some of their best products.
The first experience is $150 per person and includes the bottle of bourbon or rye that you choose. And the second is $35.
The warehouse also is home to a small gift shop where you can purchase bottles and branded merchandise.
Sip It, Thieve It, Cap It
I was invited to check out one of the first run-throughs of “The Whole Shebang” experience, and I can say without a doubt that it’s a fun time and gives you that feeling that you’re running amok at a distillery with only a whiskey thief in hand.
Just tasting through eight bourbons and whiskeys is a great way to spend an afternoon. But getting to then thieve out your own whiskey of choice and add the cap and stickers to the bottle are just bonus points. I particularly enjoyed the air-compressor capping machine.
I ended up picking sample No. 2, which was a blend of bourbons that was then put back into a used Kentucky bourbon barrel to age a little longer. Every sample I tried was delicious and tasty in its own way, but I ultimately chose No. 2 because of the overt caramel, cherry and chocolate notes I detected.
Obviously the barrels and batches will change throughout the program, and Coleman even said they might introduce double baked options in the future.
The Tea on Pursuit
Pursuit Spirits also is currently working on a tasting room and visitor center in downtown Louisville, right next to the new Bardstown Bourbon Company storefront on Main Street. They guys say that will likely be completed by this time next year, and that some of these experiences will be moved to that location.
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, here’s the quick backstory. It was founded in 2018 by the aforementioned duo who also run the successful Bourbon Pursuit podcast. They have a handful of products on store shelves including a bourbon, rye and double oaked expressions.
Once their Main Street operation opens, you’ll definitely be hearing more about them. But for now, you can get to know them better by going behind the scenes inside their Louisville warehouse. Trust me, this isn’t just another bourbon tour.
The Pursuit Spirits experiences are available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with limited tickets available per tour. The warehouse is located at 1700 Mellwood Ave. To book an experience, visit the website and hit the “Visit Us” button.
Here are a few more photos from my experience:
