Yes! In my mouth.
I wrote a thing about some things.
Or …
Hey, I wrote a column about the six best cold treats in town to help you stay cool!
Read it here and let me know your thoughts.
And if anyone wants to go with me to grab another scoop of Rocky Road, just holler! It’s not too far from my work.
Good morning!
Hey y’all. If you’ve been living under a rock, the new Old Forester Distillery is now open downtown! It’s a pretty cool tour that also features samples — of course it features samples, what kind of a bourbon tour would it be if it didn’t?
Anyway, I got to check it out last week and took a few pictures, which you can see here.
I also stopped over there this morning — the official day they were open to the public — and picked up a bottle of the new President’s Choice. The line really wasn’t that long, thank god, because I told my co-workers I was just running out to grab coffee.
Now that is a pretty good coffee, if I do say so myself!
Also, Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan showed up with a box of donuts for the folks in line. I took the one with sprinkles and chocolate.
Gin and juice for days!
For all you gin drinkers out there, remember there’s the Kentucky Craft Gin Festival on Friday, June 1, at Copper & Kings Distillery. It’s free to get in … and you can get samples with a punch card for around $10.
Four other Kentucky distilleries that also make gin will be there as well, including Castle & Key.
I don’t mind a good gin & tonic, especially during the summer. And I always seem to order one when I’m at the Back Door on Thursdays. Notice I said one, and not two or three. Learned that lesson years ago.
Anyway, I talked with Copper & Kings co-founder Joe Heron about gin and other things, and this is what he had to say …
Solid choices.
Last week I was terribly busy (drinking), so I was unable to re-post the stories I wrote about bourbon. Anyway, here was one story I enjoyed writing — finding the five best bourbons for around $20.
I stand by each of these, although I’d rather stand under them … if the caps are off.
Salt my rim and call me Sally!
So we are knee-deep in Derby shenanigans, but I chose to write about margaritas. I blame it on the warm weather that finally made its way to Louisville. Plus, Derby Day is actually Cinco de Mayo — so we’ve got two reasons to celebrate!
Here are Louisville’s best margaritas, and if you disagree, I’d like you to buy me one that you think is better.
Tequila!
Woot!
It’s been a week, which is why I didn’t post that much. Too busy to even get on here and say something stupid.
I’ve been to two distilleries just this week, and you can read about that here and here.
Right a this very moment I have to pee, and I’m too busy to even get up and go. That doesn’t mean I’m going to wet myself. It just means, well, I’ve gotta pee. And I’m uncomfortable. Like this post.
Say hello to Lux Row.
So yesterday I was out most of the afternoon at the grand opening ceremony of Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown.
Along with tours and bourbon, they had a whole barbecue spread — hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork. I thought I died and went to bourbon heaven.
Of course I stayed as long as I could, soaking up the new distillery and also soaking up some Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel and Blood Oath. Yum and yum!
Anyway, here’s the link to the story, if you are curious to see more pictures.
I highly recommend a visit. And you’re in luck, as tours officially start today!
Leave your troubles at Left Field Lounge.
In this neighborhood edition of The Bar Belle, I staked out the bars on the upper edge of the Highlands — bars that have been around for decades and generations.
Take a look at my journey to Air Devil’s Inn, Bambi Bar, Kern’s Korner and Left Field Lounge …
“These four little taverns have been around decades, and while the night life landscape ebbs and flows with trendy new bars, these establishments have remained the same, offering cold drinks to thirsty patrons year after year, generation after generation.”
Ship me some bourbon!
So yesterday I wrote about the passage of HB 400, which will allow visitors to ship home the bourbon they buy from Kentucky distilleries, but it’ll also allow us to visit other distilleries and wineries in other states and ship shit back to our address.
However, at the moment, there are only seven states and D.C. where we can do this, and California, Indiana and Ohio are not in the seven.
The good news is it’s a step in the right direction with getting rid of antiquated laws. The bad news is it just may take some time before we have partnerships with all the states.
If you’re interested in any of this, read more about it here.
Bourbon dispenser?
So I was busy all last week and over the weekend with the Bourbon Classic. I got to tour distilleries and taste so many bourbons, my tongue is still numb.
I published a photo gallery from my experiences over at Insider Louisville, but here is one photo that didn’t make the cut.
Yes, this was taken on the last day and after five generous samples of Buffalo Trace products.
Shoo.
