Recap and Highlights from Thursday, August 15, 2024 By Rebecca Herman McBrayer
As a bourbon-loving woman, I have been looking forward to this event for several months. The notion of over 400 women coming together in Louisville, KY from August 15-18, 2024 to celebrate the only consumer-based, female-focused whiskey conference in the US is something to get excited about.!
SIPosium is often described as more than just an industry conference – it’s a gathering of kindred spirits, a time for connections, and a celebration of sisterhood. The magic of 400+ bourbon-loving women in one room is an experience like no other. It’s a weekend that promises to be the ultimate dream for any bourbon or whiskey-loving woman.
Check in at the Hyatt was a breeze. Once settled into our room, we headed to the Bourbon Women SIPosium check in. This was very organized and terrific swag bags were received.
Peggy Noe Stevens
Before we knew it, we needed to locate and board the bus. Our bus as “first time attendee” had Peggy Noe Stevens as our hostess. She gave us a warm welcome, shared a bit about the organization, of which she founded, and hints and tips for having a fabulous weekend.
It was a brief drive to Angel’s Envy and you could feel the excitement on the bus.
Mix & Mingle at Angel’s Envy
As the bus arrived, you could feel everyone getting ready to start the party. This opening event was a Mix & Mingle at Angel’s Envy. This was certainly not our first visit to Angel’s Envy but I can certainly attest that I have never seen it so a-buzz!
We were immediately greeted with a cocktail and invited to enjoy the appetizers toward the back of retail center. It was a very nice spread with something for everyone. The catering team kept everything replenished and attendees were enjoying the atmosphere. We met a very nice woman, Yolanda, from Chicago. This is also her first time attending and I learned that she is also a huge cigar fan.
Probably my favorite table of the evening! Featuring sample pours of Angel’s Envy Rye with an array of amazing chocolates by Art Eatables!
I tried the white chocolate angel’s wings as a pairing and it was very luscious and complimentary.
Next I sampled the dark chocolate with nutmeg. Oh my, that combination offered an amazing taste sensation as the nutmeg highlighted some of the rye spices.
We decided to head to the second floor as we knew that more activities awaited us there. Wow – there were MANY more people there! Two bar areas were open and making cocktails. We opted to try the “Swanky Style” – Angel’s Envy Port Finished Bourbon, Angel’s Envy Rum Finished Rye, Sweet Vermouth, and Fernet Branca.
There was a ring toss game where you could try to win a bottle of Angel’s Envy. In addition, people were enjoying a photo booth. We sat at a table and met many very nice people. One person asked if we had been to Dueling Grounds and we gave that a resounding yes! As it turns out, she was Anne Dottore! She and Marc own Dueling Grounds and I asked if she would be interested in interviewing with us at a later date. We will get that on the schedule for this Fall!
We were fortunate to acquire some of their cask strength bottled-in-bond in June and really enjoy it. A special room opened where we could enjoy samples. We also were able to meet Master Distiller, Owen Martin. It was a terrific conversation regarding the spirits, his journey, and life in general. We look forward to talking with him in the future and hopefully in an interview as we start up our YouTube channel.
Rebecca, Owen, and Wayne
That’s a Wrap for Day 1!
Wow! So much fun in just a few hours! Truly looking forward to what the first full day has to offer. The schedule looks terrific!
The last weekend of June, Wayne and I decided to explore and enjoy more of Southern Indiana. Our first stop was West Baden, IN. We have been there before and it has much to offer, including historical sites, hotels, a casino, and French Lick Winery that now includes Spirits of French Lick Distillery.
The last time we visited the winery/distillery, they were just beginning to offer vodka, gin, and rum spirits. Now they have a variety of bourbon, rye, brandy, botanical spirits, and American Whiskey. Per their website, Spirits of French Lick is the largest pot-still distillery in Indiana. This traditional method, combined with their double pot still distillation process, allows for greater control over the spirit’s flavor and character. They also utilize lower entry proofs into the barrel, further influencing the final taste.
Throughout the distillery and on their bottles, you see the statement: “Respect the Grain.” This is their guiding principle and reflects their commitment to sourcing the highest quality grains, many of which are locally grown and heirloom varieties, and treating them with the utmost care throughout the distilling process.
We were excited about our tour and the opportunity to learn more about their processes. Our guide, Cindy, was perhaps not as excited as we were because it was her very FIRST tour. We assured her that she would be great and since it was just us, we could keep it very conversational and easy going.
Tour of the Spirits of French Lick Distillery
We entered the back room where you immediately knew you were in a distillery based on the terrific aromas. Cindy guided us upstairs where we were able to get a look at their fermenting tanks and pot still.
Cindy explained each step along the way. We entered another room with additional distilling equipment, including a column still where they process vodka and gin.
A favorite part of any tour is the area in which the barrels are stored. It is wonderful to see so many barrels of future spirits while taking in the amazing aromas of the angels’ share.
Cindy did a great job and was also open to learning and added some new questions to her note cards. We are incredibly confident that she will continue to learn and appreciate all aspects of the distilling process. She invited us to come back in a few months just to see how much she has progressed. We plan to do that and cheer her on every step of the way!
Rebecca, Cindy, and Wayne after our great tour!
Tasting Flight
At the conclusion of the tour, we enjoyed a guided tasting of four spirits. For the tasting, we each selected: *Lee W. Sinclair – Bottled in Bond Four Grain Bourbon *William Dalton – Bottled in Bond Wheated Wheated Bourbon *The Morning Glory – Bottled in Bond Kasha Bourbon
In addition: *Wayne selected The Mattie Gladden – Bottled in Bond High Rye Bourbon *Rebecca selected Hindostan Falls – Bottled in Bond Heirloom Bourbon
We loved that each was a Bottled in Bond and that interesting grain combinations were used to create unique spirits. For this visit, we selected The Morning Glory to purchase as it was the most different from anything that we have on our bourbon shelves. You can read our tasting notes HERE.
In addition, Wayne had a glass of their Cabernet Franc and thoroughly loved it and had to have a bottle. That is high praise since that is his very favorite wine varietal.
Gift Shop
Our tour included a Kenzie glass for each of us. Interestingly, they do not sell those and the only way to acquire one is to take the tour.
In addition to the wine and bourbon, two yummy pieces of fudge were purchased – one was chocolate peanut butter and the other was cappuccino. That cappuccino fudge became an instant favorite!
Distillery Trail Statistics
Spirits of French Lick Distillery in West Baden, IN was our 61st distillery, the 6th Indiana distillery, and our 132nd distillery experience. We had a great time and highly recommend that you add them to your bourbon journey.
Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. From Spirits of French Lick, you can can head a mere 17 miles South to Patoka Lake Winery (which will include the soon-to-open Old Homestead DistillingCo.) with very nice lodging options. Another option is to drive less than 50 miles Southeast to Starlight Distillery, which is then only 30 minutes to Louisville. Of course, you could start in Louisville, head to Starlight, Spirits of French Lick, and Patoka Lake Winery/Old Homestead Distilling.
Happy Trails! Rebecca & Wayne
All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.
June 15, 2024, Wayne and I visited Starlight Distillery in Borden, IN for the very first time. In addition, June 29th we made a return visit. Yes, we enjoyed it that much! Getting to the distillery was reminiscent of a Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road.” But seriously, there was lovely landscape along the way.
Upon arrival, we were amazed at just how large the Huber Family Farm, including the Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery, is! During our tour, we learned it is over 800 acres. Our minds were somewhat blown as we drove in the entrance … people, cars, directional signs, and more as far as our eyes could see. We expected to see a small family establishment like so many others that we have experienced; however, we learned rather quickly that this would be like no other.
Tractors pulling U-pick wagons filled with people were heading to the various U-pick areas. Berries and peaches seemed to be very popular. The Farm Market was filled with vibrant colors from so many amazing fruits and vegetables – we knew we would make that our final stop so we could take home some goodies. The fresh ice cream shopped looked amazing but even after two visits, we have yet to indulge in that sweet frozen cream, perhaps next time!
We could see the distillery in the distance but it was a few hours until our tour so we looked around the bottle and gift shop and then grabbed some beverages and headed toward the expansive patio to listen to live music. We met some terrific people and visited with them. We learned that they come often for the fresh fruits & veggies as well as the great atmosphere for family.
While we didn’t try the food on our first visit, we did get the “burger” on the second trip. Wow! It was huge and delightful. We may have opted to split one had we known it was so enormous since it was a double cheeseburger. We each got the Peach Tea with Bourbon as our beverage – also quite good. They have a good selection on their menu and cafe bar and we will make time for lunch on subsequent trips.
This note on their website really sums it up: “Since 1843, our family has cultivated an oasis for you to connect with your loved ones surrounded by the natural beauty of Southern Indiana. Make new memories every time you come—whether you’re with your kids, your friends, or your parents. When you visit Huber’s, you become family, too.”
We couldn’t agree more with their description. We have fallen in love with the Huber Family Farm and all it has to offer. This will become a regular stop on our journey. We hope you will visit too!
Tour of the Starlight Distillery
Rikki Urquhart, Starlight’s Tour Guide Manager, was our guide and she was incredibly knowledgable and engaging throughout. We had booked the “Straight From the Barrel Tour” that included all aspects of production and concluded in the rickhouse for a tasting flight that Rikki thieved straight from the barrels for us.
Rikki Urquhart, Starlight’s Tour Guide Manager
The tour began in the cellar (which was nice and cool on a rather hot day) and included a history of the Huber Family, the farm, the winery, and distillery. We were surrounded by some amazing wine barrels and overhead you see see remnants of some very old vines.
We moved room to room to view and learn about the various aspects of production, starting with wines and then the distilled spirits.
We made our way out to the rickhouse where we would partake in a tasting that Rikki thieved from various barrels. Each expression was unique and included a double oaked, finished bourbons, and a rye. The selections that Rikki made were outstanding.
This is a terrific tour! We highly recommend it as you get to learn so much and then experience the rickhouse thieving tasting. Thank you, Rikki, for an amazing afternoon!
StarlightGift & Bottle Shop
We didn’t purchase souvenirs on either trip, but I’m thinking that a T-shirt might be in our future. We were fortunate that our barrel thieving tour included Glencairn glasses and 10-year anniversary pins. That said, there were bottle purchases. In addition to what is pictured below, we also got a bottle of their Cabernet Franc (Wayne’s favorite wine) and their Peach Brandy.
One of these has already been placed on my hat!Bourbon finish in honey barrels, Cigar Batch, Double Oaked, and Bourbon finished in Champagne Wine Casks.
We enjoyed the Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Champagne Wine Casks so much that it was the reason for a rather quick subsequent trip – to get a couple more. You can read our tasting notes HERE.
Distillery Trail Statistics
The Starlight Distillery in Borden, IN was our 60th distillery, the 5th Indiana distillery, and our 129th distillery experience. Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. Starlight Distillery is only 30 minutes from Louisville, KY with over 10 distilleries and/or experiences. Also nearby, the Spirits of French Lick.
Happy Trails! Rebecca & Wayne
All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.
To wrap up National Bourbon Week, Wayne and I enjoyed a quick trip to Louisville, KY. We had two planned activities for the weekend: a dinner at Evan Williams on Friday and a tour at Starlight Distillery on Saturday. Beyond that, we decided to go with flow and enjoy whatever caught our eyes. If you haven’t been to Louisville and explored Whiskey Row, you should likely place that on your travel calendar!
Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bottled-Bond Release
When we arrived in Louisville, we drove directly to Angel’s Envy. They were releasing their Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, their first non-finished offering. We were excited to stop in and acquire a bottle. We learned that they were 375ml bottles and got two as well as a distillery only single barrel. This is an historic moment for Angel’s Envy and we were thrilled to stop in for their celebration!
We have been huge fans of Bardstown Bourbon Company since our first weekend on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and love that they now have a tasting room in Louisville. Thus, that was our next stop.
A busy day in Louisville!View from the bar.
We had hoped that we would be able to acquire a bottle of their Amrut Collaboration and were thrilled that it was available. When planning our tasting flights, we also wanted to try the two distillery only offerings. The first was a Small Batch Stave Finish and the other was a Single Barrel Four Grain. When we saw that their Bardstown Collection for 2024 was available, that was an easy choice!
As we sat down for our tasting, I was more than surprised to see my friend and AOII sorority sister, Cindy Visot, who I have not seen in 9 years! She and her husband were in town for a wedding and just happened to stop in to sample some bourbon. What a fun coincidence!
Flight: Small Batch Stave Finish, Single Barrel Four Grain, Bardstown Collection 2024, Amrut CollaborationFinding a friend you haven’t seen in 9+ years!
We bought all that we sampled as each expression was amazing. To say we were surprised and THRILLED to have the opportunity to purchase the 2024 Bardstown Collection is an understatement!
Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience
We then walked a couple blocks to the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience. We really enjoy their products and made a point to stop in as we knew they are having a special event to celebrate the grand opening of their hidden speakeasy. The event included a sample spirit upon arrival, light bites, and a special cocktail menu at their cash bar.
Buzzard’s Roost on Main St in LouisvilleWe got a peek at their still!
Everyone was dressed in Roaring 20’s attire and the place was buzzing! The small bites were welcomed as we had been quite busy already. We were happy to get a seat at the bar and order from the special menu for the event. We each enjoyed our drink selections … Manhattan for me and a Paper Plane for Wayne!
Special Cocktail MenuA Manhattan for Rebecca & a Paper Plane for Wayne
Evan Williams – A Toast to Bourbon Dinner
Following our visit at Buzzard’s Roost, it was time to head to Evan Williams for our “A Toast to Bourbon Dinner” that was scheduled to begin at 7PM. Please read all about that event HERE.
Breakfast at Doc Crow’s
We were up early on Saturday morning and looked forward to breakfast at one of our favorite places – Doc Crow’s! The location and atmosphere is fantastic. We always have amazing service and the food is outstanding.
Wayne enjoyed the “build your own” omelet with hashbrowns, a side of biscuit & gravy and a spicy Bloody Mary made with bourbon. I loved the spinach and feta omelet with hashbrowns … and we shared a side of cheddar grits!
Whiskey Row Car Show
As we walked to Doc Crow’s, we noticed that cars were filing in for a show. By the time we finished breakfast, we were able to stroll along Whiskey Row and enjoy some amazing cars! You just never know what you will find in downtown Louisville.
Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
After checking out of our hotel, we decided to see what Michter’s was offering for the day. We arrived just as the doors were opening and learned that they had a Barrel Strength Rye (109.6 proof) available. It came as a set with their Straight Rye Whiskey. There was also an opportunity to bottle-your-own Barrel Strength Bourbon but the next available time was later than we desired to stay.
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
After leaving Michter’s, we decided to head to Jim Beam, which is less than a 30-minute drive from Louisville. We always love being on their campus and we were hopeful that they would have some bottles on the shelf that we wanted to buy.
We were in luck as they had exactly what we were hoping for: Booker’s 2024-02, “The Beam House Batch” and Little Book Chapter 8, “Path not Taken.” Of course, it would have been incredible to acquire a bottle of their 2024 Bardstown Collection; alas, there were none available. But that is ok, we got what we thought we would have an opportuity to buy!
It was a great, albeit quick, trip to Louisville. We always look forward to visiting!
Farewell Louisville – time to head to Borden, IN and Starlight Distillery!
June 7, 2024, Wayne and I ventured to Owensboro, KY to partake in Green River Distillery’s launch of their full proof bourbon. We had secured a VIP Tour and arrived early to take in the festivities.
While awaiting the start of our tour, we had a pour of the full proof. The perfect way to set the stage for the remainder of the event.
VIP History and Distillery Tour
We a VIP tour with none other than the amazing National Brand Ambassador, Caryn Wells. We started in the room that holds so much of the history of Green River Distilling. Each time the story is told, we learn and/or remember a new detail. I decided to get pictures of the timeline barrels to help me remember. The artifacts that they have collected and displayed are top notch.
History notes from the barrel heads –
1885: Green River Distillery is founded by JW McCulloch. DSP-KY-10 is the 10th oldest Licensed distillery in the state and becomes home to McCulloch’s famous whiskey.
1886-1889: Green River Whiskey is known far and wide, thanks to its quality and JW McCulloch’s innovative marketing approach. Advertising for the brand includes the slogan “The Whiskey without a Headache,” later becoming “The Whiskey Without Regrets.” Known as the “most expensive spirit ever sold,” 20 barrels were once traded for interest in a Colorado gold mine. Green River becomes the official whiskey of the US Marine Hospital in 1910.
1900-1906: Green River wins many awards, including a gold medal and “best of show” at the Paris Exposition in 1900, and later a grand prize at the 1905 Leigh Exposition in Belgium. It also wins awards at expositions in St. Louis MO in 1904, Portland OR in 1905, and Milan Italy in 1906.
1906-1917: The city of Owensboro is an epicenter of bourbon production with more than 20 distilleries. Daviess County is home to several of the state’s largest and best distilleries.
1918: At the height of Green River’s popularity, a fire broke out on the distillery grounds. In just three hours, most of the buildings and whiskey barrels were reduced to rubble.
History notes from the barrel heads – (continued)
1920-1933: The distillery is rebuilt, but Prohibition is passed, and McCulloch wouldn’t live to restore Green River to its former glory. Almost all of Daviess County’s distilleries, including Green River, shut their doors, as Owensboro’s whiskey industry evaporates overnight.
1939-2007: A group of Medley family members band together to purchase and revive the distillery as the Medley Distilling Company. For the next 70 years, the Medley Family continues to carry on the tradition of distilling spirits at the location and maintains the registration of the distillery as DSP-KY-10.
Today – A Legacy Revived: In 2014, the Green River team finds the distillery with such a storied history in ruins. Brick by brick, building the building, they restore the 10th oldest distillery in the state. In 2016, they began distilling. History comes full circle in 2020 as Green River Distilling Co. is officially revived in its original home. With the support of John W. McCulloch’s great-grandson, the Green River flag is raised high on the distillery campus for the first time since Prohibition.
2022: Green River returns to its former glory. The revival marks the return of Owensboro’s rich bourbon legacy. The distillery remains registered as DSP-KY-10 and is a heritage member of the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, welcoming visitors from near and far.
We headed outdoors for a discussion about grain. Green River uses only non-GMO grain and receives more bushels a week than one can wrap their head around. Next we were off to the stillhouse. Caryn shared history as well as distilling facts with us along the way. We got to drink the “high wine” off the still and it was fantastic.
Time for the Tasting in Rickhouse B
Rickhouse B
We then went to Rickhouse B where all the single barrels are selected. It was great that we were able to taste and compare their various offerings. We started with the Wheated, then their flagship Bourbon, followed by the Rye, and we finished with the Full Proof. We learned that the full proof is a blend of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old barrels. In addition to the prepared pours of their line, we received samples of a bourbon single barrel thieved straight from the barrel. It was incredible!
We have been on many tours and experiences. Two of the most important factors of a GREAT one are the guide and your fellow enthusiasts. For this event, we hit the jackpot with Caryn as our guide and an amazing group of bourbon/Green River enthusiasts. It was like family and we had so much fun!
Commemorative Gift Bag for the Green River Full ProofRelease
We each received a gift back with a bottle of Green River Full Proof and one of their newly redesigned Glencairn glasses, which is really beautiful.
See our Green River Full Proof tasting notes HERE!
Distillery Trail Statistics
Green River Distilling, in Owensboro, KY, is the closest distillery to us and one of our favorite places to visit. This was our 9th visit and our 127th distillery experience. Our first visit was November 13, 2021 where Caryn Wells led us through a guided tasting and discussion about this history of the distillery.
We had a truly wonderful evening and it was difficult to say goodbye. Wayne and I look forward to our next visit at Green River Distilling.
We started the weekend on Friday night with the kick-off dinner, Spirited Bourbon Pairing Dinner at Green River Distillery. However, Saturday, May 11, was the big day – and BIG it was. The 2024 BBQ & Barrels event was amazing. There was competition BBQ in the streets, a great line-up of live music all day, a very interesting auto show, education sessions in the afternoon, followed by the bourbon festival. Of course, that doesn’t mean the day is complete until gathering with friends and an opportunity to view the Northern Lights. What a day! Something for everyone!
BBQ Competition and Street Fair
Cooking teams, BBQ competition, Food Trucks – this Street Fair lined 2nd Street in downtown Owensboro, KY. It was fun to walk and smell the amazing aromas coming off of those smoker. Wow – if only cameras had smell-a-vision!
On Friday we sampled one item and enjoyed a cocktail from Castle & Key.
Saturday we had the opportunity to sample from the various competition teams. So many yummy bites of smoked chicken, pork, bologna, ham, sausage, venison, etc. It is amazing how full you can get sampling with a toothpick!
Rob, Wayne, & April
Champions Motorcar Invitational
The car show was new this year. I’m not sure I would have been aware of it if I hadn’t known someone who was showing his 57 Chevy. While there weren’t as many cars in the field as one might expect, they were all incredibly different and quite stunning. Ultimately, 12 barrel head trophies were awarded.
Education Session with Evan Williams
We enrolled in the Master Class with Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (EWBE) Artisanal Distiller, Jodie Filiatreau. The BBQ & Barrels classes are a terrific value. Held one hour prior to the VIP entry for the bourbon tasting, the last two years there have been three options available and only $25 a ticket for a 45 minute session.
Jodie introduced himself and provide some background on his 42 years of experience, working his way up, of being a part of the Heaven Hill family-owned operation.
He then led us on a detailed tasting of two award-winning Evan Williams Bourbons made in distinctly different styles. The small cups, in the photo above, contained various elements, such as cherry, cinnamon, walnuts, etc. that might be on the nose or the palate of the two expressions. We were also provided a water dropper and were encouraged to try each a second time with a drop of water to see how it might open up differently.
First up was the Evan Williams Single Barrel made in column stills at the historic DSP-KY-1 Bernheim plant. This expression is 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The notes provided were accurate for our palate as well – nose of dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood; taste of oak with honey, fruit notes of apple and orange, and a very nice spice.
Next was the Square 6 wheated bourbon made in the EWBE Artisanal Distillery using Vendome pot stills. We have tried and purchased the Square 6 previously and the wheated expression is one of our favorites. It is a blend of two mashbills. The first is 74% corn, 16% wheat, and 10% malted barley. The second is 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. This is bottled at 105 proof. All aspects of this is wonderful. The nose starts with caramel, vanilla, figs, cherries, and oak. The nose continues on the palate and adds confectioners’ sugar and walnuts. The walnuts continue on the finish as well as oak and cinnamon. It is a yummy flavor bomb.
Rebecca, Wayne, & Jodie
Lisa & Jodie
Jodie loves what he does and it shows in his excitement when talking about these spirits. It was really nice to meet him, hear his story, and taste these spirits again with his enthusiasm as an added bonus. After the session concluded, we were able to get pictures with him for us and our friend, Lisa Stinson.
Barrels Bourbon Festival– VIP
View of the BBQ & music festival from the Convention Center
The VIP ticket included the all-important one-hour early entry (3PM vs 4PM). Everything else aside, this is critical because it is much less crowded and this allows you to sample more easily and spend time talking with the various distillers. Of course, the passed heavy hors d’oeuvres and commemorative VIP BBQ and Barrels Glencairn tasting glass is very nice as well.
With 35 distilleries, we approached it somewhat methodically but also ensured we had time with some of our favorite people!
Rebecca, Kim, & Wayne: The Bard DistilleryBarry with RD One DistilleryAaron with Green River DistillingJustin with Spirits of French LickRebecca, Amine, & Wayne: Old Louisville Whiskey CoAJ of Casey Jones Distillery
There were legacy distilleries, craft distilleries, and some who were just getting started. It is wonderful to see everyone together and in a support environment.
Starlight DistilleryMichter’s DistilleryCoal Pick DistilleryWestern KY DistillingBrothers of the Leaf DistilleryEvan Williams Bourbon Experience
The crowds were substantial following the VIP hour but everyone was polite and friendly. People shared tables to visit and take a break. Distillers shared their stories, provided samples & tchotchkes, most were able to sell bottles a well. It was a great opportunity to be reminded of why we have enjoyed these folks while meeting new people and tasting new expressions.
We made our bottle purchases (pro tip: wait so you don’t have to carry!) and exited the event a little after 5PM. We enjoyed our time there and two hours was just about perfect for us.
Bourbon Friends & Northern Lights
It was a wonderful day and a beautiful evening; thus, we couldn’t let the fun end at the conclusion of the festival. Many of us gathered at about 8PM for a “bottle share” around the bonfire at one of the hotels on the river. Again, time with old friends and time to get to know new friends. That is what the bourbon journey is all about. Sharing a pour with stories, laughter, and even some cigars. I’ve said it before and will say it again – bourbon has an amazing culture and it is one that we feel immensely blessed to be a part of.
Lisa, Phil, Ann, & JeffSarah & LisaTori, Barry, Lisa, & Phil
This also happened to be a night where viewing the Northern Lights was a possibility. Being on the river, without excessive lights, was a lovely setting to gain a glimpse. We all looked, watched, and hoped for several hours. Ironically, it wasn’t until Wayne and I were walking back to our hotel at about midnight that we were finally able to capture the magical view. Wow – the Northern Lights truly placed a colorful bow on what had already been a perfect weekend.
The Glover Cary Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge) connecting Indiana to Owensboro KY always has an amazing light display.
That’s a Wrap for BBQ & Barrels
Wow – what a wonderful weekend! We could not have asked for better weather. The event was well-organized and everyone we met was friendly and fun. It is always difficult to say what was the best part or the best memory. While the events were excellent, it is always the people who create the memories. Seeing folks that we haven’t seen for some time. Making new friends. Spending time with people who come from various locations and walks of like to share a common passion – bourbon.
If you haven’t been to Owensboro, KY or this BBQ & Barrels event, mark your calendar for 2025. The BBQ event has been a staple on the riverfront for decades and in 2023 the “barrels” portion was added. This year was the first time for the car show. With the live music, it is truly a festival atmosphere. There is something for everyone and that is why the attendance continues to grow. Bookmark their site, tickets usually go on sale late February or very early March.
Again, we highly recommend this event. If you haven’t attended a bourbon festival before, this is a terrific chance to do so in a non-overwhelming environment. And if your friends, spouse, or significant other are not “into bourbon” that’s ok because there is so much to do!
This was a great memory for Our Bourbon Journey – be sure to add it to yours!
Last Saturday, my wife Rebecca and I spent part of the afternoon doing a tasting of the 10 different recipes of Four Roses Bourbon based on the 10 different yeast strains that they use. It was a fun tasting and I was able to pick up a lot of different tastes and scents while we were doing it. It caused me to reflect back to the very beginning of my bourbon tasting and how things have changed for the better.
It was 2021 and I was sitting on our back porch looking over our lake and Rebecca and I were tasting the very first release of W.H. McBrayer. My cousins had resurrected the family bourbon and had released 900 bottles of which we acquired 2 of them. As I nosed the bourbon, all I could pick up was alcohol and when we tasted it, my throat and mouth were on fire! I was beyond frustrated and told Rebecca I’ll never be able to appreciate this or drink it and it has my last name on it!
She encouraged me to not give up and that it was a process. In this case, I stuck it out and she was right. For months, I would only drink my bourbon on ice and slowly I began to like it. The problem for me was that it became way too light and watery. One day I was tasting Maker’s Mark and decided I was going to drink it neat and wow, it wasn’t bad! It didn’t burn and I picked up wheat as a flavor! My nose and palate finally combined to find this once fire juice to be outstanding and worth my time and effort.
Patience is hard, and I find it difficult at times to be patient. This time it paid off and now that once fire juice of W.H. McBrayer Batch No. 1 is pleasant with caramel on the nose and a vanilla and cinnamon on the finish. This 103.6 proof that almost knocked me out of my chair is now almost too low for me. For what it’s worth, W.H. McBrayer No. 4 is coming out soon and my cousin has told me, “the best is yet to come” and I believe him. It’s great bourbon. Be sure to check out their Legacy Club if you are interested.
You may be like I was and not enjoy it. It may to be too hot, taste awful, smell bad and look weird. I encourage you to stick with it. You’ll find that it’s not that bad and you might even find out that you’ll end up loving it.
Enjoy your bourbon journey – Wayne
Photo credits: Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Note: Wayne McBrayer is not affiliated with McBrayer Legacy Spirits. They are cousins, friends, and great people. We support their bourbon journey and respect what they are doing to resurrect a 150-year-old brand that is part of their family lineage.
May 21, 2023, as part of our Kentucky Bourbon Trail completion weekend, Wayne and I visited Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY. It was our next-to-last stop on the trail.
Tour of the Four Roses Distillery
Their visitor center and campus is very lovely with the light yellow buildings and Spanish mission style design. Gracie was a very knowledgeable and fun guide. It was interesting since we just attended an education session with Brent Elliott, Master Distiller, the previous week. What we heard on the tour helped us to solidify their history and approach to bourbon.
At the conclusion of the tour, we enjoyed a guided tasting of four of their expressions: Four Roses Bourbon, Four Roses Small Batch, Four Roses Single Barrel, and Four Roses Small Batch Select.
We also learned from Bill McBrayer that the area was formerly McBrayer Kentucky and there is a McBrayer sign near the railroad track. We visited the “sign” after departing Four Roses.
Gift Shop
They have a truly beautiful gift shop with items for just about everyone’s taste. We got a variety of goodies to commemorate our visit. Loved the red T-shirt and the Four Roses history book is fantastic. Wayne got an awesome bow tie made of barrel wood … it creates a great conversation when worn. Of course, a pin for my hat, an ornament for our bourbon tree, and some glasses. Now and then we find some interesting cigars at distilleries and these looked like a great option.
We were fortunate that they had the Four Roses Single Barrel Select and Small Batch Select available that day.
Distillery Trail Statistics
Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY was our 49th distillery. A member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it was our 17th distillery on the Signature Trail and our 41st stamp of 42 total.
Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. With advance planning, it is possible to create a terrific weekend trip with the distilleries in the Lawrenceburg area.
February 18, 2023, Wayne and I decided to venture to Graham, KY in Muhlenberg County. The reason for this trip was to make a visit to The Bard Distillery, which is on the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Trail, Western Region. Little did we know that we would fall in love with the people and the distillery and make many more visits.
History and Beginnings
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Bourbon Trail is learning the history of the distillery and what brought the owners to be in the distilling industry. This is especially interesting with the Craft Distilleries who are typically following a life-long or possibly a learned passion for spirits. For Tom and Kim Bard, they took different paths but ended at the same destination… A love and commitment for the history and people of Muhlenberg County in Kentucky.
Tom, a mechanical engineer, grew up in Muhlenberg County and is the 4th great grandson of William Bard – the founder of Bardstown, KY. Tom spent many years in motorsports including being a crew chief. On the other hand, Kim is from Tallahassee, FL and spent her early career in education, but has been known for being a race car driver in the Nascar Busch series. The stars aligned, they were married and now live on the family farm in Kentucky. For more on their legacy, see the distillery’s About page.
Tour of the The Bard Distillery
When you first arrive at the distillery, you can’t help but notice the art-deco building sitting on the hill. It was a beautiful old school that had been abandoned in 2004. Thankfully, Tom and Kim had a vision for a distillery and entertainment venue and purchased the property in 2015. Based on what we heard on this tour as well as subsequent visits, we know that they are taking time to properly renovate while lovingly paying homage to the historical buildings that they treasure.
The Graham School BuildingThe Graham School Gymnasium
For now, the old gymnasium is their hub of operations and doubles for an event space. Luckily, it is in amazing condition and the floors are beautiful.
On the stage of the gym is where the distilling takes place! They shared with us on that first tour that they cannot wait to get their Vendome Copper & Brass Works still that will reside in the main school building. If you know anything about the industry, you know what a long wait time is usually expected to get a custom made Vendome!
At the conclusion of the distillery tour, we enjoyed a guided tasting of several of their award-winning spirits – each one was terrific.
Gift Shop
They have a terrific little gift shop and we were each able to get a shirt plus a very nice sign to display (and Kim and Tom signed the sign for us).
Happy to acquire another distillery ornament for the tree and distillery pin for my hat!
We loved all their spirits and bought our fair share – including their last bottle of Founder’s Select. Even things that we wouldn’t normally consider – such as flavored or creamed, were awesome! Since this first visit, their Cinder & Smoke Oloroso has become one of our favorite bourbons.
Distillery Trail Statistics
The Bard Distillery in Graham, KY was our 33rd distillery. A member of the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Trail, Western Region – it was our 13th distillery on the Craft Trail and our 3rd of 5 in the Western Region.
We returned 5/28/23 for the release of their Central City 150 and enjoyed a Smoked Old Fashioned while visiting. A pre-dawn return trip 09/23/23 to purchase the Cinder & Smoke Excelsior aged 17-years. Plus, most recently on our pre-eclipse outing! Always a joy!
Please visit The Bard! You will not be disappointed!!
A fun addition is Old Glory Distilling Co in Clarksville, TN. That plus MB Roland and Casey Jones will complete the Stateline Whiskey Tour. You will receive a souvenir shot glass at each stop and a finisher’s stave at the last one.
Happy Trails! Rebecca
All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.
Rebecca and I woke up early Monday morning with work to do. I had 2 houses to clean and Rebecca had work for Purdue Global. We both saw that David Meier, the owner of Glenns Creek Distillery, was looking to go to Bloomington with Vicki to watch the eclipse and wanted to see if anyone was willing to have them join their viewing party. We tagged David in a post and messaged him explaining that coming to where we live in Newburgh, Indiana would be an easier drive for the both of them and we would experience totality. He accepted our invite and we were excited to host them.
David and Vicki arrived from Frankfort, KY about 12:30 and we invited them onto the deck of our dock at the lake to taste bourbon and watch the eclipse slowly happen. We started off with the Casey Jones Eclipse Cask and it was outstanding! David commented that “this is really good,” and we agreed that it was outstanding.
David had brought us a thank you gift for inviting them to join us – a bottle of their OCD #5 Premium hand filtered bottle. Obviously, we decided to taste and enjoy that during the eclipse as well. It was a butterscotch bomb and quite honestly one of the best bourbons/whiskeys I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. It was an incredible experience to drink it with the person who made it and David explained the process of how it came about. The story is on the side of the bottle, but to hear David talk about it was so awesome.
Vicki & DavidWayne & Rebecca
Not long after this, the total eclipse took place. For 3 minutes and 10 seconds, everything went dark and got cool. It was a breathtaking experience that I’m blessed to have been there to see with my wife and our friends Dave and Vicki.
4/8/24 at 2:04 PM during the total eclipse
Once the eclipse concluded, we gathered on the patio and Rebecca grilled burgers for us to eat. It was a great time to reflect, laugh, and just have fun.
When I started on this Bourbon Journey with Rebecca, I never thought about the relationship aspects that would come about. We’ve made friends with several distillers on the trail and have developed memories with them. Bourbon is yummy to me, but it’s the time that you share and the bourbon that you share that is special. Before David left, he signed the OCD #5 Premium bottle, wrote “Eclipse Day” and dated it 4/8/2024. It was a special moment, with special people. It’s all about the journey.
Your Bourbon Journey 