Welcome to Episode 65 of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes! We are back on the trail celebrating a major milestone—visiting our 75th US distillery! For this Fourth of July adventure, we joined our friends Scott and Liz in Midway, Kentucky, to experience the brand-new Bluegrass Distillers location at historic Elkwood Farm.
From the stunning 1835 estate grounds and modern production floor to meeting Tipsy the resident distillery cat, our Grain to Glass tour with guide Andrew was unforgettable. The experience featured pours along the entire tour path, a peek at their column still operations, and an incredible stop at their welcoming bar and tasting room.
Back in the studio, we dive into fresh-crack tastings and honest reviews of two standout bottles we picked up at the distillery shop:
- Midway Series: Dudley & Gratz Finished Rye Whiskey
- Elkwood Reserve Spanish Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Can a sweet French dessert wine cask tame a 95% Indiana rye for non-rye drinkers? How does heavy Spanish oak influence a 127-proof Kentucky straight bourbon? Tune in to hear our side-by-side tasting notes, campfire flavor descriptors, and our debate over which bottle moves forward toward Whiskey of the Month consideration!
Have you visited Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm in Midway yet? Let us know your favorite pours in the comments below!
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Midway Series: Dudley & Gratz Finished Rye Whiskey
- Classification: Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes Casks
- Company: Midway Distilling Co.
- Distillery: Distilled in Lawrenceburg, IN (MGP/Ross & Squibb); Bottled by Bluegrass Distillers (Lexington, KY)
- Mash Bill: 95% Rye / 5% Malted Barley (traditional Lawrenceburg, IN mash bill)
- Age: 8 Years
- Proof: 115 Proof (57.5% ABV)
- SRP: $70
- Released: 2026
- Other: Batch 06, Bottle 97; 750 mL; Woodford County, KY designation on label; named for the historic Midway Distilling Co. (operated 1916–1920 in Midway, KY, bottled medicinal spirits during Prohibition, destroyed by fire in 1924) located at the corner of Dudley & Gratz Streets; finished in French Sauternes dessert wine barrels.
- Purchased: 07/04/26 for $70 at Bluegrass Distillers
Elkwood Reserve Spanish Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Finished in Spanish Oak)
- Company: Midway Distilling Co.
- Distillery: Bluegrass Distillers (Lexington / Midway, KY) (Sourced / Contract Distilled Kentucky Bourbon finished and bottled by Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm)
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed Kentucky Straight Bourbon mash bill
- Age: 9 Years (Filled 10/24/2016, Bottled 06/02/2026)
- Proof: 127 Proof (63.5% ABV)
- SRP: $115
- Released: June 2026
- Other: Barrel 068; 750 mL; Elkwood Reserve series commemorating the new distillery at Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY (historic property built in 1835); finished in rare Spanish oak casks bringing rich oak influence, spice, caramelized sweetness, and dark fruit.
- Purchased: 07/04/26 for $115 at Bluegrass Distillers
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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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