The Bourbon Trail’s Grand Finale: Woodford Reserve

November 18, 2025November 18, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 FINAL STAMP! Woodford Reserve Wheat Review & Kentucky Bourbon Trail DOUBLE Complete! | Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes E46

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for the emotional final stop on their incredible quest to complete the entire Kentucky Bourbon Trail (both the main and craft trails)! In Episode 46 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, they take you back to May 21, 2023, at the stunning Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, KY.

This visit was momentous — the 50th distillery and the 42nd and final stamp on the trail, achieved after 13 months and 394 days! Hear all about the beautiful limestone campus, the breathtaking cathedral-like still house featuring six massive Scottish copper pot stills, and the memorable bottle etching ceremony that book-ended their journey (starting with a Knob Creek bottle and ending with a commemorative Woodford Reserve).

Plus, they finally unveil their grand prize for completing the double trail (the Heritage and Craft trails): a commemorative bourbon barrel stave!

🥃 Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey Review

Wayne and Rebecca taste the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (90.4 Proof, 52% Wheat mash bill) that they picked up on a later trip.

The Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey features a unique mash bill of 52% Wheat, 20% Corn, 20% Malted Barley, and 8% Rye. Typically, wheat whiskeys are known for their sweet, bread, and confectionary notes. Did this one live up to the standard set by favorites like Bernheim or Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farms?

Watch the episode to see if this pour gets a recommendation and hear why, even if the Wheat Whiskey wasn’t their favorite, the Woodford Reserve Distillery tour is a must-see destination!

Tasting Notes (Spoiler Alert!):

Nose: Surprisingly off-putting, with notes of “industrial,” “turpentine,” and unexpected ethanol for a 90.4 proof pour.
Palate: Described as bitter and not featuring the expected sweet wheat notes. An unusual profile for this grain type.

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✴️ Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey

Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Woodford Reserve
Mash Bill: 52% Wheat, 20% Corn, 20% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
Proof: 90.4
Purchased: 05/21/23 for $39.99 at Woodford Reserve Distillery

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was 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.

#WoodfordReserve

#KentuckyBourbonTrail

#FinalStamp

#WoodfordReserveWheat

#BourbonJourney

#DistilleryTour

#BourbonReview

#KentuckyWhiskey

#WhiskeyTasting

#BourbonTrailTailsAndTastes

#PotStills

#BourbonLife

#VersaillesKY

#Whiskey

#WheatWhiskey

Four Roses OESV 126 Proof: Bourbon Trail Tale & Review

November 11, 2025November 10, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🔥 Four Roses! Distillery Stop 41 of 42 on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail PLUS an OESV Private Selection Review!

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they recount their momentous 49th new distillery visit to the beautiful Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky! This stop was a critical step on their journey, leading them right up to the final stamp on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT Stamp 41!).

Wayne and Rebecca also share their insider experience from the gorgeous Four Roses campus, their memorable tour with guide Gracie, and the fascinating history of the adjacent Rick houses now owned by Wild Turkey. Plus, they share a fun bit of Kentucky bourbon trivia by hunting down the McBrayer, Kentucky sign—a nod to the family’s deep roots in the area’s distilling history!

The episode features a detailed tasting and review of a sought-after Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel bottle—hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott himself! They dive deep into the tasting notes of this particular OESV mash bill expression (75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley) that clocks in at a robust 126 Proof.

Tasting Highlights:

Nose: The “lower rye” mash bill combines with the ‘V’ delicate fruit yeast to present notes of springtime freshness, cinnamon, and confectionary sugar.
Palate: The experience shifts to a darker, more savory profile with welcome spicy notes, caramel, black pepper, and a surprising rye component.

This is a must-watch for fans of Four Roses, single barrel bourbons, and anyone following the Kentucky Bourbon Trail journey! Don’t miss their discussion on the 10 Four Roses Recipes and the unique flavor profiles of each!

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✴️ Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel OESV

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distillery: Four Roses
Mash Bill: (OESV) 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Age: 10 Years, 1 Month
Proof: 126
Purchased: 05/21/23 for $99 at Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY

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#FourRosesBourbon #PrivateSelection #KentuckyBourbonTrail #bourbonreview #OESV #BarrelStrength #BrentElliott #KentuckyWhiskey #bourbontasting #DistilleryVisit #WhiskeyLife #bourbonjourney #KBT #SingleBarrel

The Pride of Owensboro: Green River Distillery

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 41 – Green River Distilling

Get ready for an adventure down the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as we revisit a favorite and frequent stop in Owensboro, Kentucky in April 2023. In this episode, we’re taking you back to our FIRST TOUR of Green River Distilling which was originally our 4th distillery and then our 6th stamp in our Kentucky Bourbon Trail Book!

Join us as we relive every moment from our initial tour of Green River Distilling. But the excitement doesn’t stop there! We’ll then uncork a bottle of their Flagship Green River Bourbon Whiskey for an in-depth tasting. What hidden notes and unique flavors await us in this one-of-a-kind pour?

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What’s a bourbon trail journey without a good story? 🥃 Welcome to Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, where we dive into the unforgettable moments and hidden gems we discovered while exploring Kentucky’s iconic trail. Join us as we uncork the profound memories that have stayed with us long after the last pour. We’ll revisit the unexpected finds and the bottles that truly surprised us with their exceptional, intricate flavors. So, what stood out as the most memorable sip, and how have those experiences shaped our palates today? Get ready for a passionate retelling of the adventures, the connections, and the spirits that make the Bourbon Trail so much more than just a destination.

#KentuckyBourbonTrail #GreenRiverDistilling #GreenRiverBourbon #BourbonTrail #Bourbon #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #WhiskeyReview #OwensboroKY #BourbonLife #DistilleryTour #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyLover #KBT

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ABOUT THE BOTTLE REVIEWED

✴️ Green River Bourbon Whiskey

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: (in 2023) Bardstown Bourbon Co; now Lofted Spirits
Distillery: Green River Distilling
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley
Age: NAS but typically 5 Years
Proof: 90
MSRP: $37.99
Other: Awesome bottle design – shoot the shoe!
Purchased: 04/29/23 for $37.99 at Green River Distilling in Owensboro, KY

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Lux Row Distillery: A Must-See on the Trail

August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 33 – Lux Row Distillery

Are you ready to discover the secrets of one of Bardstown, Kentucky’s most impressive distilleries? Join us as we explore Lux Row Distillery, the home of some incredible bourbons. This is more than a tour; it’s a full Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure!

In this episode, we take you inside the distillery to see the magic firsthand. But the real excitement begins when we sit down to review a rare and sought-after bottle: Lux Row 12 Year Double Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon. We’ll unlock every hidden note and unique flavor, from start to finish. Is it worth the hype? Find out in our in-depth tasting!

Click play ▶️ now to join the adventure and find out if this 12-year bourbon is your next favorite pour.

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In this series, Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we navigate the rich tapestry of our memorable experiences on the Bourbon Trail, a journey that has undeniably enriched our appreciation for this iconic American spirit. We tackle intriguing questions such as: What stands out as the most profound memory of that bourbon trail experience, one that has etched itself firmly in our minds? What exceptional and bourbon or whiskey did we discover during this journey, perhaps one that surprised us with its intricate and delightful flavor profiles? What lasting impressions do we have of that bourbon or whiskey today, as we reflect on its complexities and how they resonate with our evolving palates and preferences? Through this exploration, we passionately recount our adventures and celebrate the stories and connections we’ve forged along the way, highlighting the essence of the Bourbon Trail.

#bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbonTrail #LuxRow

Learn more about Lux Row: https://luxrowdistillers.com/

Check out our KBT Bardstown KY Guide:

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

ABOUT THE BOTTLE REVIEWED

✴️ Lux Row 12 Year Double Barrell Cask Strength

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Lux Row Distillers
Distillery: Undisclosed/Sourced
Mash Bill: Undisclosed (likely 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley)
Barrels: No. 5058636 (07/11/06) and No. 5121011 (01/29/07)
Age: 12 years
Proof: 118.4 (a nod to the distillery’s opening April 2018)
MSRP: $189.99
Other: Lux Row 12 Year Double Barrel is a limited release and is generally considered to be a distillery-only exclusive
Purchased: 03/25/23 for $189.99 at Lux Row Distillery

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Wild Turkey Distillery Tour: A Russell’s Reserve Immersion Experience

September 13, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Tour Date: September 12, 2024 10:00am
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Our long-awaited first tour of Wild Turkey was finally here! Arriving in the parking lot and seeing the gorgeous visitor ahead let me know this was really happening!

Check in was simple. The lady who checked us in hinted that we might want to visit the bottle shop before the tour as they had the Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary bottles available but they had a specific allotment for the day. She also said that she could hold our purchases for us. We know how to take a hint! This also gave us an opportunity to explore a bit.

The visitor center is absolutely beautiful. No detail was overlooked.

Born from the Barrel – Russell’s Reserve Immersion In-depth Russell’s Reserve Rickhouse Experience

Tour Description: Pull back the curtain on Kentucky craft whiskey excellence and discover the art of barrel maturation that has been perfected by our Master Distiller Eddie Russell. We invite you to go behind the scenes with us for the Born from the Barrel Russell’s Reserve Immersion, a 60 minute in-depth look at where and how the award-winning Russell’s Reserve is made. The tour includes a visit to one of our oldest and most iconic timber rickhouses where you’ll learn about the impact of environmental aging and the importance of center cut selection for our acclaimed small batch and single barrel whiskeys.

We were excited to learn that Bo would be our guide. We had met Bo on prior visits and knew he was a wealth of knowledge as well as passionate about all things Wild Turkey. Follow him on Instagram: firebirdbo. He provided a brief overview of what we would be doing and then invited us to board the bus.

We arrived at Rickhouse A – their oldest, built in 1894. We enjoyed the view outside of the rickhouse while Bo shared historical information about Wild Turkey, the property, and the rich distilling history of the area.

Once inside, we learned more history about their operations, the rickhouse, and how Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce came into the organization. We have been in many rickhouses but this one simply felt special. Of course, it smelled amazing with 130 years of angel’s share permeating the wood! These pictures don’t do it justice but they do provide some context of being there.

Russell’s Reserve Tasting

The tour concluded with a guided flight of Russell’s Reserve products. The pours were outstanding and it was the first time either of us have tasted a Russell’s Rye or the 13-year-old. Wow!

Taking it All In

Following the tasting we got a drink to take outside and enjoy the patio area. A truly beautiful day! We kept hoping that if we stayed long enough, Jimmy Russell would arrive. Thus, we went upstairs to their bar for a small bite and met two great guys from NY – Ben & Ben – father and son. Bourbon people are the best!!!

We decided that we should head back to Bardstown. Slightly bummed that there wasn’t an opportunity to congratulate Jimmy on his 70th but thrilled with our day at Wild Turkey!

Gift Shop

Our most exciting bottle to acquire was the 70th Anniversary one. We did a neat pour of it while there and it is outstanding!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Wild Turkey May 23, 2023. Unfortunately, it was still on shut-down for renovations and were not able to engage in a tour. We did enjoy the gift shop and chatting with people who work there. It was our 46th distillery and our 39th stamp on the KBT Signature Trail and we knew we would return once full tours were available.

We visited again February 23, 2024 and were able to meet and visit with Jimmy Russell. It was a dream come true to have the opportunity to visit with him on that day.

For this third visit, we were thrilled to experience the Born from the Barrel Russell’s Reserve Immersion Tour. It was our 142nd distillery experience.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

Scotchy Bourbon Boys 4th Annual Bus Tour: Distillery Adventures and Tastings

September 12, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Tour Date: September 11, 2024 8:00am – 5:30pm
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

We were very excited to be joining the Scotchy Bourbon Boys on their 4th Annual Bus Tour! We met up at the Mammy’s parking lot bright and early. After a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11, we kicked off the day with a pour of Johnnie Walker Blue and a toast for a great day!

Then it was time to load the bus and head to Bardstown Bourbon Co. for our first experience. On the way, Super Nash pulled out a dusty bottle of Hill & Hill for us to try on the ride over. It was amazing!

Bardstown Bourbon Company Barrel Thieving Tour

At BardstownBourbon Company we got checked in and some got cocktails while others checked out the gift shop. When it was time for our Rickhouse Barrel Thieving Tour, we met our guide – Samantha. She let us know that her nickname was “Heavy Hand Sam” and to be aware of that during the thieving pours!

We sampled from three barrels in the beautiful Rickhouse K. One was a bourbon that will ultimately become their Bottle-in-Bond bourbon. The second was a rye expression that is not currently being offered. The final one we had to guess and the “Rye Team” won that round! In fact, it was a 95% rye that would later be finished in their special zebra casks and bottled as their green label rye.

Fun on the Bus and Lunch

Back on the bus and more pours were happening! Super Nash had a mason jar of what had previously been in a dusty McCormick decanter – it was fantastic! Tiny showed the “unicorn” that we would have later, and then it was a pour from the 1980 Early Times!

There was a brief stop for shopping at The Blind Pig Bourbon Market where several great finds were acquired by many on the bus. Then we headed to the Old Kentucky Home Country Club for lunch. We had ordered our selections in advance and everyone enjoyed their choices!

Next it was time to travel to Limestone Branch and that meant more time for tastings! Up first was a dusty of Yellowstone, followed by the Yellowstone finished in a Tokaji barrel, and topped off by the fresh opening of beautiful dusty Jim Beam decanter. All terrific pours!

Limestone Branch Distillery Single Barrel Select Tour

Before we knew it, we had arrived at LimestoneBranch Distillery. We were incredibly blessed to have their National Brand Ambassador, Stephen Fante, as our guide for our experience. He provided a fun and informative tour that included history as well as all aspects of their distilling process.

We then went into their newest building addition – the single barrel select room. Once there, we enjoyed five incredible pours and hear more awesome stories. We laughed, shared, and had a great time!

Following our tasting, we still had time for a cocktail, cigar, and shopping in the giftshop before we needed to get on the road back to Bardstown.

Heaven Hill Distillery for an Executive Tasting of High End Pours

While on the road, we had a pour of Jeffrey’s World Whiskey Society 10 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Cask Unicorn edition. It was very good! While we passed, there was also a pour of Penelope Rio available!

Before we knew it, we had arrived at HeavenHill Distillery for our Whiskey Connoisseur tasting. This included 5 great pours: Elijah Craig Toasted, Select Stock Armagnac Finish, Pikesville Rye, Heaven Hill Heritage 18 Year, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

There was time for a bit of shopping before gathering back on the bus.

Surprise Birthday Party for Tiny!!

We arrived back at the parking lot near Mammy’s and everyone was pretending to say their goodbyes for the evening. Little did Jeffrey know that his wife, Rachel, had arranged a surprise party at Mr. Tubs for his birthday. Thus, the fun continued for several more hours. I do believe that he was genuinely surprised!

This was an absolutely an amazing day! We knew it would be fun but had no idea how mush we would truly enjoy being with everyone on the bus. The generosity of the bottles and pours shared was second-to-none. People we have known through social media and brief meetings at events have truly become amazing friends that we will always cherish. We hope that we will be able to join them on another trip in the future!

THREE Gift Shops

We picked up a few bottles today!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Bardstown Bourbon Co April 23,2022. It was our 6th distillery and our 2nd stamp on the KBT Signature Trail. Our second visit was March 2023 and we did the Barrel Thieving Tour and it was our 56th distillery experience. Next we visited Bardstown Bourbon Co in June 2023 as part of the 2023 Mint Julip VIP Bardstown Collection Tour and it was our 78th distillery experience. We also did a Distilled Dinner there in 2023. Therefore, this was our 5th visit there and our 139th distillery experience.

Our first visit to Limestone Branch was May 20, 2023. It was an amazing day as we completed the Central Craft Trail there and it was our 40th stamp on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as well as our 48th distillery and 73rd distillery experience. Thus, this was our 2nd visit to Limestone Branch and our 140th distillery experience.

For Heaven Hill, our first visit was April 24, 2022 and we did the Bottle Your Own experience. It was our 9th distillery and our 5th stamp on the KBT Signature Trail. We returned to Heaven Hill in June 2023 as part of the 2023 Mint Julip VIP Bardstown Collection Tour and it was our 77th distillery experience. That makes this our 3rd visit to Heaven Hill and our 141st distillery experience.

It’s a good thing I have a spreadsheet!

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour: Behind the Bourbon Experience

September 11, 2024September 11, 2024 / bourbonjourney / 1 Comment

Tour Date: September 10, 2024 1:40pm
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Today Wayne and I traveled 165 miles to Lorreto, KY for a visit at Maker’s Mark. It had been nearly 18 months since our first visit and we were excited to enjoy the experience and see what new things we might learn.

They have really expanded their visitor center. After checking in we proceeded to their beautiful bar and lounge area. We quickly determined that we would have a neat pour of the Heart Release 2024 and we were happy to learn that we could also purchase the bottle.

Another fun thing – Whisky Jean the distillery cat. She sat there while numerous people pet her despite the sign saying she didn’t like being touched. She even has her own Instagram account.

Behind the Bourbon Tour

The tour we booked was titled, Behind the Bourbon: An Insider’s Look Behind the Scenes. The tour’s description: This immersive distillery experience pulls the curtain back on the Maker’s Mark® process. More detailed and technical than a standard tour, visitors encounter all aspects of production, accessing far reaches of the distillery, warehouse, cellar, cistern and bottling. And, of course, we can’t truly get behind the bourbon without getting into some. Expect a tasting with pours of the unexpected and the familiar.

Our guide for the day was Jim and he was fantastic. There wasn’t a question that he couldn’t answer!

We started with a discussion on the receiving, inspection, and acceptance of the grain. Then we went inside to the production building. Unfortunately, they have just come off of a shut down so there wasn’t a lot happening. That said, the cookers were working and we were able to see fermenters at the day 1 and day 2 stage. A

Also, while there was no distillate coming through the spirit safes, Jim had some set aside for us to taste.

We walked the grounds and there is something to see around each corner. We visited the printing room where print presses from the 1930s were at work. We then viewed the area where the barrels are received, moved into the building, and filled. As Jim indicated, it would have had a lot more action if they were in operation. However, it was interesting nevertheless.

Next we headed to their oldest rickhouse where we learned about their barrel aging processes. We first had a pour of the standard, 90 proof, Maker’s Mark. Next, Jim thieved some Maker’s Mark 46 out of the barrel for us. It was terrific!

Then a trip to the cellar was on the agenda. Jim provided a detailed explanation of their farming and raising of livestock, grain, trees, and bees! Once in the cellar, while enjoying the 50 degree temperatures, Jim talked about how the temperatures interact with the barrels and the aging process. We ventured up to the second floor of the rickhouse where we were able to feel the limestone wall while enjoying two additional pours from their stave finishing collection.

We then made a stop at the building with an historical display about Margaret Samuels – the marketing mastermind behind Maker’s Mark and the first woman inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. We learned about the quality assurance room, and watched the operation of the bottling line.

Of course, no trip to Maker’s Mark would be complete without stoping at the stunning Chihuly blown glass display!

While in the gift shop, we also had an opportunity to talk a bit more with Jim (our guide) and got a picture with him as well. We highly recommend this tour!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Maker’s Mark April 23,2022. It was our 7th distillery and our 4th stamp on the Signature Trail. For this second visit, The Behind the Bourbon tour was a new experience. It was also our 138th distillery experience.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

Evening Wrap Up

We headed back to Bardstown and checked into our hotel. While we had planned to go to Mammy’s for dinner, we opted for our other favorite when in town, La Herradura, which has outstanding Mexican food.

It was a great first day and we are looking forward to Wednesday!

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

Green River Full Proof Bourbon Release Event

June 9, 2024June 10, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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

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 Proof Release

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.

First Visit to Four Roses Distillery

April 25, 2024April 24, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

April 25, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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.

Four Roses
Wild Turkey
Woodford Reserve

As you can see on the map Frankfort, KY is also nearby and that opens another list of possibilities, depending on your time available.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

First Visit to The Bard Distillery

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

April 18, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

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.

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!!

Pro Tip: As mentioned in a previous article about this area, The Bard Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, and Casey Jones Distillery are quite close together and are on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour Western area.

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.