Yesterday, I had the opportunity to experience a small portion of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at the Woodford Reserve Distillery. It was a gorgeous day to drive through the country, past all the horse farms and experience one of Kentucky's most prided beverages, bourbon. Although, I am not the biggest fan of bourbon, the distillery tour was educational (and bourbon bbq sauces and marinades are delicious). For whiskey to be considered or titled bourbon, it must have at least 51% corn grain, then a remainder of rye or wheat and malted barley. The charred barrels are used only once, then sold off to barrel brokers who then sell them to Ireland and Scotland for the production of whiskey. The higher up the barrel is in the limestone warehouse, the higher the proof of the alcohol. Bourbon must be aged a minimum of two years prior to distribution, but most are a bit older. They have master tasters who approve of when the bourbon is ready for consumption.
The thing I enjoyed most about visiting the Woodford Reserve was learning that this was the location of the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery which is where sole location where bourbon was refined as the bourbon we all know today.Today, Woodford Reserve is owned by Brown-Forman and is known for its amber color, caramelized flavor. I always love to tie in a little piece of history while traveling. I also learned of this trivial fact: Bourbon County today is a dry county...all existing distillers are located out of the county.
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