goin' to Caintuck

[newengland]

Taking the train out to the Midwest and driving back to New England with my daughter. Intend to meander down through Kentucky and visit a distillery on the way. I've pretty much gone through the prominent websites of distilleries, for instance those in Bardstown and environs. What I want ideally is a small distillery that does a white whiskey and whose tours show the whole process. Going to skip Limestone Branch because their product is sugar shine. I drink Beam but not too interested in the distillery. Any suggestions? I'm leaning toward Heaven Hill because, although large, it does put out Mellow Corn.

[The KYChemist]

I've been to Heaven Hill and its... OK to say the least. Too modern for my tastes. I've done about half the Bourbon Trail. Maker's Mark is by far the best one I've been to. A little off the beaten path, but well worth the drive. Impeccably manicured grounds, beautiful scenery... The best part is, its the only place to get Maker's White. At the tasting, at the end, I believe it is 120 proof. The bottle you can buy is about 90 proof though. And... You have the opportunity to dip your own bottle(s) in wax at the gift shop.

EDIT: And it is home to the oldest drive thru liquor store in the US. Its actually a historic landmark.

[newengland]

Thanks, KY. I'll consider that. Thank you.

[Braz]

The bourbon trail website has added several artisan/micro distilleries. http://kybourbontrail.com/craft-tour/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[newengland]

Thank you, Braz,

I might not have hit up that particular site. I will check it out.

[newengland]

Nailed it. I will try to the MBR Distillery in Pembroke. Thanks for the suggestions.

[newengland]

Just back from Kentucky visit. Went to M.B.Rowland Distillery in Pembroke. This was an excellent visit. Was able to see whole process. The still is a 100 gallon copper pot still similar to the Clawhammer style except vapor goes into a coil cooled in a barrel. Thermometer is set to measure wash temp. A gauge shows level of wash in still. According to tour guide (who was not owner or operator), one gallon is removed as heads and the next eight gallons is taken for product, with some amount of the remainder taken as tails. I wanted to ask more about what is done with the tails but I think the tour guide, although very knowledgeable, was a bit impatient with some of my questions, so I was kind of reluctant sometimes. They use a locally grown white corn, which they grind themselves into a fairly fine meal. They use small barrels (can't recall the exact volumes) so that their aging goes quicker for their bourbon, which they did not have available at the time of my visit. These folks are making some old-fashioned spirits. They have a shine, for which they cook the corn so as to give a strong grain flavor. They have a white dog and what they call a "black dog," which is made with smoked corn, which they smoke themselves in a small smokehouse. They also make several flavored spirits of lower proof. You can see their products if you google their website. I bought the shine and the white and black dogs. I've tried the two dogs and was pleased with both. The black dog is reminiscent of a barbecue--not barbecue sauce, of course. I was very happy with the white dog, which tasted like the product you probably get if you make an all-grain. The taste was stronger than some of the white whiskeys I have tried from stores. I believe that they single distill. I hope that M.B. Rowland succeeds, but I hope also that they don't get too big. What they are doing now is real hands on.

I also went to Heaven Hill in Bardstown but did not tour. They focus on Elijah Craig and Evan Williams in their store. The facility is huge and the air smells of whiskey. And the liquor stores themselves in Kentucky are interesting, with a varied and fun selection of whiskey and shine. I wanted to get Mellow Corn and Heaven Hills old style bourbon, which I did. I would have tried the Popcorn Sutton brand but it was overpriced.

So, I will definitely go back to Kentucky and do more of the bourbon trails.