Bardstown-Nelson County Official Visitors Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS Bourbon...................................................................................12 There’s no Wine..........................................................................................16 History .....................................................................................17 law that says Spiritual ...................................................................................20 Christmas.................................................................................22 bourbon has Attractions & Entertainment .............................................23 Restaurants ............................................................................26 to be made in Bars, Pubs & Shopping .......................................................30 Recreation & Tour Operators.............................................32 Bardstown. 2020 Events & Festivals .....................................................33 Accommodations .................................................................35 Map ...........................................................................................38 2 There’s no law that says bourbon has to be made in Bardstown. But once you step out of your car and breathe in the fresh country air, walk our gently rolling hills, take in the vast fields of wheat and corn and experience true Southern hospitality, you start to get the sense that Bardstown was made for making bourbon. It’s a place to relive history, tour bourbon distilleries, indulge in fine Southern cuisine and explore the great outdoors as only Kentucky can offer. So whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Bardstown. We recommend you pour yourself a drink (bourbon for the adults, sweet tea for the younger folks) and start planning your visit today. 3 Sip the world’s best bourbons right where they’re made. As the Bourbon Capital of the World®, Bardstown, Kentucky, is home to a distinguished collection of world-famous distilleries, as well as a number of newer craft distilleries. Many of them offer complimentary tours, allowing you to discover the craftsmanship and tradition of the state’s signature spirit. See all listings on page 12. NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD Lux Row Distillers One of Bardstown’s newest distilleries, Lux Row blends timeless craft and modern innovation to create some of Kentucky’s most regarded bourbon brands, including Rebel Yell®, Ezra Brooks®, David Nicholson® and Blood Oath®. With a 43-foot custom copper still, six barrel warehouses and the capabilities to produce three million gallons of spirit a year, Lux Row Distillers is a must-see. 4 Bardstown Bourbon Company Set on 100 acres of active farmland, this American whiskey and bourbon destination experience features a state-of-the-art distillery, a vintage whiskey library and a unique educational experience. Many different tours and tastings are available, ranging from a tour, tasting and barrel sampling experience to a curated cocktail class, behind-the-scenes tour and more. End your visit with a meal at Bottle & Bond Kitchen and Bar, which offers expertly crafted cocktails and superb food in a hip, modern setting. Preservation Distillery Bardstown’s first official craft bourbon operation, Preservation Distillery produces very small batch, pot-distilled bourbon with unique releases. The family-owned distillery sits on a picturesque bed of solid limestone above a pristine reservoir – ideal for producing memorable bourbons of the highest standard while honoring the region’s historic traditions. 5 OLD FAVORITES Barton 1792 Distillery & Visitor Center While Barton 1792 was named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States, the distillery itself was established in 1879, making it the oldest fully operating distillery in Bardstown. The 192-acre grounds include 29 barrel-aging warehouses, an impressive stillhouse and the legendary Tom Moore Spring that supplies the water for 1792 Bourbon. Visitors can choose from three different tours, each of which includes a complimentary tasting. Willett Distillery Visitor Center & Whiskey Shop Independent and family-owned since 1936, the historic Willett Distillery specializes in handcrafted, small-batch and single- barrel selections of distilled spirits. Visitors to this historic property have the opportunity to see the signature Willett Pot Still and taste the whiskey packaged in a bottle that shares its likeness. Save room for lunch or dinner at The Bar at Willett, a fabulous new place specializing in unique small plates and excellent cocktails in a beautiful dining room where you can see the kitchen team at work. 6 Heaven Hill Distillery Bourbon Heritage Center Founded in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery has been family-owned and operated since the beginning. This versatile distillery is dedicated to crafting all styles and types of American whiskey, making it a great place to explore a wide array of bourbons. It’s also home to the recently renovated Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, a uniquely immersive educational experience you won’t want to miss. The second phase of said renovation should be complete by late 2020 and will include a further upgrade of the visitor experience, as well as a brand-new rooftop restaurant and bar. 7 Southern hospitality (and cuisine) at its finest. Bardstown’s picturesque downtown features a vibrant food scene offering old-fashioned Southern classics and inspired farm-to-table dishes. See all listings on page 26. WHERE TO EAT Kurtz Restaurant The folks at Kurtz have been dishing up home-cooked, skillet-fried staples since 1937. Local favorites include skillet-fried chicken and Kentucky country ham, along with homemade cobblers and pies. Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar Here, locals enjoy flavorful plates like bourbon pork chops in a relaxed atmosphere. A beautiful patio makes for a pleasant outdoor dining experience. 8 The Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company Less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Bardstown, Bottle & Bond offers up Southern classics with a contemporary twist. Try their Brussels sprouts with bourbon bacon as a starter, and don’t forget to finish with a boozy milkshake. The Bar at Willett The Bar at Willett, opened in mid-2019, features tasty, unique small plates featuring local ingredients and a spectacular cocktail program in a beautiful space upstairs. The kitchen is open concept and integrated into the dining room so you can see your food as it’s prepared. Menu items change seasonally. Also, enjoy many different vintages of Willett bourbons by the pour. 9 Taking your visit beyond bourbon. While Bardstown is known for its bourbon distilleries, there are plenty of other reasons to come visit, from our rich history to our beautiful outdoor spaces. See all listings on page 23. ATTRACTIONS My Old Kentucky Home One of the most iconic 19th-century homes in America, this Federal-style mansion was completed in 1818 and served as the centerpiece of a 1,300-acre plantation. The home takes its name from the Stephen Foster ballad “My Old Kentucky Home,” which was inspired by the lyricist’s time in Bardstown. Today, visitors can tour the beautifully restored rooms and learn the history of the Rowan family’s fame, fortune and demise. 10 Old Talbott Tavern Built in 1779, the historic stone building is one of the oldest western stagecoach stops in America and welcomed a parade of visitors ranging from kings and presidents to pioneers and renegades. Overnight rooms are named after famous (or infamous!) guests of the Tavern, including Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone and the outlaw Jesse James. Download its cool new 15-minute self-guided walking tour to your phone via the Apple App Store or Google Play. Search “Old Talbott Tavern.” Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest Explore more than 16,000 acres of Kentucky’s beautiful outdoors through 40 miles of hiking and biking trails in this pristine national forest. For the best views, check out the elevated Canopy Walk and climb the 961-foot fire tower. Wrap it up with a visit to the LEED-Certified Nature Center, where you can take a peek at the Edible Garden and hit Isaac’s Café to sample the flavors of the forest’s produce bounty. 11 BOURBON Distilleries DISTILLERIES Bardstown Bourbon Company Set on 100 acres of active farmland, this American whiskey and bourbon destination experience features a state-of-the-art distillery, the Bottle & Bond Kitchen and Bar, vintage whiskey library, and a unique and transparent educational experience. 1500 Parkway Dr. | (502) 694-7212 | bardstownbourbon.com Barton 1792 Distillery & Visitor Center See the inner workings of how this award-winning bourbon is made. Each tour begins and ends in the Barton 1792 Visitor Center, where guests can purchase gifts and souvenirs. FREE tours and tastings. All ages welcome. Must be 21 to taste. 501 Cathedral Manor | (502) 331-4879 | 1792bourbon.com Lux Row Distillers Four Roses Distillery Warehouse & Bottling Facility Visitor Center Tour highlights include facility operations, such as warehousing, barreling and bottling. The Visitor Center features antique bottles, vintage advertising, memorabilia from the Four Roses archives and a premium bourbon tasting bar. 624 Lotus Rd., Cox’s Creek | (502) 543-2264 (Option 1) fourrosesbourbon.com 12 BOURBON BOURBON Distilleries Distilleries Heaven Hill Distillery Bourbon Heritage Center Its award-winning visitor center provides the ultimate bourbon education and entertainment experience. Tour a working rickhouse and then partake in an educational tasting.