Long Weekend in KY: Bourbon Trail and Mammoth Cave
Mar 20th, 2013, 10:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Long Weekend in KY: Bourbon Trail and Mammoth Cave
My husband and I had a fantastic weekend in KY. We based ourselves in Bardstown, KY so we could tour the bourbon trail easily. It worked well. And Bardstown is really charming. We also drove on Sunday to Mammoth Cave so we could do a Wild Cave tour, which was terrific.
We stayed at the Best Western in Bardstown. We normally prefer something local to a chain but we had to stick within a budget for this trip and the local places were significantly more expensive. The Best Western was close enough to town to walk in for dinner and drinks. Not terribly close but convenient enough if you enjoy walking. The place was a standard chain hotel and included the standard chain hotel breakfast. The front desk clerk, Brian, was wonderfully pleasant.
Overall food was ok--not a lot of healthy fare available at any of the mid-range restaurants we went to. And very little on offering for vegetarians. We ate at:
Mammy's Restaurant, Bardtown - Sandwiches and burgers. Friendly service and good satisfying food.
Talbot Tavern, Bardstown - Interesting for its history and had friendly wait and bar staff. We enjoyed a meal here (I ate tomato soup as there were no veggie entrees) and then had fun enjoying a band playing in the bar.
El Rincon, Bardstown - The same Mexican fare served at every casual Mexican restaurant I have ever been in. Which is what we wanted. So it was fine by us and the service was friendly.
Ricardo's, Versailles (I learned it is locally pronounced Ver-sales) - Again, sandwiches and burgers. Again not really any veggie options but friendly service and it satisfied (I ate a Caesar salad).
Mammoth Cave Coffee Shop: It was cold, wet and rainy after we emerged from the cave and we were really hungry. So hot tea and burgers hit the spot. Plus they had a veggie burger here!
We stayed at the Best Western in Bardstown. We normally prefer something local to a chain but we had to stick within a budget for this trip and the local places were significantly more expensive. The Best Western was close enough to town to walk in for dinner and drinks. Not terribly close but convenient enough if you enjoy walking. The place was a standard chain hotel and included the standard chain hotel breakfast. The front desk clerk, Brian, was wonderfully pleasant.
Overall food was ok--not a lot of healthy fare available at any of the mid-range restaurants we went to. And very little on offering for vegetarians. We ate at:
Mammy's Restaurant, Bardtown - Sandwiches and burgers. Friendly service and good satisfying food.
Talbot Tavern, Bardstown - Interesting for its history and had friendly wait and bar staff. We enjoyed a meal here (I ate tomato soup as there were no veggie entrees) and then had fun enjoying a band playing in the bar.
El Rincon, Bardstown - The same Mexican fare served at every casual Mexican restaurant I have ever been in. Which is what we wanted. So it was fine by us and the service was friendly.
Ricardo's, Versailles (I learned it is locally pronounced Ver-sales) - Again, sandwiches and burgers. Again not really any veggie options but friendly service and it satisfied (I ate a Caesar salad).
Mammoth Cave Coffee Shop: It was cold, wet and rainy after we emerged from the cave and we were really hungry. So hot tea and burgers hit the spot. Plus they had a veggie burger here!
Mar 20th, 2013, 11:11 AM
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bourbon Trail - We visited eight distilleries (the seven on the official Bourbon Trail kybourbontrail.com and also 1792 Barton). They each had something to offer. We did not tour each one because the bourbon-making process information doesn't change from place to place for the most part. So it could get boring if you tour all of them. But we tasted at each one and got stamps on our Bourbon Trail passports!
Jim Beam- Most informative with an enthusiastic guide. They are a huge distillery and their tour is well-run.
Heaven Hill - We did the mini tour here and it wasn't all that good. You just walk through the visitor center with a guide. You could just walk through the visitor center on your own and have a similar experience. Perhaps the full tour is better.
1792 Barton - Right in Bardstown so we stopped in. We just missed the tour but would have liked to take it as the people here were really friendly. We did a tasting and enjoyed chatting with the person who served us. She was quite knowledgeable.
Maker's Mark - Nice tour guide; tour wasn't really necessary here as it is mostly about the process, which we'd learned about previously. The family's history is interesting, though. The best part of a visit here is, of course, dipping your own bottle in the trademark "wax" (plastic). This was fun but, oddly, though it is clearly the most popular activity, they weren't set up to have it happen in an organized and efficient way--perhaps that is intentional to get you to spend more time (money) in the shop. Wouldn't have skipped it, though!
Four Roses - Had a very corporate feel but still a good tour and tasting.
Wild Turkey - Didn't take the tour here but the people were really friendly. We loved chatting with them while we tasted and we bought a cool barrel stave coat hook here that was made by one of the employees. Really neat souvenir.
Woodford Reserve - The most interesting property we toured and the process is sufficiently different to make the tour worthwhile. They have the best souvenir option--you have have their bottles of bourbon engraved for an additional $5 while you wait--an excellent gift.
Town Branch - Right in downtown Lexington: it isn't charming or particularly interesting nor was the bourbon very good. But their coffee-infused bourbon spirit was great. We probably would have skipped this stop if not for trying to get all our passport stamps. Perhaps the experience here will improve--they have only been open for tours since October 2012.
We didn't buy much bourbon because the prices at our VaABC are actually cheaper. We bought at Woodford because of the opportunity for engraving.
Jim Beam- Most informative with an enthusiastic guide. They are a huge distillery and their tour is well-run.
Heaven Hill - We did the mini tour here and it wasn't all that good. You just walk through the visitor center with a guide. You could just walk through the visitor center on your own and have a similar experience. Perhaps the full tour is better.
1792 Barton - Right in Bardstown so we stopped in. We just missed the tour but would have liked to take it as the people here were really friendly. We did a tasting and enjoyed chatting with the person who served us. She was quite knowledgeable.
Maker's Mark - Nice tour guide; tour wasn't really necessary here as it is mostly about the process, which we'd learned about previously. The family's history is interesting, though. The best part of a visit here is, of course, dipping your own bottle in the trademark "wax" (plastic). This was fun but, oddly, though it is clearly the most popular activity, they weren't set up to have it happen in an organized and efficient way--perhaps that is intentional to get you to spend more time (money) in the shop. Wouldn't have skipped it, though!
Four Roses - Had a very corporate feel but still a good tour and tasting.
Wild Turkey - Didn't take the tour here but the people were really friendly. We loved chatting with them while we tasted and we bought a cool barrel stave coat hook here that was made by one of the employees. Really neat souvenir.
Woodford Reserve - The most interesting property we toured and the process is sufficiently different to make the tour worthwhile. They have the best souvenir option--you have have their bottles of bourbon engraved for an additional $5 while you wait--an excellent gift.
Town Branch - Right in downtown Lexington: it isn't charming or particularly interesting nor was the bourbon very good. But their coffee-infused bourbon spirit was great. We probably would have skipped this stop if not for trying to get all our passport stamps. Perhaps the experience here will improve--they have only been open for tours since October 2012.
We didn't buy much bourbon because the prices at our VaABC are actually cheaper. We bought at Woodford because of the opportunity for engraving.
Mar 20th, 2013, 11:18 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mammoth Cave, Wild Cave Tour - Loved it! We crawled, wriggled, rolled and climbed on this tour. You go through some really tight spots and have to be comfortable with that. We had terrific guides and they managed to give us as many experiences as possible in the time permitted. The website notes you can wear shorts and a t-shirt under coveralls. My husband did but I actually wore jeans because I am perpetually cold and cave temperatures are consistently cool. I was comfortable as far as temperature but I should have worn leggings or something that stretched more easily for times when I needed to climb or contort a bit.
We saw two bats, which were cute! The cave is not pretty in the areas where this tour goes but you do see some pretty areas as you walk out at the end.
They provide knee pads, coveralls, helmet and lamp, and a fanny pack to carry snacks and water. They are also supposed to give you gloves but our guides forgot and I wish we had had them because the grit did hurt my hands after a bit of crawling. You can lock coats, keys and wallet in a locker before you go.
I carried my camera along but I don't recommend it--most areas of the cave aren't pretty or picturesque and your camera rattles around a lot and gets lots of dirt and dust in it. I will need to send mine for cleaning now. Though I did get a fantastic shot of my husband emerging from the very tight "bare hole."
We definitely felt a bit battered the next day (bruised knees, skinned elbows) but we had a fantastic time and would really recommend it for those looking for a bit of adventure in the cave.
We saw two bats, which were cute! The cave is not pretty in the areas where this tour goes but you do see some pretty areas as you walk out at the end.
They provide knee pads, coveralls, helmet and lamp, and a fanny pack to carry snacks and water. They are also supposed to give you gloves but our guides forgot and I wish we had had them because the grit did hurt my hands after a bit of crawling. You can lock coats, keys and wallet in a locker before you go.
I carried my camera along but I don't recommend it--most areas of the cave aren't pretty or picturesque and your camera rattles around a lot and gets lots of dirt and dust in it. I will need to send mine for cleaning now. Though I did get a fantastic shot of my husband emerging from the very tight "bare hole."
We definitely felt a bit battered the next day (bruised knees, skinned elbows) but we had a fantastic time and would really recommend it for those looking for a bit of adventure in the cave.
Mar 20th, 2013, 11:47 AM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your trip report. I have family in Lexington/"Ver-sales" and tasted my first bourbon at Woodford Reserve just last year - of course I am spoiled now. 
Loved hearing about the Wild Cave Tour.
Loved hearing about the Wild Cave Tour.
Mar 22nd, 2013, 05:27 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for commenting, LCBoniti.
Indeed, Woodford is good stuff. I am going to try a cocktail they had recipe cards for called a derby ginger julep.
http://www.woodfordreserve.com/bourbon-drinks-recipes/
It sounds pretty good to me as I don't like straight bourbon.
Indeed, Woodford is good stuff. I am going to try a cocktail they had recipe cards for called a derby ginger julep.
http://www.woodfordreserve.com/bourbon-drinks-recipes/
It sounds pretty good to me as I don't like straight bourbon.
Mar 22nd, 2013, 06:48 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boy you guys were busy! We did this a couple years ago for two days, but could only fit in, I think it was 5. Our favorite was Maker's Mark. DH signed up to be an embassador and receives a Christmas gift every year.
Thanks for your report, brought back good memories!
Thanks for your report, brought back good memories!
Nov 28th, 2013, 06:18 AM
#8
What a great trip report! Now I want to go on the Bourbon Trail. I'd really like to visit http://oldripvanwinkle.com/#!http://....com/products/
Now I have a destination trip in mind. A friend was a ranger at Mammoth years ago so that would be fun too.
Enjoyed the details of your trip report. Many thanks.
Now I have a destination trip in mind. A friend was a ranger at Mammoth years ago so that would be fun too.
Enjoyed the details of your trip report. Many thanks.
Dec 6th, 2013, 08:05 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's attractive about the Old Rip Van Winkle distillery, Starrs? Or is it just a favorite brand?
Now that it is winter I have an even greater appreciation for that Coffee Bourbon Liqueur we bought--it is fantastic and I will be sorry to see it finished.
Now that it is winter I have an even greater appreciation for that Coffee Bourbon Liqueur we bought--it is fantastic and I will be sorry to see it finished.
May 28th, 2014, 05:40 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, we did have Bourbon Balls but as much as I have a sweet tooth, they weren't a highlight for me--all the ones we tried were too sweet for me. I am a dark chocolate gal.
But my office did get a big box to enjoy. And they did.
But my office did get a big box to enjoy. And they did.
May 31st, 2014, 01:26 PM
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great trip report! Thanks for sharing. I've always wanted to combine the Bourbon Trail with a visit to the Kentucky Derby. Maybe next year (I always say that)!
Interesting that Four Roses felt corporate - I know nothing about the distillery, but it is my favorite Bourbon.
Interesting that Four Roses felt corporate - I know nothing about the distillery, but it is my favorite Bourbon.
