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Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide
Like wine lovers who dream of traveling to Bordeaux or beer enthusiasts with visions of the breweries of Belgium, bourbon lovers plan their pilgrimages to Kentucky's bourbon country. And what a country it is! Some of the most famous distilleries are tucked away in the scenic Bluegrass region stretching between Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington. Locals and tourists alike seek out the world's finest whiskeys in Kentucky as interest in America's only native spirit continues to grow.
In Kentucky Bourbon Country, Susan Reigler offers essential information and practical advice to anyone considering a trip to the state's distilleries or to the restaurants and bars on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Featuring 200 full-color photographs and a bourbon glossary, the book is organized by region and provides valuable details about the Bluegrass―including attractions near each distillery and notes on restaurants, lodging, shopping, and seasonal events in Kentucky's beautiful historic towns.
In addition to providing knowledge about each point of interest, Kentucky Bourbon Country weaves in little-known facts about the region's best-kept secrets, such as the historic distillery used as a set in the movie Stripes and the fates of used bourbon barrels. Whether you're interested in visiting the place where your favorite bourbon is made or hoping to discover exciting new varieties, this handy and practical guide is the key to enjoying the best of bourbon.
In Kentucky Bourbon Country, Susan Reigler offers essential information and practical advice to anyone considering a trip to the state's distilleries or to the restaurants and bars on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Featuring 200 full-color photographs and a bourbon glossary, the book is organized by region and provides valuable details about the Bluegrass―including attractions near each distillery and notes on restaurants, lodging, shopping, and seasonal events in Kentucky's beautiful historic towns.
In addition to providing knowledge about each point of interest, Kentucky Bourbon Country weaves in little-known facts about the region's best-kept secrets, such as the historic distillery used as a set in the movie Stripes and the fates of used bourbon barrels. Whether you're interested in visiting the place where your favorite bourbon is made or hoping to discover exciting new varieties, this handy and practical guide is the key to enjoying the best of bourbon.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
1530 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 4, 2019
I was surprised to read in the book, Bourbon that has been aged a minimum of two years can be designated - ‘straight bourbon.’ I thought it was much longer.
Wooden Barrel Construction (interesting on YouTube & more complex than expected) - YouTube is 2 minutes
I read, “as of 2014 approximately 95% of all bourbon is produced in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The state has more than 5.3 million barrels of bourbon that are aging – a number that exceeds the state's population. Bardstown, Kentucky, is home to the annual Bourbon Festival held each September.” Bourbon whiskey - Wikipedia
Kentucky Beam Rack House with Wooden barrels
Wooden Barrel Construction (interesting on YouTube & more complex than expected) - YouTube is 2 minutes
Finished Oak Wooden Barrel
I read, “as of 2014 approximately 95% of all bourbon is produced in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The state has more than 5.3 million barrels of bourbon that are aging – a number that exceeds the state's population. Bardstown, Kentucky, is home to the annual Bourbon Festival held each September.” Bourbon whiskey - Wikipedia
Cane Ridge Meeting House in Bourbon County
September 24, 2025
Very informative for the person planning to visit the many bourbon distilleries in Kentucky.
December 16, 2015
My husband and I were gifted with this gorgeous book right before we went with friends to do the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Packed with information about "Bourbon Basics," when to travel, and what to see/do/eat in each area (Bardstown, Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington), it was a helpful and inspiring guide. My only quibble is with a startling omission: in the discussion of the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, there was no date listed! I had to go online to learn that it is held in September. Aside from that, great pictures, useful information, helpful resources. A winner!
November 24, 2013
An enjoyable journey through the history of the bourbon industry in Kentucky.
Having grown up in Jefferson County and attending High School in "Lively Shively" where the smell of bourbon aging was never far away,this book served as a trip down memory lane for me.
I will also be using it for furture reference as I visit some of the Urban Bourbon Trail establishments to participate in some personal quality control activities.
Having grown up in Jefferson County and attending High School in "Lively Shively" where the smell of bourbon aging was never far away,this book served as a trip down memory lane for me.
I will also be using it for furture reference as I visit some of the Urban Bourbon Trail establishments to participate in some personal quality control activities.
March 10, 2015
Lots of good information for our upcoming trip to Bourbon Country. I really like that they listed quirky little inns and restaurants to check out. I love to take in the local flavor when I travel. I can't wait to tour the Buffalo Trace distillery. Now if I can only convince the hubs to stay at a B&B....
November 2, 2013
Excellent-beautiful book! I enjoyed reading about the making of barrels, charring the barrels, and the making of mash. Photographs are outstanding!
December 16, 2025
I am not a bourbon fan but my husband is. So, I am very familiar with all of these products.
This is an extensive list of the bourbon facilities in Kentucky and their history. This took me down memory lane. I love it when a book does this. We toured about 6 of these distilleries in 2021 and this book made me realize what I missed. I even bought the hard back copy of this because I want to make notes. I am already planning my next trip.
Even if you don’t like bourbon, this book encompasses history and pairings. Such a comprehensive guide to the world of bourbon.
The narrator, Christina Delaine, is matter of fact. She is a perfect narrator for this!
Need a bourbon book to expand your senses….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this from the publisher for a honest review.
This is an extensive list of the bourbon facilities in Kentucky and their history. This took me down memory lane. I love it when a book does this. We toured about 6 of these distilleries in 2021 and this book made me realize what I missed. I even bought the hard back copy of this because I want to make notes. I am already planning my next trip.
Even if you don’t like bourbon, this book encompasses history and pairings. Such a comprehensive guide to the world of bourbon.
The narrator, Christina Delaine, is matter of fact. She is a perfect narrator for this!
Need a bourbon book to expand your senses….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this from the publisher for a honest review.
October 9, 2020
Kentucky Bourbon Country is a great travel guide, historical and unusual facts book, a great resource for the history of Kentucky, a guide to all the state distilleries, and more. The colorful photos make this a nice coffee table book, too. Oh, and of COURSE, if you know someone who is into everything bourbon, like my son, this is a GREAT gift! You will be pleased at the amount of information and detail. It also lists addresses, emails, hours of operation and phone numbers, which REALLY helps those planning a trip. There is even a famous movie mentioned in the book. Definitely buy this if you are into everything bourbon!
October 12, 2024
I am not usually one for travel guides, etc but I was assigned this book for a course on alcohol. I was truly impressed with the level of detail given to each distinct aspect of travel and dining. I especially appreciated the very detailed information about each tour and tasting notes of each spirit. As a Kentucky native I also learned a great deal about Kentucky history from this book which was unexpected and very interesting. The layout of the pages is aesthetically pleasing and the photographs are beautiful. I especially enjoyed the maps. All in all, I give this guide a 10/10!
September 27, 2021
I bought two similar guides at the the same time. This one covers the tourism aspects of the Bourbon Trail in a better way, where the other does a better job with the individual distilleries themselves.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews