Got Lucky in Kentucky

Day 84 / Mile 10,320

The impromptu change of plan was to escape the freezing cold in the Great Lakes area by going straight south, but the dang weather had the same idea and decided to follow me!  Well, lucky for me the new first stop was a tour at the Bulleit Whiskey distillery, and I knew that would warm me up.

There we go Kentucky, a little creativity in a state sign! 

A sampling of their line.  Bourbon, rye, and a limited 10-year bourbon.  ...mmmm.

The rules to set all the bourbon/whiskey stories straight. 

Went by Tom's office to say hello, but he was out to lunch. 

How they did it in the old-school, a classic moonshine still. 

I'm in a whiskey wonderland!

After the tour I made lunch in my van, and since I only had 1 sample in the distillery I was legal and safe to drive to the next tour.

I found this graffiti artist's training piece right here, for those "taggers" who are scared to make their vandalism permanent. 

The mega distillery of Jim Beam, but houses small batch brands like Knob Creek that I was there for. 

Here I'm pouring fresh bourbon into a cask to be aged.  Yeah I took a taste, and it needs a few years until I'm ready for it. 

We cracked open a barrel and had the first taste from a 9-year. 

Don't worry, even though it's going down the drain, it's piped to the right place.

I chose my own bottle off the shelf, put it on the line, and watched it get filled.

This talented worker corked and stuck a label it, then dipped 'er in wax.

Back in California are a few gentlemen known as the Kenrad Estatesmen, who periodically host a  "whiskey social".  I spent a week's worth of grocery budget on this special gift, which I'm excited to share when I finish this cross-country tour!

After the Knob Creek tour I camped out for the night, knowing that I enjoyed a couple more samples than a driver should.  

The weather turned the next morning and was raining heavily, but didn't phase the speeding truckers.  

Next stop, Tennessee.  Yeeeeehawwww!