Headed to Kentucky

@kfhene, I've never been to any of the Kentucky distilleries, but I have avidly gathered intel from those who have. From most feedback I've gotten:

1) the "nicest tours" feedback has usually emphasized Maker's Mark and Labrot & Graham (i.e. Woodford Reserve).

Or,

2) you could stay two more weeks for the social element and hit the mob scene September 15-20 at the 2015 iteration of the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival at Bardstown. Heaven Hill basically runs that one. Big deal, may or not be what you are after. I've never been to that one either. It's a mob scene, I'm sure.

I am more interested in the whiskey than I am in the industrial process and warehousing, myself, so my Kentucky highlight would be the whiskey available at the best stores. One of those is definitely The Party Source in Bellevue Kentucky, just south across the river from Cincinnati. There are other stores you can garner from "forums" on straightbourbon.com. The ultra premium stuff is no more available in Kentucky than elsewhere, but there are really good middle and lower shelf products you might not be able to get elsewhere. (e.g. Charter 101 bourbon) And the price is likely to be right.

...and you are going at absolutely the worst time of the year for getting the best products. The fall 2015 allocated products releases will start coming out just a few weeks after you leave.

@kfhene, Kentucky is a lexicon of liberated libation or a potpourri of peculiar prohibition. Dry counties, wet counties and moist counties. You can't make up shit like that. When looking to buy a drink or a bottle, be aware of which county you are in, the day of the week and time of day. Seriously, download some data so you can avoid surprises.

I haven't been to KY since 2002, but my choices for distilleries to visit would be Four Roses, Buffalo Trace and Beam. Stop and smell the roses. There are thousands of stores between MI and KY. Stop often and hit those small shops, you might find some interesting bottles on the shelves.

I recently went to four of them. I didn't take any tours, just popped in to see the shops. Willett, and I was the only one in the shop where they had about a dozen bottles of the good stuff in a locked cabinet, priced for the secondary market. Buffalo Trace was the most crowded, but not much to buy there either. The most interesting of the properties though. The smell of bourbon in the air. Four Roses shop had what you can find in any liquor store. Heaven Hill didn't have much going on, but you could buy bottles of Elijah Craig 23 for ''only'' $335. If you want to take the tours, BT would be my first stop, and they have the best gift shop. If you're hoping to score some interesting bottles, forget it. They're just as picked over as every liquor store is.

@kfhene. Go to Liquor World in Bardstown, ask for JT. You just missed the Kentucky bourbon festival. JT should have barrel proof independent bottlings you can't get anywhere else.
He's a great guy..

Cheers

Four Roses and Woodford Reserve and absolutely beautiful distillers. Jim Bem is enormous checked it out. Makers Mark will let you did your own bottle in red wax.

You can try to fill out your bourbon trail passport.
Beautiful country side.

@kfhene, sign up for the "Hardhat Tour" at BT to experience the distillery in the most authentic way.

@Benancio @Victor @paddockjudge @Benancio Thanks guys! I appreciate the info - alot of great stuff was mentioned. I know i'm going at an "in between" time down there but it's really the only time my brother and I are both free. I'll be using advice from all of you guys and make sure to stop at a few stores along the way. Sorry for the delayed response, a 6 month old and crazy times at work seem to do that!

Cheers all . I'll make sure to let you know what I come across in the wild while down there