March - April 2018
Since we've been learning all about how bourbon is made at variety of distilleries, we spent the morning learning how bourbon barrels are made at the Kentucky Cooperage. Once we'd learned everything there is to learn about barrel production, we went to the iconic Maker's Mark Distillery to see and taste the bourbon that goes in the barrels. We ate lunch in their restaurant and took a walk around their beautiful grounds afterward. We then visited the Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home National Memorial. It's hard to believe that our 16th president grew up in what amounts to a large shed. We also stopped in Hodgenville for some more Lincoln history.
Obligatory photo with bourbon barrels at Kentucky Cooperage
The parts that make up a bourbon barrel
Kentucky Cooperage makes the barrels for almost every bourbon distillery you've heard of
We took a tour of Kentucky Cooperage, where bourbon barrels are made
All of this wood will eventually become bourbon barrels
Our next destination is Lebanon
It's not perfectly lined up in this photo but the Maker's Mark water tower is a really cool landmark
Next up on the distillery list is my personal favorite, Maker's Mark
They offer bourbon coffee while you wait for your tour
Bourbon bottles as art on this tile mosaic wall
Waiting for our tour in the visitor center
This painting depicting all four seasons at the Maker's Mark distillery is really cool
Limited addition bottles commemorating the Breeder's Cup
The lobby of Maker's Mark's visitor center features a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture and a copper still
The grounds of Maker's Mark are the most picturesque of any distillery we've been to
The grounds of Maker's Mark are the most picturesque of any distillery we've been to
Maker's Mark's shiny copper stills
That's a lot of mash! We're in the fermentation room.
At Maker's Mark they still print their iconic labels on printing presses.
This is what it looks like inside of a bourbon barrel
Extra charred staves are added for additional flavor in Maker's 46 barrels
This barrel warehouse is built right into the side of the mountain
This barrel warehouse is built right into the side of the mountain
The grounds of Maker's Mark are the most picturesque of any distillery we've been to
Maker's 46 bottles are being filled on the bottling line today
Every bottle of Maker's Mark is hand dipped in their iconic red wax
Freshly dipped bottles ready to be boxed
Oil tank converted into bourbon art
The Maker's Mark Family of bourbons. We will be tasting them all!
Our Maker's Mark bourbon samples
Walking amongst the barrels in one of Maker's Mark's rickhouses
Not many distilleries have a Dale Chihuly sculpted glass ceiling
That bottle looks about the right size
We stopped for lunch at Star Hill Provisions on the distillery grounds
They even have covered bridges in Kentucky. This is the Whisky Creek Covered Bridge
They even have covered bridges in Kentucky. This is the Whisky Creek Covered Bridge
The appropriately named Whisky Creek
The chandelier at Star Hill Provisions is, of course, made of Maker's Mark bottles
Trying another take on the Kentucky hot brown
It might not be Derby season yet, but the bartender made my mother a mint julep
It might not be Derby season yet, but the bartender made my mother a mint julep
I ordered my favorite, a Maker's old fashioned
The grounds of Maker's Mark are the most picturesque of any distillery we've been to
We stopped at Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home
It's hard to believe that Abraham Lincoln and his family lived in a cabin not much bigger than a shed
The Lincoln Tavern
Welcome to Hodgdenville, birthplace of Abraham Lincoln
Our next stop is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
Our next stop is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
Our next stop is the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
This well guarded cabin is the birthplace of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln's first taste of water likely came from Sinking Spring
Abraham Lincoln's first taste of water likely came from Sinking Spring
Abraham Lincoln sits in the center of Hogdenville
This boy and his dog look up to Abraham Lincoln, literally
The fact that Hogdenville has been around a long time is obvious
Lincoln National Bank
The Maker's Mark water tower in Lebanon is one of the best landmarks around