Bourbon Trail

Kentucky is to American whiskey what wine is to Bordeaux. Bourbon IS America’s spirit, and Kentucky IS its home.

Woodford Reserve Distillery rack house

You can find out why on the Bourbon Trail, a 100 scenic-mile “interactive” tour of seven distilleries, set amid the Kentucky “Golden Triangle” of rolling bluegrass hills, within old quaint towns such as Bardstown or Georgetown, or in the smaller cities of Lexington and the capital, Frankfort. See how it’s made; even better, test the results!

There’s the home of the world’s biggest-selling brand, the family-run Jim Beamor the world’s oldest continuous distillery run by Maker’s Mark. Then there’sBuffalo Trace, named after where buffalo forded the Kentucky river.

For those more into “consuming” not tasting, there’s the lively Urban Bourbon Trail, in downtown Louisville – eight bars, all stocking at least 50 individual bourbons with in-the-know staff taking you through some of the more offbeat and refined connoisseur bourbons, such as Fighting Cock, a spicy fruity little number nicknamed “the kickin’ chicken”. Taste it, you’ll know why. Some, such as the Proof on Main bar stock a whopping 130 brands – just don’t sample them all in one go.

Here are some refreshing cocktails from Maker’s Mark – the premium bourbon whisky from Kentucky – to add an uplifting twist to the 2010 summer of the ‘bourbeque’.

Maker’s Mark is renowned for its iconic bottles dripping in red wax and smooth, rich ginger, chocolate and peppery flavours which prove delicious when served in a cocktail. The following drinks are simple to make, mouth-wateringly refreshing and will perfectly enhance the flavours of your bourbeque.

Apple Spice
1 shot Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky
1 shot Sourz Apple Liqueur
1 wedge fresh lime squeezed
Top with ginger ale
Swizzle
Pour ingredients over cubed ice in tall glass, starting with lime wedge, and
swizzle

Southern Mule
2 shots Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky
½ shot freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon gomme (sugar) syrup (Monin Pure Cane Syrup recommended)
Top with ginger beer
Swizzle
Pour all ingredients over cubed ice in tall glass starting with lime juice, stir, top up
with fresh cubed ice if needed

Maker’s Mark Gourmet Sauce
Such is Maker’s Mark’s commitment to creating an art out of the bourbeque, it has even devised its own gourmet bourbeque sauce. Based on a traditional recipe passed on to the Samuels family (founders of the Maker’s Mark distillery) from a legendary Louisville chef, this bourbon flavoured sauce is guaranteed to perk up just about everything, even a British summer! The sauce is available to purchase through the distillery’s online gift shop at www.makersmark.com.

Did you know?
Bourbon is named after Bourbon County where the whiskey was originally shipped from.

Kentucky is home to 95% of the bourbon industry because of its unique climate and geography including mild winters, humid summers, the limestone water from spring-fed streams and fresh local corn.

Only four distilleries were allowed to keep making bourbon through Prohibition (1919-1933), when whisky was made for “medicinal purposes”. Yeah, right!