Whereas Kentucky could first call to mind a specific international fried rooster model, this sun-soaked state presents a lot greater than finger-lickin wings. There are 1,000,000 causes to take a vacation in Kentucky: it’s the birthplace of Bluegrass music, the horse-racing capital of the world, and proudly accountable for 95% of the world’s bourbon – and that’s barely scratching the floor.

The bourbon growth

Bourbon is to Kentucky what rhythm is to blues, and if there may be ever a spot to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime whiskey pilgrimage, it’s right here. As you learn this, greater than 12.6 million barrels of bourbon are ageing in warehouses throughout the state, and one of the simplest ways to dive into all of it is by exploring the coveted Kentucky Bourbon Path. Though the trade had been within the doldrums for a lot of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the bourbon growth is again, and it’s larger than ever. There are greater than 90 distilleries in Kentucky, and 40 on the Bourbon Path, providing an in-depth look into the world of America’s solely native spirit.

The path winds by a number of areas, together with the well-known Bluegrass space, bypassing iconic distilleries like Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, and Woodford Reserve and taking you off the overwhelmed path to hidden hotspots like Fortress & Key and 4 Roses. Regardless of some distilleries being almost 300 miles away from each other, for these adventurous sufficient to go to all of them, there’s a passport for accumulating stamps in every distillery you go to.

Tradition, curiosity, and craft spirits in Covington

Covington in northern Kentucky was as soon as a booming industrial hub, and at the moment is a mosaic of historic neighbourhoods and placing structure. It’s integral to the material of Kentucky’s bourbon tradition, thanks partly to New Riff, a distillery that makes use of distinctive whiskey-producing strategies that set it other than fellow distilleries. Revival Classic Spirits in downtown can also be a should for these wanting to choose up a bottle of classic bourbon.

Bourbon, barbecue, and bluegrass in Owensboro

Bourbon, barbecue, and bluegrass are the bloodlines of Owensboro, a flourishing metropolis perched alongside the southern financial institution of the Ohio River. It’s the place you’ll discover the westernmost cease on the Bourbon Path and the Tenth-oldest licensed bourbon distillery within the state, Inexperienced River Distillery.

Barbecue is a severe enterprise in Kentucky, and in Owensboro, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re consuming at a family-run barbecue spot or a big-city fine-dining joint; you recognize that what’s served up might be top-notch. Strive Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn for slabs of lip-smacking mutton, melty catfish, and thick hunks of succulent meat.

Meals and music run deep within the coronary heart of Kentucky, and that’s very true in Owensboro. Dubbed the Bluegrass Capital of the World, it’s the place you’ll discover the Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame and Museum, the one museum on the earth devoted to preserving the historical past of bluegrass music.

Historical past and horses in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown

Whereas a go to to Covington and Owensboro is non-negotiable, Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown are three of Kentucky’s most vivacious cities that must also be in your radar. Louisville is Kentucky’s largest metropolis, and there may be a lot to do right here for the culture-curious, whether or not you’re visiting to observe horse racing on the Kentucky Derby, digging into its thriving arts scene, or strolling round world-class museums just like the well-known Louisville Slugger Museum.

Simply an hour’s drive away, Lexington can also be value a pitstop, particularly for those who’re an equine fanatic. It’s the Horse Capital of the World, identified for its horse-filled farms and thoroughbred racing. It’s additionally dotted with extra historic bourbon distilleries the place you’ll be able to keep on filling up your Bourbon Path passport.

Lastly, whereas Bardstown could also be certainly one of Kentucky’s smaller cities, its historic significance looms massive. It’s on the very coronary heart of Bourbon Nation and is dwelling to a few of the nation’s oldest and most iconic distilleries, like Heaven Hill and Willett Distillery. The city can also be punctuated with historic landmarks, together with the Civil Battle Museum, the Stephen Foster Story, and the Previous Talbott Tavern, one of many oldest eating places within the US.

Ebook your subsequent journey to Kentucky with direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, out there by British Airways.