Bourbon Trail Add-ons
Beyond the Distilleries
I have done past posts on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. So, I will not do it this time. Instead, let’s talk about “add-ons.” By that, I mean other points of interests near the Bourbon Trail that do not directly involve a bourbon distillery. These Bourbon Trail add-ons can be worked into your Bourbon Trail experience to provide a more interesting and well rounded itinerary.
Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History
For an educational element to your bourbon trail itinerary, stop by Bardstown, KY, for a walk through at the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History…
Oscar Getz was a big time whiskey distributor in the post prohibition era. His museum provides a comprehensive history of the 200+ years of bourbon/whiskey industry in the area. There are many rare and antique whiskey bottles. I especially enjoyed the “Medicinal Use Only” bottles used to circumvent prohibition laws. The impact of prohibition is extensively explored. Basically, there is no bourbon topic not covered. The Oscar Getz Whiskey museum is worth a stop if your Trail route nears Bardstown.
Its Not All about Bourbon
Now, if you want a completely non-bourbon stop on your Trail itinerary, stop by Fort Knox…
Just to be pedantic, there is Fort Knox the city in Kentucky…and Fort Knox the military base located in Fort Knox, KY. The US Bullion Depository, holding about six billion in gold, is just outside the military base within the city of Fort Knox. You can not take tours of the depository. And, its tough to get a good picture. Furthermore, the military police may stop you if you park illegally to get a picture…learned from experience. However, on the bright side, you can tour Fort Know the military base…
To visit an impressive, multi-functional military base, just pull into the Visitor Center, outside the gates. First, you answer some personal questions at the kiosk. Then, you get your very unflattering visitor pass. The pass gets you through security and allows you to wander the base. Most of the base looks like a well maintained college town. But, if you get out on the fringes, you can find the more interesting training areas. Watch for the signs (not always obvious) prohibiting you from entering restricted areas.
Best for Last
While the museum and Fort Knox are both worthy stops, my favorite Bourbon Trail add-on was definitely the Kentucky Cooperage Visitor Center…
The Kentucky Cooperage Visitor Center is actually the tourist arm of the International Stave Company’s (ISC) barrel manufacturing plant in Lebanon, KY. This plant along with a couple other ISC sites manufacture about 90% of all bourbon barrels. Their factory tour was amazing. You can witness the master cooper as the staves are inserted for each barrel. Furthermore, you can feel the heat as the barrels get charred.
My favorite fun fact from the tour is that each distillery provides for their own unique barrel recipes. Details include the type of wood and the exact region where the wood is to be harvested. Once cut, there are specifications on how long the wood is aged before barrel assembly. And, of course, there is all sorts of details on how to char a barrel…what temperature…how long…how many times. The tour is great. If you are near Lebanon, KY, on your Bourbon Trail…sign up for this tour!
Wrap It Up
There you have it. Do not be a drunken amateur in the development of your Bourbon Trail itinerary. There is always plenty of opportunities to drink bourbon. So, round out your plans with some of these Bourbon Trail add-ons. You will not regret it. Have a wonderful day. PT
I hope you have enjoyed reading “Bourbon Trail Add-ons” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
Here was an previous trip on the Bourbon Trail https://travelingwithpt.com/1-day-bourbon-trail/
Here are all the links if you want to explore these add-ons for yourself…
https://www.oscargetzwhiskeymuseum.com/ Oscar Getz Whiskey Museum
https://home.army.mil/knox/about/visitor-information Fort Knox
https://www.kentuckycooperagetours.com/ Kentucky Cooperage Visitor Center
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