I'm not confirming that I ever said anything mean about the British but if I did I take it back.
Apparently the British love bourbon country and we love them back.
Whether you fancy it straight up, on the rocks, with water, in a
whiskey sour, a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned or in the traditional drink
of the Kentucky Derby - the Mint Julep - Kentucky bourbon is the drink
of gentlemen (and women).
A new bourbon trail tasting coach tour from Louisville has just
been launched, covering seven historic distilleries nestled in the
rolling Kentucky hills over two days.
This is a far cry from the hey day of whiskey distilling in the
19th-century Kentucky corn belt, when it is estimated there were at
least 2,000 distillers operating.
Born out the glut of corn production in the frontier settlements
and the British blockade during the war of independence, nearly every
farm had a whiskey distillery.
This December 5th Kentucky marks the 75th anniversary of the end of
Prohibition, with events planned to examine how this period of history
impacted production of the finest "American spirit".
I think everyone should be making plans to be here on December 5 so we can celebrate the anniversary of the end of Prohibition in a major way.
We've got bourbon. We've got beer. But did you know we've got what is probably the only
micro-brewer of soy sauce in the United States. No, I didn't think you knew that.
"The sauce is inherently unique," says Jamie.
"Besides the fact that I'm an American guy brewing soy sauce in
Kentucky, it is made with whole non-GMO soybeans, custom roasted wheat
and limestone filtered Kentucky spring water. We're the only
micro-brewer of soy sauce in the country that I'm aware of, and the
only soy sauce brewery in the world that ferments in bourbon barrels."
Bourbon Barrel Foods are making some very interesting products and recycling old bourbon barrels to boot.Remember to add visiting their retail shop to your list of things to do when you come visit Louisville soon.
The folks from Jim Beam think so. A few key pieces of evidence that back
their hypothesis:
"With the rising costs of gas and food, destinations like Las Vegas and
Miami aren't always practical," said Bernie Lubbers, Louisville native and
Knob Creek Whiskey Professor. "Louisville offers an affordable guys-only
getaway that blends heritage, entertainment, sports and spirits to have the
guys talking for years to come."
Among the highlights on a Louisville man-cation:
-- Muhammad Ali Center -- Find greatness within as you watch legendary Ali
fights On-Demand and revel in the aura of a living Olympic champion
-- The Louisville Slugger Museum -- Experience history in-the-making as
you stroll through the factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger
bats are created
-- Jim Beam Distillery -- Discover what The Stuff Inside means to you on
the self-guided tour of the distillery process. Sample the rich,
distinctive tastes of Jim Beam Black(R) Bourbon and Knob Creek(R)
Bourbon in the historic T. Jeremiah Beam home, and walk the distillery
grounds to experience the 213 year Jim Beam history
Apartment Therapy needs to start an Apartment Therapy: Louisville branch posthaste. In the meantime
we'll just quote them swooning over 21c.
A hotel isn't usually the first place we look for cutting-edge
contemporary artwork, but 21c is not your average inn. The Louisville,
Kentucky hotel uses original art throughout the building and guest
rooms. There's lots to be learned from the way they integrate art and
interior design.
I have some friends in Los Angeles who I've been telling to come visit for a while now. They keep saying they're coming but they haven't shown up yet. Now that their own hometown newspaper is telling them how great Louisville is though I expect to see visitors' itineraries in my inbox any day now.
We had come partly to see the well-regarded 32nd annual Humana
Festival of New American Plays at of Louisville. Because I'm an Ohioan
- Cincinnati - who was born in Louisville, I wanted to find out what
was happening downriver along the Ohio.
Overall, I discovered an intriguing, funky scene and a good-humored,
pop-culture-savvy populace . . . plus more. Louisville has an
avant-garde, contemporary-art edge. In 2003, the city and county
governments merged, increasing Louisville's population to 694,000 from
256,000. Now there seems to be a fresh, invigorating self-image - the
"Possibility City," it calls itself.
I'm going back to Louisville for the 7th annual Kentucky Art Car Weekend
(Friday and Saturday), sponsored by the Kentucky Museum of Art and
Craft and featuring a parade of hand-decorated vehicles, among other
events. The Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, a partly open-air
converted meatpacking plant, will turn into a drive-in theater for one
night and host a party on another.
Beyond this week's Art Car event, I also hope to make it here from Sept. 25 to 27 for IdeaFestival, now in its ninth year and offering presentations by creative thinkers and problem solvers from around the world. And maybe again Nov. 21 to 23, when the Mellwood hosts its third annual Good Folk Festival, featuring outsider visual artists and "primitive" musicians such as Daniel Johnston.
And who knows what other festivals, cool events and art installations will be revving up in 2009? In Louisville today, anything seems possible.
