September is National Bourbon Month!

More Journeys

To The Islands
A Double Tribute
New Orleans
Oconomowoc
U505 Submarine
Freedom Trail
Topolobampo
Indian Lakes
Peterson Cottage
Amana Colonies
Bourbon Trail
Spirit of Peoria
Springfield
St. Louis

I've driven through Kentucky countless times, never having a clue as to what treasures were to be be found within its borders.  But on this particular occasion, we had narrowed our focus to a relatively small number of things to do and see... Even so, five days "on location" yielded an incredible wealth of information -- not the least of which was what we gleaned from our tour of the bourbon trail. The articles below may only scratch the surface, but the story of bourbon is one which should serve as a call to head to the Wonder State to see, smell and taste for yourself, the ambrosia called: Bourbon!

	It's the Water There is so much more than just caves associated with the Bluegrass State.  In a very long list of activities and attractions available in nine different areas of the state -- selected for geographical and other similarities -- one could easily include such diverse interests as horses (Kentucky Derby Festival, Louisville), Daniel Boone, the Civil War and even bourbon... at the very least.
	Go Climb a Rock... The rain that had taken a break and allowed us to observe some of the workouts began anew, and a cold wind added to the discomfort, so we packed it in and headed east and south to Natural Bridge State Park...
	Whisky for My Horses... Water for My Men By now the whisky was calling me instead of my horses; we had two distilleries that we wanted to check out in the Lexington area.  Unfortunately we only had time for one tour today, and Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg would...
	Musket Balls and the Mark of a Maker The bright sun and green grass almost covered two things on this March day: the biting wind with its resulting frigid chill, and the eerie sense that there were screams and desperate cries that accompanied the roar of cannon and flash of muskets still carrying across the valleys...
	A Brief History of Bourbon The making of whisky had actually been around in this country for quite awhile -- having been brought to PA by the Scotch-Irish -- and almost everyone seemed to know how to make it.  Even George Washington made the stuff!  So when did it get to be so special?  And what is the difference between whisky and bourbon anyway?
	How Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Is Made... Now we're getting somewhere!  The liquid is distilled again and the result is a product that is fifty to sixty percent (100 -120 proof) ABV and referred to as "high wine".  A final distillation, creating an even cleaner and crisper result, delivers what is affectionately called "white dog" -- with the kick of a mule -- and up to 79% ABV or 158 proof.