Feeling thrilled our freestyle road trip instincts led us to old Kentuckys “Bourbon Trail”, we left @woodfordreserve revived by new vistas, and continued home to Arrington/Nashville via one last destination @BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY (www.buffalotracedistillery.com).

We left the scenic rural 2 lanes from Woodford for an 11 mile route towards Frankfort KY, bringing us back onto typically congested and dated commercial thourough fares dotted w car lots and fast food. Taking it all in despite, we passed a behemoth of an abandoned looking factory, a stoic, blackened red brick monstrosity that reeked of historic sweat & hardship. I could hear the echoes of Industrial Age sounds, the screeching and clanking of metal, whistles & steam. Old Kentucky ghosts of hard labor were evident. I sighed aloud “oh dear, look at that horrid old factory, what bones”. Then, following directions husband turned the corner to our destination- to our surprise, right there- towering above everything was an old fashioned watertower standing proudly as old water towers do, marking its territory “ BUFFALO TRACE” we had arrived…oh my.

Not having much time we stayed focused on seeing the landscapes and grounds over the actual guided facilities tour.

We quickly navigated the touristy areas of the main production and barrel warehouses, opting instead to find whatever gardens and grounds area we could find. And boy did we find! A fantastic experience, do the tour if you have time to get the true background, then seek the botanical gardens that are off the beaten track, the special home of Albert Blanton. The grounds are spectacular and well worth a trip.