http://www.woodfordreserve.com

Traveling home from Richmond KY we chose to freestyle and took the north route to Lexington via Interstate 75 toward Louisville then got irritated at the decision from shitty construction everywhere, then…bam-a sign for “WOODFORD RESERVE”…the American bourbon maker most people here in the states who are connoisseurs of spirits certainly know about. FanTASTIC lets go. So we wound our way through the countries grandest equestrian estates, along a 2 lane route that was full of sprawling rollling pastures and horses…horses everywhere. Everything shifted to excitement – something new to see, new dirt, new lands it was ALL KENTUCKY…another freestyle adventure turning up gold. Arriving at last 30 minutes before opening at noon (Sunday) we decided to free range along the tight winding road, taking in the sites and rolling geography dotted w barns and some of the longest and oldest looking antebellum era “slave walls” which were likely built by entire multi generational African American families, or enslaved laborers, working for their “masters” who were likely wealthy horse breeders and perhaps whiskey men. Oh the bones..Noon hour hit we turned back, drove through the gate and to our wonderful surprise this amazingly country chic but rustic and well appointed distillery was absolutely gorgeous and blooming out in blossoming white full hydrangeas with crêpe myrtles and foliage staged to perfection for the surrounding environment. Even the the large stone pathway with its perfectly queued mortar pulled me in and directed me up into the house you enter through large beautiful double glass doors with sturdy pulls. We walked into the gift shop and I was I was blown away at the gorgeousness of the modern feel grounded in stone glass steel with a perfectly tailored touch of fire running in the fireplace that set the backdrop for the show room with real style. We took time to look at the interesting swag, perused all the tchotchkes and was amazingly surprised at a gorgeous culinary section of syrups bitters oils all made from concoctions that had something to do with their bourbon. Though we did not have time to take the long tour of the actual working building where the action and history takes place, we bought a few things and then we left there totally satisfied. Then…as the freestyle road Gods of luck would have it ..on the way to leave for home I overhear a woman say “Buffalo Trace you can walk all around…“ Ohhhh really? google…”How far is Buffalo Trace Distillery” …11 miles away…we were off…little did we know we were on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail…