🍸 Bourbon Adventures in Bardstown 🍸

 

If you’ve ever planned to hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it’s likely that your home base includes either Lexington or Louisville. But we would offer another alternative – Bardstown. This small community is located about the same distance in between the two larger cities, right in the heart of Bourbon Country … and it’s known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World!”

Along with small town charm and access to nearby distilleries, Bardstown also offers some delicious cocktail and bourbon options, most within walking distance from each other!

The one exception is one of the newest hotels in town - The Trail Hotel. This was our home base and except for having to take a taxi or vehicle to town, it was superb! They have an onsite restaurant and even have a speakeasy known as the Bourbon Vault. It’s hidden down one of the corridors of the hotel. The Vault features all the classics and an extensive bourbon collection (at prices you might expect for a tourist destination). They even have their own brand of rye made at nearby Bardstown Distilling. Very tasty! Note that there are other hotel options if you prefer to be able to walk downtown.

We’ll start our adventure with a true craft cocktail bar in the heart of downtown … Liam Ash Cocktail Emporium. As we said, there are quite a few places to get good bourbon and a drink in Bardstown. But the folks at Liam Ash are proud of their upscale cocktail menu, as they should be! They specialize in cocktails with flair – think smoke, bubbles, etc. but they also have some fantastic versions of classic drinks like a Manhattan and Sazerac. And yes, they have other spirits like gin, vodka, and a nice wine list along with nibbles. This one is a #tipsypick!

Most of our travels include at least one place we visit more than once. On this trip, it was Neat Bourbon Bar and Bottle Shop. This is a classic spot with all the exposed brick, hardwood, and leather furniture that you’d expect in a large city lounge. But the service is pure small town charm. The menu includes classics like a terrific Old Fashioned and bourbon flights. They also have some rare pours you won’t find elsewhere. Definitely a #tipsypick for a stop or a way to wind down toward last call.

For a more classic speakeasy feel, we ducked down an alley way and into The Volstead Bourbon Lounge! (For those “in the know” this used to be the Blind Pig speakeasy...) The bottle wall here is indeed impressive and the staff knows where to find each one. The overall space feels like your uncle’s living room mixed with his man cave. They even have classic B&W movies on the TV screens. It’s a great place to explore your bourbon palate or enjoy a classic cocktail from the menu!

If you want a little history along with your bourbon, it doesn’t get better than Old Talbott Tavern. The tavern itself dates back to 1779 and has hosted guests like Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James. There’s even a room upstairs dedicated to a famous shootout with the outlaw. But once you get a look around, make sure to stop in at the bourbon bar! It’s billed as the world’s oldest bourbon bar. They have an excellent selection of the “brown water” and you can even do flights to give your palate a workout. This one is worth it for the atmosphere alone!

And for even more history… Chicken Cock Distillery goes all the way back to 1856 and is one of America’s oldest bourbon brands. It was revived in 2012 and is housed in Bardstown in a historic mansion. Their tasting room is a step back in time. You can taste one or more of the house spirits individually or in a flight… but we chose a flight of Old Fashioneds! That’s four different versions of the cocktail with various expressions of bourbon. Definitely a #tipsypick.

Oak and Grape is a relatively new addition to the scene, but we found perhaps the best Old Fashioned of the weekend here. They used an electronic smoker to add just the right amount of smoky goodness. They have an extensive wine and beer selection. This spot is also a favorite of local service workers, so you know it is worth a visit!

And finally, when you just need a refreshing cold beer, Scout and Scholar Brewing is just off the main square. The brewery also has bourbon, cocktails, and outstanding food. They have a large patio space, perfect for relaxing in between bourbon stops.

One added attraction we’ll mention. It’s hard to beat sipping bourbon on a historic train ride through the countryside! My Old Kentucky Dinner Train offers that experience from downtown Bardstown, with dinner that includes a bourbon tasting. You also get a trackside look at some historic rickhouses on the journey.

Lots of #tipsypicks packed into one small town! What’s your favorite way to do the Bourbon Trail?