Final Day in Louisville - Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Throughout our stay in Louisville we had been meaning to make our way to a distillery.  As I am sure many of you know, Kentucky is home to bourbon.  Bourbon, which I came to find out, is nothing more than moonshine aged in charred oak barrels.  They story we were told involves a barn fire, a priest, and a slow trip down the Mississippi which all culminated in bourbon.  

I know there is Bourbon Alley or the Bourbon tour but we decided to stay in town and visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.  We had a blast!  It wasn't busy.  In fact, we had a private tour with just Rebecca and myself.  Furthermore, our host, Vicky was a blast and did a phenomenal job.  We learned about the history of Evan Williams, a port master, among other professions.  We also learned one of the Jim Beam family members came over to Evan Williams after Prohibition to get them up and running again.  

There was a free tasting at the end of our tour which accompanied free bourbon balls.  I think it was around $12 or $14 for the tour.  It was an awesome place and I would definitely recommend it while in Louisville.  How it compares to the other distilleries and their tours, I can't compare.  

After the tour we stopped next door and had some Mexican and then walked around the downtown area for a bit.  Anyway, here are some photos!

(Evan Williams Bourbon Experience)

(Fun display they have set up as soon as you walk in the door)

('It's a fountain,' says Rebecca)

(Here I am and you can just see the tip of the bottle which continues to the 2nd floor)

(Since 1783 - Evan Williams Bourbon)

(Old Distilling Equipment.  The tour actually took us through time beginning in the 1700s and finishing in the modern era.  They did a great job and even used minutes from a meeting held hundreds of years ago.)

(The new toys)

(Someone even gets the job of testing the moonshine and bourbon - Where do I sign up?)

(Someone signs each of the toppers in the barrels)

(The barrels are actually placed in a large warehouse and the change in temperature from season to season is what causes the moonshine to move in and out of the charred wood, thus giving bourbon its color and flavor.)

(A long time ago, people used to mess up borbon, quite often.  When this happened you could take it to a rectifier and they would add some ingredients to try and make it taste better and then they would sell it.)

(Our tasting room)

(Hidden within each of the tables and countertops are these secret compartments filled with scent tubes, 2 types of bourbon, and water)

(Here is our fantastic host - Vicky - as she explains the 2 types of bourbon we will be trying.  You can just see her enthusiasm!)

(Each bottle is marked with date it was barreled on, the barrel number, as well as the date it was bottled on - phenomenal quality control)

(I was half tempted to steal one of these glasses because they were awesome, BUT I didn't and 'stealing is wrong')

(The 2 kinds of bourbon we tried)

(Memorabilia to add some ambiance to the room)

(Here are the ladies enjoying each other's company as well as a different view of the room)

(More goodies)

(During prohibition bourbon and liquor was sold as medicine)

(If you click on the picture you can read the purpose of this bottle)

(All different colors and sizes, each of course for different diseases and remedies)

(The 'Mad Men' room.  We were not able to taste test in this room but since there was nobody behind we were able to stop in and check it out.)

(An oak barrel splayed open)

(If you look close enough you can see the large bottle from the start of the tour reflected in the glass windows)

(Jim joined us after the tour as we tried a few more types of bourbon and bourbon related products, including BBQ sauce)

(Either Lewis or Clark and Rebecca)

(I can't quite recall this gentleman)

(Rebecca tried to take a sneak shot and this is what we ended up with)

(A sweet bench so we decided to take some fun photos)

(As we were snapping away a group of women walked by and kindly took our photos)

(Here is Rebecca modeling)

(A special government building, a courthouse perhaps)

(A sweet bell or sorts with angels)

(Another sweet building, maybe city hall)

(King Louis the 16th)

Louisville Day 5 - Ernest Invites Us for Lunch to the Kentucky Derby Grounds

Ok, it's been a while, a long while.  Things have been hectic to say the least.  There is some major major news coming but that's about 5 posts away...  Some of you may already know.  I have this post and one more day left from Louisville and then I came move on to the next part of the adventure - Florida.  After Florida is Hawaii and then Calgary, where I am at the moment.  However, first, let's finish up Louisville...

So, we stopped at a place called the Whizz Burger and met Ernest.  He was there with his nephews enjoying a burger after work.  Let me tell you something - Ernest loves his job.  Shortly after we met him he was sitting beside us showing us pictures of his creations.  Ernest is a chef and works at the Silver Spoon II at the Kentucky Derby museum.  After chatting for a while he invited us to come and try his cuisine the next day and to check out the museum.  So, we did.  

Side story - Rebecca has always been deathly ill (or perhaps just really really sick when she gets around horses).  Before we planned our trip to Louisville she had started a treatment to cure her of her horse allergy.  I guess a few years ago she was in close proximity to a horse or perhaps even rode one and had a body rash for a month.  Long story short, she touched a horse.  

So, we ate at the Silver Spoon II.  The food was amazing.  Our server Michael was fantastic.  We both had our first mint julep.  I ate my first hot brown, a Louisville special.  And we both finished with Derby Pie, another Louisville food fare.  I must say, however, that the bourbon bread pudding was amazing and if you ever find yourself at the Derby or in the museum, I would highly recommend stopping in for a bite.  

Afterwards we toured the museum, compliments of Ernest.  A virtual horse race ensued.  Then there was a tour of the grounds.  And it finished with Rebecca touching a horse...

(Surprisingly, a fact I did not know, outside of New York City, Louisville is home to the largest Victorian architecture)

(Quick stop on our way to the Kentucky Derby for a photo)

(Rebecca as she walked through a tunnel)

(Time for a few fun shots...  We like to have fun!)

(Rebecca looking beautiful as always...)

(Whiskey by the Drink/Frosted Mugs.  It was closed so we didn't stop.)

(Alas we arrived at the Kentucky Derby Museum...)

(And Churchill Downs)

(Rebecca as she tried her mint julep)

(From what I could tell the mint julep is pretty popular during the Derby.  Honestly, it didn't do a whole lot for me.  Although we did get a complimentary mug.)

(Hot Brown - Cheese, bacon, cheese sauce, tomato, bread, cheese, turkey, more cheese and cheese sauce = deliciousness)

(Rebecca got a salad with Bib Lettuce - it was perhaps one of the best salads I have ever eaten)

(Bourbon Bread Pudding - out of this world.  We were both stuffed after our meals but couldn't help but finish this dessert.  It was amazing and thinking about it now makes my mouth water a bit...)

(Derby Pie - something like a pecan but not as wet and with chocolate chips included...)

(They also have a large variety of bourbon, over 100 different kinds I believe, at the Silver Spoon II)

(Derby Museum started with hats)

(This was one of my favorites...)

(Time for a little virtual horse racing)

(I must say it was an epic battle and it came down to the final of 3 races)

(In the end, my horse was able to pull it off and win the big race)

(Derby grounds - it is hard to see but if you click on the picture you'll see green signs with names.  These are all the winners of the Kentucky Derby and if the name is in gold it means the horse won the Triple Crown.)

(The stable where they keep the horses before taking them out to the track)

(This is where the owners and trainers hang out before the race)

(I can't quite remember the significance of this horse, perhaps the first Derby winner.  Anyway, a pretty famous area in regards to the Derby.)

(This jockey, from what I can remember, is the winningest jockey at Churchill Downs)

(Here you can see the names a bit better and a few in gold)

(The grand stands)

(More seating for the Derby)

(So, the black posts in the background are going to hold a TV screen as large as 3 basketball courts so everyone can watch the races regardless of where you are seated or standing.)

(Sign that gets changed every year)

(Finish line...)

(The resident horse when we arrived was Puddin'.  We didn't get a chance to see Winston as he was already up for the evening.)

(Here is Rebecca hanging with Puddin')

(And Puddin' kissed her hand.  Great news, only a minor eye irritation!!!)

(Horseshoe Museum within the Derby Museum.  It may even have been the Hall of Fame...)

(And we got dressed like jockeys...)

(And danced like jockeys...)

(And prepared to jump like jockeys...)

(And jumped like jockeys)

(We passed a haunted house on the way to and fro)

(Whiskey by the drink again)

(More Victorian houses)

(An evening shot)

(Rebecca playing the piano)