Kentucky: Maker's Mark Bourbon: Best Field Trip Ever

I have always loved the taste of bourbon.  My grandmother's "rum balls" were actually made with bourbon.  And when a cookie, cake or pie calls for liquor, I always reach for the bourbon.  

I don't really drink anymore, but at one time I did and it was then that I mentioned to my friend, Beth, that I liked bourbon and ginger ale.  Bourbon fans aren't that common, so she thought I might like to become a "Maker's Mark Ambassador."  It's a fun program where you proclaim your loyalty and vow to speak well of the brand and support its endeavors whenever possible (ha!).  I loved the idea and the fact that my name would be on a barrel in the vast warehouse and that someday I would be given the opportunity to buy a bottle from that barrel after it had ages properly.  The program also sends little gifts and logoed materials to my house every once in a while. It is my kind of "enthusiasm" and I think its fun.  I joined about 7 years ago.

So...it was wonderful luck that Dan (who was working in Cincinnati for the week) and I were able to drive a short distance and spend the weekend with our friends, Beth and Richard in Louisville, Kentucky.  Yes, Kentucky.  Now you see where the bourbon element comes in.  Beth proposed that, as Ambassadors, it was really important that we visit the Makers Mark distillery. It was an hour and a half drive from Louisville, but it was worth it. 

We had so much fun!  The glasses below (I was trying to photograph the subtle change in color between the types of bourbon available) were from the tasting that is offered on the tour.

The tour starts at the very beginning, when the owners started dipping bottles of their small batch bourbon in their kitchen.

And ends with the very modern bottling set up that makes each bottle of Maker's Mark pure and true.

On the tour, thirty of us heard all about the process of making bourbon, saw the foaming vats of liquid in different stages of fermentation and admired the gleaming kettles that brought it up to temperature.  (Clearly I know nothing about making bourbon, so don't rely to heavily on my description.)

Below you can see the barrels aging in orderly fashion.  Doesn't it look beautiful with the light streaming it? My name is engraved on one of those plaques  on a barrel somewhere in the building.

The best part of the day was this tray of bourbon chocolates for us to sample on our way out. Hallelujah. A creamy bourbon center is dipped in chocolate and topped with a fresh roasted pecan.

I bought a box and made it last as long as possible. Yum yum yum.

Inside their beautiful gift shop (see in the first photo above), I also stood in line to dip the bottle of bourbon I purchased in their famous red hot wax to seal it. Silly, but fun and I'm glad I did it.  If you are ever within reach of the Maker's Mark Distillery and share my love of bourbon, be sure to visit this really beautifully designed experience. You may even find yourself signing up to be an ambassador.

Louisville: Wild Eggs

I probably should have some sort of omelet, since we were having Sunday breakfast at a popular place in Louisville called Wild Eggs, but I couldn't do it!  The moment I read lemon curd on the menu, I was a goner.  

I simply had to order "Raspberries and Lemons Oh My!" pancakes. The menu describes them as "Buttermilk cakes, raspberries, lemon curd, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and powdered sugar," while I describe them as heavenly.  What a treat!

If you are ever lucky enough to stay overnight in Louisville, this is the breakfast spot for you!  But plan on going early and putting your name in for a wait, the rest of this charming town agrees with me!

Generosity

For me, this photo represents generosity.  When I was in Louisville, Kentucky staying with friends, we were buzzing down the road a little late for our dinner reservation when I "saw" this quintessential Kentucky moment.  I raised my camera to take a quick shot through the window and my friend's husband said, "Do you want to get a picture of that?"  When my body language said yes, he stopped the car, through it in reverse and backed up to the area where I had first noticed the horses.

I wish I had saved my first shot, the one through the car window, to post here because it was awful and it would show you just how much it meant to me to get a beautiful photo of horses grazing in the Kentucky sunlight, complete with the shadows from a fence.  

Generosity is letting someone have the time they need to do what they do.

Cocos Chocolate Cafe

When I was talking to Beth about my visit, I told her that I would love to buy some bourbon chocolates while I was in Kentucky. 

I love bourbon and have been missing my favorite bourbon chocolates (made in Nevada) that was discontinued/changed when the brand was purchased by another company a few years ago.  I told her that I had a recipe for bourbon chocolates (that I had never tried) but other than that, I had nothing.  If I was going to be in bourbon country, I needed some bourbon chocolates.

She delivered!  Beth and her husband found Coco's Chocolate Cafe on Bardstown Road and I was able to meet Owner and Chocolatier, Fred Moore.  Seeing is believing and when he stepped behind the counter of gorgeous chocolates (see above) in a white chef's jacket and tall paper hat, I knew he meant business. 

I sampled one of his bourbon chocolates (sold!) and bought a box of nine...all bourbon.  He told me that he uses only Four Roses Small Batch bourbon in his bourbon chocolates - yum!

Because of the variety, Beth's box is more beautiful so I am showcasing it here (Bourbon Chocolate is on the bottom right).  But I can promise you, no one has ever been happier with a box of chocolates than I was.  Viva la Bourbon!

Hot Brown

I love when I find out that a city has a signature dish.  I had driven in the rain from Cincinnati (I was on a weekend trip)  to Louisville to spend the day with my dear friend, Beth.  She moved to Kentucky a million years ago and I was so happy that I was finally going to be able to meet her children and spend some time with her.  I had barely arrived when, after kicking around some lunch ideas, she realized that I had never had a "Hot Brown."

It was settled - we were on our way to Lynn's Paradise Cafe,  a quirky, vibrant restaurant with its own "World of Swirl" novelty gift shop.  When my Hot Brown arrived, I could see what all the fuss was about.  A homemade Mornay sauce (which is Bechamel sauce with grated cheese) flooded an open-face turkey sandwich topped with bacon, tomato and cheese.  It was rich, creamy and memorable, for sure.

But hands down, my favorite part of Louisville was being able to sit in a booth across from my dear friend.  Nothing compares to eye contact and after ten years of Christmas cards and emails, we had a lot of story-telling to catch up on.  I loved every minute of my visit and I can assure you, I will be returning to Louisville just as soon as I can.  Beth, I miss you already.