Those heading to the 2012 Good Sam Louisville Rally, presented by DISH, on June 21-24, should extend their stay and explore what to do in Louisville, Kentucky.
Though the Louisville Slugger Museum and the Kentucky Derby immediately come to mind, not many out-of-towners know that Bardstown, Kentucky is the Bourbon Capital of the World. In honor of this title, the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center, just 38 miles away from The Kentucky Expo Center — home of the 2012 Good Sam Rally, is the nation’s largest independent, multi-generational family-owned producer and marketer of distilled spirit products, such as bourbon.
Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries has filled more than 6 million barrels of bourbon since its first barrel was filled in 1935. A welcome addition to Heaven Hill, the internationally awarded Bourbon Heritage Center was erected in 2004 and continues to promote bourbon’s rich history roots that date back to 1770. According to Heaven Hill, industry analysts have named Heaven Hill the second largest holder of bourbon whiskey in the world and the seventh largest spirits supplier in the United States.
The Bourbon Heritage Center is open daily offering four types of tours: Mini Tour (free), Deluxe Tour (free), Trolley Tour ($5) and the Behind the Scenes Tour ($25). The Mini Tour is a guided 30-minute tour through The Bourbon Heritage Center and includes a tasting. An hour and a half, the Deluxe Tour is a guided multi-media experience including a Portrait of Heaven Hill movie, walking tour of the Y Warehouse, and a fun and educational tasting. For those preferring a look at the city made famous by bourbon, the Trolley Tour is a 30-minute tour onboard a vintage-style Heaven Hill Distilleries trolley into downtown Bardstown, Kentucky. Appointment-only Behind the Scenes Tour is three hours and includes an in-depth education of bourbon at Heaven Hill: barrel filling, dumping, warehousing and bottling operations. To reserve your spot or get more information about Heaven Hill Distilleries call 502-337-1000. If you’ve got more time to spend in the area, be sure to check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for six bourbon breweries in Kentucky.
Attend the 2012 Good Sam Louisville Rally June 21-24 and find out what to do in Louisville, Kentucky. Not registered yet for the Louisville Rally? There’s still time. Click here to register now.
