Bardstown Blast

The Memorial Day holiday week found me traipsing around Bardstown and just generally having a blast.  I made new friends (hello Shelby Nash, Laura Webb and Michelle Logston), visited with old friends (hello Sam Montgomery and Meghan Mattingly), and just generally threw open my heart and my arms and embraced everything that this small but powerful town had to offer.

The itinerary included trying to experience as much as possible while making as many touches as I could with my new book, Bourbon Belles and Whiskey Women. Simultaneously, I was soaking up the atmosphere and collecting content ideas for Bourbon Belles and Whiskey Women II (one of the most interesting profiles that I MUST get done will surely be about Ms. Marilyn "Toogie" Dick.  If you don't know about her, take the time to find out.  This little lady has had a long and powerful influence on the bourbon industry and Bardstown itself.)

In the morning, we would start our day by fueling up with a "breakfast of champions" from either Pat's Place or Mammy's Kitchen.  Both prepare meals just like we had growing up ... simple and delicious. 

The days were filled with visits to Preservation Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon, Heaven Hill, Willett, and on our way home to OH, Castle & Key and Four Roses.  There is much more to experience here and so we bought tickets for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and will be returning for that epic event in September.

In the evenings, my husband and I would soak up the afternoon sun by sitting by the pool at the Bardstown Motor Lodge run by Samantha Montgomery and top the day off with a cocktail and dinner at Toogie's Table where the food is creative and delicious, the service is spectacular, and an education on bourbon is readily available.

If you are a bourbon enthusiast, Bardstown is a must for your bucket list!  Book a room at the Bardstown Motor Lodge, have dinner at Toogie's Table, visit distilleries to learn about and taste the renowned local liquid, and meet and talk to the wonderful locals who are always eager to share the history of their home town.

Unforgettable!