My 4 Favorite Things In -

My 4 Favorite Things in - Bardstown Kentucky

When that rare unencumbered weekend surprises you, it seems to me that you have two choices. Plunge full steam into your backlogged honey-do list of household tasks, or seize the opportunity and find an intriguing place to slip away to for a short, albeit well earned, sabbatical. I submit that Bardstown Kentucky is an ideal choice for just such an excursion. Having started as a stagecoach stop in 1779, Bardstown is a small town whose history greatly exceeds that of communities much larger in size. Having been named “America’s Most Beautiful Small Town” (USA Today & Rand McNally), it’s charm and welcoming nature will be sure to leave you with a longing for a return visit. Oh, and if you happen to enjoy an occasional “Kentucky Hug” (sip of bourbon), then you’ve landed yourself smack dab in the middle of heaven on earth. When considering all of the historic sites to visit, whiskey distilleries to tour, places to eat, and museums to peruse, it is clear that there are simply way too many highlights to list here. So instead of trying to do so, here are my highly recommended “4 Favorite Things.” I’ll leave it to you to discover all of the rest that Bardstown has to offer! 😊

1. Things to Eat. You’ve got to try the pork ribeye with bacon marmalade at the Old Talbott Tavern (built in 1779), which coincidentally, is the same structure that served as the original stagecoach stop, mentioned above. The Old Talbott is a restaurant and B&B that boasts many significant claims to fame. This includes their assertion to being the world’s oldest bourbon bar, which seems quite logical. Additionally, the Old Talbott has hosted many famous (and/or infamous) people to include the likes of Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln (as well as 2 other presidents), the Queen of Romania, Gen. George S. Patton, and Jesse James (just to name a few). There are even bullet holes in a wall that are rumored to have been facilitated by the famous outlaw himself, while he was in the midst of a bit of intoxicated revelry. Jesse James’s ghost is one of the many said to roam the halls of the Old Talbott even to this day. Things to eat - honorable mention: Step across the street to Mammy’s and try their fried green tomatoes. I also hear The Rickhouse Restaurant is to die for; however, they were temporarily closed during our last visit. I guess we’ll just have to go back.
2. Thing to Drink. Well, bourbon, of course. Being in the “Bourbon Capitol of the World,” you don’t have go far to sample the very best of this great American spirit. My favorite way to do so is at the distilleries themselves. Maker’s Mark, Willett, Heaven Hill, Lux Row, Preservation, and Barton 1792 are all in (or very near) Bardstown, and each has it’s own fantastic tour and tasting. Most of the other distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail are no more than a 30-35 minute drive away, but I’ll stick to the ones in close proximity for now. If I am painfully forced to choose only one of these in the Bardstown area, then I would go with the experience at the (aptly named) Bardstown Bourbon Company. This state of the art facility features a top notch restaurant, more of a California winery type of experience, and some of the more innovative bourbon blending collaborations that you will find anywhere. Please do not leave without participating in their “Shaken and Stirred” cocktail class, where you will learn to make bourbon classics like the Kentucky Mule and the Sazerac. You must preregister for this event, but you will not be disappointed that you did. Side notes: Bourbon lovers, go try the “Very Olde St. Nick 12 Year Reserve” at Preservation Distillery; and, if you are looking to pick up a bottle of some of the more hard to find bottles while you’re in town, then pop by the Blind Pig in downtown Bardstown. Their selection is outstanding!
3. Thing to Do. Stay at the Bourbon Manor. Look forward to the gourmet breakfast (often with bourbon inspired flavorings) prepared by Tyler Horton. Chef Tyler co-owns the Manor along with Todd Allen. As Todd graciously hosts you during your decadent breakfast, know that you are being served by the great-great grand nephew of Colonel E. H. Taylor himself (bourbon lovers will understand the significance).
4. Things to See. Let’s just simply say “all of the history.” Much of downtown Bardstown is living history itself. The town even has it’s own museum row. The Civil War museum is a must, as is My Old Kentucky Home State Park. My favorite historic excursion; however, is to take a short jaunt outside of town to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park. With a monument to “Honest Abe” that had it’s cornerstone laid by Teddy Roosevelt, you’ll climb 56 steps (for the 56 years of Abe’s life) to honor one of our nation’s greatest. You’ll be struck by both the symbolic, and the awesome natural beauty. Please don’t miss this!

We hope you find Bardstown Kentucky every bit as comfortable, alluring, and intoxicating to your soul (pun somewhat intended) as we did!