Explore Kentucky Treasures from Bourbon to Horses

Bourbon and Baptist rarely mix. However, in Georgetown and neighboring Shelbyville, Kentucky, they blended and created a distinct bourbon culture. Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, began distilling bourbon in Georgetown and is often credited as the father of bourbon.

Introducing Georgetown – A Kentucky Treasure

Georgetown began as Fayette County, Kentucky, when Elijah Craig led his congregation there. He was a Baptist preacher arrested several times in Virginia for “preaching without a license.”

In 1782, Craig led his congregation from Orange County, VA, to 1,000 acres that he purchased and laid out as a town, initially known as Lebanon. In 1790, the town was renamed Georgetown in honor of George Washington. Royal Spring, where Craig drew the water for his bourbon, also served as the town’s water source.

Craig built mills, helped form the Georgetown Fire Department, and assisted in opening local schools, but he is remembered most for opening a distillery. Although he is credited as the first to create bourbon by charring his barrels, historians haven’t found proof that he did anything differently than other distillers of his time.

LF Heritage Distilling Co

I found the spirit of Kentucky with a bourbon tasting at LF Heritage Distilling Company. Bethany and Darin Dillow, the company founders, began production in October 2023 on a five-generation family farm with springs of pure limestone water feeding into the Bluegrass Elkhorn Creek. They led me to their Blending & Bottling Barn, where they remain true to Kentucky’s bourbon heritage with their crafted bourbons. A new state-of-the-art distillery is currently under construction, but the barn showcases traditional Kentucky.

Originally a tobacco barn, it now serves as a tasting spot. The bar sits atop two bourbon barrels, setting the stage for a great tasting experience. I sampled some of the Bloodlines Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a blend of six- to nine-year-old bourbons, and some of the Select Batch Super-Premium Kentucky Straight Bourbons, which have a higher proof. All were smooth with a good burn.

Don’t miss the tree-shaded patio outside, which provides a perfect place to sit and sip.

More Georgetown Experiences

Georgetown offers many activities beyond its bourbon connection.

• The 1,224-acre Kentucky Horse Park includes all breeds. Events throughout the day showcase individual horses and breeds. The museum features large, detailed exhibits.
• Old Friends Farm is the retirement home of over 100 former racehorses. I took a tour with founder, Michael Blowen, and fed carrots to the oldest living Kentucky Derby Winner, Silver Charm.
• For a horseback ride, visit Whispering Woods Riding Stables.
• Step back in time with a tour of Ward Hall.
• Georgetown’s Main St. boasts an array of shops, galleries, and dining spots. Don’t miss the Scott County Courthouse, with a statue of Lady Justice above the entrance.
• The Georgetown/Scott County Museum tells the story of the county’s history.

Drinking and Dining in Georgetown

• For adult beverages other than bourbon, consider Chinkapin Brewing, which combines craft beer with wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas.
• Country Boy Brewing’s state-of-the-art taproom serves a delicious lunch.
• Fava’s is a century-old, family-run restaurant in historic downtown, serving classic Southern comfort food. Be sure to save room for their pies.
• Enjoy authentic farm-to-table dishes at Local Feed, housed in a restored icehouse.

Where to Stay 

Home2 Suites by Hilton offers the perfect lodging with a fully equipped kitchen and all the amenities.

For campers, there are two campgrounds, Whispering Woods Campground and Kentucky Horse Museum Campground.

Discover Shelbyville – Another Kentucky Treasure

Shelbyville was also once part of Virginia. Daniel Boone’s younger brother, Squire Boone, founded the first settlement in the county, Painted Stone Station, in 1779/1780. Legend says he found a stone in the creek, carved his name and date into it, then painted it with red paint, to stake his claim. Shelbyville is known as the “American Saddlebred Capital of the World,” but it has some great bourbon to go along with those beautiful horses.

Bulleit Distillery

Bulleit Distilling Company opened in 2019. A tour of the distillery begins with a ride on the Bulleit Bus. We saw 11 barrel warehouses en route to the distillery. Our tour guide, Jeremy, explained that Bulliet stores their bourbon for aging upright on pallets, instead of on their side, as most rickhouses do.

At the distillery, we observed various stages of distillation. Our guide shared the story of Augustus Bulliet, a miller who used his extra corn to make bourbon. He prospered until one day in 1860, when Augustus loaded his flatboat with whiskey barrels to sell in New Orleans. Somewhere between Shelbyville and New Orleans, Augustus, his whiskey, and the flatboat vanished. Unfortunately, with his disappearance, the Bullitt brand ceased to exist. That is, until Augustus’s great-great-grandson, Tom, resurrected it in 1987. Today, Bulliet Whiskies are found in 70 countries worldwide.

We returned to the visitors’ center/tasting room/gift shop for a tasting of three bourbons and one rye whiskey, featuring an immersive sensory experience with small golden items of varying scents to enhance the tasting. We started with their five- to seven-year-old 93-proof flagship bourbon. Jeremy told us, “It is also the classic recipe that Tom resurrected from his great-great-grandfather Augustus.”

Jeptha Creed Distillery

Although smaller than Bulleit, Jeptha Creed holds its own in attractiveness and quality. Jeptha Creed Distillery’s visitor center, cafe, bar, and gift shop are housed in a beautiful, red barn-style building with enticing vintage cars out front.

Joyce Nethern serves as the master distiller, but it was her husband, Bruce, who initially conceived the idea. A fifth-generation Kentucky farmer, Bruce also has some side businesses, including restoring vintage cars. A chemical engineer, Joyce was initially reluctant to assume the role of master distiller. But, after taking a Master Distilling Class, she became passionate about the distillery.

The Barrel Tasting experience at Jeptha Creed Distillery is genuinely unique. I tasted bourbon steps from the farmland where heirloom Bloody Butcher Corn, used to create the unique bourbon, grows.

More Shelby County Experiences

Drinking bourbon is a highlight, but there’s much more to see and do in Shelby County.

• Visit Icelandic horses at Léttleiki Icelandics at Swallowland Farm.
• Tour West Meadow Farm and meet the thoroughbred horses.
• Take a virtual tour and meet Elijah P Marrs with the Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience.
• Explore downtown shops, boutiques, galleries, and dining.

Dining in Shelby County

• Using ingredients grown on their farm, The Farm Kitchen serves the freshest home-style, country cooking.
• Start the day with a hearty breakfast at The Paddock.
• Dos Mundos fuses Peruvian and Asian dishes.
• Bell House Restaurant offers Southern cuisine with an Italian twist.

Where to Stay in Shelby County

Candlewood Suites provides suites with full kitchens and total comfort.

 

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