Visiting distilleries on the bourbon trail is much like a wine tasting trip in Napa or the Willamette Valley (our favorite). While we enjoy the product, we really enjoy the scenery, the distilleries, and meeting new people. So we set out for another day.
First stop, Yellowstone/Limestone Branch.
In 1872, Yellowstone was the name given to a brand of bourbon produced by the J.B. Dant Distillery. J.B. Dant teamed up with D.H. Taylor and J.T. Williams to found the Yellowstone Distillery and its brand named after the National Park sometime in the 1880s.
In 1944, the distillery was purchased by Glenmore Distillery and operated under that name for several decades. By the 1960s, Yellowstone was the largest selling brand in Kentucky. In 1991 the distillery was sold and then in 1993, the brand was sold to Heaven Hill and the distillery was sold again a few years later. I've lost track of how many times the distillery changed hands.
In 2010, Paul and Steve Beam, descendants of J.W. Dant and the Beam family, founded the Limestone Branch Distillery. And that's where we stand today, although the distillery is called Limestone Branch the brand of Yellowstone bourbon still remains. You may have seen it featured in the 2022 movie Father Stu.
They had a 'family tree' display on the wall and it was amazing to see so many Beams listed. The Beam whiskey family tree is hundreds of years old with deep roots around the state of Kentucky with product that has traveled all over the world. The roots of the tree are deep and the tradition of making bourbon whiskey goes back centuries.
In 2015, Yellowstone Limited Edition celebrated the 105th anniversary of Steve Beam's great grandfather, Minor Case Beam, selling his Old Trump Distillery to J.B. Dant, a pioneer distiller and relative from his mother's side.
There were some interesting bottles on display.
And then it was time for a tasting. Since we were the only people there, we spent a lot of time talking with the guy pouring.
Yes, we bought a bottle
Next stop, Log Still.
There was something going on as there were ticket booths set up and lots of activity. Turns out, they were having a concert that night featuring Chase Matthew. We'd never heard of him but since we were there, we've seen and heard him quite a few times.
Into the tasting room where we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
They also had interesting bottles on display.
And then up to the bar.
So much to choose from
Let's taste!
Notice two of the bottles are "Monk's Road" in honor of the Gethsemani Abbey
Somehow it came up that if we liked fudge (who doesn't?) we should stop at the Abbey down the street for some bourbon fudge. On our way!
The Abbey of our Lady of Gethsemani is a Catholic monastery and is part of the Order of Cisterclans of the Strict Observance, better known as the Trappists. Founded in 1848 and raised to an abbey in 1851, Gethsemani is considered to be the 'motherhouse' of all Trappist and Trappistine monasteries in the United States and is the oldest Trappist monastery in the country that is still operating.
Following the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Trappist monks live in a contemplative life of faithful prayer and work. The monastery is situated on a working farm of 2,000 acres. The monks support themselves and the abbey through its store, Gethsemani Farms, offering handmade fruitcake and bourbon fudge (also available by mail order).
Ron's been reading a book about the Kennedy assassination (JFK and the Unspeakable, by James W. Douglass) which RFK Jr. recently recommended as one of the most factual accounts of his uncle's assassination. The book discusses Thomas Merton, who was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar of comparative religion. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood and given the name "Father Louis" on May 26, 1949. He lived at the abbey from 1941 until his death in 1968.
Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spiritualty, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as many essays and reviews. Among his most enduring works is his best selling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain. His account of his spiritual journey inspired many World War II veterans, students, and teenagers to explore offerings of monasteries across America. It is on National Review's list of the 100 best nonfiction books of the century.
We stopped at the cemetery.
Unfortunately, we had no idea then that Thomas Merton was buried there. Can't believe we missed seeing him but, thankfully, it's not too hard to find a photo these days.
"Fr. Louis Merton, Died Dec. 10, 1968"
photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Yes, we bought some fudge and yes, it was good!
No comments:
Post a Comment