With the heavy overnight rain, the record drought was broken. We left Frankfort under an overcast sky and drove through some amazing scenic roads in the Kentucky countryside. The roads were lined with old trees and well maintained fences, cattle or horses roaming the large fields – we drove slowly taking it all in.
We stopped briefly at Woodford Reserve Distillery and looked around but didn’t take the tour. We were keeping an eye on the time to be in historic Bardstown for lunch at the Old Talbot Tavern. It was well worth it.
The Old Talbott was built in 1779 and has been called the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. It also houses the oldest Bourbon bar in the world.
It was a haven of hospitality to those sturdy pioneers who carved an empire out of the threatening wilderness. From its simple, rough beginnings the tavern mellowed with the years, typifying the gracious living in the Old South.
The thick Flemish bond stone walls, the deep window casings, heavy ceiling timbers and built-in-cupboards strongly remind one of the Warwickshire Inns in England. The cooking was done in two fireplaces in the rear of the original section. Traces remain of the staircase to the loft where men were housed in one room of two rooms, and women in the other. The practice of giving individual rooms to guests was not introduced into the United States until about 1805.
The Tavern is located at the crossroads of the young west, where the Post roads, North, East, South, and West met, caused every stagecoach to stop at its door. Here the grateful passenger found cheer and warmth, while horses were changed for the long trip ahead.
After lunch, we made a brief stop at the Whisky Museum, then headed to Makers Mark Distillery. Having tried many bourbons over the past two decades, this is my bourbon of choice. What an amazing tour.
We left with a few bottles of Makers Mark and drove south to boondock for the night at The Columbia Walmart.
The cool 12oC evening and red sunset reflecting off windows – a perfect end to the day.