This was such a fun experience. The forest is very beautiful. It was a little on the hot side today but there are plenty of places to sit and rest or stop in the shade. Seeing the forest giants was definitely the best part. Parking wasn’t hard to find and we went in the middle of the day on a Saturday. It wasn’t crowded and you got to spend as much time with the giants that you wanted without feeling rushed.

Last weekend I did the Beam Made Bourbon Distillery Tour & Tasting in Clermont, Kentucky, and it was one of the best distillery experiences I’ve had on the Bourbon Trail. The tour covered multiple buildings and gave a detailed look at the entire bourbon-making process—from grain to bottle. It was informative without feeling too technical, and our guide did a great job balancing history, process, and storytelling. There’s a strong sense of legacy here, with plenty of insight into the Beam and Noe family history and their role in shaping American bourbon. We tasted a variety of bourbons during the guided tasting, including Jim Beam, Basil Hayden, and Knob Creek. The Knob Creek tasting stood out, and it was cool to see their bottling line in action. After the official tour wrapped up, we headed to the tasting room where you can purchase additional pours from a bartender. I tried a few of the flavored varieties and really liked the Fire—definitely a fun, easy-drinking option with a bit of spice. The facilities were clean, well-designed, and easy to navigate. Everything felt very polished but still authentic. We had considered eating at the on-site restaurant, The Kitchen Table, but it closes at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and our tour finished just after that—worth planning around if you’re visiting on the weekend. Overall, the Beam Made experience was a great mix of education, history, and hands-on tasting. Highly recommended whether you’re just starting to explore bourbon or already a fan of the Beam lineup.

Food was really good. We shared the pulled pork empanadas and burnt ends pizza. The crust is made with the same yeast used to make the bourbon. Very tasty! 😋 Drinks were not watered down and priced reasonably for the higher end food they serve. The south by southeast was very tasty. Compared to the bourbon breeze which was a bit salty for my taste. Husband had a “we are the proof” bartender’s choice drink. Old fashioned with distillers beer mash. Fun and unique flavors. Waitress was nice. She wanted to get you food and drinks quickly but was not upset with us asking to look at the menu for a minute. Don’t forget to stop by and have a sit with Mr. Noe and Dot.