Two buffet tables were set with piles of freshly baked biscuits ready to be doused in sweet sorghum and creamy, spicy sausage gravy; on either side sat dishes of fluffy egg casserole, colorful fruit salad and pots of fresh coffee. Out the back windows, green hills rolled up through Bourbon country—the air thick with the distinct, heady aroma of distilling corn spirits mingled with the scent of fresh, almost-summer bluegrass. The wall opposite to these windows was lined top-to-bottom with amber-colored bottles of Woodford Reserve.
This is basically every Kentuckian’s dream breakfast, right?
Well, thanks to the Lambert and Lindsey Woodford Reserve Spring Breakfast, the day of quintessentially Kentucky fun didn’t stop there.
This annual event, organized by Lindsey Adventures and hosted by Linda Lambert, George Lindsey and Jesse Rasmussen of 102.3 The Max, started on April 24 with two busloads of people arriving at Woodford Reserve Distillery for the aforementioned buffet breakfast with the live radio-broadcast of the Lambert and Lindsey Morning Show as background entertainment.
Groups of about 25 then broke for an hour-long guided Bourbon Discovery Tour of the Versailles, Kentucky distillery, with a complete look at the bourbon-making process— from fermentation to barreling to bottling.
Not to mention a visit to the tasting room.
Following breakfast (and bourbon), we were shuttled to Old Friends Horse Farm in Georgetown. Old Friends began as a retirement and rescue facility for pensioned Thoroughbreds. Founder and President of Old Friends, Michael Blowen, was inspired to start the facility after hearing the shocking news of the slaughter of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand.
“We knew such a death must never happen again. And so the plan became to bring at risk racehorses--those whose racing and breeding careers had come to an end to Old Friends, provide them with the dignified retirement they deserve, and open the space to the public,” Blowen said. “By promoting these one-time celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we realized we could draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need.”
Our groups broke off again, this time with carrots-in-hand, and canvassed the farm, getting to feed and interact with a variety of horses— from Clever Allemont, winner of the Rebel and Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, to Little Silver Charm, Blowen’s miniature horse.
Once visitors had spent ample time up-close with these horses, it was time to board the buses again—this time to Keeneland for an afternoon of horse racing, betting, and surprisingly good barbeque (seriously, the concession stand barbeque pork nachos— tortilla chips, cheese sauce, pulled pork, coleslaw, and jalapenos—were absolutely the perfect snack.)
I ended the day $10 richer (go Charming Kitten!), my stomach full of Kentucky comfort food, and a renewed appreciation of the distinct joys my state has to offer—all within driving distance of Louisville. This event is definitely not one to be missed!
For more information on this and other Lindsey Adventures, visit www.lindseyadventures.com .
Photography courtesy of Lindsey Adventures and Old Friends Horse Farm
