I’ve covered a lot of bourbon ground this year. I’ve met a lot of great people within the bourbon community and made a lot of awesome friends in the process. I decided to round out 2014 with a top ten list of my favorite stories along with an explanation of why I liked writing it. These probably won’t all be the highest read stories, but they are the ones that I had the most fun doing and/or learned the most from. So in no particular order, here are my top ten (or more) favorite bourbon stories of 2014:
1. The four part series I did early in the year on becoming a Citizen Bourbon Ambassador was as much a learning experience for me as it was a call to action for the bourbon loving citizens of Louisville. The more I dug into the bourbon culture, the more I knew I had to spread the word. We have something pretty awesome here and I’m happy I get to help spread the word about it. Click here for Part 1 [4], Part 2 [5], Part 3 [6], and Part 4 [7].
2. I get to go to a lot of awesome events so I can tell you all about them. I’ve met Jimmy Russell at the Legends Series at The Kentucky Derby Museum [8], I was invited to attend the first annual Knob Creek Campout [9] where I met bourbon enthusiasts from over a dozen different states, I met both Jonathan Drew of my favorite cigar company, Drew Estate and Kyle Henderson from Angel’s Envy at Match Cigar Bar [10], I attended all three of The Whisky Chicks’ Kentucky Sampler [11] events, and I got to hang out with Tom Fischer at Bourbons Bistro for Five Whiskeys Worth Stealing [12].
3. I got to be part of the media camp for the 2014 Bourbon Classic, which is waaay more awesome than it sounds. The Bourbon Classic [13] itself was amazing, and I sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many great people from the bourbon community.
4. I recently was invited to tour Maker’s Mark Distillery [14] and see all the renovations that are underway there. It has changed remarkably since the last time I was there, and I especially enjoyed finally seeing the Dale Chihuly installation in the rick house. I also had a wonderful time at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience [15] over the summer when it was still fairly new. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is a great bourbon tourism asset to Louisville and I enjoy it more every time I go.
5. I finally managed to show up for and graduate from the Filson Bourbon Academy [16]. This all-day course is held twice a year and is a great overview of the history of bourbon in Kentucky. I highly recommend attending the spring session if you haven’t yet.
6. People often ask me to recommend a bourbon [17], but the more I learn about bourbon the less I find that I know. I’m happy to share my knowledge, but know that it comes with a lot of caveats. I’m glad I’m able to share my thoughts with a wider audience.
7. I love making lists. Whether it’s Ten Ways Louisville Has Shaped Bourbon And Bourbon Has Shaped Louisville [18], Ten Reasons Louisville is Great for Bourbon Lovers [19], or ten ways Louisville is for Learning About Bourbon [20], I love putting together those lists to remind y’all what a great thing we have going here any time of the year. We even have such a robust bourbon culture that I can recommend the Top Ten Gifts for Bourbon Enthusiasts [21] and Top Ten Bourbon Books for your Summer Reading List [22].
8. A lot of the time, though, I’m the one getting educated. I seize any and every opportunity I can to learn, like Touring Cave Hill’s Bourbon History [23] with Michael Veach and learning about bourbon history at Haymarket Whiskey Bar [24].
9. Sometimes I get to be the expert and talk to people on a national level, as I did when I was interviewed for NPR’s All Things Considered [25]. Then of course I bury that fact in my own recounting of the story Pappygate Update [26].
10. Then I get to end the year by telling everyone about the great bourbon tourism options for their out-of-town guests [27].
It takes a lot of hard work to bring these stories to you, but I really enjoy doing it. Thank you for reading. I hope to continue to bring you new and exciting bourbon stories into 2015. If you have any suggestions, tweet me @LouGirl502 [28]. Here’s wishing all my bourbon friends a safe and happy new year!
Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl