Distillers want free samples allowed

The Kentucky Distillers' Association is urging Gov. Steve Beshear to include a measure to allow free samples of bourbon to be served at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on the agenda of a special legislative session.

If it does not become law, the state's bourbon industry will withdraw its $100,000 support of an exhibit at the Games scheduled for Sept. 25 through Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Fayette County.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/05/12/1261 ... z0njQSZIWs

Brad-
There loads of laws and regulations that I'd like to have changed, but since I don't have $100 BIG laying around to blackmail the gubmint with, I suppose I'll just have to learn to live with them.
Cheers,
Bill

Good old boy politics at its best! Threatening to not spend money to get a law changed, maybe they ought to also include a couple of bottles for each legislator who votes for the measure! Of course they are not asking for the lot to be changed permanently so they could give out samples during tours, they still want that restriction to save themselves money.

Good old boy politics at its best! Threatening to not spend money to get a law changed, maybe they ought to also include a couple of bottles for each legislator who votes for the measure! Of course they are not asking for the lot to be changed permanently so they could give out samples during tours, they still want that restriction to save themselves money.

They do give out samples during tours.

Lots and lots of samples. That law was changed years ago.

Good old boy politics at its best! Threatening to not spend money to get a law changed, maybe they ought to also include a couple of bottles for each legislator who votes for the measure! Of course they are not asking for the lot to be changed permanently so they could give out samples during tours, they still want that restriction to save themselves money.

They do give out samples during tours.

Lots and lots of samples. That law was changed years ago.

Which ones? I know Woodford gives 1 sample at the end of the tour, and claims to not give more because of the law.

Last fall, we spent the weekend doing the Frankfort end of the Bourbon Trail for a friend's 50th birthday. We were able to sample several bourbons and white dog at Buffalo Trace, Four Roses (including some of their export only product) and Woodford. However we couldn't sample at Wild Turkey due to their visitor center setup. Something about needing separate rooms and some other arcane rules. They did have a nice bourbon bread pudding to sample.

A cool thing at the Buffalo Trace gift shop - they sell the used bourbon barrel staves and char for grilling. The bag continues to weep bourbon even 6 months later and it adds an interesting touch to grilled meats.

Good old boy politics at its best! Threatening to not spend money to get a law changed, maybe they ought to also include a couple of bottles for each legislator who votes for the measure! Of course they are not asking for the lot to be changed permanently so they could give out samples during tours, they still want that restriction to save themselves money.

They do give out samples during tours.

Lots and lots of samples. That law was changed years ago.

Which ones? I know Woodford gives 1 sample at the end of the tour, and claims to not give more because of the law.

Woodford only gives one sample cause they only produce on product.

Buffalo Trace gives 2 (name sake and Eagle Rare also white dog off the still if you take the hard hat tour), Marker's gives 2 (white dog & maker's, they also let me try the mint julip last time I went), Four Roses gives 3 (yellow label, single barrel and small batch), Heaven Hill gave us 2, Beam 2, Tom Moore only 1 and as mentioned Turkey doesn't do tastings.

They are limited to an amount they give, not a number. I think it's a total of 1oz. Not 100% sure about that.

Let me just add... go on a weekday when it's slow and good things happen. Just Saying.

Which ones? I know Woodford gives 1 sample at the end of the tour, and claims to not give more because of the law.

Woodford only gives one sample cause they only produce on product.

Buffalo Trace gives 2 (name sake and Eagle Rare also white dog off the still if you take the hard hat tour), Marker's gives 2 (white dog & maker's, they also let me try the mint julip last time I went), Four Roses gives 3 (yellow label, single barrel and small batch), Heaven Hill gave us 2, Beam 2, Tom Moore only 1 and as mentioned Turkey doesn't do tastings.

They are limited to an amount they give, not a number. I think it's a total of 1oz. Not 100% sure about that.

Let me just add... go on a weekday when it's slow and good things happen. Just Saying.

Good point, Chris. Let's just say I tried very hard to convince Woodford that the one sample wasn't enough for me to fully taste the nuances of their product. It didn't work.

Looks like the Four Roses tour is a good one.

This makes me think of last fall when I ran in the Bourbon Chase overnight relay race. All the major distillers set up in downtown Lexington at triangle park, and those that completed the race were allowed to enter a roped off area. Unlimited, free bourbon tastings from 6 or 8 different distilleries. Nothing like unlimited neat bourbon after running 20+ miles over 36 hours without any sleep.

The Four Roses tour is excellent, but they do a summer shutdown and during it the tour is shortened (still a full tasting) so check before going.

I went to the Bourbon Festival Preview in Bardstown a few weeks ago. I was under the impression that you got one sampling in a keepsake glass from each distillery, plus all you can eat food from local restaurants.

Not a bad deal for $40 I thought.

Turned out it was all the samplings you can handle from each distillery, each in a keep sake glass (some distilleries ran out of glasses) plus all you can eat food from local restaurants. Each distiller also had a batch of a "signature" cocktail to try and Maker's was giving samples of the new Maker's 46 coming out this summer.

STELLAR deal for $40 if I might say so. I certainly had a good time.

They are doing another one in Frankfort on June 13th I think. It is $55 for that one but they are giving away an elk tag to one "lucky" attendee. If you're into that sort of thing.

Still free drinks and free food.

The Frankfort bourbon sampler at the Salato Wildlife Center is fabulous. I've attended the last 3 years with our tailgating crowd and have more bourbon glasses than I know what to do with. The wildlife center is very cool to tour around and there is music and food samples from local restaurants. The best food is the catfish and barbecue that the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife cooks up out back by the nature trail. Many of the master distillers are there to talk about their product and will sign your distillery glass for a keepsake. There is also a silent auction with lots of ditillery merchandise and bottles. It is a great deal for $55 and a fundraiser for the Salato Center. June 12, 6:30-9pm.

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