I had the most exciting dinning experience I've had in many a day last evening at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort.
My wife and I along with two other couples were treated to a private tour of the distillery by Buffalo Trace President Mark Brown. We got a chance to see anything and everything....this place is gorgeous. The 200+ acres are right on the Kentucky River in a "park-like" setting. The old buildings are largely from the 1880s although one dates from the late 1700s. We saw the fermenting process, the distillation process, warehousing, and bottling facility. Mark Brown was a fabulous host and answered each and every one of our questions.
After a couple hours touring the premesis we were treated to an outstanding meal provided by Dupree Catering out of Lexington. Preceeded of course by a large bourbon tasting including....Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Sazerack Rye, and a lush Vodka made on site. Some barrel samples were to be had as well.
Dinner started with appetizers along with the bourbon. Then on to the private dining room in a log cabin with cream of asparagus soup topped with cucumber, cream freche, and pancetta. Next a salad with goat cheese and pecans with some bitter greens. Main dish was a large bone-in veal chop topped with a saute of wild mushooms and a potato-celery root gratan. A chardonay with the soup course and cabernet with the chop were selected by the chef and really complemented the food. Desert included a fresh strawberry tort and bourbon balls and coffee. Then...to top it off we had another round of single barrel borbons and cigars in their billiard room. Mark Brown was a delightfull host throughout the evening. Their PR manger Amy was along for dinner as was Elmer, an 88 year-old Kentucky gentleman who began making bourbon at this distillery in 1949. Elmer is now "retired" and only works 5 days a week.
Tours of this facility are available and they have a really nice gift-shop and museum on site as well.
This dinner had been "in-the-works" for over a year and was arranged as part of an auction to support Kentucky Country Day School here in Louisville. I'm indebted to Mark Brown for spending a wonderfull evening with us that included a 4-star meal! (Dupree Cattering did us right) I've always been scotch drinker, but after last night I will definately pay attention to the world-class spirits made right here in my own backyard! Now I do need a couple tylenol.