Louisville Celebrates Bourbon Heritage Month

LOUISVILLE, Ky. –Bourbon Heritage Month is an ideal time to celebrate America's only native spirit in the heart of the region where 95% of the special whiskey is made – Kentucky. Special dinners and events are being held throughout Bourbon Country, including the Kentucky Bourbon Festival later this month in Bardstown, KY. Here are some ways to celebrate in Louisville:

1. VISIT – Louisville now has three distilleries open for public tour (and growing!). Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is open daily on Main Street, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience is open at the former Stitzel-Weller Distillery and craft producers Peerless Distillery joined Whiskey Row this summer.

2. EXPERIENCE - Check out the Kentucky Bluegrass & Bourbon Experience from September 4-6 at the Water Tower. Go hands on with a whiskey tasting event at an area liquor store. Taste Fine Wine & Bourbons in Nulu has a tasting bar. Westport Whiskey & Wine has special classes and events.

3. EAT - Breakfast, lunch or dinner can be enjoyed with bourbon. From the President's Breakfast at Dish on Market to treats like the Bourbon Ball Ice cream at Comfy Cow, ideas abound at www.culinarylouisville.com along with a list of bourbon dinners.

4. LEARN – Time for school - bourbon school that is. Enroll in the Filson Bourbon Academy at www.filsonhistorical.org or take a whiskey class at www.moonshineuniversity.com.

5. DRESS – Wear it! Pick up a “Just Add Bourbon” t-shirt at Liquor Barn locations or the Louisville Visitors Center at Fourth & Jefferson Sts at a 25% discount this month.

6. READ – Carmichael's is carrying these new bourbon books by local authors and hosting signing parties. Check out Fred Minnick's Bourbon Curious, The Bourbon Tasting Notebook by Susan Reigler & Michael Veach and the Bar Belle Sara Haven's Volume 11.

7. JOIN – Enlist in one of the growing clubs for enthusiasts. www.bourbonwomen.org, www.bourbonbrotherhood.com, www.thebourbonsociety.net, www.whiskychicks.com.

8. FOLLOW – Join the conversation and become a fan of Just Add Bourbon on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. @BourbonCountry

9. SHOP – From bourbon socks at Regalo and “I'd rather be drinking Bourbon” mugs at Stoneware to Moss Hill Bourbon lotion, Art Eatables Chocolates and Bourbon Barrel Foods new retail store on Frankfort Avenue.

10. DRINK – Ok the obvious, but do it on the Urban Bourbon Trail and get the T-shirt! There are currently 34 stops from downtown and Nulu to Frankfort Ave, Bardstown Rd and the East End.