The HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville: Evan Williams Speakeasy Experience
The Evan Williams Speakeasy Experience transports visitors to Prohibition-Era Louisville.
Welcome to the first installment of the HerKentucky Guide to Speakeasy Louisville! On Thursdays throughout the fall, we'll travel back to the Jazz Age in the Derby City, when the nation's Prohibition laws didn't quench the collective thirst for Kentucky Bourbon. We'll channel our inner Daisy Buchanans and dance the Charleston at Louisville's finest establishments. And, of course, we'll take a sip or two of the native drink that kept the city's spirits high. Today, we'll visit the Speakeasy at Evan Williams Distillery.
The Evan Williams Experience, in the heart of Downtown Louisville's Whiskey Row, is unlike any other distillery tour you'll ever visit. Of course, you get the nuts and bolts of whiskey-making, as you do on other tours, but you also hear a lot about the label's history. That's only natural, since Evan Williams himself -- the Welsh politician, businessman, and distiller -- was Kentucky's first commercial distiller.
In keeping with the historical focus, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience recently added a Speakeasy Experience tour, which transports visitors back to the days when the dreaded Volstead Act drove liquor sales underground.
Bourbon Historian Rick Bell portrays a Roaring Twenties Barkeep in a charming period lecture that immerses the visitor into the days when alcohol production and consumption ceased in American. Well, officially ceased in America.
The half-hour tour runs Friday-Sunday at the Evan Williams Distillery, 528 W. Main Street in Louisville. The $12 admission fee includes three shots of bourbon -- one is the ultra-premium 23 year-old, which retails for over $400 per bottle. For fans of good bourbon and the era of flappers and philosophers, it's a can't miss event!
Delicious Ways to Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month
September is Bourbon Heritage Month, which is very, very exciting... for all of you NOT pregnant. However, I AM pregnant and I am NOT excited about my beloved bourbon being forbidden for the next several months.
Not to be deterred, I thought I would offer up some delicious ways to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month that don't involve actually drinking bourbon.
Sure, this recipe comes from Hummingbird High, a lovely blogger who is actually from Portland, Oregon. However, I feel she can be trusted because this cake looks delicious. I also feel that someone should make this cake and deliver it to my house ASAP.
Bourbon Pecan Pumpkin Cheesecake
The first day of fall is September 23rd. That means fall is officially close enough for all of us (or me) to start gorging ourselves on all things pumpkin, including this delicious cheesecake by Kitchenette.
Bourbon Maple Bacon and Pecan Cookies
These cookies from Heather Christo have bourbon and bacon and a cup of butter. What more do you people need to know?
If I can't get tipsy, at least my cake should be able to! Plus, chocolate and bourbon is a winning combination every time. Not to mention, Better Homes & Gardens knows their stuff when it comes to baking.
Bourbon Pecan Pie Chocolate Donuts
You know what? Sometimes you need to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month first thing in the morning. Luckily, The Noshery has you covered with this delicious mix up of bourbon pecan pie and donuts!
Happy celebrating! Don't forget to make two of each and send one to me!
~ Sarah Stewart Holland of bluegrass redhead
Angel's Envy #AE4THETREES
Angel's Envy and The Arbor Day Foundation are celebrating Boubon Heritage Month with a social media-based sustainability initiative.
September is Bourbon Heritage Month. Here in Kentucky, we take our local spirits -- and the fascinating industry and culture that have grown up around them -- quite seriously.
I was recently on a distillery tour and, as I listened to the guide describe the basics of bourbon-making -- the mash bill must be at least 51% corn, the product is stored in new, charred oak barrels for at least 4 years, etc., etc. -- I thought about how these facts are just something you learn by being a Kentuckian. Even if you don't choose to imbibe, you wind up knowing a little bit about bourbon.
If you do choose to imbibe (or if you're interested in job creation here in the Bluegrass State), then you have to admit that the past few years have been a fascinating time for Kentucky bourbon. New labels have been introduced at a dizzying pace, while some old favorites have reached a cultish following. An interesting label that has popped up in the past few years is Angel's Envy. This rye-based bourbon aged in ruby port casks is proud of doing things a little differently...
I love their cheeky ad campaigns, devoted to mixing it up a little.
And, even more, I love Toast the Trees, the sustainability campaign they're undertaking this month.
Every time you post a photo to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #AE4THETREES, Angel's Envy and The Arbor Day Foundation will plant a white oak tree to replace a tree used for a bourbon barrel. What an awesome way to honor the distilling tradition while making a difference!
The next time you're out for a drink, order Angel's Envy and take a selfie that sustains future generations. Cheers!
Bourbon Mushroom Sauce
Want to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month without actually drinking bourbon? Try it in a meal!
What better way to celebrate Bourbon Heritage month than consuming some bourbon? Not a bourbon drinker? Yeah--me neither. I'd rather eat it! So I celebrated by making this spoon-licking good sauce for grilled steak and pork chops (I seriously licked the spoon--twice)!
This couldn't be easier if your significant other handles the grilling (The Hubby is the greatest!). If not, you can always sear the meat in the pan first, and then make the sauce!
Bourbon Mushroom Sauce
Makes 4 servings
2 tablespoons butter
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 onion (local), sliced
2 tablespoons KY bourbon
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat with the butter.
- Add in the mushrooms and the onions and sear (cook until golden brown on one side).
- Pour in the bourbon, chicken broth, and mustard.
- Turn heat to low and let simmer for 2 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Just before serving, pour over the steak.
Bottom's up! Or fork's up is more appropriate!
Jennifer is the chef behind the website, a girl eats world. Head over for more Kentucky Proud recipes!
HerKentucky Birthday Celebration: Shop Local KY T-Shirt Giveaway!
HerKentucky turns three on Friday, and we're celebrating with a week's worth of presents just for you!
Today, we're teaming up with Shop Local Kentucky to bring one lucky HerKentucky reader a gorgeous "Bluegrass" T-Shirt!
We love Shop Local Kentucky's mission -- encouraging Kentuckians to purchase right here in the Bluegrass State -- and we love their gorgeous products!
I mean, how gorgeous is this?
We have one Woman's size Large "Bluegrass" fitted t-shirt for one HerKentucky reader. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
HerKentucky Birthday Celebration: Sky Zone Lexington
It's HerKentucky's third birthday, and we have presents and fun for you!
Yesterday, we asked you to let us know which college basketball coach you love the most: Rick Pitino or John Calipari. The giveaways for each coach's book are still going on, so don't forget to enter those!
Today, we're taking you to Lexington for some family fun! The brand new Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park opens tomorrow, September 10th. Specializing in Active Fun, the creator of the world’s first indoor trampoline park has a variety of gravity defying activities that will get people of all ages jumping for joy.
Sky Zone’s wall-to-wall trampoline courts are designed to be fun for kids and grown-ups alike. Activities include Open Jump and Ultimate Dodgeball. SkyRobics classes will be added later this year.
“For all of those basketball-loving Kentuckians, there are three SkySlam Basketball Hoops. The hoops make it possible for everyone, regardless of height, to experience the thrill of dunking a ball,” added Sky Zone Lexington Operating Partner Chrissy Pannunzio.
The new Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is located at 3650 Boston Rd, Suite 134 in the Millpond Center. Operation hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. with Jumpalooza from 9 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with SkyJam from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. for ages 16 and up, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sky Zone has graciously offered a prize package for one lucky HerKentucky reader! Enter the Rafflecopter widget below to win two passes to Sky Zone Lexington and two t-shirts!
HerKentucky Birthday Celebration: Favorite Coaches Giveaway!
Who's your favorite college basketball coach?
HerKentucky turns three this week!
It's kind of crazy to think that a little idea about sharing Kentucky women's stories has turned into a lifestyle website with such awesome writers and readers! We are so thrilled that each of you take a few minutes out of your day to check out our photos, essays, and ideas. This week, we gathered a few birthday presents that are all about Kentucky life -- and we want to give them to you!
Today, we'll be talking about basketball. I know, I know: football season just started. But, here in the Bluegrass State, it's always basketball season; our minds are never too far from March Madness!
Of course, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is known for two great basketball coaches with aggressive coaching styles and big personalities. We want to hear which one is your favorite, and we want to give you a copy of your favorite coach's book!
So, let us know which coach is your favorite -- John Vincent Calipari or Richard Andrew Pitino -- and enter to win a copy of your favorite coach's book. We have one copy each of Bounce Back by Coach Cal and The One-Day Contract by Coach Pitino for lucky HerKentucky readers. Check back often for more birthday fun, and thanks, as always, for reading HerKentucky!