Heaven Hill Springs Distillery Groundbreaking
Heaven Hill’s new Bardstown distillery pays tribute to the company’s history and promises innovation.
Earlier today, Heaven Hill Distillery President Max Shapira led a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction on the new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown. The event, which included remarks by Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, paid tribute to Heaven Hill’s rich history while looking toward an innovative and ecologically-sound future. The new distillery is slated to open in 2024.
Governor Beshear jokingly said of the $135 million facility, “I’m pretty certain it is the Hogwarts of Bourbon.” Heaven Hill Springs Distillery has been engineered to minimize water use to below industry benchmarks and reuse certain water streams. The site will use native plants and natural systems to manage stormwater runoff and improve habitat on the property. The distillery will include a wastewater pretreatment system to ensure discharged water exceeds environmental standards and greatly reduces the load on the city’s treatment plant. Heaven Hill also will plan to utilize energy creation and recovery, lessening the distillery’s demand on the city’s electrical grid.
The distillery’s name is a nod to the Shapira family-owned company’s original facility, Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. This facility was founded in Bardstown by the five Shapira brothers (one of whom, Ed, was the father of Max Shapira) in 1935; the first barrel was filled on Friday, December 13th of that year.
Modern bourbon lovers will, of course, recall that Old Heaven Hill Springs distillery was destroyed by fire in 1996. After the fire, Heaven Hill moved distilling to the historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, while retaining bottling and aging processes in Bardstown. The new distillery will add at minimum 38 jobs to the 381 people already working in Heaven Hill’s bottling, aging and tourism roles in Bardstown alone. Max Shapira noted that the addition of a second Heaven Hill distillery indicates a belief in the long-term economic growth potential for bourbon. “I don’t have to state it, but we are bullish on bourbon,” Shapira proclaimed to a crowd that included state and local politicians, tourism industry workers and media. “Not just in the short- or medium- term, but we are bullish for the long-term market.” Shapira went on to recognize event attendees who were Heaven Hill employees at the time of the 1996 fire.
Cheers to Heaven Hill for recognizing their rich history while planning for a dynamic future!
Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta and Almond Butter Devils on Horseback
I’ve teamed up with Barney Butter almond butter and Julian’s Recipe baguettes to celebrate National Brunch Month. Did you know that, although the concept of brunch was popularized in 1980s restaurants, the term “brunch” is believed to have been coined in 1895? I was on WKYT’s Everyday Kentucky this morning to talk about brunch and share a couple of great recipes! You can watch my interview here.
Here are a couple of great recipes for your next brunch. Strawberry goat cheese bruschetta on Julian’s Recipe Truffle Butter Baguette is so easy and adds such a fantastic mix of flavors! Barney’s Butter Almond Butter Devils on Horseback are a quick, tasty, and addictive addition to any brunch.
Julian’s Recipe Strawberry Bruschetta:
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced thyme
1 teaspoon minced rosemary
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ pound goat cheese
2 cups chopped strawberries
2 cups of arugula or spinach
1 Julian’s recipe Truffle Butter Baguette
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Place bread on ungreased baking sheets; brush with oil mixture.
Broil 3-4 in. from the heat until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes. Spread with goat cheese. Broil until the cheese begins to melt, 2-3 minutes longer.
In a small bowl, combine strawberries and arugula. Layer over cheese. Enjoy!
Barney Butter’s Almond Butter Devils on Horseback
Ingredients:
12 Medjool dates (pits removed)
1/4-1/2 cup Barney Butter crunchy almond butter
4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
1 tbsp balsamic reduction
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Make a single cut lengthwise down each of the dates, taking care to only cut through one layer, not all the way through.
Squeeze the date from the ends to open it up and, using a teaspoon, fill it with almond butter. Repeat with the rest of the dates.
Wrap the filled dates in half a piece of prosciutto and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the prosciutto is crispy. Place on a serving tray and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Serve warm and enjoy!
Whiskey Wednesday: Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve Whiskey
A new whiskey label that honors Lexington’s bourbon history.
There’s nothing I love more than a deep dive into Kentucky — and whiskey — history, and RD1 Spirits Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve whiskey provides just that.
The original William Tarr was a Kentuckian and entrepreneur who was born in 1824 in Paris, Kentucky. He is said to have begun selling watermelons from his family’s farm while still in high school. After a few business endeavors — including stints in land speculation and at another whiskey venture, Tarr was at one point described as “one of the money kings of the Blue Grass.” He purchased the Ashland Distillery, which had the distinction of receiving the first federal distilling license, RD1, on Manchester Street in Lexington in the 1870s.
I love how the RD1 Spirits company pays homage to an early distiller through this product’s branding. I also love the fact that UK Football Coach Mark Stoops is a minority investor. If you love Lexington history, there are so many “Easter eggs” in the Old Wm. Tarr branding!
Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve is a blended whiskey — 8-year rye and 7-year bourbon — that pays tribute to Tart’s legacy. A 114 proof juice, it provides the spice of a rye and the caramel notes of a bourbon.
RD1 graciously sent me a review bottle of Old Wm. Tarr, along with a stunning Lexington Silver barrel beaker. This cup pays homage to Asa Blanchard, an 18th century Lexington silversmith often called the “Paul Revere of the South.” Blanchard’s original design mimics the lines of a whiskey barrel. It’s a perfect pairing for anyone who loves good whiskey and Kentucky history!
Cheers, y’all!
Booze News: Maker's Mark Keeneland Bottle
The 2022 Maker’s Mark Keeneland commemorative bottles are here!
This year's gorgeous collectable bottles feature one of three distinct label designs depicting scenes of Thoroughbred racing. The bottles feature the work of artists Sandra Oppegard, Andre Pater or Tyler Robertson. This year’s bottles will benefit Horse Mania, the public art initiative of LexArts, greater Lexington’s premier cultural development, advocacy and fundraising organization.
Each bottle is signed by the artist who created the design, along with Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin, Maker’s Mark Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels and one of three of the winningest female riders in Keeneland history: Julie Krone, Rosie Napravnik and Donna Barton Brothers.
“Keeneland is committed to supporting public art exhibits like Horse Mania, which have coincided with some of the major equestrian events at the racetrack and in our community and celebrate the vibrant cultural importance of our sport to the Commonwealth and the international stage,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said in a press release issued today. “We are excited to continue our longstanding collaboration with Maker’s Mark in support of LexArts.”
“At Maker’s Mark, we share LexArts’ commitment to celebrating and encouraging public art, such as those at our distillery in Loretto,” said Eighth Generation Whisky Maker & Managing Director Rob Samuels via press release. “I’m proud our long partnership with Keeneland allows us to support the popular Horse Mania in such a meaningful way.”
The three bottles will go on sale Friday, April 8, opening day of Keeneland’s 2022 Spring Meet. Bottles will be available at Lexington-area Liquor Barn Stores.
(Photos courtesy Maker’s Mark)
2022 Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection
Vineyard Vines celebrates the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.
The 2022 Kentucky Derby Collection from Vineyard Vines is here. I love collecting these pieces to wear throughout Derby Season. The folks at Vineyard Vines always find the most adorable ways to celebrate Derby, and this year’s designs are so fun!
Women’s Tees
Check out the Women’s Rose Whale Long-Sleeved Tee and Women’s Whale Horseshoe Short-Sleeved Tee.
Men’s Tees
Y’all, I absolutely love the cut of a VV men’s tee. I wear the long-sleeved tees year-round, and this year’s Derby styles are fabulous. My favorites are the Men’s Derby Whale Horseshoe Long-Sleeved Tee, Men’s Bow Ties, Bourbon & Betting Tee, Men’s Derby Whale Tee, and the Men’s Derby Whale Fill Tee.
Accessories
The Vineyard Vines Derby accessories are always a must-see. My favorites this year are this Derby Tie and this gorgeous Fascinator by Louisville’s Forme Millinery.
Happy Derby Season, y’all!
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My favorites from the 2022 Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale!
Favorite styles from the 2022 Lilly Pulitzer sale!
This post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission from any purchases made using the links in this post, at no cost to you!
Hey y’all! The January 2022 Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale is under way. It’s today-only, so I wanted to give you a quick rundown of a few of my favorite pieces!
I absolutely love the Skipper popover; it’s such an easy way to elevate a sweatshirt! The iconic Let’s Get Together print — which depicts friends of all races — is on sale now!
The Rumi Sweatshirt is so cute. The “Joy” Print is fantastic for Christmas, and I adore the “Love” print for Valentine’s Day!
The Elsa Top is my go-to for so many occasions, from meetings to dinner to errands. It’s literally the most wearable silk top I’ve ever seen!
Happy Shopping, y’all!
Bluegrass Hemp Oil for the Holidays
Kentucky-made CBD products bring comfort to your holiday season!
Disclaimer: I was provided the featured BHO products in exchange for an honest review. These are products I do love and purchase frequently. As always, thank you to the brands that keep HerKentucky going!
Hey y’all! I’ve teamed up with Bluegrass Hemp Oil to share some of the ways that their CBD products can help make the holidays more comfortable for everyone in your family! Use code HERKY10 for 10% off your online order!
I first learned about Bluegrass Hemp Oil a few years ago, when I had a CBD oil massage at Griffin Gate Spa. After seeing very dramatic results of how high-quality hemp oil could reduce inflammation around my cervical disc injury, I was sold on the healing properties of CBD! I love that Bluegrass Hemp Oil is a local company, and one that is committed to the highest standards of quality.
Bluegrass Hemp Oil is a pioneer in Kentucky’s hemp business. Founded in 2014 by a family seeking relief for their young son’s seizure disorder, they follow the highest standards for hemp cultivation, extraction, and manufacturing. I’ve had the opportunity to try several of their products over the past couple of years, and I have to say that I am a huge fan.
BHO products alleviate inflammation, reduce anxiety, and promote a general feeling of well-being. I keep their Hush Roller on hand at all times — in my purse, my nightstand, and my desk — to stop headaches immediately. They make the best stocking stuffers! I also love the Unruffled Dog Treats for my dogs — they help ease inflammation in achy joints, and lessen the severity of anxiety from holiday travel, fireworks, or other unexpected circumstances. My dogs love the flavors of these treats, and I love the benefits they provide! Use code HERKY10 to receive 10% off your online purchase of Bluegrass Hemp Oil products; I hope they’ll bring even more comfort to your holidays!
