Doesn't Kentucky Make Bourbon or Something?

We left Springfield this morning around 9:30 and got into Bardstown KY and hour or so later. As we rode into town we saw some road signs pointing to some distilleries around the area. SWEET... I love bourbon. In the interest of saving some time and miles, we decided to forgo the Maker's Mark distillery and went to the Heaven Hill distillery. Negative Nancy (Rob) tried to dull my excitement by telling me that Heaven Hill was the lowest tier bourbon on the market and not to be so excited because it will be gross. I told him I was sure they made some nice single-barrels or something, as distillers don't just make rott-gut liquor. Master distillers like to drink the nice stuff too... Boy was I right. Heaven Hill is the home of Elijah Craig, and Evan Williams (who does an incredible single barrel bourbon...award winning actually) As we rolled onto the distillery grounds we were punched directly in the face with strong vanilla and bourbon scents I will never forget. The smell comes from the "angel's share" or the volatile alcohol released from the barrels during the aging process. We went on a guided tour, learned some things about bourbon and the aging process that I never knew, and got to sample the Evan Williams single barrel, which I've had 2 bottles of prior to this...it's good stuff. We also got to try some Elijah Craig 18 year. The Elijah was definitely my favorite. The first bottle of liquor I ever bought when I turned 21 was Elijah Craig, but it was the 12 year. So after that we left town and set out for Munfordville, about 40 or 50 miles away. Tomorrow we're going to Mammoth Caves National Park...the largest cave system in the world...sick! That should be really fun, and I'm really excited about it. It's about 80 total miles off course, but definitely worth the trip.