LEX Horse & Bourbon DO XIX, April 8-10, 2022
Mar 30, 2022, 1:10 pm
#46
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
Since bookings don't look to be materializing, can we now angle for upgrades rather than OS vouchers? 
Does anyone have any interesting distillery or farm tours booked (the live cover ones look to be sold out)
I'm planning on the track Friday and Saturday (thanks to Santander's StubHub buy) but no plans other than Keeneland Fri/Sat and Merrick dinner Friday night.
I don't think we have any first-time DO participants on the list but, if we do, I still recommend an early morning visit to Keeneland for breakfast at the Track Kitchen and watching morning workouts at the track. I believe that it is still free for anyone to stroll right in and watch morning works.
Does anyone have any interesting distillery or farm tours booked (the live cover ones look to be sold out)
I'm planning on the track Friday and Saturday (thanks to Santander's StubHub buy) but no plans other than Keeneland Fri/Sat and Merrick dinner Friday night.
I don't think we have any first-time DO participants on the list but, if we do, I still recommend an early morning visit to Keeneland for breakfast at the Track Kitchen and watching morning workouts at the track. I believe that it is still free for anyone to stroll right in and watch morning works.
Other plans focus on eating - have to go to Crank and Boom, as well as Spalding. Don't forget about Stella's. Probably another nice dinner someplace. I'll see if she wants to watch the morning workouts.
Might try and see the Shaker Village.
We will be in LEX from Wednesday evening until Monday afternoon.
Mar 30, 2022, 3:48 pm
#47
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Join Date: Nov 2001
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We didn't do any of the urban bourbon tours, we hit Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Willett and Heaven Hill. For the truly specialty stuff, go to Justin's House of Bourbon (They have a Louisville and Lexington location) and they have some truly rare stuff. One of the guys on our trip bought a bottle of Elijah Craig, Pre-fire 18 year there.
This is my friend's first visit so besides the live cover we are going back to Mill Ridge, where hopefully I don't lose my keys again! It will be fun to see the foals, feed the mares, and amazing to get close to their stallion Oscar Performance.
Other plans focus on eating - have to go to Crank and Boom, as well as Spalding. Don't forget about Stella's. Probably another nice dinner someplace. I'll see if she wants to watch the morning workouts.
Other plans focus on eating - have to go to Crank and Boom, as well as Spalding. Don't forget about Stella's. Probably another nice dinner someplace. I'll see if she wants to watch the morning workouts.
What day/time do you have Mill Ridge booked? I might try to join you and your friend if it doesn't conflict with Keeneland.
Definitely suggest taking your friend by Keeneland for morning workouts one morning if she's new to LEX. Can be a quick stop on the way to somewhere else out to the west of LEX
Mar 31, 2022, 3:03 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,271
Since bookings don't look to be materializing, can we now angle for upgrades rather than OS vouchers?
Does anyone have any interesting distillery or farm tours booked (the live cover ones look to be sold out)
I'm planning on the track Friday and Saturday (thanks to Santander's StubHub buy) but no plans other than Keeneland Fri/Sat and Merrick dinner Friday night.
I don't think we have any first-time DO participants on the list but, if we do, I still recommend an early morning visit to Keeneland for breakfast at the Track Kitchen and watching morning workouts at the track. I believe that it is still free for anyone to stroll right in and watch morning works.
Did you hit the urban bourbon tours at Old Forester and Evan Williams right in downtown LOU? I haven't been to any of the downtown distilleries in a few years but thinking about a side trip over there.
I've heard rumors that the gift shops at both Old Forester and Evan Williams sell good bottles of bourbon that are very difficult, if not impossible, to find anywhere else (EW red label 12 year, for example?)
Did you notice anything worth buying that can only be found at the distillery stores?
And hopefully none of that Buffalo Trace wait in a 2-hour line just to buy liquor stuff!
Does anyone have any interesting distillery or farm tours booked (the live cover ones look to be sold out)
I'm planning on the track Friday and Saturday (thanks to Santander's StubHub buy) but no plans other than Keeneland Fri/Sat and Merrick dinner Friday night.
I don't think we have any first-time DO participants on the list but, if we do, I still recommend an early morning visit to Keeneland for breakfast at the Track Kitchen and watching morning workouts at the track. I believe that it is still free for anyone to stroll right in and watch morning works.
Did you hit the urban bourbon tours at Old Forester and Evan Williams right in downtown LOU? I haven't been to any of the downtown distilleries in a few years but thinking about a side trip over there.
I've heard rumors that the gift shops at both Old Forester and Evan Williams sell good bottles of bourbon that are very difficult, if not impossible, to find anywhere else (EW red label 12 year, for example?)
Did you notice anything worth buying that can only be found at the distillery stores?
And hopefully none of that Buffalo Trace wait in a 2-hour line just to buy liquor stuff!
Mar 31, 2022, 10:46 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold (*G), DL Silver, Makers Mark Ambassador
Posts: 4,642
Shameless plug for my trip report, but this was our experience at Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Willett and Heaven Hill last week
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Apr 1, 2022, 10:31 am
#51
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Reminder - Check Hotel Rates
Friendly public service announcement to recheck hotel rates/availability. The Marriott opened up and I was able to grab an award reservation (at least 1.4 cents per point redemption value, pre-tax, depending on what cash rate is assumed)
There are some Bonvoy hotels available on cash rates for as low as $96-$119/night but on the outskirts of town.
Maybe Monday or Tuesday? I will probably be busy Thursday studying for Fri/Sat. We should make sure all the distilleries in Louisville are open Mondays. Right now I'm planning on flying home from LEX Tuesday evening - but would still have time for a trip to Louisville and back. Flight doesn't leave until 6pm, and that's before the inevitable AA/Eagle delay.
Awesome trip report. I haven't been to the "Heaven Hill Regional Bourbonport" in a while. Need to get back there sometime. Remember when Heaven Hill was the well bourbon available free in Admirals Clubs?
There are some Bonvoy hotels available on cash rates for as low as $96-$119/night but on the outskirts of town.
Shameless plug for my trip report, but this was our experience at Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Willett and Heaven Hill last week
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Apr 1, 2022, 12:53 pm
#52
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold (*G), DL Silver, Makers Mark Ambassador
Posts: 4,642
Since it was our fourth stop of the day I had had a few cocktails and when our guide asked if we had any questions I decided to ask "Why have I never heard of 90% of what you sell?"
Apr 1, 2022, 12:57 pm
#53
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Join Date: Jun 2010
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Apr 1, 2022, 2:37 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold (*G), DL Silver, Makers Mark Ambassador
Posts: 4,642
Apr 1, 2022, 2:39 pm
#55
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Apr 2, 2022, 6:21 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,271
Maybe Monday or Tuesday? I will probably be busy Thursday studying for Fri/Sat. We should make sure all the distilleries in Louisville are open Mondays. Right now I'm planning on flying home from LEX Tuesday evening - but would still have time for a trip to Louisville and back. Flight doesn't leave until 6pm, and that's before the inevitable AA/Eagle delay.
IIRC Heaven Hill has one bourbon (with a green label) that is supposed to be very good (per Fred Minnick) but is produced for the KY market only, with zero advertising/marketing budget (keeping the price lower than would otherwise be the case).
Apr 2, 2022, 6:24 pm
#57
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,271
Shameless plug for my trip report, but this was our experience at Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Willett and Heaven Hill last week
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour
Apr 3, 2022, 12:42 pm
#58
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
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I have a room reserved at the Hyatt Regency for Fri, Sat, Sun nights. 2 beds.
8k per (old rate).
Anybody want it? Otherwise I can cancel in next couple days. PM.
8k per (old rate).
Anybody want it? Otherwise I can cancel in next couple days. PM.
Apr 3, 2022, 6:31 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,688
Um… Hello! LexPassenger and I are headed to LEX on the 6th. I’m really looking forward to meeting everybody and at least hang out a couple of evenings. Maybe Stella’s for breakfast if there’s room. Oh, and I think we’ll try to make at least one breakfast/early workout at Keeneland. We’re hotel hopping quite a bit, but spending Friday night at the Campbell House, which the last time we were there had a seriously impressive Bourbon list. Lost on me, I’m afraid. If LexPax wants to do some Bourbon thing, that’s fine. Ephemeral/West 6th/another craft brewery y’all like would be fine. And I’ll definitely be at Wise Bird a time or 2.
I’ll politely pass on a horse farm visit this time - unless someone’s interested in the Icelandic horses out towards the ‘Ville. Is that possible since toomanybooks won’t be there this year? Sorry we won’t get to meet him at our first LEX Do. Serves us right I guess for always being elsewhere when we still lived in Lexington. 140 nights/yr on the road back then…
We’ll definitely go to JoeB’s, at least once. They don’t have great taps (Kentucky Ale, oh well, and Cougar Bait which I rather like) but it’s a tradition.
I’ll politely pass on a horse farm visit this time - unless someone’s interested in the Icelandic horses out towards the ‘Ville. Is that possible since toomanybooks won’t be there this year? Sorry we won’t get to meet him at our first LEX Do. Serves us right I guess for always being elsewhere when we still lived in Lexington. 140 nights/yr on the road back then…
We’ll definitely go to JoeB’s, at least once. They don’t have great taps (Kentucky Ale, oh well, and Cougar Bait which I rather like) but it’s a tradition.
Last edited by GG; Apr 3, 2022 at 8:11 pm Reason: stupid typo
Apr 3, 2022, 11:33 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,688
Ok, so FT may have eated my follow-up post. To make sure the hosts know: no worries about Merrick Inn, We've got a local friend we'd already planned to have dinner with on Friday.
Last edited by GG; Apr 3, 2022 at 11:43 pm Reason: Blame Lex