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When brothers Steve and Paul Beam decided in 2010 to launch Limestone Branch, they built the distillery in the town of Lebanon, Kentucky. Of all the places to continue their family’s centuries-old tradition of making bourbon and moonshine, Lebanon was the one.
Continue reading “4 Reasons Lebanon, Kentucky, Is the Best Home for Limestone Branch Distillery”
Of all the gin joints in all the world, which are the best?
The most famous is surely Rick’s Café Américain, the fictional bar in the classic film Casablanca. You know — the one with Humphrey Bogart and a piano player named Sam. But did it have creative cocktails, perfectly mixed, and hundreds of gin brands from which to choose?
Inclusiveness is the beauty of the national park system. All are welcome — even the family dog (up to a point). And since we always travel with our distillery dogs, Char and Case, that’s the best news.
Continue reading “A Guide to Planning Your National Park Trip”
You could visit one national park every week in the United States and its territories, and at the end of a year, you’d still have nine to go. The current roster sits at 61, and all are worthy of a sojourn.
But we thought it might be fun to corral five to spotlight, while reminding you of our National Parks Program: For every bottle of Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey sold, we donate $1 to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for its work in preserving some 85 million natural acres for future generations.
For Hydrothermal Features and Abundant Wildlife: Yellowstone National Park
President Ulysses S. Grant established the first (and therefore oldest) national park in March 1872, the same year Yellowstone bourbon was created in honor of the park. Located mainly in Wyoming, the 3,500 square miles of Yellowstone spill into Montana and Idaho, and millions of people visit the park each year to see such popular attractions as the Old Faithful geyser.
Some strategy might be in order when visiting; read our guide on how to prepare for your national park trip before setting out. Indeed, the park has more than half of the world’s hydrothermal features, particularly in the Upper Geyser Basin. But the park is also renowned for its abundant wildlife, and it has 900 hiking trails.
For Bird-Watching and Sunbathing: Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes is the newest national park, so designated in February 2019, though the 15-mile-long and 15,000-acre route along the southern shore of Lake Michigan has been a National Lakeshore since 1966.
This is going to the beach big-time in summer, with all the swimming, sunbathing, and sandcastling space one could hope for. Camping, fishing, horseback riding, and biking are all park features, and Indiana Dunes is a haven for bird-watchers and geocachers, with 50 miles of hiking trails to explore — or to cross-county ski on in the wintry months.
For Breathtaking Vistas and an Amazing Waterfall: Yosemite National Park
Easily one of the most popular of the national parks, Yosemite set a record in 2016 when more than 5 million visitors went through the turnstiles to wonder at the many breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada range in central California. Granite icons such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and Cathedral Peak, and one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, Yosemite Falls, are irresistible draws to campers, hikers, and climbers.
Truth be told, a drive through Yosemite is awe-inspiring even if you never step out of the car (but do). Fully 95% of the park’s roughly 1,200 square miles (about the size of Rhode Island) is considered wilderness.
For Cave Dwellers: Mammoth Cave National Park
Here’s one to couple with a visit to Limestone Branch. About 70 miles and 90 minutes to the southwest of the distillery, Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest underground cave at more than 400 miles.
A full menu of underground hikes is available, from easy walks to some serious caving, and that might be plenty for some. But the park’s 53,000 acres also include ample open ground, with 84 miles of trails and 30 miles along the Green and Nolin Rivers for kayakers, canoers, fishermen, and swimmers.
For Northern Splendor and Fall Leaf-Peeping: Acadia National Park
Let’s give the Northeast its due for a little geographic diversity. Up in Maine, Acadia is a 47,000-acre tribute to the highest headlands of the rocky Atlantic Ocean coastline. That makes it one of the smaller national parks, but it remains one of the most visited.
It boasts abundant hiking trails (more than 150 miles) and excellent birding, and it’s right by the ingratiating resort town of Bar Harbor. The splendors of New England fall foliage make autumn a great time to go.
We can think of three fantastic reasons right off the bat for why a visit to Limestone Branch Distillery is a must: Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Yellowstone Limited Edition, and Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey.
Those are the three storied whiskeys that Limestone Branch lovingly crafts, and they’re pretty persuasive on their own.
Seeing where these superb spirits are made seems imperative for any whiskey aficionado. But there’s more to life than whiskey (or so we’ve been told). There’s history, tradition, and a cat named Corky.
Whiskey Ambassador Stephen Fante offers this list of reasons to visit Limestone Branch Distillery:
1. It’s on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Limestone Branch is part of a special league of distilleries on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. Dedicated whiskey pilgrims make it a point to see all of the distilleries — including those devoted to small-batch spirits. Additionally, the location in Lebanon has special significance to brothers and Limestone Branch founders Steve and Paul Beam, of the legendary Beam lineage: It’s very close to the original distillery founded by their ancestors in 1795.
2. The atmosphere is one-of-a-kind.
“The biggest reason to visit our distillery is the hospitality!” Fante says. “Most customers comment on how relaxed the atmosphere feels, and what a beautiful setting to enjoy Kentucky and its native spirit.” The tour includes storytelling about the distillery’s history, incorporating more than 200 vintage artifacts, many from generations of distilling history. It’s an approachable, personal experience, and you can feel their passion for what they do.
3. You get access to exclusives.
In addition to the core trio of bourbon and rye, the distillery also sells exclusive bottlings you can’t get anywhere else. Think Limestone Branch whiskies in 375 mL bottles. Special barrels of Yellowstone Limited Edition. Bottles of old-school moonshine. You can also get access to Bowling & Burch, Limestone Branch’s new gin. It’s coming to select markets in 2020, but it’s available for purchase right now at the distillery.
4. You can taste everything.
As part of the distillery tour, you get to taste all of Limestone Branch’s craft spirits, including the three whiskeys and the new gin. What’s fun about the sampling program is that customers occasionally get to taste bourbon straight from the barrel. If you catch Steve Beam at the facility, the master distiller just might invite you to try a single barrel bourbon — or whatever he’s currently working up.
5. You can say hello to Char, Case, and Corky.
Distillery dogs Char and Case — a pair of lovable Chows — have attracted a lot of attention. But Limestone Branch is also home to a pretty awesome cat. “The dogs are always a hit; however, don’t forget Corky the cat,” Fante says. “Corky is the most affectionate kitty with an attitude I’ve never seen. Stands up to the Chows and cuddles in your lap!”