Bourbon, Ham, Bourbon - Go Here This Fall And Explore All This Town Has To Offer

**Photo by Patti Hartog of Bardstown Bourbon Company rickhouses**

Bardstown, formally established in 1788, is among the oldest cities in Kentucky. Named America’s Most Beautiful Small Town by Rand McNalley/USA Today and known worldwide as the Bourbon Capital of the World. It is said that bourbon may be the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, but the town’s nearly two-and-a-half centuries of history is its very soul. Its downtown includes buildings from the late 1700s that have been beautifully restored and maintained and are in use today in this vibrant, pedestrian-friendly area full of shops, restaurants, and inns. Less than an hour south of Louisville, this is the perfect destination for a day trip.

Nestled in the heart of historic Bardstown, you will find the famous Heaven Hill Distillery. The Five Brothers Bar and Kitchen offers fast-casual dining, cocktails and bourbon tastings in both the bar and lounge and the outdoor patio overlooking the rickhouses. heavenhilldistillery.com 1311 Gilkey Run Rd., Bardstown, KY. 502.337.1000.

**Photo: Olde Delaney’s Country Ham Store**

Did someone say “country ham”? That was reason enough for us to make a stop at Olde Delaney’s, located on the north side of Bardstown. When Olde Delaney’s Country Ham Store was founded in 1938, it was known as a country store that served farmers and rural neighbors in Nelson County. Today, aromas of country ham and sausages greet you as you enter the store, and we couldn’t resist as we picked up ready-made country ham and biscuits to go. 1467 N. 3rd St., Bardstown, KY. 502.348.8565.

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is a relative newcomer to the Bardstown bourbon scene, arriving in 2016. This is the first Napa Valley-style destination to combine distilling, culinary, and beverage expertise to a bourbon experience.

**Photo: Bardstown Bourbon Company Restaurant (curated sandwich described below)**

We made this our midday lunch stop and we each enjoyed the chef’s lunch special: a specialty curated sandwich consisting of mortadella, brie, and other flavors that delighted the palate. bardstownbourbon.com 1500 Parkway Drive, Bardstown, KY. 502.233.4769.

Story and photos by Patti Hartog

P.S. Discover This Train Museum And A Historic Walk Through This Town’s Alleys