An array of the bourbons produced at Bardstown Bourbon Company. This sophisticated distillery has expanded twice since opening in 2016.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Bourbon tourism is up in Kentucky, with a record 1.4 million stops at distilleries around the state expected in 2019, up 370% since 2009.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
One of the most famous bourbons in the world, Pappy Van Winkle, is made at Buffalo Trace.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
The distillation process includes the fermentation of grains in huge vats.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
At Buffalo Trace, there were 225,000 visitors last year, and the number is growing. The distillery, gift shop, and visitor’s center are being expanded, as well as the warehousing and bottling facilities.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Buffalo Trace Distillery sits on the Kentucky River.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Bourbon barrels.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Warehouse X is an experimental warehouse at Buffalo Trace. There are sensors on each of the 150 barrels in Warehouse X, and the data is analyzed to show how the barrels are aging.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Matthew McConaughey teamed with Wild Turkey to produce Longbranch bourbon.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Jimmy and Eddie Russell at Wild Turkey are the only father/son team of master distillers.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
This warehouse was built in 1894.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
The visitor’s center at Wild Turkey. Wild Turkey draws nearly 100,000 visitors each year.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Taste testing bourbon at Wild Turkey.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Wild Turkey opened this new control room in 2010.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Longbranch bourbon is a collaboration between Matthew McConaghey and Wild Turkey.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
A tour of the Wild Turkey warehouse that holds 14,000 barrels of bourbon.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Barrels of bourbon at the Bardstown Bourbon Company.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
The distillery has floor-to-ceiling windows for a modern look.
SEE: Straight up: How the Kentucky bourbon industry is going high tech (cover story) | Download the free PDF version
Teena Maddox is a VP at Brodeur Partners. She is a former Associate Managing Editor at TechRepublic. Teena's lifelong journalism career has included writing on staff for publications including People magazine, W magazine and Women's Wear Daily.
