Crafting the Future: Bourbon Innovation Meets Tradition in Covington

February 17, 2025

If you’re a bourbon lover—or just someone who appreciates a great story poured into a glass —Covington, Kentucky, is about to steal your heart. This gem of a city blends history, innovation, and good ol’ Southern charm into an unforgettable experience for anyone curious about Bourbon. Whether you’re rolling up your sleeves at a blending workshop or sipping on more modern spirits, Covington has something special waiting for you.


Bold  Innovation at Wenzel Whiskey


If innovation is what gets you excited, Wenzel Whiskey is the place to be. Their award-winning spirits are bold, complex, and unforgettable—just like the stories behind them. They’re known for pushing boundaries with their rectifying or redistilling process and personalized blending experience. Visiting Wenzel feels like being part of bourbon’s next big chapter. And trust me, once you’ve tasted their creations or blended your own, you’ll see why they’re making waves far beyond Covington.

 

Want to learn more about their philosophy and spirits? Visit Wenzel Whiskey for a deeper dive into their offerings and upcoming events.



A Taste of the Past at Pensive Distilling


Not everything in Covington is about reinventing the wheel. Pensive Distilling, right down the road in Newport, is a beautiful reminder of bourbon’s rich history. This is where tradition takes center stage—old-school recipes, classic equipment, and a respect for the process that makes every sip feel like a journey through time. Upstairs, they even have a hidden speakeasy room, its entrance concealed just like during Prohibition.


Walking into Pensive feels like stepping into a piece of Bourbon history, and the stories behind their craft are just as rich as the bourbon itself. It’s a place where you’ll leave with more than just a taste—you’ll leave with an appreciation for the roots of bourbon culture. Check out all that Pensive Distilling has to offer.


Pensive Distilling


Savoring Tradition at Augusta Distillery 


If you want to experience bourbon the way it was meant to be enjoyed, you’ve got to make your way to Augusta Distillery. Tucked along the banks of the Ohio River, this place feels like a step back in time—but with a modern twist. It’s where tradition meets craftsmanship, where every bottle tells a story, and where bourbon lovers (new and seasoned) come to connect over a shared passion.


One of the coolest things they offer? The River Proof Series Bourbon, where you don’t just drink bourbon—you bottle it yourself. There’s something special about sealing up your own piece of history, knowing you’ll pop it open later and relive the moment. Discover more and bottle your own bourbon at Augusta Distillery.




Your Next Bourbon Adventure in Covington


Here’s the thing about Covington—it’s more than just a city; it’s a full-on experience. It’s about the people, the experience, and that unmistakable Kentucky charm. A vibe you can’t mistake. It’s a place where tradition and innovation meet, and where every bottle, every sip, tells a story. So, whether you’re sipping a perfectly aged pour, chatting with the folks behind the craft, or just kicking back and soaking in the river town vibes, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve just discovered something truly special.


Are you ready to explore Covington and taste the story for yourself?

Savoring Bourbon: The Best Pairings and Local Culinary Delights

April 24, 2025
Foodies and bourbon enthusiasts seeking elevated dining experiences find their bourbon-infused bliss in Covington, Frankfort, and Bardstown. Many restaurants and bars in these bourbon-centric cities showcase unique takes on pairing bourbon with meals, specialize in bourbon-infused menus, and feature dishes that amplify bourbon flavors. Additionally, these three cities offer bourbon experiences that bourbon lovers aren’t likely to find anywhere else. SIGNATURE SPINS In Newport, the team at Purple Poulet Southern Bourbon Bistro , led by Chef Rick Zumwalde, loves a good splash or three of bourbon in dishes like fried chicken and waffles with maple bourbon syrup, “Swanky” Shrimp-n-Grits with bourbon-cream pan gravy, hickory-smoked beef brisket with bourbon-peach jus, a Casino-style market catch with bourbon-bacon-maple broth, and bourbon mashed sweet potatoes. Likewise, the team at Beehive Augusta Tavern shows its unbridled enthusiasm for Kentucky bourbon by incorporating it into multiple dishes: bourbon-braised short ribs, bourbon carbonara, bourbon-glazed bone-in pork chops, bourbon-glazed salmon, a bourbon bordelaise burger, and honey bourbon fried chicken. Even sides like the honey bourbon bacon brussels get a dousing. At the Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo.), Kentucky’s first distillery-based restaurant, Chef Stu Plush likes to bring out bourbon tasting notes through various dishes. For instance, the menu suggests BBCo. Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond or Prohibited Paradise for country ham carbonara and BBCo. Origin Series Rye Whiskey or Feel the Heat for its Southern fried chicken. At HOC (House of Commons): A Bourbon Library in Frankfort, Founder and Proprietor Dave Sandlin brings encyclopedic knowledge to the bourbons he stocks. Additionally, this bourbon barkeep knows how to spin a good yarn. “Everyone has a story to tell, and every bourbon has a story to tell,” said Sandlin. “Our storytelling is the framework around the more than 315 Kentucky whiskeys we have on the shelf, why we have them, why each is special, rare, or different.” Visitors to HOC won’t find food and bourbon pairings (although Sanders is happy to share restaurant recommendations); this bourbon bar is about pairing bourbon to people’s palettes. “People come in and tell us what they like, and we formulate a taste profile for them,” said Sanders.

Bourbon Basics: How to Taste, Pair, and Enjoy Like a Pro

April 23, 2025
Planning your first distillery visit or considering a journey along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®? Bourbon has a built-in mystique and culture that might give the bourbon-curious and aspiring aficionados pause in taking that first step into the world of America’s Only Native Spirit. BOURBON 101 The variety of distilleries and their unique experiences may seem daunting, and terms like “nosing” and “Kentucky chew” baffling, but part of the fun of bourbon is in the learning. Beginners can get their feet wet in Frankfort at Buffalo Trace Distillery , with an intro to the history and science of bourbon, and at Castle & Key with an interactive Cocktail Therapy class to elevate sensory awareness. The Old Pogue Experience on Northern Kentucky’s The B-Line ® in downtown Maysville offers a different perspective, combining the Bourbon History Galleries, which delve into the 1791 Whiskey Tax Act Rebellion and Prohibition, with an (optional) tasting of an original Kentucky bourbon—Old Pogue Master’s Select. In the Bourbon Capital of the World, Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown gives an insider’s view of the bourbon making process from start to finish on its Grain to Barrel Tour, followed by an educational, guided tasting experience. Here is a guide to some bourbon basics that will help you look more natural than novice when sitting down to a tasting and will soon have you pairing like a pro.
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