Photo: John Rott
Recently, Congress declared September as National Bourbon Heritage Month. To celebrate, Louisville created the Urban Bourbon Trail, an itinerary of the city's most whiskey-friendly restaurants and bars, each of which has at least 50 bourbons on offer.
Here's a sampling of where to enjoy a glass of America's (now-official) native spirit:
Bourbons Bistro This Crescent Hill restaurant is only four years old, but it already feels like a neighborhood institution. More than 140 bourbons are on display; if you have trouble choosing one, order a flight of three. In the kitchen, chef Michael Crouch creates whiskey-kissed complements, like bacon-wrapped, Brie-stuffed figs with bourbon-thyme sauce. 2255 Frankfort Ave.; 502-894-8838 or bourbonsbistro.com
The Brown Hotel The bartenders at this palatial hotel can wax rhapsodic about various classic bottlings from the well-curated whiskey selection, any of which makes a fine accompaniment to another classic: the hotel's eponymous Hot Brown sandwich. 335 W. Broadway; 502-583-1234 or brownhotel.com
Old Seelbach Bar Going to Louisville and not visiting this historic hotel bar is like going to Paris and abstaining from art and macaroons. The hotel famously inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald, and its ornate, seductively dark saloon is a throwback to Gatsby's swank world--as is its selection of rare single-barrel bourbons. 500 S. Fourth St.; 502-585-3200 or seelbachhilton.com
Proof on Main This vibrant spot in the boutique 21C Museum Hotel (pictured) is part bar and part modern art gallery. You'll be greeted by a roguish bronze satyr sculpture, then put in the hands of bartenders who flaunt their own brand of artisanship by crafting cocktails like the Gold Rush, a fortifying blend of bourbon, lemon juice and local honey. 702 W. Main St.; 502-217-6360 or proofonmain.com
