Bourbon tourism is booming in Louisville. It was not always the case and Louisville’s Bourbon Bars are part of the reason for this growth in tourism. Back in the early 1990s, Susan Riegler wrote an article for the Courier-Journal about… Continue Read…
Bourbon tourism is booming in Louisville. It was not always the case and Louisville’s Bourbon Bars are part of the reason for this growth in tourism. Back in the early 1990s, Susan Riegler wrote an article for the Courier-Journal about... Continue Reading →
Northern Kentucky Tourism (meetNKY) is celebrating the 5th Anniversary of its Bourbon travel destination creation “The B-Line” in proper style and fashion. Think of The B-Line as a collection of Bourbon distilleries and Bourbon bar/restaurant destinations that you certainly want to both add and check off your experiential list. A B-Line official stop must follow […]
Northern Kentucky Tourism (meetNKY) is celebrating the 5th Anniversary of its Bourbon travel destination creation “The B-Line” in proper style and fashion. Think of The B-Line as a collection of Bourbon distilleries and Bourbon bar/restaurant destinations that you certainly want to both add and check off your experiential list. A B-Line official stop must follow strict criteria of which is described in more detail below. Essentially, you can’t be any geek off the street.
To honor The B-Line’s half decade milestone and also National Bourbon Day (June 14th), they are adding 5 new Bourbon destinations:
“We launched The B-Line® in 2018 as a way to remind people that Northern Kentucky is the gateway to Bourbon Country,” said meetNKY President and CEO, Julie Kirkpatrick. “It celebrates the businesses that are passionate about being part of the Commonwealth’s rich bourbon heritage, representing and elevating Northern Kentucky on an international scale. There’s no better way to celebrate National Bourbon Day, a holiday created to recognize the high standards for distilling and celebrating ‘America’s Native Spirit’ than by adding these five new spots for visitors and locals to enjoy!”
The B-Line was created to help capture the bourbon-curious audience of millions of people who drive down I-75 or fly into CVG (Cinci Airport, actually in NKY) annually to visit Kentucky’s famed Bourbon Trail, of which there were 2.1 million in 2022.
“Revival is known for our vintage, rare and eccentric collection of spirits, which is a perfect addition for The B-Line®,” said Shannon Smith, co-founder of Revival Vintage Bottle Shop in Covington. “We look forward to showcasing what Northern Kentucky has to offer to bourbon fans who come to us from all over the world to experience our region’s own rare and eccentric nature.”
Revival. Courtesy
The new additions to The B-Line® bring the number of bourbon bars, craft distilleries and bourbon-centric restaurants throughout Covington, Newport, Independence, Sparta, Augusta and Maysville, Ky., to 23. A full list of participating establishments can be found on The B-Line’s website.
“On this B-Line stop expect to experience history, tradition, hospitality, a continued passion for family, a little Hollywood and great Italian food,” said lead bartender for Pompilio’s, Kristin Knollman. “The bar at Pompilio’s dates back to 1886, was the first bourbon bar in Northern Kentucky and houses a vast and growing bourbon selection. Once alcohol became legal again, Pompilio’s earned and still holds the first liquor license awarded in Kentucky after prohibition. Pompilio’s has provided visitors from around the region and nationally with classic cuisine and great spirits for over 90 years. With a heritage almost as rich as bourbon itself, this new B-Line stop is the perfect backdrop to create your own traditions.”
Pompilio’s. Courtesy NKY TourismPompilio’s owner, Joe Bristow. Courtesy
There are seven, strict criteria the new stops have to agree to in order to be a part of The B-Line®. These include things like fostering a culture around bourbon through continuing education and stocking certain types of bourbons. Restaurants must have at least 50 labels of bourbon (with a preference for Kentucky Bourbon) while bars must stock at least 100. Weekly bourbon-infused food and drink specials are also a requirement. For bars, they must also host bourbon-related events and offer specialty flights.
Distilleries
must be a member in Good Standing with the Kentucky Distillers Association and
be part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® or Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Craft Tour®. Full details on qualifying for The B-Line®
can be found on meetNKY’s website.
In conjunction with the new additions and National Bourbon Day festivities, The B-Line® also launched a new line of merchandise, designed by BLDG, including t-shirts featuring bourbon-centric puns, hats, and glasses. People can receive this new swag by completing their B-Line® passport by visiting each stop along Northern Kentucky’s bourbon trail. (Passports can be acquired at any official B-Line location.) To redeem a passport, visit meetnky.com/redeem.
We are very grateful for you, our viewership. Here’s to you and to a fantastic New Year! With that said, we are excited to present you with 2022’s TOP 10 MOST READ ARTICLES! #10 America’s Best Bourbon Bars 2022 #9 We Asked 7 Bartenders What Makes The Perfect Manhattan #8 The Top 10 Biggest Bourbon […]
We are very grateful for you, our viewership. Here’s to you and to a fantastic New Year! With that said, we are excited to present you with 2022’s TOP 10 MOST READ ARTICLES!
About ten years ago, I posted something on Facebook about my ideal liquor store. Justins’ House of Bourbon meets most of the criteria I set for my perfect liquor store. There is an excellent selection of American whiskeys. They carry… Continue Readin…
About ten years ago, I posted something on Facebook about my ideal liquor store. Justins’ House of Bourbon meets most of the criteria I set for my perfect liquor store. There is an excellent selection of American whiskeys. They carry... Continue Reading →
Our WEST REGION is packed with incredible spots from long standing institutions like Elixir (SF) and to relative new comer Batch (Tucson, AZ) of which does boozy donuts and artisanal tacos to accompany its sensational American Whiskey collection. What?!! We have Fiori D’ Italia holding down the fort in Alaska and now we’ve even expanded […]
Our WEST REGION is packed with incredible spots from long standing institutions like Elixir (SF) and to relative new comer Batch (Tucson, AZ) of which does boozy donuts and artisanal tacos to accompany its sensational American Whiskey collection. What?!! We have Fiori D’ Italia holding down the fort in Alaska and now we’ve even expanded to Hawaii with Bar Leather Apron (A James Beard nominated spot). Enjoy and cheers!
The SOUTH REGION is major player on the Bourbon Bar scene! Terrific variety of ambiance ranging from dive style joints like Little Dipper in Houston, TX to ultra premium swanked out destinations like Warren in Del Ray, FL. All with one common denominator – INCREDIBLE BOURBON SELECTIONS! Yardbird Southern Table and Bar, Miami Beach, FL Brick […]
The SOUTH REGION is major player on the Bourbon Bar scene! Terrific variety of ambiance ranging from dive style joints like Little Dipper in Houston, TX to ultra premium swanked out destinations like Warren in Del Ray, FL. All with one common denominator – INCREDIBLE BOURBON SELECTIONS!
Our Midwest Region is home to some of our favorite long standing concentration of bars in Chicago, our best-represented region on the list outside Kentucky. From Chicago’s 20+ year old Bourbon institution Delilah’s to our newly introduced One Bourbon of Grand Rapids, OH, the Midwest has an incredible range of heavenly bourbon spots! Big Star, […]
Our Midwest Region is home to some of our favorite long standing concentration of bars in Chicago, our best-represented region on the list outside Kentucky. From Chicago’s 20+ year old Bourbon institution Delilah’s to our newly introduced One Bourbon of Grand Rapids, OH, the Midwest has an incredible range of heavenly bourbon spots!
September is National Bourbon Heritage Month. That’s something we don’t take lightly at The Bourbon Review. Who’s ready to do one heck of a bar crawl to the Best Bourbon Bars in America to celebrate it?!…Now that’s the spirit;) Every year since 2013, our editorial board has combed the country as we continuously listen to […]
September is National Bourbon Heritage Month. That’s something we don’t take lightly at The Bourbon Review. Who’s ready to do one heck of a bar crawl to the Best Bourbon Bars in America to celebrate it?!…Now that’s the spirit;)
Every year since 2013, our editorial board has combed the country as we continuously listen to our social media followers to find the places that have the most expansive whiskey lists, mix the most exciting cocktails, select the best single barrels, and most importantly – have a team of hardworking, passionate, and knowledgeable bourbon lovers behind the sticks.
We thank our friends at Buffalo Trace Distillery for their wonderful partnership support of this special September salute, now lets do our due diligence in showing our favorite Bourbon spots just how much we appreciate what they do for us!
Without further adieu, pull up a Bourbon, cheers to all the amazing Bourbon bars out there…and lets get to celebrating!
America’s Best Bourbon Bars in the NORTHEAST REGION has a range of coveted Bourbon staples like brown water mecca Flatiron Room and the gorgeous and elegant Brandy Library. New to our list are Analogue in Greenwich Village and Southern Kin Cookhouse in Somerville, MA. Analogue, New York, NY (Greenwich Village) (NEW) Brandy Library, Manhattan, NY […]
America’s Best Bourbon Bars in the NORTHEAST REGION has a range of coveted Bourbon staples like brown water mecca Flatiron Room and the gorgeous and elegant Brandy Library. New to our list are Analogue in Greenwich Village and Southern Kin Cookhouse in Somerville, MA.
The Flatiron Room. NYCBrandy Library. Tribeca, NYC
Kentucky is The Bourbon State as it has the Bourbon Bar prowess to match its distilling chops. Here’s your insider’s look at the best watering holes in the Commonwealth including one of the country’s oldest bourbon bars, the Old Talbott Tavern & Inn in Bardstown (it’s said to be haunted – make a special trip […]
Kentucky is The Bourbon State as it has the Bourbon Bar prowess to match its distilling chops. Here’s your insider’s look at the best watering holes in the Commonwealth including one of the country’s oldest bourbon bars, theOld Talbott Tavern & Inn in Bardstown (it’s said to be haunted – make a special trip for spooky season).
Newcomers to the list include Louisville’s Watch Hill Proper with a staggering list of near 1,900 American Whiskies. The décor more than lives up to the last part of its name, having sleek eye catching leather couches/chairs, whiskey lockers (duh), and even a rickhouse façade hovering above. NEAT Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop, another new Lou spot, is a must see with a warm cozy vintage vibe to match its outstanding vintage whiskey collection. Reasonably priced. And theBungalou directly behind the bar is where Bourbon heaven meets AirBnB – a collection of Bourbon décor themed rooms to lay your head after a long day (and night) of Bourbon Country immersion. And check out the rooftop view, trust us.
If you find yourself in Northern Kentucky’s “B-Line” district, check out Smoke Justis who specializes in smoked meats with a massive 400+ Bourbon collection. Goodfellas Mainstrasse has you covered with mouth watering Brooklyn style pizza on the 1st floor and a cool speakeasy vibe lounge on the 2nd armed with a world class Bourbon selection and cocktails. Rich’s Proper is at the top of our list crushing both food & drink. Oysters, huge sammies, massive Bourbon selection, fantastic cocktails.
Come to Kentucky for the distilleries, stay for the bars and restaurants!
