KENTUCKY — According to the Kentucky Distiller’s Association, bourbon pours in $358 million in annual tax revenue for Kentucky’s state and local governments.
In Woodford County’s latest tourism effort, county officials gave itself the moniker the “Birthplace of Bourbon” and those from the area said the proof is rooted in their backyard.
The story of the modern bourbon begins on the waters of Glenns Creek in Woodford County, said bourbon historian and tour guide Chuck Edwards.
“Elijah Pepper started distilling in the 1790s right behind the courthouse in Big Spring Park and later moved down to start a distillery what is known as Buffalo Trace today,” Edwards said. “Then he hired (James) Crow, and then Crow leads to E.H. Taylor and eventually back to Castle and Key.”
Edwards, a Woodford County native, is a former tour guide at Buffalo Trace. He eventually started his own tour company, Neat Kentucky Tours.
His experience tells the connections between modern day Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve and Castle and Key, all with their beginnings being traced to the waters in the heart of Versailles.
“Names, labels and history sells lots of bourbon; look at Evan Williams, the E.H. Taylor line for Buffalo Trace,” Edwards said. “Elijah Craig sells a lot for Heaven Hill, so people love a good story.”
Edwards recently shared that story with the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce. Emily Downey, president and CEO for the chamber, said she hopes deeming the county as the “Birthplace of Bourbon” will attract more tourists.
“They might go out to Woodford Reserve, but they might not take advantage of all the bourbon assets that we have here,” Downey said. “We want something that brings people and makes us the destination.”
Downey said tourism is a huge economic driver for jobs and helps revitalize and keep downtowns vibrant.
“We feel like it is not only in numbers, but intangibles (is) a major player for us,” Downey said.
“Bardstown labeled themselves the capital of bourbon, and there wasn’t a whole lot (of) bourbon going on when they did that,” Edwards said. “That market led to lots of good things for them, and I would like to see the same thing happen here in Woodford County.”
Bardstown trademarked itself the “Bourbon Capital of the World” in 2015.
You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.