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something-tofightfor · 4 years ago

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Buried: Part 1

Pairing: Agent Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x Reader (female reader insert; no ‘Y/N’)

Word Count: 8,144

Rating: M; Mentions of casual sex, previous relationships, character death, canon-typical situations (violence, deceit), drinking, language.

Summary: You’re a Statesman agent, but haven’t seen active duty in months. You don’t mind making yourself useful around the distillery, but it’s getting old - and so is the fact that your favorite partner Jack hasn’t been back to Kentucky in months without an explanation. But there’s a lot more to it than Champ just waiting til the time is right ... even if you don’t know it.

Author’s note:

Hello, friends! The first part of this story establishes things between Reader and Jack ... or does it? The whole point is for there to be questions, but if you have ANY specific things you’d like to know ... feel free to ask. I have a soft spot for sad cowboys, and Whiskey’s near the top of the list. He deserved so much better than the movie gave him ... so here goes. There’s a playlist for this song that I’ll be adding a little later; I want to get it up on time, so it won’t be ready to go til the timezone reblog tomorrow + I’ll add it in following parts, too. Thank you - in advance - to everyone that’s encouraged me with this one, and for reading. Tag list is open.

The thing about late summer in Kentucky was that unless you knew people and had specific plans, there was nothing do do after roughly seven PM on a weekday. Weekends in Louisville were busy and crowded - always - and your job kept you occupied a lot of the time, too, but it was still an adjustment for you when things were truly quiet - and laid back. As a legacy recruit (thanks to an uncle that had doted on you as a child), you’d known what being a Statesman entailed from the moment you’d gone through the first stages of the recruitment process - moving from the midwest to the south, trading in skyscrapers and expressways for rolling hills and silence, saying goodbye to the people you’d grown up with and replacing them with your new friends and colleagues. It was a change, but it was a good opportunity for you, and you didn’t want to waste it, especially after proving yourself a valuable asset. There was nothing keeping you from visiting your friends and family aside from a lack of time, but it had been much longer than you liked to admit since you’d been home. I’ll go soon. I get a couple weeks off next month, and it’s not like I’m on assignment, so… Sighing, you turned the key in the lock of your door. I’ll visit before the holidays.

Your friends and family thought you just worked for the Statesman distillery in some capacity, and even though you were vague about what you actually did, calling it a combination of marketing and research and development, a couple of bottles of the barrel-aged bourbon paired with a new set etched glasses or top of the line tumblers a few times a year stopped any additional questions. It’s almost too easy, but it’s better than the truth.

Before you got too far from your room, you winced, reaching down to grip your thigh and flexing your toes in the sandals you wore. That’s weird. But the pain passed quickly, and you made your way across the campus, nodding to a few of the visitors ending the last tour of the evening and making their way out of the gift shop. Your destination was the main quad’s outdoor bar. Why go into Louisville when I have the whole place to myself here?

That wasn’t entirely true; there were plenty of employees on hand - men and women that stayed on or near the distillery property at all hours to keep things moving, but most of the other agents were all out in various places - Tequila was in Montana, Brandy and Bourbon were somewhere on the west coast, Whiskey was in New York running that office, and the two newest agents - Tonic and Sherry were off somewhere else, paired with seasoned veterans like Gin and Cognac to get used to their new responsibilities. There was an established order to things, and you knew your place within that order, even if you weren’t entirely happy about it. No, that’s not … I’m not unhappy. Just frustrated right now. It was just you and Ginger, along with the ever-present Champ that were still on-site in Kentucky, but you hoped it wouldn’t be long until you got an assignment, too, packing your bags and heading off to wherever you were needed. Waiting was part of the job, and you usually didn’t mind it, but if anyone had asked, you wouldn’t deny that you were restless after months of idling, the last humidity of summer not doing anything to make your situation less annoying. Nothing a beer or two can’t help, though. Grinning at the young woman behind the bar, she slid your glass to you with a wink and you picked it up, turning to scan the open seats. There were plenty of them - the dinner crowd had been light that night, apparently, meaning that the outdoor patio was mostly empty, only a few booths and tables filled. Seeing that your favorite spot - a cushioned couch near a low stone wall that looked out over some of the rolling hills that surrounded the cluster of buildings - was open, you made your way over to it, setting your drink down on the table. Perfect. Lowering yourself onto the comfortable seat, you tucked one leg beneath your body, tugging your skirt into place so that it covered your other leg - the one that had pained you as you left your room - the material pooling around your knees.

Settled, you leaned forward and then picked up your beer to take a long drink from it, letting your eyes wander over the expanse of green in front of you. Feels like it was just winter, and now it’s almost fall again. The area was peaceful, even if it was less busy than you were used to, and you knew that with a little more time, you’d get truly used to it, no matter how long you stayed in one spot for. It’s only been a few months, and this is the longest I’ve been here without an assignment. You’d done your training at the facility, true, but in the years since you started, Champ had made it a point to send you out into the field as often as possible, which made the current lapse in assignments that much more jarring. The beer cradled on your lap in one hand, you used your other one to scroll through your phone, idly checking social media and your email. There weren’t many updates to go through, because you kept up with it throughout the day, and before you’d finished your drink, you were out of things to do. Great. You put the phone down, rubbing that hand over your eyes, and were surprised to hear your name coming from your right. But that… Frowning, you lowered your hand, looking in that direction and couldn’t help smiling at what you saw. He’s not supposed to be here. “Jack? What are you -” “The real question is why are you drinkin’ alone?” He finally made it to stand next to where you sat, one hand on his hip and the other holding a drink of his own, Stetson-covered head tilted down to look at you. “Too nice a night to -” “I don’t see anyone next to you, Daniels.” He laughed at that, lips twitching up and into a smirk, and you gestured to the open space next to you, repositioning your legs so that there was plenty of room for him. “You’re drinking alone, too. Unless you’re meeting someone, you can -” But instead of sitting, he held out his drink to you, head slowly shaking back and forth and waiting until you’d taken it from his hand to say anything else. “Gonna go get you a refill. We’ve got some catchin’ up to do.” We do, Jack. Nodding once, you watched as the man turned, heading back toward the bar. It was a shock to see him, but his friendliness wasn’t a surprise; the man had been nothing but warm toward you since the day you’d joined the team. A few years older than you, Jack Daniels was everything that the Statesman name stood for, including confident, smart, brave and capable - and he was also gorgeous and a shameless flirt, though he’d never made you uncomfortable with it.

You were far from being the only female Statesman agent, but definitely were outnumbered by the men you worked with. It didn’t bother you; in fact, it was one of your favorite parts of the job. They treated you like a longtime friend in one-on-one situations, and on the rare occasions when most of you were in the same place at the same time, things were no different. Each of them looked out for you in their own way, but didn’t make a show of it; including Whiskey. He’s more direct about it, though.

You’d moved away from your childhood and college friends, but had gained people you considered family, so it was a fair trade - at least in your mind. It was one of the things that had drawn you to the organization in the first place, and you were thankful that in the years you’d been an agent, there hadn’t been a reason for the way you felt about it to change.

Your feelings evolved over time as you got to know the men and women you worked with. You were closer to Ginger than you had been at first, and even Tequila had grown on you as the months passed, the man endlessly attempting to make you laugh and telling you that you reminded him of his sister. Bourbon liked to get your opinion on just about everything, and you looked forward to your weekly emails with Gin, a newer agent that was in the middle of helping to plan her sister’s wedding while working a long undercover assignment in California.

But Whiskey - even though you never called him that unless you were on the job - had taken a step back from you over the previous few months, and there was no concrete explanation for it. It’s a couple things, but … nothing for sure. You knew it was partially due to his reassignment to New York; the distance was one thing, but the fact that he was running the office kept him busy in and out of regular business hours, too.

He’d also been seen with a woman multiple times in New York; some socialite on his arm at a few dinners and functions, the man’s smile dazzlingly white beneath his neatly trimmed mustache, the pictures proudly displayed in the distillery’s press hall. But it’s never been like that between us, so that wouldn’t be the cause… maybe I’ll ask, since he’s back right now. You liked the man, were friendly with him, joked with him more easily than you did anyone else at the company, but it hadn’t ever been more - not even a little. You and Jack worked together well, and you always looked forward to the longer assignments with him, even though there hadn’t been one in a while. He’d been with you on your first trip out as an official agent, and requested you often as a partner. In your mind, the man was your closest friend, and that made the distance between you much more painful.

Despite the fact that you’d had very different upbringings and even more different early-adult life experiences, the two of you were in sync more often than not, making the assignments with him much less stressful than they were when you worked with other agents. So why is he… But you cut the thought off, instead using a hand to smooth your skirt over your knee again, squeezing it gently when you felt a dull ache deep within the muscle. Must have done that the other day in training. I probably overdid it. Your thoughts diverged from your knee and back to the man quickly. He was on his way over to you, two empty glasses in one hand and a pitcher of beer in the other, and even though you hadn’t planned on drinking that much - or for that long, you knew you wouldn’t turn the man down. “How long’s it been, Jack?” You reached for the glasses, waiting until he’d put the pitcher on the table to set them down. “Six months? You spent all summer in -” “Not all summer. Champ sent me outta the office in April for a week, an’ then I was in Scotland for almost two in July, but -” Nudging him with your elbow, you glanced over, rolling your eyes. “What?” “I just mean,” you sighed, wiping at your lower lip with the heel of your hand after you’d finished your first drink. “That it’s been all summer since you’ve been back here to see us.” He nodded, eyes warm under the overhead lighting as they searched your face. “I know you’ve been busy, we’ve seen some of it in the news, but I -” He reached up, pulling his hat off of his head and resting it on the table, right next to the pitcher before he turned his head toward you. “I’m just givin’ you a hard time, Agent.” He never called you by your code name either, unless it was absolutely necessary, and you’d gotten more used to hearing him call you Agent than your real name, too. “Been too long - believe me, I know it. That’s why I’m back now, though. Champ’s got somethin’ new for me, said I had to be here to talk about it tomorrow mornin’. No remote call-in.” “Oh?” You poured yourself a new drink - and one for him as well, before settling back against the cushion, the top half of your body angled toward him, back against the corner of the seat. “Must be big, then.” He shrugged, licking his lips and looking away. “Thought maybe I’d get the next assignment, you know? I’ve been here for months, just doing all the boring shit, and …” “You miss it?” He leaned closer, one side of his mouth turned up in a smirk, even though the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Bein’ undercover? Out there with me an’ the other g-” “Yes. I do.” Swallowing more of the drink you held, you shrugged. “I guess I’m still being helpful here, but it feels like everyone’s…” He surprised you by reaching out with his free hand, settling it on your knee. “Wh -” “I ain’t s’posed to tell you this.” The smirk was nearly a full-blown grin, and the look in his eyes had changed, too - brightening. You studied his face without hesitation, eyes moving over it as your heart began to beat faster. What’s he going to tell me? “And I don’t even know if it’s gonna happen, but …” He leaned in closer, raising one brow and pausing for dramatic effect. Like always. “Champ wouldn’t tell me what I’m gonna be doin’, but he said I have a partner this time.” What? You blinked, frowning. “You’re the only one here right now, right?” I am. You nodded, eyes locked on his. “Then I think you an’ I might -” “Don’t get my hopes up.” His smile was contagious, and even though there was no certainty, you were thrilled at the prospect of going back into the field with the man. Just the field in general, really. “It’s been so long since we -” “St. Paul late last winter.” He squeezed your knee, pulling his hand away and sitting back up straight. “I remember.” Me, too. “You don’t miss a thing, do you, Jack?” You murmured the words, but saw the slight wrinkle of his nose at them, waiting to continue. “I guess we’ll see, right?” He agreed, and both of you went quiet, holding your drinks tightly in your hands. “How’s New York?” It was an innocent question, but the way he eyed you stopped you from saying anything else. What’s that look for? “It’s New York City. Too much damn traffic, too many rude people, not enough time to myself.” He finished his beer, leaning over to pour another one. “But I don’t know that that’s what you mean.” What? “You said I’ve been in the news, so what’ve you … seen?” It was his turn to lean back and watch you, one eyebrow raised and a curl of hair only slightly out of place over his forehead in the humid night air. Why does this feel different? “Have you been inside yet? To the hallway by the tower elevators?” He shook his head slowly no, and you let out a breath. “It’s like your own personal photo gallery in there, Jack. Newspaper clippings, press releases, pictures from the events you’ve been to.” You gulped down a mouthful of beer, choosing your next words carefully. “It looks like the city … makes you happy.” “Doesn’t.” With a rueful twist of his lips, Whiskey shifted his hips, getting comfortable as his fingers curled around the glass he held, propping one leg up on the table in front of him. “It’s all a show, darlin’. Much rather be back here or in the field full time again.” At his use of the word darlin’, you felt your stomach flip, realizing that he wasn’t being totally upfront with you. He never calls me by any of those … he makes sure of it. “Jack…” Glancing up, you counted to three before you spoke again, moving your body out of the corner of the furniture and straightening up. “I didn’t mean to -” But he cut you off with a wave of his hand, and when he met your eyes again, the look on his face was more relaxed, his eyes a rich shade of brown in the overhead lighting. “‘Course you didn’t mean to. But why are we talkin’ about me right now? I wanna know what you’ve been up to that hasn’t been in the briefings.” He doesn’t want to talk about New York, but why? You tilted your head to one side, swallowing, and then decided to let it go. I haven’t seen him in months. It’s not worth it tonight. “You won’t believe this, but …” You paused, taking a long drink and then holding the glass in both hands, never looking away from his face. “They had me leading tours.” He laughed at that, throwing his head back and closing his eyes, and you failed to keep yourself from joining him, feeling immediately at ease. Oh, Jack. That sound. “I know, right? It was only for a couple weeks, but …” Grimacing, you rolled your eyes, sucking in a breath as he moved again, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and pulling you into a one armed hug. “Wh-” “I woulda paid to see that tour, an’ you know it.” You snorted at that, even though it was the truth, but then were surprised to feel the press of his lips to the top of your head - brief but firm. What’s he … that’s strange. “It’s great to see you again. Been too long.” You agreed, even though something still felt off, and with a firm shove to his side, pushed yourself away from him, the tips of Jack’s fingers sliding over your bare shoulders as he pulled his arm back. Oh, that… Blinking quickly, you remembered the same feeling - his hand moving over your upper back, the fingers of that hand encased in thick gloves, pressure felt even through the thick coat you wore - but were able to push it down, lowering your chin to your chest and sighing quietly, collecting yourself. That never happened. “Maybe if you ask real nice, Daniels, I’ll give you one before you leave on your assignment.” Arching a brow, you looked back up at him, then wrinkled your nose. “I did have to spend two days memorizing like ten pages of -” He laughed again, his grip tightening on your shoulder for a brief second before he pulled his hand back into his lap, meeting your eyes with a wink of his own. “Finally. Someone that can tell me all the secrets of the Statesman Distillery.” With a snort you swallowed the last of your drink, using your tongue to dry your lips from the lingering foam. Oh, it’s good to have you back, Jack.

---

He walked you back to your room that night, the conversation once again easy between you. It felt good to talk to the man, and you realized just how much you’d missed him in the months he’d been gone. He hadn’t touched you again after pulling his arm away from your shoulders, but the moment you stumbled, the muscles in your leg tightening halfway to your room, Whiskey’s arm was immediately around your waist, steadying you. “Did we have a little too much to drink?” You could tell he was teasing, but weren’t in the mood, your hand firmly gripping your thigh, fingers digging in through your skirt. “I’m just -” “No.” Wincing, you let out a breath. “I think I overdid it in the pool the other day. I swim laps a couple times a week, and -” “That leg botherin’ you?” He still hadn’t let go of you, even though you were standing straight, and the heat and pressure of his fingers against your side distracted you, your eyes flicking down to stare at them. He said your name, tone softer, and curled his fingers slightly, pulling you from your thoughts. “What’s goin’ on with you?” Maybe I should get this checked out. “You gonna be alright if I let go?” Yes. No. I don’t… There was another flash of a memory as he loosened his hold on you; Whiskey’s concerned eyes focused on your face, a shout of your name, both of his hands reaching for you - but it was gone before you could focus on it, and you heard him say your name again. Shit. “I’m fine, Jack.” Squeezing your eyes shut, you let out a breath. “If it wasn’t swimming, it was probably on the trail. There’s nothing to do with everyone gone, so I use it a lot.” But deep down, you knew that swimming and walking hadn’t caused the pain, even if you had no idea what had. “I swear.” You turned to face him, reaching out to place a hand on his chest as you looked up at the man. “And if you say a goddamn word to Champ or Ginger before we find out if I’m going with you wherever you’re assigned?” His eyes widened at your touch, but at the words, you saw him trying to conceal a smile. Got you. “I’ll make sure you regret it.”

He laughed at that, tongue poking out to wet his lower lip. “Yes, ma’am.” You laughed too, giving your thigh one more squeeze before you took another step, cautiously setting your foot down. That’s better. You walked in silence for a few minutes, and then the man spoke up, voice low. “I lied to you earlier.” What? You were waiting for the elevator, Whiskey leaning casually against the wall. “About New York.” “What do you mean?” Frowning, you paused long enough to step inside, waiting for him to join you. “Lied? About what?” “I’ve got too much time to myself in that city.” No, you don’t. You’re always with … “There’s not as much to do there for the business as you think, so I hadta find other things to do.” He had his arms crossed over his chest, back against the wall of the elevator. “Almost wish I hadn’t asked to -” But he stopped himself, gritting his teeth. Asked? What does that mean? But before he could continue, the doors opened on your floor. “This is you.” He gestured to the open space, and you stepped onto the hall, the man close behind you. As you walked, you dug the keys out of your bag, still thinking about his words. It doesn’t matter. It’s late. He’s just… “Jack?” You finally spoke again, looking back over your shoulder at him as you unlocked the door. “Even if tomorrow isn’t what you think it is…” With a twist of the knob, you pushed the door open a few inches. “Don’t leave without saying goodbye, alright? Who knows when you’ll be back again, and -” “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He stepped closer, reaching up to put a hand on the doorframe. “But you gotta promise me somethin’ too.” The door all the way open, you finally turned back to face him directly. He was watching you closely again, eyes moving over your face and then down to your shoulders before they slid back up, concern evident in them. “You gotta tell Ginger if you keep havin’ pain in that leg. She’ll figure out what it is and how to fix it.” “It’s just some sore muscles. I’ll be -” He cut you off with a scoff, muttering the words “yeah, you’ll be fine, I know” under his breath. “I will. I’ve had worse. Remember when I was in Texas, and that stakeout went wrong? Busted my arm up. Or in Whistler, on the skis?” You rolled your eyes. “Had to use that thing on my back when I got back here, and it still took days for me to feel normal.” Letting out a long sigh, you said his name. “If a sore knee or an achy thigh is enough to keep me down, I don’t deserve to be a Statesman.” “Not what I said.” He winked at you, sliding his hand down the frame and then letting go. But instead of straightening up, he leaned forward, squeezing your elbow once. “An’ you know it.” I do. “Get some sleep. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow in the conference room.” I hope so too. “Thanks for havin’ a drink with me tonight. Felt like …” “Like before?” You raised a brow, giving him a lopsided smile. “When you weren’t 800 miles away for months at a time?” His eyes flashed, but he nodded after a second, returning your smile. Oops. But Jack didn’t let your comment stop him, his words smooth as he replied.

“Exactly.” He grinned at you again, reaching up with one hand to stroke his mustache. “Now go to bed, Agent.” Assuring him that you would, you watched as he turned away from you, heading back for the elevator. Jack’s place was two floors above yours - one of the perks of being a senior operative, and you knew that it was much larger than the one you lived in, too. Even though he doesn’t use it often. At that thought, you smiled again, thinking of all the times it stayed vacant - either due to the man being on assignment or finding other reasons to sleep elsewhere - and then let out another long breath, eyes on the ceiling. He’s right. I need to say something to Ginger. You weren’t one of the people that refused to admit when the man was right about something. Jack was cocky, sure. He was downright insufferable at times, even, but that didn’t mean that he was wrong. “He’s my friend.” You spoke out loud, beginning to get ready for bed. And he’s been doing this a lot longer than me. And he was - your friend, a good friend, someone that you knew was actually looking out for you, even when you weren’t doing the same for yourself. We’ll see what happens tomorrow before I figure out what I’m going to do. There was no email from Champ, no request for a meeting, no calendar invite - but Jack had seemed certain that he’d have a partner on whatever assignment he was getting. It’s gotta be me, right? By the time you climbed into bed, only using a light blanket despite the cool air that circulated throughout the room, you weren’t thinking about tomorrow’s details or the hours you’d spend going through files and transcripts. You weren’t even thinking about the twinges of pain you’d felt, or the potential meeting and assignment the following day. No, you were thinking about Jack, and the way he’d casually touched you. You were focused on remembering the way his arm wrapped around your shoulders, the way his lips pressed to the top of your head felt. The darkness of your bedroom did nothing to erase the memory of his arm around your waist; steadying you - but at the same time holding you. You also considered the two brief flashes you’d had; memories that weren’t actual memories, but had come from somewhere else. I’ll remember. Unless… they were from dreams. It was possible, but unlikely.

Things had never been like that between you and Jack Daniels. Despite all of his flirting, the openness with women, the confidence he carried himself with, he’d been nothing but respectful toward you, treating you like a close friend, someone that he cared about deeply - that he wanted to keep safe. It had never progressed further than that with Jack - not even close. But that didn’t mean that you didn’t want more. You knew his backstory. Knew that he still - and always would - carry a torch for the woman he’d married and lost, that he wasn’t looking for anything long term or serious. You knew that he didn’t get physically close with other Statesman employees because mixing work with pleasure didn’t end well - and it complicated everything.

Jack Daniels was your sometimes partner, your good friend … and the one man that you couldn’t ever have. ---

“You should let me buy you a drink.” The woman’s voice startled him, and Jack turned his head toward it, blinking twice. How long’s she been tryin’ to talk to me? “There you are.” The woman to his left was pretty - younger than him, dark hair and doe eyes, just enough makeup on to accentuate her features. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for like … five minutes.” “Tryin’ for that long means I’m gonna buy you a drink.” She smiled at his words, eyes shifting to the open bar stool next to him, and he gave a single nod, glancing down too. It’s the least I can do. “What’s your name, lil’ lady?” She laughed, and he allowed himself a smile at the sound, though he’d already looked back to the bartender. “Annie.” He filed it away, holding up a finger and pointing it at the woman next to him, sending the bartender’s attention to her. “And I’ll have a dirty martini. Gin.” As the woman turned away to begin making the drink, Jack’s gaze returned to the young woman, eyebrows knit. “You know my name … what’s yours?”

“Name’s Jack. Jack Daniels.” Her eyes widened at that, but his eyebrows shot up in response, already digging into the pocket of his pants for his wallet. “Not foolin’ you. Look.” He passed her a business card - his go to move, though the number listed was his office number and not his personal one. “Born and raised Jack Daniels, but my nickname’s -” “Let me guess.” She pressed her lips together, wrinkling her nose. “Whiskey.” He grinned at that, eyes closing briefly and his head nodding up and down once in agreement. “How original.” I’m used to that. “Thank you for the drink, Whiskey.” She raised it to her lips and he watched the movement, waiting. There were a few ways that the night could have gone, but even though he was perfectly content to share a drink with the woman and make polite conversation, it wouldn’t go further than that. And not only becausea Stephanie, because of … He sighed, your face flashing in his mind.

“So.” He took a drink from his own glass - he’d chosen a beer that night, foregoing his namesake - his usual drink of choice. “What made you decide to come talk to the oldest guy in this bar tonight?” He cocked his head to the side, genuinely curious. “You’re young’n pretty, and I’m -” “Oh, come on.” She leaned in, rolling her eyes. “You’re not that old, and besides, this is New York City. All the younger guys are either assholes or dumb.” He had to agree; it was a far cry from Kentucky, and leagues different from where he’d grown up. “And,” she continued, leaning in even further and reaching out, her hand settling on his forearm. “There are plenty of other bars around here that you could have gone to if you wanted to hang out with people ‘your’ age, Jack.” She punctuated her words with the fingers of her free hand forming air quotes, and he had to hand it to her - she was perceptive. “You’re here because you want to be, and I’m talking to you because I want to be.”

“You’re direct.” He was smiling again, taking another long drink, his eyes moving over the bar in front of him, lingering on the TVs mounted near the ceiling. “I appreciate that.” But it doesn’t change anything. “I want to be upfront with you, Annie.” He sighed, making eye contact again. “I’m seein’ someone right now. And I have no problem havin’ a drink or two with you, but if you’re lookin’ for more, it’s not gonna be with me.” He watched her face fall, eyes moving from his and down, lingering on his mouth before she took a deep breath.

“You know… I have to…” Pausing, she took another drink. “I have to thank you for being honest, Jack.” She shrugged. “I’m disappointed, but I’m not surprised, you know?” Her shoulders lifted and then fell in a shrug. “She’s a lucky girl.” He didn’t say anything but nodded back, waiting. “I don’t … know what else to say. I came over here thinking that -” “S’all right, Annie.” He grinned. “What’s that expression? You shot your -” Before he could finish, the woman was laughing again, her fingers squeezing his arm before she pulled back, covering her mouth with that hand.

“Yeah, Jack. Figured I’d shoot my shot with you, and see what happened.” He laughed, too, at how ridiculous it sounded coming out of her mouth. Sounds just as stupid as it does when it’s Tequila sayin’ it. “Well now that that’s out in the open, maybe you can tell me about what you do.” She tapped the card with the tip of one finger, still eyeing him. “Statesman Distillery? They make some good -” But she was interrupted by the vibration of his phone against his leg, and Jack’s eyes immediately dropped as he reached into his pocket. “Sorry, I have to-” But he stopped as he saw the name on the screen. Why’s Champ calling so late? Again, his mind snapped to you, but before he could work himself up, he pressed the button to answer, lifting the device to his ear. “This is Jack.” There was a slight pause before the man spoke, the drawl of his voice loud in Jack’s ear even over the sounds of the bar. “Agent Whiskey. I am assuming by the way you answered the phone that you’re out somewhere?” He confirmed, eyes flicking to the woman next to him, watching as she turned to face forward, her eyes on one of the TV screens. “Are you able to get to somewhere private? We need to talk.”

“About what, Champ?” Licking his lips, he waited. “Can it -”

“About Agent Cider.” He felt his heart slam against his ribs, and had to bite his tongue in order to keep quiet. Fuck. “So no, it cannot wait.” Tilting his head to the side and pinning the phone between his ear and shoulder, he once again reached for his wallet, pulling it out and thumbing through the bills. “I need about twenty minutes to get back to my place. That alright with you?” Champ assured him that it was, and seconds later, Jack had laid out enough on the bar to cover his current tab plus a generous tip, and inched closer to where Annie was still sitting, pointedly looking anywhere else but at him. “I’m sorry, darlin’, that was work, and I need to go now.” She finally looked at him again, and he saw the sadness in her eyes, though she was smiling gently at him. “Thank you for sittin’ with me, and thank you for trying to buy me a drink.” He winked, standing up from the bar and reaching over to grab the Stetson that had been sitting next to him, settling it on his head. “Enjoy your -” “Oh, Jesus you’ve even got a cowboy hat? This is unbelievable.” Annie groaned, closing her eyes before covering her face with both hands. “This night keeps getting worse for me.” What does that mean? “It was great to meet you, Whiskey.” Chewing on her lip for a second, she eyed him. “I’d write my number on your card if I even thought you’d call, but… I know you wont.” She raised her glass, taking a long, deep breath. “Here’s to better luck next time.” Oh, she’s… she really is interested.

A few minutes later, he was settled into the back seat of a cab, headed back to his apartment. Champ’s words - though few - were replaying in his mind, but the man had no idea why he was so worried. What could have changed? I know I haven’t been back to Kentucky in a while, but nothin’s… there hasn’t been anything in the briefings.

Sprawled out in the back seat of the cab, Jack stared out the window, lips pushed into a pout. The city flew by, and even though it wasn’t as late as he’d thought, it was still fully dark, meaning that Champ should have been done for the day. But he’s calling me, and it’s about … her. Paying the cabbie and using his keycard to enter the building, Jack’s booted foot tapped on the floor as he rode the elevator up, anxiety growing by the second. But when he unlocked his front door, he was surprised to find the woman he’d been seeing for a few months lounging on his couch, feet up on the coffee table and her hand in her hair as she stared at the TV. “Steph? What are you -”

“We were supposed to go to dinner tonight, Jack.” She stood, stepping over to where he waited, her hands reaching for the lapels of his jacket. “Remember? We made -” He groaned, swearing as he removed his hat, setting it on the side table. “I figured you forgot, and then you didn’t answer your phone, so I just came over, and the doorman buzzed me up.” “I’m sorry. Stopped to have a drink after I left work today, and lost track of time. I must have left my personal phone at the office, and now I …” Glancing at the clock, he saw that his promised timeframe was quickly winding down. “I gotta call my boss. It’s an emergency.” She looked upset, but nodded. “Did you eat? We can order somethin’ or -” “It’s no big deal.” Giving him a tight-lipped smile, the woman lowered her head. “You know, I know this isn’t serious, Jack, but I still… I don’t know, I thought we were -” “Look.” He put his hands on his hips, chewing on the inside of his lip. “We can talk about this as soon as I’m done with this phone call, Stephanie, but it’s important, and I can’t -” She turned away from him without saying anything, and even though he knew she was expecting him to follow her, Jack instead turned toward the hallway leading to his bedroom, locking the door behind him and shedding his jacket and tie before stepping out onto the balcony and closing the door behind him. It’s just a phone call. But as he dialed Champ’s number, lifting the phone to his ear again, Jack knew that it wasn’t going to be just a phone call. Yes, he was a senior agent, but Champ didn’t owe him anything. Especially not when it comes to her. “You’re late, Agent.” He set his shoulders at the man’s informal greeting, but Jack didn’t speak, waiting. “Back home? Sounded like you were -” “I am.” Clearing his throat, he eyed the New York skyline, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. “You said you needed to talk to me? About Cid-” There was a long sigh on the other end of the line, but when Champ spoke again, Jack could hear the change in his voice. “We’re running out of options, Jack.” He felt his stomach drop, leaning forward in the chair and raising a hand to run it through his hair. “Ginger Ale and I have been talking, and it’s time to do somethin’ about -” “It’s only been a few months, Champ. She -” The older man swore, cutting Jack off. “Well then what do you want to do? And why are you callin’ me about it? You know that I -”

“We need to figure out, Jack, if she’s fit for duty. I can’t have one of my best agents sidelined because of an assignment gone wrong that she can’t remember.” The hand in his hair moved to cover his eyes, and after taking another deep, unsteady breath, the man spoke - voice quiet. “You can’t just tell her, Champ. You know that. You know what it does to people, what it …” Another memory moved to the forefront of his mind; his wife, staring at him from a tiny square of vinyl and film - her long hair cascading over her shoulders, the easy smile she wore, the way he could hear her voice in his head every time Ginger had had to wake him back up and how much it hurt - and how long it lingered. I won’t let him do that to her, not all at once. Even if it means … “She’s passed all of the other tests, right? There’s no change in her -” “That’s not the point, Agent Whiskey. She’s a liability at the moment, and if I send her out on another assignment, what happens when -” What happens when she remembers, right?

He swallowed hard, the sound of your scream echoing in his mind. “There’s a difference in assumin’ something’s going to happen, and seeing it happen. You don’t know if she’s ever gonna remember, Champ. You don’t -” “Sending her out with anyone is a risk. You know that better than anyone. I can’t trust that she -” “Send her out with me.” He spoke without pause, eyes opening wide, straightening up in the chair. “I trust her. Even if she doesn’t remember St. Paul, even if she … never remembers it. Send us on assignment together, Champ. Give me a chance to show you that she’s… gonna be fine.” “Ginger Ale said you’d say that.” At the words, Whiskey allowed himself to feel a slight hope - a small spark of warmth in his chest. “She seems to think that you have a special interest in Agent Cider’s future as a Statesman.” I do, but that doesn’t matter. “You need to come back next week, Jack. Give us some time to figure something out, and then you can come back to talk it over in person.” “Alright.” He swallowed hard, looking down at his feet. “Champ?” He let uncertainty creep into his voice, knowing that the other man could hear it, too. “Thank you for callin’ me.” He didn’t have to thank Champagne, but knew that in the long run, it was best to stay on the man’s good side as much as possible. “You gonna say anything to her? Let her know that -” “No, Agent. I think …” He trailed off, and Jack heard the telltale sound of the man spitting out a mouthful of bourbon. “I think we’ll let you tell her when the time’s right.” Me? But that … “We’ll have things finalized by the end of the week. Tie up any loose ends and be ready to be back at the distillery by Wednesday. Clear?” “Crystal.” The conversation ended there, but Jack didn’t move, instead curling his fingers tightly around the device, the edges of it biting into his palm. “Shit.” He curled his upper lip and then glanced upward, closing his eyes. “Shit, Jack. This isn’t…” He finally stood, making his way back into the living room after tossing his phone onto the bed. Stephanie was still on the couch, but he saw that her eyes were unfocused. “Stephanie?” She glanced over her shoulder at him, but kept quiet. “I think you should go.” “For the night?” She stood, watching him closely. “What -” “No. Not just tonight.” I don’t want to hurt you, but I need to be honest. “I’m gonna have to leave for a while. Gotta go back to the distillery for work. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone for. Maybe a while.” It was a slight exaggeration - probably - but he didn’t want to take any chances. I can’t keep runnin’ from this. “I had fun with you, Steph, but it… like you said, wasn’t nothin’ serious, just keepin’ each other company.” She gasped, and Jack recoiled from the sound, but kept his feet planted. It’s easier this way. “You knew me bein’ here was temporary. Who knows what’s gonna happen when I go back. Could be a week, could be a month. Could be permanent, but that’s -” “Protect yourself, right Jack?” She pulled her shoes on as she spoke, voice venomous. “That’s what you always do.” She stopped in front of him, her eyes blazing. “Never let anyone get close to you, because you like being so goddamn…” She scoffed. “COO of a company like Statesman, can’t get tied down, right? Can’t -” “I never lied to you. Never said this was gonna be anything more than -” But Stephanie only rolled her eyes and stepped past him, mumbling under her breath about what an asshole he was. “Fine. You do what you need to do. Tell people whatever you need to tell ‘em, but we both know the truth.” Standing her ground, the woman stared at him, eyes blazing. She’s the one that said she was fine with… fuck. “You’re makin’ this harder than it needs to be right now.” He spoke quietly, but she didn’t reply, and a few seconds later, the door slammed behind her, leaving Jack alone in the apartment. “Goddammit.” He ran his hands through his hair, closing his eyes. “Well, shit.” But the quiet got to him, and after he’d composed himself, Jack locked the front door, turning the lights off and moving back to his bedroom, slowly undressing. The woman’s words echoed in his head - and while she wasn’t wrong, she wasn’t quite right, either. He’d never told Stephanie about his wife, the first woman that he’d fallen in love with, the one he’d married only months out of high school, the one that knew him better than he’d known himself, from nearly the first day they’d met. She didn’t know the pain he’d felt when the woman - and their unborn child - were taken from him after only a few short years of marriage - a senseless act that left him closed off and unwilling to get involved long term with anyone. The death of his wife had led him to destructive behavior - brawling in bars, excessive drinking, his generally happy-go-lucky disposition all but replaced with anger and hostility at the fact that he hadn’t been there to protect her. But Champ had found him when he’d needed someone most; locked up in the town’s lone holding cell and nursing one hell of a hangover along with a black eye, offering him an opportunity to channel that anger - as well as the rest of his emotions - into something positive, something worthwhile. He’d immediately left home, cutting ties with everyone except his wife’s parents and focused entirely on becoming a Statesman agent. That opportunity had led him to plenty of others, and though he’d never let himself have another relationship, he’d had his fair share of women - short term, no commitment, making the most of his new lifestyle; a bachelor with a great deal of disposable income, finding himself in tons of different locations around the world - using them to forget, to blow off steam, and to pretend that everything was fine. But it never was. And it wouldn’t have been, without … He thought of you, then, the first time he’d seen you as you completed your training, wide eyed and overeager to get used to your new surroundings and responsibilities. You were younger than him, sure, but you’d warmed to him easily, though you hadn’t tried to take it further. Jack genuinely liked you, and from the beginning, it was different for him with you than with any other new recruits. He found himself looking forward to working with you, to seeing you in different areas of the facility, to testing the limits of your skills with you. He hadn’t been willing to admit it, but Jack wanted to get to know you, even then. He flirted - hard - but you went with it, teasing him back without missing a beat, and over time - the course of a few years, Jack realized that he felt things for you that he hadn’t felt since he’d been with his wife, despite the fact that things hadn’t ever escalated beyond what could be considered friendly. And for once, I didn’t know what to do about it. He was sitting on the edge of his bed in the darkened room, dressed only in his shorts and a white t-shirt, eyes on the sliding glass door. But I didn’t want to admit it, because… “Because admittin’ it meant I could lose it.” Jack’s eyes closed, squeezing shut, teeth digging into his full lower lip. And then I did lose it, just like I lost my wife.

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bike42 · 4 years ago

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Kentucky Derby Weekend April 29 – May 2, 2021

Wednesday evening, we took Sox the cat downtown to Bailey’s condo, then came home to pack (the cat hates to see suitcases). I can pack for a hiking trip with my eyes practically closed, but this kind of trip took some thinking! I had to match shoes, purses and jewelry to all of my outfits, and then of course there was my hat. Since we’d decided to drive the 6+ hours to Louisville, space wasn’t an issue and we were able to load our car with hat boxes, a large bag of snacks, yoga mat, pillows and suitcases!

We were up at 6am on Thursday, anxious to get going, and we were on the road just after 7am. As we were packing last night, Jeff wondered if our iPass was in the new Audi – I thought it was, but we didn’t check. We had decided to travel straight down through Illinois and skip the Chicago madness so I was thinking tolls wouldn’t be an issue anyway. But as we got to Janesville, we recalled we still had the one toll near Rockford, so I checked the glove box – the iPass was not there. It had been in our old Audi, so I thought it was odd that we’d have moved it to the other car – we haven’t travelled to Illinois since February 2020. Then Jeff said he thought he remembered that our new Audi has a built-in toll pass?! I got out the manual and sure enough! It led me through the steps to get it activated, and I was able to get it set up just moments before we hit the Illinois border.

We had rain through most of Illinois, but decent traffic and no major slowdowns even though there was a lot of road construction. We turned east at Bloomington toward Danville, IL which started us reminiscing about our 2013 cycling trip down the length of the state.

The trees were more leafed out than ours and it seemed to get greener with every mile we traveled. As we got south of Indianapolis, we saw our first Waffle House, so we stopped the Waffle House in Taylorsville for our favorite breakfast (regardless of the time of day) when we’re in the south (waffles, eggs over easy, split a side of bacon).

We arrived in Louisville and checked into the downtown Hilton Garden Inn just before 3pm. That left us ample downtime for yoga, naps, catching up email from the day, and showers before our 7pm dinner reservation at Vincenzo’s.

So many experiences already on the trip feel novel, packing last night, a six-hour road trip, and now checking into the nicest hotel we’ve stayed in since February 2020. Once upside to the pandemic and its quarantine is the pure appreciation I have for the ability to travel again!

The restaurant was an easy walk from the hotel, and even though we’d checked the weather app before we headed down from our room, we were surprised to have sprinkles on our faces when we stepped out onto the sidewalk. No worries, Jeff had his rain coat and I had my beautiful poncho that I’d bought in Paris two years ago on a rainy April day.

We had a great leisurely dinner, four courses and a bottle of wine. It was nice to be dressed up and out together again. The staff and service were amazing, and we tried to chat a bit with the gentleman we thought was the proprietor (Vincenzo?), but he seemed to have limited English (or hearing). We’d heard on the local news before going out that that town of Louisville was so excited about this week-end – several hotels and restaurants were booked full – and that’s news!

After dinner, we walked through the Fourth street party area, which was fairly subdued at 6:30pm but we expected it’d be hopping later. There was a friendly guy on the street having a cigarette, he was a beer salesman named Scott from Appleton, WI. He was excited to tell us all about what to expect at the derby, how crowded this area should be right now (in a normal year), all the famous people he’d previously partied with here, etc. He’d have gone on all night, but his wife was calling him from a nearby table telling him his dinner was getting cold!

We had a lazy Friday morning, then we were out on the street at 9am to walk to waterfront park. Our hotel was a great location, and we found it was a beautiful day. It wasn’t long before we were peeling off layers. We walked along the Ohio river, east to the converted railroad bridge called the Big Four Bridge, the headed back. The river itself is muddy and filled with debris, but the Waterfront Park was fabulous. All of the people we encountered were so friendly – many greeting us with “Happy Derby!”

We had tickets to tour the Louisville Slugger factory and museum at 11am, so we walked back along the waterfront and found it in a funky part of old town (Main Street) – the area that had been known as Whiskey Row at the turn of the century. We really enjoyed the tour. Since I’d booked it last week, I had this song lyric with “Louisville Slugger” trying to work its was to the front of my brain. I took to google when we were having lunch later and figured out its from Mary Chapin Carpenter’s song “The Bug.” It goes: “sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug … sometimes you’re the Louisville Slugger, baby, sometimes you the ball … “

After lunch we wandered into the Evan Williams Experience, where we sampled Peach Mint Juleps – yum. Back to the hotel, we had a nap, then showers – ready for our next event at 3:30pm. This was an event booked by the group where we got our tickets: Princeton Sports Group. It was billed as “Derby Eve at Buffalo Trace,” but we weren’t sure what to expect. We got to the lobby and found we were a busload of people, and we were headed to the Buffalo Trace Distillery, about an hour away in Frankfort! Our guide and driver were great, they plied us with cocktails and information about bourbon and the trip went fast.

When we arrived at the distillery, there were three other packed busses, so we had a wait a bit to get through the temperature screening and get assigned to a guide. The distillery had a policy that everyone wear masks (except when seated in the tasting room), even outside, and some in our group were pretty vocal about thinking that requirement was ridiculous (especially the group from Texas!).

While I enjoyed the tour of the rickhouses (3-4 floor buildings where whiskey is aged after its barreled), and the room where the empty barrels were stored, I was disappointed that we didn’t get to tour the actual distillery – I wanted to see the chemistry! None-the-less, we had an enthusiastic tour guide and it continued to be a beautiful day and we enjoyed the beauty and the history of the property while we waited our turn to enter the tasting room. There we were socially distanced at spots with 5 shots laid out for each of us – a vodka (too strong for me just straight), and three bourbons with progressively better quality: Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Blanton’s Single Barrel (we’d been introduced to that last month by our nephew Calvin, a far superior bourbon). We thought the tasting finished with their Bourbon Cream (like a Bailey’s) which was yummy on its own, but they served it with a shot glass of root beer and when we combined the two – we found heaven! Since it was Derby time, they finished the tasting with a demonstration of making Mint Juleps, and we each were served a large portion of that!

After the tasting, we had some time to shop, so we headed to the store and bought a bottle of their Bourbon Cream (they sell out of Blanton’s as soon as its bottled, or we’d have bought that too). By then we were mildly buzzed and in need of food.

Back on the bus, we travelled about 20 minutes before stopping at Jeptha Creek – an event center where we had dinner, more drinks, dancing to a bluegrass band and playing a little corn-hole in the yard. During dinner, we sat with two couples that had arrived on another bus – also their first Derby experience and we enjoyed trading stories with them.

On our bus back to Louisville, our guide decided it was time for bus Karaoke (using the music on his phone and holding it up to the microphone). One guy, who didn’t seem particularly gregarious, got up to sing, and sang very well as the bus lurched along the interstate. We sang all the way to the hotel, a fun night.

We awoke Saturday morning to another beautiful day, and had a leisurely morning with a hotel room workout and breakfast. We had the local NBC affiliate that had full time coverage from Churchill Downs and we watched the first two races on TV before heading out. The gates opened at 10am, but that felt too early to go, yet there were plenty of partiers already there.

We headed out of the hotel about noon. It was a bright sunny day and neither of us were prepared with sunscreen, so we walked around the corner to the CVS drugstore. As we walked down the street, we were greeted with shouts of “Happy Derby Day,” and nearly every vehicle driving by stopped as asked if we wanted a “shuttle” to the track. Our hotel offered a shuttle for $40 per person (which I thought was excessive), we could have driven our car and parked at the University lot and walked from there, but we’d decided we were going to take an Uber (I really want to think the best of people, but it seemed like a bad idea to jump into a car with someone who’s just taped a “Derby Shuttle” sign to his car for the day).

As we walked into CVS, a confrontation broke out between a store employee and a young black man who was accused of having stashed something inside his coat. You could feel the tension in the store, and it put me on edge too. Other employees were suggesting the manager hold the guy until the police arrived. We grabbed a bottle of sunscreen and went to the checkout, where the clerk was almost too distracted to check us out.

As we walked out the door, the managers had wrestled the man outside and the police had arrived. The scene quickly was surrounded by others that were taking videos on their cell phones. We moved around the corner, and didn’t see how it resolved, but it went quietly. Perhaps the manager was wrong?

Last month, we both got new iPhones, and are still struggling with having to sign into apps we haven’t used!? Ugh. We both really struggle trying to recall passwords that our phones have been so diligent about remembering, or allowing us to use face recognition. After a bit, Jeff succeeded in getting into his Uber app, but then his credit card had changed since we last used Uber, probably in NYC in 2019. My nerves were still on edge, and I was a bit panicked about standing here outside CVS with both of us focused on the phone, Jeff with his wallet in his hand and his credit card out. I pulled out my phone and was able to log into my Uber and my credit card was still active, so I said “I’ll order the Uber and you can work on your account another time!”

We had a great Uber driver, Onfraus. He had a Green Bay Packer emblem on the front of his Jeep. His girlfriend is from Wausau and he knew a lot about Madison. He asked if State Street was still the place to be, and was shocked when we told him of the devastation after “protests” turned violent last year when windows were smashed and businesses looted after the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis. We all agreed it didn’t make sense - the wrong people in the wrong place, with a demonstration of anti-police effort. His calm wonderful manner helped calm my frayed nerves. A lifelong Louisville resident, he was helpful in explaining where he had to drop us, and how to walk to the track from where he dropped us, and also where to find the Uber pickup lot to get our ride back to the hotel after the Derby. It was just over three miles - $45 with tip (surge pricing).

It was easy to figure out the way to the track, we followed the colorful crowd. Lots of young adults - many of them quite drunk already. I was surprised that many people had chairs, headed for the infield lawn which is where the party really happens, we’d heard. We followed the crowd to the gates, went through security, but our tickets wouldn’t read in the scanner - oh no. Our panic was relieved when a supervisor told us we had Clubhouse tickets, and we were at the infield gate, the wrong gate. They led us out and we worked our way against the crowd for a bit, and felt like was walked all the way around the outside of the track until we found our gate. I’d worn shoes for comfort and was glad to be walking before sitting for the next six hours or so.

At the Clubhouse entrance, things were more civilized and the crowd was scarce. In fact, due to COVID, they’re operating at about 40% capacity - so for someone like me that likes my personal space, this was perfect!

We found our seats - the first two seats in a box that was set up for just four, but could accommodate six. Every other box was blocked out with a tarp to maintain physical distance, so we had perfect sight lines to the finish like right in front of us. We were in the covered section, so no need for that sunscreen after all (but we saw quite a few people who could have used it).

There was a race roughly every hour, so we fell into an easy pattern of watching a race, then exploring the grounds in between races. This year for the first time, all food and drink were included in the ticket price, so we grazed on food and I sampled most of the specialty cocktails: Mint Julep, Whiskey Spire (cranberry) and the Lily (vodka and grapefruit).

For me, the neatest part about being onsite was standing at the edge of the paddock. Not only was the people watching amazing, but it gave us a close look at the horses. They’d be led around the circle, some seemed proud to be on display, some were fighting being led around, then they’d pull them into a cubicle where magically the tiny saddle would be strapped to the horse, then another lap or two, photos with the owners / VIP and one last parade past with the jockey onboard. How cool it was to see that up close. I’d never noticed their lightweight boots, and the small stirrups that seemed strung up too high. From the paddock, the procession would move under the grandstand and out onto the track where they’d parade by, before heading around the track to the starting gate (which was out of our view, but we could see it on the large video screen). The only downside to being there in person is the race happens so fast and with the crown noise and the garbled speakers, we couldn’t really tell how the horses we’d selected we’re doing!

We were joined in our box by a dapper young man, Jackson and his girlfriend, Danni, from Miami. Jackson split his time growing up between Middleton WI with his dad (attended Edgewood High School), and Louisville with his mom. He’d been to the derby many times before, but this could have been his first time trying to impress a girl with his knowledge. They were cute.

In the box kitty-corner to our front right, there were Louisville police officers. They primarily spent their time scrolling through their social media feeds on their phones. Later in the evening, two started smoking cigars and snapping photos of themselves. It seemed inappropriate and was noxious to be around, but the smell of cigar smoke was pervasive throughout the day regardless. As we were heading out to explore between races, we stopped to ask them if it’d be safe to walk the three miles back to our hotel after the race. They looked at us like we had two heads!

The actual “Derby” the twelfth of fourteen races during the day. It was the only race we actually bet us, choosing Hot Road Charlie (Jeff pick which finished third), and my pick, Rock Your World, finished in seventeenth place. We’d added the favorite pick of the day, Essential Quality to our trifecta bet (it came in fourth). Almost, but that doesn’t count in horse racing, so we lost our $200 but had fun doing so!

We hung around for a bit, enjoying some last-minute people watching, then joined the stream of people heading out of the main gate. We turned right, towards the Uber lot, which meant we were once again walking against the crowd leaving the infield – many were now very drunk, most were sunburned, and some were being carried. It seemed to be a zoo at the Uber lot, and the app showed our same driver, but it’d oscillate between 20-30 minutes away. The crowd and the noise of the Jesus Freaks yelling at the crowd through bad speakers was making me crazy, so I lobbied to start walking.

We walked with a smaller crowd, but many of them pealed off as we strolled through the U of L campus. We walked past large house parties, still going strong. After a mile, there were only a handful of us still walking towards downtown, but it felt good to move and the neighborhood felt ok. Several people that we’d pass would shout out friendly greetings, and we just kept moving, only slightly creeped out by the recommendation from the police that we don’t try to walk back to the hotel.

It started getting dark as we got close, but by then, it felt like a normal evening stroll. It felt great to get to the room though and jump into the shower to wash away the dirt and cigar smoke from the day! We were probably both sleeping by 9pm!

On Sunday, we were up before our alarm, so we got dressed and finished packing up and we were crossing the Ohio back into Indiana before 7am. An uneventful drive, and great to be home in the early afternoon and still enjoy the day.

#KentuckyDerby

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tylerandgendostuff · 4 years ago

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The Farewell Tour

Since Tyler first learned that he might be stationed in Stuttgart, we decided to let a select few friends and family know so we could have a few socially distanced preemptive goodbyes given that his departure dates were planned to be in just a couple weeks.

The Farewell tour started with a surprise visit from all of our favorite medical school besties who decided to travel from all over the country to celebrate Tyler and his exciting new adventure.

We kicked off the weekend with me taking the girls on a tour of my favorite part of louisville - NULU which included take away bourbon slushies (for the non pregnant people), window shopping, a lunch at Royals hot chicken plus a free drink for me because the cashier dumped bourbon all over me haha, and a final stop at Novelle’s outdoor garden for a chocolate platter for the ever hungry Kristy.

While us squirrel friends trapsed about Market Street (and yes we social distanced, masked up, and hand sanatized the shit out of our girls day) the menfolk took a tour to Bardstown Bourbon Company followed by an Old Fashioned drinking making course at Jim Beam. This was was by far a highlight for Tyler who is OBSESSED with old fashions and has since spent every waking moment figuring out how to perfect his favorite drink. Tyler also instructed me to add “Bardstown bourbon company has the one of the most complete and excellent bourbon experiences witnessing bourbon distilling from start to finish. Highly recommend.” Tyler is not an affiliate of Bardstown bourbon company and his opinions are that of his own and not his employer.Shippingand handlingnotincluded.MemberFDIC.

While the boys were doing manly things the 4 of us lady doctors took it upon ourselves to decorate the backyard (which was in complete disarray from renovations) in everything German - beer garden signs, German flags, bibs with big boobs on them, blue and white everything and balloons.

To continue the everything-German-theme we had catered German food that Marla and Saber got the serious Deutschland heritage hook up for. I did attempt to hire a live polka band to play outside the backyard fence (for pandemic precautions) but they were not in town and also wanted $950 for 2 hours LOL. So instead we played polka music from our phones for about 20 minutes until we couldn’t stand to listen to it anymore.

Saber also made this fantastic peanut butter 7 layer cake for Tyler which was Devine to say the least:

One of the dinner highlights was when Mia decided to sample an entire loaf of German bread and sneak it past us all to devour in her cage. She looked very guilty when she was stopped at a security checkpoint near the bedroom to have the bread about as long as she is (including festive German flag toothpicks) removed from her mouth.

We capped off the trip with a fabulous Le Moo brunch and enjoyed each other’s company for what will ultimately be the last time in a while we are all together stateside.

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sacasinoblog10 · 4 years ago

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Labouchere Betting System May Fetch You Profits Even If You Lose

Labouchere Betting System is believed to be negative but actually, it is not because with the completion of betting session, you end up earning profits. This system is more popularly known as cancellation system. Let us try to understand how this betting system actually works. You need to choose a series of numbers which can be 1 2 3 4 5 6 or 1 1 1 3 3 5 7. The selection of series is done on the basis of the game you have chosen and the options of odds in the bet.

Each of the numbers is expressed in units. All you do in this betting system is you bet on the initial and last number of the series. For example in 1 2 3 4 5 6 series, your first bet is for numbers 1 and 6 which comes to a total of 1+6= 7 units. If you win, you have to get on to the next two ending numbers. In our series, it is 2 and 5 which makes 7 units again. If you win, you bet for next numbers 3 and 4 and if you happen to win that also, it means you have completed one game. Now you will start afresh.

You must be thinking what will happen if you lose the bet. Let us assume that you have lost your very first bet of 7 units. Now what will happen is that number 7 will get added to your series of numbers. Now your series is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and now your next bet would be 1 and 7 which is equivalent to 8 units. If you win your first bet this time but lose the next with numbers 2 and 6 then 8 would get added making your series look like this 2 3 4 5 6 8. Finally, by the end of the series, it dawned on you that you had earned a profit. The only negative side is you might end up placing higher bets much larger than the original wager.

If we reverse this Labouchere system, it will become positive progression betting system. According to the reverse order, all you need to do is when you win, add the total number of winning units to the original number series and delete the numbers if you lose and start with the next two ending numbers. Set a target of near about 20 units profit for each and every even money bet. Ensure that the target is comparatively low for higher odds. When you accomplish the target, move on to the next sequence. Your series will then be 1 2 3 4 so in each of the sequences, there is basically a risk of 10 units. Labouchere System when reversed serves as one of the most effective positive progression systems of betting. This system basically requires the betters to bet higher when they are winning and the lesser when they are losing the game. It works on the opposite pattern of casinos. This system is great for some specific games. To name a few, we have roulette, baccarat and lastly blackjack.

To conclude, what seems negative might not always be so bad for you. You never know you might just earn grand sum by placing bets according to this betting system.

"Bookie Bonus Buster" is a well known E-book on betting exchange. In my e book, you'll find everything from knowledge bank to graphics to strategies. My aim is to give you a ready made thing that you need to just hold in your hands and start reaping its benefits. There is comprehensive material on how to strategically place bets and back the team to win. So, all you people out there, subscribe to our book and effectively perform the task of bet backing.

The Burn & Turn Legends of Poker

'Poker face' Capone

Mob boss, 'Scarface' Al Capone, had to sa บา คา ร่า burn and turn in a dark and dismal room in the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville in an effort to remain out of the clutches of the feds. The room was specially constructed for the Mafia Don and is still in use to this day… but as a dining area.

The room, resplendent with huge mirrors to prevent anyone sneaking up on the notorious gangster from behind, has hidden panels and secret passageways that were used when the gangster needed a speedy exit!

But it wasn't only the mandarins of the underworld that were seduced by the mystique of this simple casino card game, former Presidents of the USA were avid supporters too.

Truman's 'Harpie Club' Harry Truman was a founder member of the 'Harpie Club', a club dedicated solely to the game of poker and as Judge Truman he played often in the 1920's. After reaching the White House his poker playing days took on a whole new dimension and he was spotted on board the Presidential yacht, Williamsburg, with cards in hand on more than one occasion.

In 1946 England's iconic statesman, Winston Churchill, was encouraged to join Truman's table but in no time at all, Truman and company had the former British Prime Minister seriously short stacked and clearly against the ropes!

John F Kennedy was another US President who not only enjoyed women but plenty of poker too. He would slot in a quick poker game in between seducing the beautiful, yet emotionally bereft Marilyn Monroe in one of the rooms built on the nefarious President's instructions.

'Low Stakes' Obama Barack Obama, touted as the future President of the USA (now officially he will be the President of the USA), prefers the low stakes games and is allegedly often at the tables playing stud or draw. Clearly American politics now demands more than just beer and cigars - perhaps bourbon and poker will lighten the mood and bring the US more in sync with the rest of the gambling world!

Singing sensation Frank Sinatra was so enamoured with poker and gambling that he dedicated a song to Las Vegas and the tables. 'Luck be a lady' was his mantra to both the poker gods and the casino bosses, who he reportedly had a highly contentious relationship with!

Nelson & Rhodes slug it out Two of England's boxing legends, WBO cruiserweight World Champion, Johnny Nelson and Ryan Rhodes, current British Boxing Board of Control lightweight title holder, were recently seen slugging it out. This time it was the gloves off approach at the tables of a charity event and not in the ring.

The best spin bowler the world has ever seen, the incomparable Shame Warne, opted for poker over the enormously lucrative Indian Premier League and is brushing up on his holdem prowess to contest the World Series of Poker next season and America's Andy Roddick says he has translated his poker face to the courts in an effort to dupe his tennis opponents!

Ben Affleck & the World Poker Tour Britain's bad boy, Robbie Williams and Hollywood's glamour guy, Ben Affleck are aiming for the Monte Carlo leg of the European Poker tour. Affleck is no stranger to the hype and might of the international poker tours and has already bagged one title, the 2004 California State Poker Championship that earned him a seat at the WPT.

Then there are the fleets of fillies who have thrown their considerable weight and money behind poker - Paris Hilton, Jennifer Tilly, Shannon Elizabeth, Mimi Rogers and Camryn Manheim, to name just a few. Poker has clearly been elevated from a game for sleaze balls to the preferred past time of the pampered and powerful! Visit site

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thebourbontruth · 7 years ago

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Doing the Bourbon Trail 2017

A lot has changed since my last Bourbon Trail post so it’s time. http://kybourbontrail.com What I’ve noticed is people tour under very different time constraints and whom your accompanied by. Solo vs a family trip with the kids and grandparents has much different needs and results. First off do the trail sober. The Kentucky Bourbon Distillers has been enlisting the help of Uber and Lyft. There are taxis and private and public tour groups. Plan ahead for not driving when you shouldn’t be or have a DD.

Logistics As of 2016 there are over a million visits a year visiting Kentucky for “ bourbon tourism” and growing. In 10 years the number has tripled to where it is. That’s a lot. During peak days or times you will NOT be able to get a tour unless you preplan and reserve well in advance. http://kybourbontrail.com/kentucky-bourbon-trail-barrels-past-1-million-visits-2016/

The unofficial and official trail extends well north starting in Newport Kentucky (outside Cincinnati) where New Riff (craft) is to Bowling Green (almost the Tennessee boarder) where Corsair (craft) is over a 3 hour drive so limits are usually present. Most other Distilleries average a 45-60 minute drive apart but Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses are within half an hour of each other. Regardless of the distance your not getting to them all, possibly not even all the major ones. Secondly, (I’ll say it again) during peak days and times you might not be able to tour at all or need to wait without reservations so make reservations. Another General recommendation is that you and certainly kids have a three distillery attention limit. Things will start blending in and looking the same after that. Pick carefully because if Beam is at the top of your list, do it first. If you put favorite or must see’s at the end you may never make it. If you do more than 3, make that a daily limit. If you don’t want to drive, Mint Julep Tours has some great private and public options http://mintjuleptours.com https://mintjuleptours.com/public-bourbon-tours/

Weather The summer is hot and steamy, sometimes too hot. Bring lots of water in a cooler if you can. The summer may also have distilleries that are closed or not distilling so if you really want to see a special distillery make sure they are operating the days your planning to be there. Winter has ice and when roads are icy the distilleries have been known to close completely. Pets in the car don’t mix well if hot or cold.

Where to sleep? The nicest national hotel chain in Bardstown is the Hampton Inn. There are a few bed and breakfasts but if you want central location, choice and some luxury, Louisville is your best bet (about an hour from most things). Use this as your central hub. Places like the Marriott East (Eastern suburb to downtown Louisville) are a bit cheaper than the regular high end places in downtown and a bit closer to Frankfort area Buffalo Trace, Woodford and Lawrenceburg for Wild Turkey and Four Roses. If your going to be further South, besides Bardstown, Elizabethtown is another option.

If you’re a couple or buddies or a couple touring, I’d recommend Louisville for the bars, Resturant’s and Whiskey Row attractions. Night life is practically non existent other than Louisville. I have regretted Lexington stays as its too far from most places. If your willing to switch hotels in/from other cities/towns that’s a different matter. I personally stay at the Marriott Residence Inn in downtown Louisville when staying downtown. It’s a 50 foot walk/stumble to the best Whiskey bar in Kentucky (Haymarket, a fun dive bar open late). Wandering the streets of Louisville at night, potentially drunk, when not in a group isn’t recommended.

Family trips You better pick just Three-Four distilleries or your going to hear whining. Mix things in like Mammoth Caves, Underground Zip lines, Lincoln Boyhood home, museums, rides on the river in Louisville etc.. The Beam Urban Stillhouse and Evan Williams Experience http://evanwilliams.com/visit.php in Louisville are good for kids so I don’t count those as part of your 3. If you only have two days stick to those close to the Bluegrass Parkway. Buffalo Trace to Bardstown.

Solo or Couples Pick 5 places unless you have more than two days. At five you’ll also start to get the “distillery burnout” and a potentially unhappy spouse. If your going to do more than 5 anyway try to split it up maybe with Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Nashville touring. Visit the races, horse farm etc. you’ll need a break.

Smaller Distilleries Craft and lesser known names I wouldn’t try too hard to get to unless its Willett or on the way with burnout considered.

Cost Plan on about $5-20 per adult per Distillery. Buffalo Trace has the only free tours that I recall. I’ve even heard that Makers Mark is currently charging to get in even with no tour. Don’t know if this is temporary. Other Visitor Centers/Gift Shops at this point are still free to get in but tours are the extra charge. Some might offer Discounts for DD’s, Military, Seniors, Law Enforcement and First responders so ask. Children are usually free to a certain age.

The Distilleries By rough geography. If I miss or skip a distillery it’s not necessarily a skip, I personally haven’t been or not enough there to warrant the extra time to get there. Some distilleries may have a distillery exclusive bottle. I’ll try to note these. Keep in mind that by law any Kentucky retailer can carry these also but they rarely do or can get them before the gift shop gets them all from distribution. They are part of the three tier system so even the distillery exclusives technically need to go through a third party distributer.

Louisville Angels Envy The newest tour in Downtown Louisville across from Slugger Baseball Stadium. A beautiful great tour. If you can’t see the rest of the Bourbon Trail this is a great option. Nothing I could see in the Gift shop different than what you can get at home but I’d go back again. They did have their Rye which is often sold out back home. Note that tours do get sold out on weekdays off peak as they were when I was there.

Bulleit Experience If your not a Stitzel Weller geek skip it. If you don’t know what Stitzel Weller is, again, skip it. More or less a Diageo ad for Bulleit that has never had or has a current real Distillery there although one is due to open soon in Shelbyville that might have public tours.

Copper and Kings is a Brandy distillery in Louisville if your into that and have time.

Evan Williams Experience A mini distillery and showcase of distilling and history. A fun time. They have a few exclusives like a 12 year and 23 year Evan Williams.

Frankfort area

Buffalo Trace http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/visit-us/our-tours Not an official part of or member of the Bourbon Trail. Free tours and you should reserve Hard Hat Tours as opposed to the regular hourly tours. They split production and maturation into roughly two tours so you could end up there most of the day to get tour bookend Hard Hat type tours in. This is a whiskey factory. Not much for kids but a not to be missed option. Don’t expect any bottles you can’t get at home of Whiskey, nothing special.

Woodford Reserve https://www.woodfordreserve.com/distillery/tours/ Very pretty and fairly quick tours. Drive through horse county to the nicest Distillery in Ky. A couple releases you can only find at the distillery. Real nice gift shop packed full. Usually two unique Whiskeys in .375 size avail each only there. A must stop.

Castle and Key Beginning tours soon. Read up on Old Taylor History (what used to be here) and check it out. Down the street from Woodford. If and when tastings are offered in the near future it will be new booze and young aka not too good. Keep this in mind for any newer distillery only bottling their own make.

Four Roses http://fourrosesbourbon.com Another great stop but no bottling or maturation is done here (see below). That is a separate facility near Beam that you can tour. A whiskey factory that’s a great stop for a Four Roses lover. Bottles selected by Brent Elliott the Master Distiller in the nice large gift shop usually.

Wild Turkey http://wildturkeybourbon.com/visit-us/ New distillery, visitor center and bottling. Feels a bit sterile. Tours stop at lots of windows you can only look through like the distillery. A nice stop and Master Distillers Eddie or Jimmy Russell are often hanging out signing things. Usually no special bottlings are for sale there but a good fun stop.

Bardstown They are adding lots of distilleries but the ones there are Willett and Barton. Don’t stop at Barton if you’ve been/going to one of the whisky factories. Ugly, nothing you’ll want in the giftshop.

Willett https://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/visit-willett-distillery/# You MUST get a reservation early at Willett to be safe. Its small and very very popular. A recent Saturday out of season had 500 people and they stopped counting. Willett often has private bottling you can’t get elsewhere of advanced age. They are fleeting though. A 14 year old bottling could show up without notice then be sold out within an hour. Don’t expect it will be while you are there but and a big but- If you are on the tour and ask nice you never know. Willett Family Reserve is one of the hardest to get due to the value on the secondary market. They do have their other retail brands and sometimes Rye there regularly. Great people. Expanding Giftshop about to have a bed and breakfast onsite summer/fall 2017 most likely. Periodically will have things you can’t get elsewhere at random. Still have bottles of allocated things from back home you might not see.

Makers Mark If you want to make the trip on Loretto Rd that passes Willett, Makers Mark is ½ hour each way. A cool nice Distillery if you have time. Pretty and complete tours. Can get real busy. Usually one or two things in a large gift shop you can’t get back home.

There is practically nothing but windy roads and little or no cellular coverage. It’s worth the trip but consider it’s a half day excursion. Great Giftshop. The most educational tasting of different stages of maturation, big Giftshop with some private things you can’t get elsewhere and chance to wax dip your own bottle.

If your out this way consider stopping at Independent Stave in Lebanon where they make new Whiskey barrels. Two tours a day, reservations a must. Worth a stop if you have time. http://www.iscbarrels.com/tours/

Wilderness Trace also (see below)

Heaven Hill’s maturation and bottling are here in Bardstown. If you’ve seen or will be seeing these at other places no real draw for me to recommend the tour. The Louisville distillery is not open to the public but the Evan Williams Experience fills in with a mini distillery and nice facility. http://heavenhilldistillery.com/bourbon-heritage-center.php?utm_source=BHC&utm_medium=Redirect&utm_campaign=BHCRedirect&bhc=1

The Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center and Giftshop is a great stop however with frequently special bottlings you can’t get at home or tightly allocated.

Four Roses Maturation and Bottling is near Beam and Bardstown. If you’re a fan of Four Roses or want to see these production pieces in depth, stop. It’s 5 minutes from Beam but hours are a bit more limited. Navigation will often send you to the wrong Four Roses address so make sure you enter the address so don’t trust your navigation to suggest an address. Tour cost are Interchangeable so a receipt for the distillery gets you into the other. The last tour of the day departs the Visitor Center at 3:00 p.m. 624 Lotus Road Cox’s Creek, KY 40013

Beam http://www.jimbeam.com/en-us/visit-us/book-a-tour They did a good job here setting up a complete experience. Maybe one of the best. I will say this is the tour from the Barrel picking experience so the regular tour may include other parts of the real distillery operation. You should check. Good for kids and has micro tastes of products and a couple whiskeys unique to the huge American Still House gift shop.

Wilderness Trail This is another extreme distance but worth the trip if you have lots of time and want to see a nice craft place.

Craft distilleries Remember burnout. If you want to indulge check out http://kybourbontrail.com/craft-tour/

I want more If you want even more or more on-depth experience Moonshine University runs courses from a day to 5 day Distiller classes. Also a Stave and Thief Whisky Society Certification. They are in Louisville. If you arrange your trips around their schedules it gives you this extra option. https://moonshineuniversity.com/courses/

Lastly, in the next couple years many new attractions and distilleries will be opening in downtown Louisville and it’s Whiskey Row so check to see what they have opened. Here are some suggested driving times and map http://kybourbontrail.com/map/

Enjoy your trip and be safe.

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nikoontheroad · 6 years ago

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America, land of hipsters, cars and war veterans

Ohio. Buckeye state. We drove through almost the whole state. Early morning in Detroit and a painfully slow crawl to the airport. A Desert Storm veteran shared his harrowing life story on the way. Yeah. That happened. He had a dog named Jax (from SoA) and memories of a wife he had buried in West Virginia. The poor man had to dig the grave for his wife himself, only his brother to help him. I'm really not a war person, but fucking come on America. Take care of your veterans. Hate the game, not the players. And also: take the bus, folks!!! That's the way to see real America. It's not always pretty, sometimes not even often, but it's educational and yes, occasionally inspiring.

Aftet that shitshow in Bangor, we were kind of dreading the car rental. We arrived at Hertz in Wayne County Detroit Airport vaguely aware of the fact that we had somewhere along this life enrolled as Gold members of said company. So after we got out of the shuttle there was a board with my wife's name up there and the word 'Gold' written next to it. Cool. But what does it all mean?

We ask an employee. She answers. There are two rows of cars on the Gold lot and apparently we can pick any one of these vehicles and just grab it, drive to the gate, show a valid driver's license and skedaddle. So if you pardon my French, zero f****s given by Hertz because we had an international credit card. If it's green and smells like paper it's gotta be money.

Fast forward 4+ hours and we are in Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio. This is near West Virginia border in the Appalachian region of the state. It is so damn pretty you would not believe it. Stunning geological formations left behind by the mighty inland ocean that once casually rolled past the central North America. Can't really do them just by words so I'll let pictures do the talking.

Now in Jackson, OH. Small town. Looks rather plain, if surprisingly well to do. We found a tap house ran by some beautiful hipsters who brew their own beer. Tasted like a small slice of heaven. Tomorrow Louisville, Kentucky. Got my eyes on a Bourbon tour, if time permits. If not, there's always Saturday. Supposed to be plus 30 celsius and sunshine. I can work with that.

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horsesnbourbon · 3 months ago

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What To Know The First Time You Hit The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Post-Covid

Oh, it's such a lovely day! For the first time since the pandemic halted most of our favorite activities, you're headed for an adventure along the best Bourbon tours in Lexington, KY.

And a lot of the distilleries along the route greet guests with great enthusiasm. The bright side is that we now value experiences we may have taken for granted in the past, like exploring rich houses, enjoying a nice glass of Bourbon with friends, and finding new favorite whiskies. Plan Ahead, then Plan Some More Planning for Lexington, Kentucky Bourbon tours is crucial for a successful post-pandemic tour. It used to be harder to go into distilleries without warning and take a tour, even before the popularity of our local spirit increased. We are past those times. Currently? Planning will need to be done as long in ahead as feasible. The best duration is a few weeks or possibly a few months. The Key to Success is Flexibility Our experts advised bringing an open mind in addition to planning. You may be unable to attend the distillery tour you have your heart set on, or it is not available at all. And what about it? You might discover a new favorite! Why not take advantage of some of the close-up opportunities? This Need not be a Once-in-a-Lifetime Event Have a look. There is no stopping the Bourbon Trail tour. Both new and established craft producers and distilleries have the long-term view in mind. Nothing limits the number of times you can do this. You'll find it much simpler to unwind and have fun if you approach the trip with the mindset that this is just one and there will be more. Rely on Local Partners Yes, of course, you can plan and execute your travel. But trust me when I say that having someone else do the legwork makes it much more enjoyable. Someone with expertise! Furthermore, these people are well-versed in both the distilleries and the industry. They are even knowledgeable about the best eateries, back roads, and pretty much everything else. Pace Yourself In addition, remember that we haven't gone out for almost a year. You should indeed hydrate. We have the opportunity to form new habits in this new reality. Above all, enjoy yourself and this much-needed return to one of life's greatest pleasures: the best Bourbon tours in Lexington, KY.

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getnoutnky-blog · 7 years ago

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Our weekend began early Thursday afternoon with a trip to Prestonsburg, Ky, dinner at Billy Rays restaurant (famous for their burgers) and a quick visit to lovely Archer Park. Friday began with a short drive to picturesque Jenny Wiley and lunch at the State Park lodge. After lunch we began the nearly 200 mile journey across Kentucky to Louisville with up close GA tickets for the U2 Joshua Tree tour at Papa Johns Stadium. (All I can say is WOW!) Saturday began with a very late brunch at Con Huevos (highly recommend) followed by visits to Angels Envy, Jim Beam, and Evan Williams to check off a few tastings along the Bourbon Trail. Next came a quick visit to 21c Museum Hotel Louisville to escape the heat (and get in some steps on our Fitbit) and view art that was quite interesting to say the least. We finished our Louisville adventure down near the river at Waterfront Park taking in the sights along the river at the Lincoln Memorial, children playing at Adventure Playground, and Reggae music at Brown-Foreman amphitheater. We finished our fun weekend on the way home with a supper stop on the back porch at Wallace Station where we were treated to some good ole bluegrass music. Yes life is indeed good when you are #getnoutnKY

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eatbaketravel · 5 years ago

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Maker’s Mark Bourbon

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE 21 TO READ THIS POST. But you do to enter the distiller sites linked in this post.

Two trips and two years in the making but we did it. We finally filled out our Kentucky Bourbon trail passport. Now we can claim our prize for our effort. The best part is having “family” living amongst the distillers, so it was not a hard decision to visit!

THE BIRTH OF BOURBON

You could say the birth of bourbon is due to the Federal Government. Many of the settlers were making rye whiskey in Pennsylvania with family recipes. Enter the Federal government, they offered incentives to grow corn and move to the western region of Virginia, also known as the Kentucky region. Many settlers moved to this area and one of those farmers was Jacob Beam. Jacob Beam who, like others, used his father’s whiskey recipe to distill his excess corn into a new, sweeter kind of whiskey-voilà bourbon was born. His bourbon became a local favorite. By the early 1800s, Kentucky was home to about 2,000 distillers. According to the website, he sold his first barrel of Old Jake Beam Sour mash in 1795.

Our very first stop was to the Four Roses Distillery and our first stamp in the passport. Wild Turkey tastings overlook the rolling hills. Woodford rounded out the first trip. Your tasting at Woodford Reserve is amongst the barrels in candle light. With tastings of the double oaked and single barrel. With a bit of chocolate to cleanse the pallet.

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Very first stop, sip and stamp

Silver julep cups

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Not a bad view to sip

History of Wild Turkey

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Sipping by candle light

Bourbon barrels

Marker’s Mark and Chihuly glass

The first trip included a trip to Makers Mark, a special dinner, and evening stroll around the grounds but with a twist, a Chihuly glass exhibit. What a treat. All the buildings were open and the glass was a lit up as the sun went down. You could even taste the sour mash if you wanted to. Yuck.

Jim Beam, Evan Williams, Town Branch, Angels Envy, Haven Hill Elijah Craig rounded out the second trip. I guess you could say we were determined to finish getting our stamps.

Town Branch

In a city once rich with distilleries, Town Branch Distillery is the first new distillery built in Lexington, Kentucky in over 100 years. Town Branch, named after the river that runs through Lexington, is unique to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as it is the only combination distillery and brewery – If you prefer beer to bourbon this is the stop for you as it is the only stop on the trail in which you will get to sample beer as well as bourbon! Try the stout, and yes, it has bourbon in it. Town Branch not only distills bourbon, but an excellent Caribbean rum, and gin. I do not really like gin but I would by theirs. Sundown is also produced there, and well it is hard to describe. It is a thick syrupy concoction, but with a Kentucky spin, it is infused with Kentucky bourbon and sugar. The Bluegrass Sundowner is made by adding boiling water to the liqueur to release the flavors and aromas. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream and there you have it.

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Jim Beam

While we were walking the grounds at Jim Beam, you cannot help but notice the black mold on the buildings and trees. It is called by the common name distillery fungus, distilleries’ shadow, whiskey fungus, angels’ share fungus, and warehouse staining fungus. It really Baudoinia compniacensis is a fungus that resides near the distilleries. Spirits maturation facilities, bonded warehouses, and large bakeries. It may look gross but it is not harmful to animals for people. What its presence really means is that nature is working as it should and that close-by, our spirit of choice is in the making. THEREFORE, if you happen to come across black mold you just might just be in the vicinity of some bourbon.

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Jim Beam

EVANS WILLIAMS

Evan Williams opened Kentucky’s first distillery in 1783, along the banks of the Ohio River. They still make bourbon the same way. It is a pretty good interactive tour. You finish with a sample tasting in a re-creation of an old saloon.

I would never let my bourbon overflow

ANGELS ENVY

Angel’s Envy is a family run distillery. Grandpa started it and brought his son along to create a bourbon that is finished in port barrels. Chocolate is an added bonus to the tasting. It is from a local chocolate shop. This sample was infused with orange. It was so good we had to hunt down the chocolate shop. This is the distillery I really learned how to sip and taste bourbon. So, next time you order your bourbon ask for two ice cubes on the side. You take your fist sip then add a ice cube and enjoy the rest!

Bourbon and chocolates

BULLEIT

Bulleit is actually distilled on the grounds of the STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLERY. From their website: Originally opened on Derby Day in 1935 and reopened to the public in 2014, the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery is one of the true cathedrals of the American whiskey industry. Located only five miles from downtown Louisville, the Stitzel Weller Experience is one of the most convenient and impressive stops along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. We are proud to invite guests to step foot on this hallowed ground and gain a unique perspective on the dichotomy of the historic contrasted with the innovations of tomorrow that include Bulleit Bourbon, Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and I.W. Harper Bourbon. Bulleit is still distilled according to Bulleit family tradition. It is a high rye content bourbon and has a spicy flavor. The bourbon is aged in charred oak barrels and uses the limestone-filleted water, Kentucky is famous for.

Ring the bell if you like bourbon

Recipe for a Manhattan and a my favorite fall bourbon cocktail the Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

Recipe for a Manhattan

Ingredients:

2 parts Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon

1 part sweet vermouth

2 dashes aromatic bitters

Cherry for garnish

Instructions:

Combine ingredients over ice in a mixing glass.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass neat or on the rocks.

Garnish with a cherry.

Bourbon Apple Cider (My favorite in the fall)

Ingredients:

1 part Bourbon

3 part Apple Cider (fresh pressed preferable)

A splash of ginger beer

Garnish with cherries and apples

Instructions:

In a cocktail glass with ice, stir the bourbon and apple cider. Top with cold ginger beer. Garnish with cherries and a slice of apple.

Sippin’ Bourbon on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE 21 TO READ THIS POST. But you do to enter the distiller sites linked in this post.

#Angel&039;s Envy Bourbon #Bourbon #Bourbon country #Bourbon Trail #Bulliet Bourbon #corn mash #Distillery fungus #Evan Williams Bourbon #Four Roses Bourbon #Jim Beam Bourbon #Kentucky Bourbon #Kentucky Bourbon Trail #Makers Mark Bourbon #Town Branch Bourbon #Woodford Reserve

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louisvillerealpropertymanag-blog · 6 years ago

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Moving to Louisville KY? 10 Reasons Why You'll Love it Here!

1. Great Food in Louisville KY

If you're planning on relocating to the Louisville area, you are sure to find some great food. There are many local Louisville restaurants that have so much to offer. A wide range of selections to choose from around the city. Enjoy everything from Kentucky home-style traditional cooking to French cuisine, Italian, Mediterranean and much more. With over 2500 restaurants; Louisville fine dining is becoming one of the ideal destinations for foodies around the US. The city has even been named one of the Top Five "foodiest" small cities in America by Bon Appétit magazine.

FUN FACT: Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville KY claims to be the original inventor of the Cheeseburger.

2. Must Visit Louisville Parks

Frederick Law Olmsted came to Kentucky around the 1890s to take part in the Louisville Park system. An architect responsible for creating Central Park in New York. Olmsted's vision was to bring nature into the neighborhoods creating some of the best parks in Louisville. There are more than 120 public parks in the metro area alone.

Here is a glimpse at some of the popular parks in the Louisville area.

Cherokee Park

Cherokee Park is found in the Highlands neighborhood of the East End of Louisville. Being one of the most popular parks in the metro area. There is a 2.4 mile scenic Loop, a fenced dog park, and even a bird sanctuary. Cherokee Park is one of the 50 most visited parks in the United States.

Iroquois Park

Known for its panoramic views with over 730 acres, a large open-air amphitheater, and even a popular golf course. Iroquois Park attracts many visitors from hikers, runners, and cyclist. Iroquois Park is a great place for family outings and picnics when living in Louisville. A park with amazing views throughout the year.

The Parklands of Floyds Fork

The Parklands of Floyds Fork has acquired close to 4,000 acres of new parkland. Working with the Louisville Metro government and other nonprofit organization, this new park system is rapidly becoming one of the most popular parks in the Louisville metro area. The park has many different features, including a dog run, a splash park, canoeing & paddling, mountain biking, playgrounds and much more.

3. Local Live Entertainment in Louisville

If you are relocating to Louisville you'll want to be sure and head downtown to experience some of the many different styles of music throughout the city of Louisville. There are many different clubs in the city that host live music. You will find that there is live entertainment to enjoy almost every night of the week.

Below is a list of some of the most popular festivals that are held on an annual basis here in the Possibility City.

FEBRUARY

Musique Romantique - Louisville Chorus at the Seelbach during Valentine’s dinner.

MARCH

Itchin’ to Pick – A weekend-long bluegrass jam session held at the Galt House.

APRIL

Kentucky Derby Festival Fest-a-Ville - Outdoor music festival of various genres on the Waterfront.

GonzoFest – Various locations and concerts happening around Louisville.

MAY

Abbey Road on the River - Memorial Day Weekend at Belvedere Park, largest Beatles tribute festival in America.

Kentucky Reggae Festival – Memorial Day Weekend at the Louisville Water Tower.

JUNE

Americana World Festival – a Multicultural celebration held at the Iroquois Amphitheatre.

VinylFest – Weekend of experiencing and celebrating vinyl record collecting and music at the Crowne Plaza.

Kentuckiana Pride Festival – Celebration for the LGBT community and its allies on the Belvedere.

JULY

Waterfront Independence Festival – Fourth of July party featuring concerts, fireworks and more.

Forecastle Festival - Named one of the top 101 things to do in America by SPIN Magazine.

Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival – Local BBQ and the music of New Orleans and Memphis at the Louisville Water Tower.

Kentucky Music Weekend - largest traditional and folk music festival in the region held at Iroquois Amphitheatre.

AUGUST

Kentucky State Fair – Features free and paid concerts from multiple genres and national acts.

WorldFest – Celebration of world cultures held at the Belvedere over Labor Day weekend.

SEPTEMBER

Kentucky Bluegrass & Bourbon Experience – Live bluegrass, burgoo, barbecue, and bourbon.

Louisville Irish Fest- Live Irish and Celtic music and Irish dancers at Bellarmine University.

National Jug Band Jubilee - Gathering of the nation's best jug bands.

Louisville Music Awards – Celebration of local music held at Headliners Music Hall.

NuluFest – Street festival is the official after-party of IdeaFestival.

OCTOBER

Garvin Gate Blues Festival - Largest free neighborhood street music festival in Louisville.

Belknap Fall Festival – Great food, live music and local artists at a street festival off of Douglass Loop in the Highlands neighborhood.

DECEMBER

Give a Jam to End Homelessness – Local musicians and chefs come together to raise money for the Coalition for the Homeless.

FUN FACT: Patty & Mildred Hill of Louisville KY wrote the most recognized song in the English Language "Happy Birthday to You".

4. Louisville is Known for its Bourbon!

Did you know that Louisville is responsible for 95% of the world's supply of Bourbon? Kentucky is well-known worldwide as the birthplace of Bourbon. When moving to Louisville, be sure to learn all about the history of Bourbon in the Bluegrass state by visiting the many different tours around the city and embark in the historical heritage of Kentucky's past roots. Visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

In 1964 Congress declared Bourbon, America's only native spirit. There is a very strict guideline for a whiskey to be considered Bourbon. The drink shall be a minimum of 51 percent corn, aged in charred new oak barrels, stored at no more than 125 proof and bottled no less than 80 proof.

"Bourbon is kinda like whiskey's sweet spot"

Collect Your Bourbon Stamps

Many locals and out-of-towners take a trip down the Urban Bourbon Trail and experience the taste of more than 50 different Kentucky Spirits and collect stamps along the way as a souvenir.

5. Louisville's Weather is kinda...Crazy!

Many people ask when moving to Louisville. "What's the weather Like?" Louisville's Weather has four distinct seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. An average temperature in most parts of Kentucky for the summer is 88 degrees but there are many days in the summer where temperatures can easily exceed the upper 90's or even into the 100's.

As for the winter months...the average temperature is 37 degrees. At times the temperature can even drop below zero. March is typically the wettest month of the year and October tends to be the driest month of the year. If you visit Louisville in the Summer months, be sure to bring the right clothes. It can be very hot and humid at times.

Allergies?

One downside to living in Louisville and the local weather...is that majority of the people that live here, tend to suffer from allergies. Living in the 'Ohio Valley' you may be one of the ones that will experience this as well. Running nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing will become the norm during these Spring and Fall months if you suffer from seasonal allergies.

6. Louisville is known for College Basketball

If you are moving to the Louisville area, you will definitely learn that College basketball is a hot topic around town. Louisville is towards the top of the list of CBS 'Best in College Sports'. You will learn fairly quickly that you will have to pick one or the other to cheer for.

With the history of both teams and their success, no matter which one you choose will be a great pick. The great excitement stems from the rivalry between these two teams. Louisville Cardinals and the Kentucky Wildcats will always be a highly debated conversation. This in-state rivalry can be easily compared to the Duke and North Carolina rivalry.

7. Kentucky Derby - A Great Reason to Move to Louisville

Dating back to the late 1700's horse racing has been part of the state of Kentucky. But it wasn't until 1875 when they opened the doors to Churchill Downs. Home of the Kentucky Derby, the fastest two minutes in sports and also home to the Kentucky Oaks. Always on the list for things to do in Louisville, Kentucky.

"the fastest two-minutes in sports"

Churchill Downs was designed by Joseph Dominic and built in 1895; the twin spires are the most recognizable feature of the racetrack. As of today, Churchill Downs holds the record for the longest-running, continuous sporting event in the United States.

FUN FACT: Thunder Over Louisville is the Largest Annual Firework display in America.

8. Home of the Louisville Slugger

Hillerich & Bradley Co. moved into the new headquarters of Louisville Slugger in 1996 off of West Main Street in downtown Louisville. One of the city's most popular attractions, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where they continue to custom make many professional baseball players bats. The museum can be easily spotted by the "Worlds Largest Baseball Bat" that sits out front. Made from steel, weighing 68,000 pounds and over 120 feet tall. One of the many reasons why over millions of people have visited the museum.

FUN FACT: Standing at 120 feet tall in front of the Louisville Slugger Museum is considered to be the Worlds Largest Bat.

9. Living in Louisville KY = Convenient Location

One reason why people love living in Louisville KY is because of its convenient location. The average drive to work is under 25 minutes. Louisville is within a day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population. With the addition of the new East End Bridge near Prospect, we expect a better flow of traffic and more convenient travels around the Greater Louisville area.

With the great location, homeowners have benefited from the rising home prices because of the encouraging pace of growth around the city. Newcomers can quickly take advantage of the affordable home prices around town as well.

10. Great Neighborhoods in Louisville KY

#louisvilleky #LouisvilleRealPropertyManagement #LeasingServices

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miamibeerscene · 7 years ago

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Braxton and SweetWater Release Peach Pale Ale

November 29, 2017

COVINGTON, KY [11/28] — Braxton Brewing and SweetWater Brewing have collaborated to create “Moving to the Country,” a Peach Pale Ale to be released on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans throughout Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton, Lexington, Louisville and Nashville. This is the first release in Braxton Brewing’s Neighbor Series. Through this program, the Covington-based brewery will collaborate with friends from around the craft beer community.

“Working with SweetWater on this project has been an amazing learning experience as well as a ton of fun,” said Evan Rouse, Braxton Brewing Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer. “Working with their team to dream up this recipe, we wanted to utilize ingredients we hadn’t worked with much in the past. The combination of new hops and a new base malt results in a pale ale that has strong notes of peaches and stone fruit.”

After collaborating on the recipe in SweetWater’s hometown of Atlanta, the SweetWater brewers visited Braxton to brew the Peach Pale Ale. The blended brewing team chose Rakau and Citra hops to bring out peach and stone fruit notes. The base malt, Golden Promise, lets the hops shine through the crisp pale ale. And finally, real peach juice was added to “Moving to the Country” to help cut through the cold winter days.

“We’re stoked to be the first partner in Braxton’s Neighbor Series – and we had a blast visiting Covington to brew,” says Mark Medlin, SweetWater’s brewmaster. “Love that Moving to the Country will bring Georgia’s favorite fruit to Kentucky!”

The beer will be officially tapped at Braxton Brewing Company’s Winter Block Party. This event celebrates the release of Dark Charge Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and the amazing craft beer community. 18 Barrel-Aged guest taps, including Sinner’s Son, a coffee infused Bourbon barrel aged imperial stout from SweetWater’s The Woodlands barrel aging facility, will be poured alongside Dark Charge and Moving to the Country.

Cans will be released beginning on Thursday, December 14th. The two companies will celebrate and collaborate on several events throughout the distribution footprint. Featured events are listed below:

Saturday, December 2nd: Winter Block Party @ Braxton Brewing Company, Covington, Kentucky: Moving to the Country is tapped alongside SweetWater Sinners Son Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee Imperial Stout

Tuesday, December 5th: Winter Luau @ Midway Cafe, Fort Thomas, Kentucky: Featuring Moving to the Country and three beers from each brewery.

Wednesday, December 13th @ Top Golf, West Chester, Ohio: Featuring Moving to the Country Peach Pale Ale

Friday, December 22nd @ Drake’s St. Matthews, Louisville, Kentucky: Featuring Moving to the Country, Sweetwater Goin’ Coastal, Sweetwater Coffee Infused BBIAS and two additional Braxton beers.

The companies hope to shine a light on the friendship and collaboration within the craft beer community.

ABOUT BRAXTON BREWING: At Braxton, a garage is more than just a garage. It is the hub of our lives and a place where we showcase our passion for brewing beer. It’s here, where our expert team holds every single pint of Braxton beer to the highest standard of excellence. And like the garage of our past, our new home is deeply rooted in the community of Covington, Kentucky. So, welcome to Braxton Brewing Company. You’re witnessing a dream come to life.

ABOUT SWEETWATER BREWING CO.: SweetWater is turning 21 years old in February ‘18 and is the 15th largest craft brewery in the nation, according to Brewers Association. The award-winning lineup of year-round beers includes SweetWater 420, IPA, TripleTail tropical IPA, Blue, Goin’ Coastal IPA with pineapple, and Hop Hash Easy IPA. Seasonal releases offer palate pleasing variety, along with an experimental, one-time-only Dank Tank series, limited batches from The Hatchery pilot system, and progressive barrel aged styles in The Woodlands Project series.

SweetWater is passionate about protecting natural resources and habitats, and is recognized for its contributions to environmental initiatives throughout its distribution footprint. Supporting the conservation of some of the nation’s most threatened rivers, streams and coastlines is a cause near and dear to the brewery, as clean water is also vital to the creation of their tasty brews.

Visit SweetWater Brewery – located at 195 Ottley Drive in the heart of Atlanta – for pints, flights, and tours of the main brewery and The Woodlands barrel aging facility. For more information about SweetWater Brewing Company and brewery hours, please visit http://ift.tt/1iWEt3C. Follow SweetWater Brewing Company on Twitter/ Instagram @sweetwaterbrew, and become a fan at http://ift.tt/1lVJYhL.

Contact Info

Company: Braxton Brewing Company Contact: Jonathan Email: [email protected]

The post Braxton and SweetWater Release Peach Pale Ale appeared first on Miami Beer Scene.

from Braxton and SweetWater Release Peach Pale Ale

#Braxton and SweetWater Release Peach Pale Ale

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festpop · 7 years ago

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Louder Than Life is coming up at the end of this month on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1. The two-day festival will take place at Champions Park in Louisville, KY for its fourth year. Band set times were just released for the 35-plus bands and it won’t be something rock lovers would want to miss.

Ozzy Osbourne just recently reunited with guitarist Zakk Wylde for the first time in over a decade. The rock legend will close out Saturday night on the Monster stage. Other acts include Five Finger Punch, Rob Zombie, Mastodon and many more. Prophets of Rage will bring the sonic firepower of Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill with members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk, Chuck D, B-Real and DJ Lord on Sunday night to close out the entire festival. The second day also features Incubus, Rise Against, Stone Sour and more.

Set Times

Louder Than Life band performance times are as follows (subject to change). Festival doors open at 11:00 AM each day.

Tickets

There are limited tickets and VIP packages still available. Purchase them here. Also, visit the festival’s official site for more information about camping packages and discounted online hotel rates available through Curadora. General Admission ticket discounts are also available for active military through Louder Than Life partner GovX.

Camping

All Louder Than Life camping passes include space for 3 nights as well as access to campground bathrooms, showers, food and beverage concession stands, and a general store. Guests who decide to camp will have the privileges to go in and out of the campgrounds and festival grounds throughout the event. Car (tent) camping passes are $99.00 and RV camping passes are $175.00.

Festival Grounds Map

Look over the Louder Than Life map below:

About the Festival/Partners

Louder Than Life is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. The festival features a selection of award-winning bourbons, whiskey, spirits, craft beer and the best food Louisville has to offer. Rock legends offer a powerful music lineup and breaking talent performing on all three stages.The festival celebrates the bourbon culture and culinary heritage of this unique American city, with onsite attractions from the following partners:

Bourbon World presented by the Louisville Courier-Journal

With 95% of the world’s bourbon coming from Kentucky, we have hand selected our favorite distilleries to create a unique opportunity to sample bourbons and exclusive one-time specialty cocktails from inside the World’s Loudest Bourbon Tent. Featuring the world’s top bourbons including: 1792, Angel’s Envy, Barrell, Basil Hayden, Blade And Bow, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, Coopers’ Craft, Eagle Rare, Ezra Brooks, Four Roses, Jefferson’s, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Larceny Bourbon, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Old Scout, Peerless Rye, Rabbit Hole, Rebel Yell, W.L. Weller, Woodford Reserve and more!

It’s Miller Time VIP Lounge

The VIP area includes LED screens featuring video feed from all three main stages; VIP dedicated restrooms; upgraded food; upgraded bourbon and cocktail selections; shaded VIP pavilion with chairs, tables and couches adjacent to the VIP viewing area (exclusive view of North and South main stages from a seated and standing area located near main stage South). Miller Lite will also have a mobile sports bar in the VIP area where you can watch college and pro football games all weekend long. VIP food offerings will include: Pie Baby, Cheese Louise, Martin’s BBQ, Blackbeard Espresso and Mike’s Prime Rib.

Monster Energy Experience

Monster Energy will be keeping all fans fueled up and ready to rock by offering free sampling on their Monster Energy viewing deck. Enjoy Monster Energy drinks from one of the best seats in the house. Make sure to check back throughout the festival for a schedule of Monster Energy’s interactive artist experiences. Most companies spend their money on ad agencies, TV commercials, radio spots and billboards to tell you how good their products are. At Monster Energy, we chose none of the above. Instead we support the scene, our bands, our athletes and our fans. We back athletes so they can make a career out of their passion. We promote concert tours, so our favorite bands can visit your hometown. We celebrate with our fans and riders by throwing parties and making the coolest events we can think of a reality.

Check out their official site, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for further information. #monsterenergy #monstermusic

Jack Daniel’s Experience

Jack Daniel’s will once again bring a “Taste of Tennessee” to music festivals around the country this year. We invite visitors to come out and tour the nation’s oldest registered distillery from outside the Jack Daniel’s Hollow. The Jack Daniel’s Experience, a mobile museum, is bringing a little of the much-loved distillery from Lynchburg to anywhere in the USA. You’ll learn who Mr. Jack Daniel was and how he ended up with the best selling whiskey in the world. You’ll see (and smell) whiskey dripping slowly through charcoal and the new oak barrels used in maturing Tennessee’s finest whiskey. Once you tour the Experience and spend some time with the folks from Jack, it’ll make you want to plan a visit to Lynchburg, Tennessee to see how and where we’ve made Jack Daniel’s since 1866. The Experience is open to all folks, 21 years old and up, for tours free of charge. Games and giveaways will also be part of the entertainment at various times throughout the festival.

Keep up with their Facebook Page, Twitter, Instagram and official site for further information.

Zippo Encore

Zippo Encore will be back in action at Louder Than Life with a full stock of Zippo lighters, including the limited edition festival designs! Come by and check out their contests and giveaways or get a free lighter fill or tune-up. Be sure to bring your Zippo lighter to the festival, it could be your ticket to a special experience.

Visit Zippo’s official site, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more details. #zippo #zippoencore

FYE Fan Experience

FYE is the only place at the festival to get all your favorite bands’ music — and maybe even get to meet your favorite Louder Than Life performer! Check back for updates on artist meet & greet and autograph signing sessions! At the FYE Fan Experience, various bands from participating record labels Century Media/Another Century Records, Razor & Tie, Roadrunner Records, and more will take part in pop-up fan experiences such as meet & greets, acoustic performances, and Q&As. You never know what will happen in the FYE Fan Experience. Visit their official site, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Caduceus Wine Garden

This wine garden will highlight Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, owned by Arizona resident Maynard James Keenan, co-founder of international recording acts Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. Having already dove headfirst into this venture, Maynard found out from a distant relative that wine making is in his blood. His Great Grandfather, “Spirito” Marzo, had vineyards and made wine in Venaus, Italy, just North of Turino in Piemonte.

Craft Beer (Regional) & Artist Inspired Beverages

Alltech Lexington, Caduceus Cellars, Falls City Beer, Goodwood Brewing Company, New Albanian Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada, TROOPER Beer, West Sixth Brewing

The Angry Tree Bar presented by Angry Orchard

The Angry Tree Bar is one of the major focal points at Louder Than Life. Decorated with incandescent glowing apples hanging from the branches and featuring impressive wooden carvings that capture the essence of the Angry Orchard brand, this enchanting refreshment station will offer festivalgoers the perfect place to relax and catch the show, all while enjoying a curated lineup of Angry Orchard ciders and specialty cocktails.

Food Village

502 Café, Baxter’s Grill, Black Rock Grill, Boss Hog BBQ, Brazilian Bistro, Chicago’s Dog House, Doc Crow’s, Gelato Gilberto, Gospel Bird, Holy Mole Tacos, I Love Spicy Pie Pizza, Island Noodles, Longshot Lobsta, Mike’s Kentucky Kitchen, Midway Café, Oli’s Tots, Phat Daddy’s Creole, Pie Baby, Red Top Dogs, Texas Taco Depot, The Big Cheesy, The Manhattan Project, Tumbleweed, Up In Smoke BBQ, Voodoo Chicken & Waffles and many more.

Experience Louisville

Check out an exclusive list of bourbon distillery and related attractions brought to you by the City of Louisville at discounted prices. Visit here for further details.

The Music Experience

The Music Experience features all the elements that are involved in making music in a professional band setting. The interactive exhibit features guitars, basses, amps, drums, keyboards, and electronic gear that are used by today’s most popular bands. After laying your hands on the hottest equipment available, you will walk away feeling like a rock star and you may even see one there, too! Come and meet your favorite band members form the festival at The Music Experience Tent. You can win free amps, free guitars and get tons of other free stuff, as well. To learn more about The Music Experience, click here. Also, check out their social media sites, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Heavy Tiki Bar

The dark side of Tiki is through the totems where savages and beasts enjoy Scorpion Bowls and Zombie cocktails—all in the name of tropical leisure. The Tiki Gods are looking for a good time and they have come to Louder Than Life to find it! At the Heavy Tiki Bar, fans will find an oasis filled with killer cocktails, shade, and seating areas.

The Big Easy Boil presented by Southern Comfort

The Big Easy drops into Louder Than Life with celebrity guest chefs, incredible New Orleans music, and pitchers of refreshing Southern Comfort cocktails. Oh, did we mention over half a ton of delicious seafood? Yeah, that’s coming too.

Rock ‘N Roll ‘N BBQ hosted by Maker’s Mark

Welcome to Louder Than Life backyard barbecue party. The biggest classic hits, classics cocktails, and good-to-the-bone barbecue.

Love & Fire presented by Larceny Bourbon

LOVE & FIRE will feature delicious Larceny Bourbon cocktails and incredible grilled specialties from renowned local Louisville Chefs as well as several surprise guest chefs. Open to all festivalgoers, every attendee will have the chance to win special prizes by spinning the LOVE & FIRE prize wheel, including a seat at the LOVE & FIRE tasting table where prizewinners will learn the intricacies of cooking over a live fire while tasting different dishes paired with Larceny Bourbon.

Down The Rabbit Hole Speakeasy

Rabbit Hole invites you to go Down The Rabbit Hole into an exclusive bar hidden off the beaten path featuring cocktails by Proprietors LLC, the team behind Death & Co. That’s all we can say for now – figuring out how to get in will be entirely up to you!

Dyin 2 Live / Fxck Cancer

The Dyin 2 Live DREAMS Program is a wish-granting organization whose purpose is to try and enrich the lives of those fighting cancer by offering them an experience that will bring hope and inspiration to their lives. In doing this, we hope it can help give them a chance to forget, even if it’s only for a day what they are battling. Through our extensive network of friends, supporters, and affiliates, we are able to reach out to individuals and present them with one of a kind experiences and opportunities that arise. We feel a Dyin 2 Live Dream can offer a source of inspiration for those undergoing difficult medical treatments and be a positive force that offers a life-changing impact not only on them, but also the family to overcome their obstacles. If you are currently fighting cancer or know of someone in the fight who could benefit from a Dyin 2 Live Dream, please submit your story and tell us why and how a Dyin 2 Live day would help. Also, anyone interested in being a supporter, volunteer, or donor, please contact [email protected]. Check out Dyin 2 Live DREAMS Facebook and Instagram as well at Fxck Cancer’s Facebook and Instagram.

Take Me Home

Take Me Home (TMH) has been saving the lives of homeless animals since 2001. TMH was founded as an animal rights advocacy foundation saving orphaned animals and striving to end animal overpopulation. TMH works in conjunction with shelters and rescues throughout California and beyond to help save animals on death row, on the streets, or in unsafe living conditions. Stop by their booth for custom gear and contribute to a great cause.

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The festival produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, hosts some of the biggest rock festivals in America. Some festivals include Rock On The Range, Monster Energy Aftershock, Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville, Monster Energy Fort Rock, Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion, Chicago Open Air, Bourbon & Beyond, Monster Energy Rock Allegiance, Northern Invasion, Houston Open Air and more.

Additional sponsors for Louder Than Life include Jack Daniel’s, Tito’s Vodka, Black Craft Cult, USMC and more.

Keep an eye out on Louder Than Life Festival’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more announcements.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FestPop Staff Writer, Katy Loesch

Band Times Announced for Louder Than Life Festival Louder Than Life is coming up at the end of this month on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1.

#Festival #louder than life #music festival

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