Revisiting an old friend at a whiskey bar, I was reminded of a Mark Twain quote. Just like the old friend, I repaid another visit to Old Crow Distillery.
The sweetly smoky scent of bourbon mingled with the laughter of old friends as we gathered at the dimly lit whiskey bar a few weeks back. It was there, over the gentle clink of ice against the glass, that I was reminded of Mark Twain’s sage words: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”
With that adage in mind, I found myself once again drawn to the hallowed grounds of Old Crow Distillery in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country, this time accompanied by a group of architects seeking inspiration for a start-up distillery in Louisville.
For them, it was an opportunity to drink in the very essence of bourbon-making, to study the intricate dance of form and function that defines a great distillery. But for me, it was a chance to explore the nooks and crannies of Old Crow that had eluded me on previous visits, including the crown jewel itself – the main distilling house.
Towering above us, its imposing verticality punctuated by a skylight that flooded the space with natural light, the distilling house stood as a testament to the industrial artistry of bourbon production. It was a sight that left even the most seasoned architects in awe, their eyes tracing the intricate pipework and gleaming copper stills that breathed life into every drop of Old Crow’s liquid gold.
Beyond the distilling floor, we ascended to the laboratory and ancillary rooms that served as the guardians of quality and consistency. Here, autoclaves hummed with the task of sterilizing instruments, while a back room played host to a veritable library of vials and scientific paraphernalia, each with a role to play in the delicate alchemy of bourbon-making.
And then, through a heavy door, we stepped into a realm of mystery – a chamber housing several hoppers on a fixed rail, their purpose enigmatic yet undoubtedly vital to the process. Scales stood at the ready, prepared to weigh and measure with exacting precision.
As we emerged from the distillery, our senses alive with the sights, sounds, and aromas of bourbon-making, I couldn’t help but echo Twain’s sentiment: too much good distillery exploring is, indeed, barely enough.
For those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich tradition of Kentucky bourbon, Old Crow Distillery stands as a must-visit destination, a living museum where the past and present converge in a delicious dance of craftsmanship and innovation.
1 Comment
Add Yours →I really like your photos. The coloring and B & W both. It looks like you either use a filter or alter them in maybe Photoshop.
can you tell me what you do to make your photos appear as they do? thanks Debra