Bourbon has become one of Kentucky’s most celebrated products and famous exports. In the month of September, the spotlight on Kentucky’s signature drink shines even brighter and Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed it as Bourbon Heritage Month.

The Bardstown area, designated as the Bourbon Capital of the World and home to four distilleries and the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, hosts the annual Bourbon Festival that began Tuesday and goes through Sunday, September 21. Last year the event drew 55,000 visitors from 40 states and 14 countries.

The festival includes an array of events and great entertainment from a hot-air balloon glow and tours of historical Bardstown, to a “Bootlegger and Bushwhacker Train Robbery” and family fun area. Music on the Lawn, the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay™, and Kentucky Bourbon Breakfast are part of the excitement. For more information about the festival go to http://www.kybourbonfestival.com/ and check out the nearly a week of fun.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail gains a new member with the latest addition of the Tom Moore Distillery in Nelson County. Tours begin there on October 1 joining Woodford Reserve near Versailles, Wild Turkey-Austin Nichols and Four Roses near Lawrenceburg, Buffalo Trace in Frankfort and Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, and Jim Beam in the Bardstown vicinity.

Each distillery is unique in appearance and history. For instance, at Maker’s Mark, visitors can dip their own bottles in the red wax that has become the brand’s signature and Buffalo Trace Distillery is, in fact, located where the trace that buffalo herds once traveled crosses the Kentucky River. Stretch experiencing the bourbon trail over several weekends this fall and enjoy scenic drives throughout the bluegrass. More on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is available at the Web site www.kybourbontrail.com.

Bourbon’s notoriety spreads far beyond Kentucky. In 1964 the U.S. Congress officially declared bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit” and in 2007 the U.S. Senate designated September as “National Bourbon Month.”

As the home of many distillers throughout Kentucky’s history and the site of “Whiskey Row,” where as many as 50 distilleries were congregated on Main Street, Louisville has created the “Urban Bourbon Trail.” Besides the opportunity to sample as many as 50 varieties of bourbon at eight different Derby City restaurants and bars, trail adventurers can pick up a passport at the Visitor’s Center at Fourth and Jefferson Streets or at any of the bars listed in the passport. Earn a stamp with the purchase of food or drink at any of the passport participating locations and when completed, it can be redeemed for a specially designed t-shirt and a premium giveaway. More information on the trail and passport program is available at: http://www.justaddbourbon.com/default.aspx.

For more detailed information on each bourbon trail distillery, access the following links

Jim Beam: www.jimbeam.com

Buffalo Trace: www.buffalotrace.com/

Four Roses: www.fourroses.us/

Heaven Hill: www.bourbonheritagecenter.com/

Maker’s Mark: www.makersmark.com

Tom Moore: 502-348-9003

Wild Turkey: www.wildturkeybourbon.com/

Woodford Reserve: www.woodfordreserve.com/age.aspx

For more information about these and other tourism opportunities, visit www.kentuckytourism.com.

The Kentucky Department of Travel, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy.

Kentuckians can log on to the web site www.mykentuckybackyard.com to get coupons to visit state events and attractions.