One of Kentucky’s signature products and one of its biggest tourist draws have been captured together in book form.  “The Kentucky Bourbon Experience” by Leon Howlett is a photographic journey through eight of the state’s major distilleries plus the surrounding region.

Two years in the making, the book is the first to illustrate the bourbon industry and The Kentucky Bourbon Trail through photography.  Each chapter of “The Kentucky Bourbon Experience” contains a brief history and description of the particular bourbon making process at the respective distillery.  But the highlights are the striking photographs of each facility, its equipment and process, plus the grounds of the distilleries, beautiful nearby Kentucky countryside and charming towns and cities.   

“I was astounded – and very pleased — when I decided to begin this project and found that no one else had done it yet,” said Howlett, a photographer for over 30 years.  Printed in a beautiful 9×12 hardbound edition, the book was released in March by Acclaim Press, St. Louis, MO.

The release of the book coincides with a continued boom in the sale of bourbon internationally while several of the distilleries have expanded their tours and other offerings to visitors.  Kentucky dominates bourbon production with 95 percent of the world’s supply and bourbon production has increased more than 50 percent in the last 10 years.  Tourism impact of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® program is skyrocketing. Distilleries have enjoyed more than 1.7 million visits in the last five years alone with more than 9,000 people completing the tour in 2010—a 300 percent increase from 2009.  

According to the Kentucky Distiller’s Association, only Kentucky has the perfect natural mix of climate, conditions and pure limestone water necessary for producing the world’s best Bourbon.  Perhaps it’s that same natural environment that makes Kentucky unique in many ways.

“Kentucky has some of the most gorgeous and graceful landscapes of anywhere in the nation,” according to Howlett.   He also confesses to taking pleasure in an occasional drink of America’s native spirit.   “I feel privileged and grateful to have had the cooperation of the distilleries in bringing together two of my favorite things – photography and bourbon.”

Howlett is a juried member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen.  In addition, his black and white prints are available through his art gallery, True Kentucky, in Glendale.

The book is now available on Amazon, many local bookstores and online at www.bourbonexperience.com.