Famous neighbors

[Farmwithjunk]

Just to the southwest of home is Clermont Kentucky. For those who're interested, that's the home of both the Jim Beam and Wild Turkey distilleries. The "Turkey" grounds are locked up on Sundays. Jim Beam himself was famous, as well as his descendants, for throwing out the welcome mat for anyone, anytime. Some things are immune to modern technology. Whiskey distilling is still done virtually the same way now as it was 100 years ago. The plant looks the same now as it did when I was a young'n.

Here's a few pictures of the grounds.

Pic#1 is the Booker Noe statue that greets visitors to the grounds. He was Jim Beams grandson. He ran the operation for more than 50 years.

Pic #2 is a plaque explaining Noe's part in the grand scheme.

Pic #3 is the distillery

Clermont and Beams operation is minutes off of I-65, about 25 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky. (Bernhiem Forest exit) No, they don't give out free samples. Clermont is barely into Bullitt County. Just down the road a piece is Nelson County and Bardstown. That is the center of universe for the Bourbon industry.

Well worth the time if you're ever in the area.

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon Bill,
Well I can say from experience that Jim Beam burbon is really good stuff

When we were over in Ireland last year we toured the Jameson Distillery. That was great and they did give out free samples Of course moderation is always a good idea

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Afternoon Bill,
Well I can say from experience that Jim Beam burbon is really good stuff

When we were over in Ireland last year we toured the Jameson Distillery. That was great and they did give out free samples Of course moderation is always a good idea

Thanks for sharing!

Howdy Scott,

I can say from experience that Wild Turkey makes dents appear all over my truck. Glad that part of my life is in the past.

More in to diet Pepsi or ice tea nowdays. My truck and my wife are so glad

 

[riptides]

I can say from experience that Wild Turkey makes dents appear all over my truck.

Dents my wallet. Dented my truck a few times too.

-Mike Z.

 

[slowrev]

Was it the wild turkey distillery that spilled burning whiskey into the river a few years ago ? Or am I confused as usual ?
Ben

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Was it the wild turkey distillery that spilled burning whiskey into the river a few years ago ? Or am I confused as usual ?
Ben

NOPE! You got it right. They had a serious fire, burning a warehouse to the ground. As the barrels burnt, they released thousands of gallons of Wild Turkey 101 into a stream nearby. It caused a massive fish kill among other things. (Like a bunch of the locals going swimming in that river ) The Clermont/Bardstown area (Bullitt and Nelson Counties) is loaded with whiskey warehouses. Makers Mark, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Jim Beam, and dozens more. Under certain climate conditions you can smell the distilleries miles away.

Just up the road from the Beam distillery is a new firehouse. Rumor has it Beam and "Turkey" foot the bill for the lions share of building and equipping it. Basically, there isn't enough residential development to require such an elaborate firehouse, but with the risk of major fires at the warehouses, locals have the saftey of fire protection unmatched by even the biggest cities.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Makers Mark brings back memories. I was involved with a project to install fire sprinklers at the main production buildings about 10 years ago. No public water main, the only water supply was the lake they draw from to make the fine product. Trying to figure how to install piping in a 100 year building that is a historic landmark was fun!

The aging barns are the biggest fire danger, picture a barn, painted black, with wood barrels filled with alcohol from floor to ceiling. Talk about fuel loading! Many have no sprinkler protection, just a nice pitch to the surrounding land to get the burning liquid away from other barns and to a safe location. Not much the BEST FD is going to do when the barns get going.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

 

[dbdartman]

I was involved with a project to install fire sprinklers at the main production buildings about 10 years ago.

Was it a wet or dry system?

 

[BTDT]

In that second pic, it says Prof. Garry Bibbs. I thought he was a member of the BGEEs

 

[Farmwithjunk]

In that second pic, it says Prof. Garry Bibbs. I thought he was a member of the BGEEs

I guess that bourbon was what set off the SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER?