Annabel Grossman and Ben Parker take a tour of the US state of Kentucky in this episode of Travel Smart.Known as the bluegrass state, Kentucky is obviously brimming with music and revelry, which Ben gives a guide on the best places to find some authentic bluegrass music, while Annabel picks out the best food stops to make in the southern state and of course, the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Both then sit down for a glass of bourbon - taking a look at the best drinks to try while in their hometownWatch Travel Smart on Independent TV.
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00:00Welcome to the Buffalo Trace Distillery Experience in London.
00:04Our location is a big clue.
00:06The destination we're spotlighting in this special episode of Travel Smart.
00:11That's right. This episode is all about Kentucky,
00:13the southern state that is the birthplace of the great American whiskey,
00:17known the world over for its deep, sweet flavours.
00:20There is of course much more to Kentucky than bourbon.
00:23The bluegrass state has a rich cultural and music heritage
00:27and a growing culinary scene to rival the best in the south.
00:41Later on, we'll be sampling one of the best bourbons to come out of the American south.
00:45But to sample bourbon in Kentucky itself, we'd recommend heading to Louisville.
00:51Kentucky's largest city is nicknamed Bourbon City,
00:54as it's the spirit that helped create Louisville itself,
00:57defining its art, culture, parks and more.
01:00Whether you're looking for historic charm or a bustling downtown,
01:04you'll find one of its unique neighbourhoods that ticks your boxes.
01:07And the city is also the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
01:12Known the world over for its deep, sweet flavours,
01:15bourbon really is a taste of Kentucky
01:18and a great introduction to exploring the bluegrass state.
01:22You can even stay at a bourbon-themed hotel, such as Omni Louisville.
01:27Kentucky has firmly made its mark on America's sporting and cultural landscape,
01:32and one of the greatest examples of this can be experienced at the Muhammad Ali Centre.
01:37Here, visitors can learn about the Louisville born-and-raised boxer's outstanding career,
01:42as well as his legacy of pursuing justice and inspiring social change.
01:46The city is also home to the impressive Slugger Museum.
01:50It may sound niche, but this museum and factory showcases Louisville's Slugger baseball bats
01:55that have made such an impact on American sporting and cultural history.
02:00If, like me, food plays a big part in your travel experiences,
02:04Kentucky has lots to offer.
02:09The first dish that probably comes to mind is southern fried chicken,
02:13a dish that the state has become synonymous with all around the world.
02:17From the original KFC in Corbin, to soul food joints and fine dining right across the state,
02:23there is nowhere better to sample some of the best fried chicken you'll taste anywhere in the world.
02:29Those in the know head to Wallace Station on Mondays for the weekly fried chicken dinner,
02:34but it's also known for the best sandwiches in Kentucky, including the must-try Kentucky Hot Brown.
02:40Located in Midway, it's the only restaurant in Kentucky on a National Scenic Byway.
02:45Its owner, Chef Weta Michael, has been described as the Martha Stewart of the South
02:51and has a whole family of restaurants across Kentucky where you can enjoy some of the best dining in the South,
02:57including the Midway Bakery and Smithtown Seafood.
03:01Holly Hill Inn in Lexington is a favourite, with plenty of seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients,
03:07creating a simple yet flavour-filled menu to be enjoyed in a beautiful setting.
03:15Kentucky is a state rich in heritage and has a diverse array of fascinating museums,
03:20attractions and exhibitions to visit and immerse yourself in.
03:26For a true slice of Americana, pay a visit to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green,
03:32a place that celebrates the racing car in all its glory
03:35and allows you to take one for a spin around a virtual racing track.
03:39Or for something a little different, head to Paducah,
03:42the UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art,
03:45to visit the remarkable National Quilt Museum,
03:48with exhibitions that showcase awe-inspiring designs and honour quilters past and present.
03:54History buffs will also want to fit in Hodgenville in rural central Kentucky,
03:58which is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
04:01There's a historic downtown where you can get a taste of small-town Kentucky
04:05and also visit the former president's boyhood home.
04:09OK, Ben, I know this is the moment you've been looking forward to.
04:12Yes, I'm a big fan of bourbon and I'm really delighted to introduce Kyle Roche,
04:17General Manager here at Buffalo Trace Distillery London,
04:21who's going to talk us through some of these delicious spirits.
04:24So first of all, we've got our flagship bourbon, which is Buffalo Trace.
04:29Buffalo Trace are the oldest continuous distillery in the US
04:32and we're the most awarded distillery in the world.
04:35So if you both want to pick your glass up and we're going to bring it up slowly.
04:39Is there any particular flavours we're picking out on that one?
04:42Well, my mind's gone completely blank and I just want to drink it.
04:46So in that case, shall we give it a try?
04:48That works.
04:49Now wash that one around your palate.
04:52Yeah, you can really taste the vanilla coming through.
04:55So what do we think?
04:57I'd be very happy sitting back in the sunshine drinking this.
05:00I'm guessing it would be best in the Kentucky sun on a summer's day.
05:04I think I agree with you there.
05:12No visit to Kentucky would be complete without listening to some bluegrass music
05:16and you'll find plenty of bars and venues that put on informal live performances.
05:22But to learn about the history of the genre and the people who brought it to the South,
05:26stop in at the Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro.
05:30It's the only cultural site in the world dedicated solely to bluegrass music.
05:34Programmed with interactive experiences and exhibitions,
05:37it offers a unique way of telling the story of bluegrass
05:40and allows visitors to really experience it in an immersive way.
05:45Finally, how could we talk about Kentucky without mentioning horse racing?
05:49After all, this state is home to the most exciting two minutes in sports,
05:54the world-famous Kentucky Derby.
05:56The Kentucky Derby takes place in Louisville in May.
06:00If you don't make it over for Derby Day,
06:02you can stop in at the Kentucky Derby Museum on the property of historic Churchill Downs
06:07to get a glimpse into what the races looked like over the past 150 years.
06:12But it's over in Lexington where you can really immerse yourself in horse country.
06:17Keeneland is quite possibly the best place in the world to learn about thoroughbred racing,
06:22with races in April and October, as well as the famous thoroughbred auctions.
06:27You can also visit horse farms in Fayette County
06:31to meet some of the racing legends of past and present
06:34and to learn about the impact these beautiful animals had on Kentucky and the USA as a whole.
06:43That's it for this Travel Smart Spotlight on Kentucky.
06:46If you're planning a trip there, head to KentuckyTourism.com
06:49If you're planning a trip there, head to KentuckyTourism.com
06:52for more information.
06:54And for all the latest travel news, reviews and advice,
06:57visit independent.co.uk forward slash travel
07:01and check out Simon Calder's daily podcast.
07:04And don't forget, you can get a taste of the bluegrass state
07:07here at the Buffalo Trace Distillery Experience in London.
07:19you