Bourbon road trip

Longtime friends and Kentucky natives Cameron M. Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess, with Hess’ husband, Elliott, as photographer, cover the state’s bourbon trails to share their secrets in The State of Bourbon: Exploring the Spirit of Kentucky (Indiana University Press, $16). The book is the second in their My Old Kentucky Road Trip series.

“Where bourbon barrels outnumber residents,” they showcase the region’s finest distilleries, local restaurants, hotels, parks and adventures for bourbon lovers.

But, you don’t have to be a bourbon lover to enjoy this book. It is chock-full of interesting history that helps you understand the state’s most famous beverage.

“Not just a trail or tasting guide, The State of Bourbon will lead you across Kentucky, through the history of the spirit,” says Hess.

The birthplace of bourbon and its growth, spanning nearly 250 years, are explored in depth, from Baptist minister Elijah Craig, who founded Georgetown, to the impact of Prohibition and World War II and the importance of the state’s river towns.

It will be interesting to see where Ludwick and Hess take us on their next My Old Kentucky Road Trip.