September is Bourbon Heritage Month and Cincinnati is ready to celebrate!
Bourbon is a type of whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbon. In order to be bourbon, it must contain at least 51% corn in its mash, it must be aged in new, charred-oak barrels, and it must be stored at no more than 125 proof and bottled at no less than 80 proof. Though bourbon can technically be made anywhere in the US, 95% of the world’s bourbon is produced in Kentucky, our neighbor just to the south.
It is for that reason that we have a lot of great bourbon bars, events, and even bourbon-inspired foods in our area. Below is a comprehensive list of all things bourbon to try during Bourbon Heritage Month and beyond.
Food
There are so many excellent bourbon-inspired menu items across the region. Here are a handful of suggestions of what to get at nearby local restaurants.
BRU Burger Bar (downtown, Montgomery – Coming Soon)
Bourbon burger with peppercorn-bourbon glaze
The Eagle (OTR)
Kale Salad with bourbon-soaked raisins
The Littlefield (Northside)
Sour Cream Doughnut Holes
Cinnamon sugar dusted, served with a bourbon caramel sauce (during Sat/Sun brunch).
LouVino (OTR)
LouVino Triple Stack with bourbon maple and whipped cream
Purple Poulet Southern Bourbon Bistro (Newport)
Several bourbon-inspired menu items
Note: Menus are always changing and can be viewed on the link shared for each restaurant.
Desserts
The creativity that goes into making a bourbon-inspired dish is fascinating, and the relationship between Bourbon and dessert will always be a fun combination.
Bouquet Restaurant (Covington)
Bread Pudding Stuffed Croissant topped with bourbon glaze
Graeter’s (multiple locations)
Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan
Happy Chicks Bakery (Northside)
Bourbon Apricot cake and cupcakes
Libby’s Gourmet Desserts (Forest Park)
Bourbon Butter Cake
Maverick Chocolate (Findlay Market, Rookwood)
Prohibition Milk Chocolate bar, made with real Kentucky Bourbon
Senate (Blue Ash)
Chocolate & Bourbon Bread Pudding
Note: Menus are always changing and can be viewed on the link shared for each restaurant.
Bars
There are a lot of great bourbon bars in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, but, thanks to their varied and unique selections, these really stand out.
Bourbon Haus 1841 (Covington)
Local and rare varieties, plus craft cocktails.
The Littlefield (Northside)
Cozy bourbon bar and kitchen.
Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar (Covington)
Craft cocktails and an extensive selection of whiskey in an upbeat setting.
Prohibition Bourbon Bar (Newport)
1920s-era speakeasy-style bourbon bar.
Revival Vintage Bottle Shop (Covington)
A retail and bottle shop with a one-of-a-kind shopping and tasting experience.
Wiseguy Lounge (OTR, Covington)
Elite bourbons and craft cocktails with a roaring twenties vibe.
Distilleries
We all know about the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but we have some pretty great distilleries nearby, too. Here are several local options, including the type of bourbon they produce onsite.
Boone County Distilling (Boone County)
Kentucky Pot Still Bourbon
Small Batch Bourbon
Knox Joseph Distillery at OTR StillHouse (OTR)
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
New Riff Distilling (Newport)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Single Barrel Bourbon
Northside Distilling (downtown)
Bourbon whiskey
Old Pogue Distillery (Maysville, KY)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Pensive Distilling (Newport)
Bourbon
Second Sight Spirits (Ludlow, KY)
Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon
Bourbon-barreled rum
Wenzel Whiskey (Covington)
Whiskey blending warehouse and event space.
Woodstone Creek (St. Bernard)
Straight bourbon whiskey
Five grain bourbon
Tours and Tastings
The B-Line
Northern Kentucky’s Self-Guided Bourbon Trail featuring 19 “sipping points”: taverns, distilleries, restaurants, and bars.
Bourbon and Bootleg Dinner
Specialty selected bourbon cocktails followed by a curated dinner and bourbon tasting, while learning about Newport’s bootlegging past.
Bourbon and Distillery Tasting Tour
Cincy Brew Bus
Start at New Riff, then tour and sample at Second Sight Spirits, Boone County Distilling, and Wooden Cask.
Kentucky Bourbon Adventure
(Private Tour Inquiry Only)
Cincy Brew Bus
Two- or three-stop option. Choose from: Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Four Roses. Minimum group size is 8.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Choose your own adventure featuring 41 distilleries, tours, tastings, activities, big-city nightlife, quaint country towns, Bourbon-themed hotels, historic bed & breakfast accommodations, and more.
Events
May
Bourbon Flights
Cincinnati Zoo
Stroll the Zoo sampling a variety of bourbons (neat, on the rocks, or with mixers).
July
Bacon, Bourbon, and Brew Festival
Newport
Dedicated to our rich history and connections to the brewing and pork industries as well as our region’s long ties to the bourbon industry.
September 7
Bourbon Heritage Tasting
Hotel Covington, 5–10p
Rare bourbon, open craft beer bar, and complimentary small bites.
September 8
Neeley Family Distillery/Hidden Barn Dinner
Rich’s Proper Food and Drink, 6:30p
Three course dinner and pairings, plus the first opportunity to purchase the Rich’s Proper Hidden Barn Private Barrel.
September 10
Heaven Hill Bourbon Dinner
Newport Syndicate, 6:30p
Signature cocktail and three bourbon tastings guided by a Heaven Hill representative alongside a 3-course plated meal.
September 15
Old Pogue Tasting
Bourbon Haus 1841, 7–9p
Exclusive tasting and discussion with the owner of Old Pogue, Peter Pogue.
September 16
On the Rocks
Bourbon Tasting Event
MegaCorp Pavilion, 6–9p
Inaugural celebration of Cincinnati’s adult beverage scene, including bourbon, vodka, and gin.
September 22
The Spirits Are Alive and Well
Tousey House Tavern, 5–10p
Tousey House’s 200-year anniversary open house celebration with Chef’s culinary showcase, history, and Boone County Bourbon.
October 7
Dinner Featuring Knob Creek & Wine Pairings
Newport Syndicate, 6:30–9p
Dinner featuring a bourbon pairing by Knob Creek and wine.
October 22
Bourbon in the Bluegrass
Farm Haven (Union, KY)
Local bourbon, live bluegrass, food trucks, plus more family friendly fun.
October 29
Boots, Bourbon, and Biscuits
Receptions – Erlanger, 11a–2p
Biscuit bar, brunch, live music, entertainment, auction, bourbon tasting, open bar, and more. Supporting the Children’s Law Center.
Date TBA
Bourbon and Bacon
Exclusive bourbon tasting package, featuring six different bourbons plus some of Cincinnati’s favorite eateries and brands.
View more events courtesy of thebline.com.
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.
