Where: Samuels, Kentucky
When: year-round
If you like: dining and drinks
Why you should go: A stay at the Samuels House feels like spending the night in the world’s coziest and most exclusive bourbon museum. This beautifully updated three-bedroom home, originally built by John Samuels in 1820, is filled with artwork and memorabilia celebrating the Samuels family’s eight generations of whiskey making. In the front parlor you’ll find the deep fryer Margie Samuels used to fashion the iconic Maker’s Mark wax seal alongside pieces from her collection of English pewter that inspired the brand’s name. There’s a revolver confiscated from Frank James, brother of Jesse James, during the final surrender of Confederate guerrilla forces, which took place in the house’s front yard in 1865. Look closely and you’ll spot a Prohibition-era snapshot of Leslie Samuels wearing a three-piece suit on Virginia Beach and standing with close friend Jim Beam.
Modern comforts abound, including a chef’s kitchen equipped with a whiskey ice maker and spa-inspired bathrooms. Several add-on experiences are also available, including an in-home chef-catered meal, VIP daytime or after-hours tours of Maker’s Mark Distillery, and a private visit with chairman emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr., over a few pours. “No one knows the story of our family and of bourbon like he does,” son Rob Samuels says. “He brings it all to life.”
G&G tip: Book a tour of Independent Stave Company’s Kentucky Cooperage, located ten miles from Maker’s Mark Distillery, for a look at the hands-on craftsmanship behind bourbon barrel production.
