Top Ways to Enjoy Bourbon Heritage Month in the Cincy Region

As we say over on our very own Northern Kentucky bourbon experience, The B-Line®, “Cheers, y’all!” Explore Distilleries in the Cincy Region this September as you celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month!

Stacks of bourbon barrels held in red shelves at Boone County Distilling Co.

The Rickhouse at Boone County Distilling

The B-Line®

First and foremost, if you haven’t sipped along Northern Kentucky's bourbon experience The B-Line, September is a great month to start. The B-Line is comprised of 25 different “sipping points” in Northern Kentucky, including some of the Best Bourbon Bars in America according to The Bourbon Review, 7 bourbon distilleries all of which are also on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, and restaurants with bourbon-infused menus and significant bourbon selections.

Go to 2 of The B-Line distilleries, 2 of the restaurants, and 2 of the bars and we’ll send you a free gift of your choosing. You can get an engraved glen cairn glass, a hat, whiskey stones or one of these fun B-Line t-shirts.

Get your passport for The B-Line on your phone complete with special offers at participating stops, and check in at each visit. You can also pick up a paper copy of the Line Guide at any of The B-Line stops and get it stamped.

Men and women sitting at a wood bar while a bartender in a cap pours a cocktail.

Wiseguy Lounge in Covington, Ky.

Bourbon Centered Events

September brings a slew of bourbon fun to the Cincy Region. On The B-Line alone you'll find drink specials, flight nights, Bourbon Trivia, rare tastings and more. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar and also on The B-Line Calendar so you don't miss any bourbon fun.

Take a Bourbon Road Trip

A man showing a group of people the column still at New Riff Distilling

New Riff Distilling in Newport, Ky.

Come Find Bourbon

Speaking of bourbon heritage, three cities in Kentucky that are steeped in it – Covington, Frankfort, and Bardstown—have partnered to create an authentic bourbon road trip. In their own words,

Whether you want to sip from the world's largest collection of Kentucky bourbons, discover what bourbon really means to Kentucky, savor once-in-a-lifetime moments, tap into edgy innovations and heartfelt traditions, or stock up on local artisan products, you'll find it here.

September is a beautiful month in Kentucky for road trips. Learn more about Come Find Bourbon here on their site.

History of National Bourbon Heritage Month

While every month is a good month to enjoy bourbon, “National Bourbon Heritage Month” each September was born in Northern Kentucky, thanks to our very own Senator Jim Browning who took the idea to the US Senate.

Here’s a dollop of Bourbon Month history from meetNKY's CEO and Chief Bourbon Sipper, Julie Kirkpatrick:

“I want to take a minute to explain the history behind the history and how we in NKY own our little slice of Bourbon Heritage Month.

So, let’s head back to 2007 and spend a little time with an epic Northern Kentuckian, Senator Jim Bunning. The man was a baseball player, Kentucky Legislator, and elected to the US Senate. It was Senator Bunning that pushed in 2007 for a U.S. Senate Resolution that designated September 2007 as National Bourbon Heritage Month and for the first time used the phrase "America’s Native Spirit."

Technically only September 2007 was declared National Bourbon Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress. Since then though, every year Kentucky’s governor declares every September Kentucky Bourbon Heritage Month so we celebrate Bourbon and its impact on our great Commonwealth that month every year- or every day that ends in a “y” if you’re a truly dedicated bourbon fan."

Even though Congress hasn't yet approved making National Bourbon Heritage Month an official annual celebration the way Kentucky has, we hope you can join us and celebrate bourbon as "America’s Native Spirit” during the month of September in the Cincy Region.

During all your Bourbon Month celebrations, please remember to sip responsibly.

Where to Stay in the Cincy Region for Bourbon Heritage Month

A rack of bourbon barrels with a gold, stenciled map of the U.S.and the words "If the United States are to be considered a body then Ohio would be its heart and Kentucky its soul.

The lobby at Hotel Covington

If you're planning a weekend stay or longer to visit us in September, we've got so many options for where to stay in the Cincy Region. From art-filled boutique hotels, to one-of-a-kind places you won't find anywhere else and so many more. Please browse our complete listings of where to stay here.

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