B.A.S.S. visits the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Evan Williams just opened up a new way to learn and experience their product in the heart of Louisville, Ky., so we brought along our cameras.

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B.A.S.S. loves to visit with its sponsors, but when it came time to go to Louisville (pictured) to meet with Evan Williams, there were no shortage of volunteers.
B.A.S.S. loves to visit with its sponsors, but when it came time to go to Louisville (pictured) to meet with Evan Williams, there were no shortage of volunteers.
Louisville's downtown maintains that old feel but with a fresh coat of paint.
Louisville’s downtown maintains that old feel but with a fresh coat of paint.
Evan Williams just opened a new way to learn and experience their product in the heart of Louisville, Ky., so we brought along our cameras.
Evan Williams just opened a new way to learn and experience their product in the heart of Louisville, Ky., so we brought along our cameras.
The newly restored building in the heart of downtown Louisville on Whiskey Row.
The newly restored building in the heart of downtown Louisville on Whiskey Row.
We were immediately warned not to try to drink this. The giant glass of bourbon in the lobby is not actual bourbon.
We were immediately warned not to try to drink this. The giant glass of bourbon in the lobby is not actual bourbon.
A 3-story tall bottle of Evan Williams pours perpetually into this glass in the lobby.
A 3-story tall bottle of Evan Williams pours perpetually into this glass in the lobby.
Director of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Lynne Grant and Associate Brand Manager for Evan Williams Chris Ratterman showed us around the brand new Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
Director of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Lynne Grant and Associate Brand Manager for Evan Williams Chris Ratterman showed us around the brand new Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
Lynne Grant is not only the manager of the brand new facility, she is also a Bourbon-ista.
Lynne Grant is not only the manager of the brand new facility, she is also a Bourbon-ista.
Hank Cherry (left) and John Crews pose in the lobby. Both of these successful pros are sponsored by Evan Williams Bourbon.
Hank Cherry (left) and John Crews pose in the lobby. Both of these successful pros are sponsored by Evan Williams Bourbon.
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is the newest part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is the newest part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The history of Evan Williams as a distiller began in the 1700's.
The history of Evan Williams as a distiller began in the 1700’s.
Part of the tour contains a easy-to-understand description of how bourbon is made.
Part of the tour contains a easy-to-understand description of how bourbon is made.
The art on this brick wall is a great place to pose for a photo, as you will see later in this gallery.
The art on this brick wall is a great place to pose for a photo, as you will see later in this gallery.
The artisanal distillery produces a very small quantity of high-quality bourbon. Unfortunately it will be years before anyone gets to try it. Charlie Downs is the on-site Artisanal Craft Distiller.
The artisanal distillery produces a very small quantity of high-quality bourbon. Unfortunately it will be years before anyone gets to try it. Charlie Downs is the on-site Artisanal Craft Distiller.
The equipment in the artisanal distillery is extremely new, as you can see by this plaque on the whiskey still.
The equipment in the artisanal distillery is extremely new, as you can see by this plaque on the whiskey still.
B.A.S.S. staffer Chris Mitchell (right) learns about the process of making bourbon from Artisanal Craft Distiller Charlie Downs.
B.A.S.S. staffer Chris Mitchell (right) learns about the process of making bourbon from Artisanal Craft Distiller Charlie Downs.
Making bourbon requires patience and precision.
Making bourbon requires patience and precision.
The artisanal distillery has a lot of components.
The artisanal distillery has a lot of components.
Making good bourbon means math and time.
Making good bourbon means math and time.
An overhead view of the artisanal distillery. This facility is brand new, and constantly making bourbon.
An overhead view of the artisanal distillery. This facility is brand new, and constantly making bourbon.
Barrels line the walkway. Heaven Hill is the company that owns Evan Williams.
Barrels line the walkway. Heaven Hill is the company that owns Evan Williams.
Evan Williams recreated a Louisville storefront on the way to the tasting rooms.
Evan Williams recreated a Louisville storefront on the way to the tasting rooms.
B.A.S.S. can confirm that Louisville's hotels are no longer this affordable.
B.A.S.S. can confirm that Louisville’s hotels are no longer this affordable.
The attention to detail was quite impressive.
The attention to detail was quite impressive.
Whiskey Row is a famous section of Louisville, and Evan Williams is proud to be a part of the heritage.
Whiskey Row is a famous section of Louisville, and Evan Williams is proud to be a part of the heritage.
The building that the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience renovated was a different distillery in the past. They honor the former occupants in the tasting room.
The building that the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience renovated was a different distillery in the past. They honor the former occupants in the tasting room.
One of the highlights of the tour were these chocolate bourbon balls.
One of the highlights of the tour were these chocolate bourbon balls.
While the tasting is free when you sign up for the $12 tour, you cannot buy more drinks with $.15, despite what this sign says.
While the tasting is free when you sign up for the $12 tour, you cannot buy more drinks with $.15, despite what this sign says.
During the tasting you open a secret compartment in your table to reveal bourbon.
During the tasting you open a secret compartment in your table to reveal bourbon.
A multimedia show before the tasting plays out on monitors.
A multimedia show before the tasting plays out on monitors.
Two of the products you can taste on the tour.
Two of the products you can taste on the tour.
One of the tasting rooms has a distinctly 60's era feel to it.
One of the tasting rooms has a distinctly 60’s era feel to it.
This tasting room was created to invoke the late 1800's when bourbon became big business in Louisville.
This tasting room was created to invoke the late 1800’s when bourbon became big business in Louisville.
The gift shop at the end of the tour featured many exclusive products.
The gift shop at the end of the tour featured many exclusive products.
Elite Series anglers John Crews and Hank Cherry pose in the gift shop on the second floor.
Elite Series anglers John Crews and Hank Cherry pose in the gift shop on the second floor.
Samples of these BBQ sauces were available and consumed by B.A.S.S. staff.
Samples of these BBQ sauces were available and consumed by B.A.S.S. staff.
There is no shortage of bourbon in the gift shop.
There is no shortage of bourbon in the gift shop.
<p>Hank Cherry and John Crews represent Evan Williams' sponsored anglers on the Elite Series. Want to check out the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience? <a href=
Hank Cherry and John Crews represent Evan Williams’ sponsored anglers on the Elite Series. Want to check out the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience? Click here for more information.