wINTER ISSUE 2018 81Lexington
kENTUckyFounded in 1782, Lexington is an elegant southern city with
a genteel air. Surrounded by gently undulating hills in the
heart of Kentucky’s famous Bluegrass region, the area has
some of the finest pastureland in the world. The limestone
rich soil produces the bluegrass on which the world’s finest
and most expensive horses feed. Thoroughbreds and bourbon
are certainly the city’s most famous exports, but Lexington is
rapidly establishing a secondary reputation for excellent craft
beers and a growing farm-to-table food movement.EAT THIS
Farm-to-table with a southern vibe is
the best way to sum up lexington’s
burgeoning food scene. Middle Fork
is a carnivore’s delight, with a keen
focus on paddock-to-plate cuisine.
Carson’s Food and Drink serves up
seriously hearty, modern southern
fare with a twist – don’t say we didn’t
warn you about the BBQ pork belly
beer cheeseburger. The Barn is
kentucky’s only artisan food hall and
offers local and international options
from craft ice-cream to sushi.SEE THAT
neighbouring louisville may be
the home of churchill Downs and
the world-famous kentucky Derby,
but only lexington claims the title
horse capital of the World. take a
tour and get behind the scenes of
some of the 450 stud farms that dot
the region. Kentucky Horse Park
has nearly 115 equine inhabitants
grazing on 500 idyllic hectares.DON’T MISS
in kentucky, bourbon is considered
to be its own food group, so you’d
be remiss not to visit a distillery or
two and taste a local tipple. the
idyllic countryside surrounding
lexington is home to some of the
best-known bourbon distilleries
in the world, including Woodford
Reserve and Buffalo Trace. if you’d
prefer to stay in town, lexington
is home to new micro-distillers
that are well worth a visit – Barrel
House Distilling Company and
Bluegrass Distillers are both
based in the city’s downtown.AFTER DARK
What better way to cap off a day
of exploring than a visit to some
of lexington’s revered bourbon
bars? the cosy Elkhorn Tavern is
housed in the original barrel house
of the James e Pepper Distillery,
which dates back to 1780. Henry
Clay’s Public House is situated in
the former home of its namesake.
One of kentucky’s most revered
native sons, clay was also a
famous politicians of his time.
known as the Great compromiser,
he served in the US house of
Representatives, including as
Speaker of the house, and the US
Senate, and was also the nation’s
ninth Secretary of State under
President John Quincy adams.THAT ONE TIME OF YEAR
thoroughbred racing comes to
lexington twice a year in april
and October. Opened in 1936,
Keeneland is lexington’s premier
racing track and a national
historic landmark. if you can’t
make it for the races don’t worry- keeneland is also the world’s
leading thoroughbred auction
house, with annual sales taking
place in January, September and
november. Spectators are welcome
to observe, but be prepared for the
breathtaking sums – frequently well
over US$1 million – that are paid for
the finest horses.
On the track at Keeneland (top);
bourbon aging in barrels at
cOUR Buffalo Trace Distillery (left).
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