Plus: Louisville’s bourbon scene and the new Kentucky Garden Trail

PHOTO: KENDRICK BRINSON

Nanny Goat Beach, on the southeastern edge of Sapelo Island.

Hop the ferry to Sapelo Island and step into a world where time slows and history lingers. G&G contributing editor Jessica B. Harris recounts her visits to this remote Georgia barrier island, tracing its deep roots—from Gullah Geechee heritage and the close-knit community of Hog Hammock to the mansion of a tobacco tycoon and the wild beauty of Nanny Goat Beach. With fewer than seventy-five residents and no cars to rent, Sapelo invites travelers to experience its unspoiled landscapes, enduring traditions, and rare solitude. Read about her adventures and plan your own trip.

Louisville, Kentucky. Living in Lexington, just an hour or so down the road, I’ve made numerous visits to Louisville over the years, often to explore its vibrant bourbon scene. But a late-February trip to attend Bourbon Classic reminded me just how much the city continues to expand its impressive collection of sipping experiences.

Updating a classic. The first Bourbon Classic I attended was more than a decade ago, in the event’s early years, when everyone seemed to know one another and I could barely make heads or tails of the whiskey lingo. The all-things-bourbon affair has since moved to the Kentucky International Convention Center and features a cocktail-and-culinary challenge on Friday evening, educational seminars and a grand whiskey tasting on Saturday, and related events earlier in the week. While the room may be larger, the event still retains its intimate feel, offering plenty of opportunities to mingle with distillers, brand ambassadors, and fellow aficionados.
Stirring things up. There’s no shortage of great places to grab a drink in Louisville. Two recently opened favorites, just blocks apart, stand out: Seven Cocktails + Bourbon, located in the NuLu Marketplace, serves up inventive (and delicious) creations, while Tartan House offers a cozy neighborhood vibe with a focus on Scotch-based cocktails.
Getting in the spirit. New tasting rooms and experiences continue to pop up along or near a historic stretch of Main Street known as Whiskey Row. Recent additions include Monk’s Road Boiler House from Log Still Distillery, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., and the Last Refuge from Heaven’s Door Distillery, with tasting rooms from Louisville-based Pursuit Spirits, Green River Distilling Co., and Vermont-based WhistlePig set to open later this year.