Off Duty, travel - Marine Corps Times

Tales from the Whiskey Trail

We spent a week this spring traveling the “American Whiskey Trail,” visiting seven of the 16 operating distilleries and historical sites that make up the trail.

Our mission? To squeeze every last drop of intel out of the master distillers and other experts we met along the way, to turn ourselves — and you — into connoisseurs of whiskey and bourbon.

In our journey through Kentucky and Tennessee, we learned the difference between whiskey and bourbon, found out the seven steps to bourbon tasting — and discovered some cool connections between the military and the distilleries we never knew existed.

Read on to turn yourself into a true whiskey expert:

From the paper

A spirited adventure: 7 great stops on the American Whiskey Trail

Whiskey’s history began with rebels, troops and taxes

Get a taste of Washington’s post-presidency

Amaze your friends — 7 random whiskey facts

From the road

The adventure begins

Mark of distinction: A tale of whiskey and wax

7 secrets of bourbon tasting

Know the difference: Bourbon vs. whiskey

Video

Scenes from the American Whiskey Trail