Bourbon tourism: New visitors center at Jim Beam

  • By BRUCE SCHREINER
    Associated Press
  • Wednesday, October 17th, 2012
    Shelves are stocked with Jim Beam products at the central Kentucky distillery’s new visitor center in Clermont, Ky. Bourbon distilleries are drawing flocks of fans, and the whiskey makers are building new visitors centers to promote their brands.

    Shelves are stocked with Jim Beam products at the central Kentucky distillery’s new visitor center in Clermont, Ky. Bourbon distilleries are drawing flocks of fans, and the whiskey makers are building new visitors centers to promote their brands.

    The Jim Beam visitor center, called the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, is a copy of a 1930s stillhouse and is three times the size of the distillery’s old tourist center.

    The Jim Beam visitor center, called the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, is a copy of a 1930s stillhouse and is three times the size of the distillery’s old tourist center.

    Tim Allen of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., samples a Jim Beam bourbon as his college buddy, Woody Parker, looks on during a tour of the Beam distillery in Clermont, Ky.

    Tim Allen of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., samples a Jim Beam bourbon as his college buddy, Woody Parker, looks on during a tour of the Beam distillery in Clermont, Ky.

    Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe (right), opens a barrel of whiskey at Clermont, Ky., to celebrate the opening of a new visitor center at the distillery.

    Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe (right), opens a barrel of whiskey at Clermont, Ky., to celebrate the opening of a new visitor center at the distillery.