We sit down with Mandy Ryan, Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Experiences, to unpack how a six-stop trail from 1999 has grown into a powerhouse composed of 58 destinations that’s reshaping Kentucky tourism, extending stays, and driving local communities' economies. From the Amber Triangle of Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown to small-town gems like Shelby County, the trail’s variety now spans ultra-modern sustainability showcases and family-run farm-to-glass distilleries.

We dig into what modern visitors actually want: hands-on cocktail classes, chef-led dinners, meet-the-maker sessions, and tasting rooms where stories are as rich as the pours. Mandy shares why the audience is widening—more women, more mixed friend groups—and how simple, bartender-led guidance helps first-timers ease into tasting with confidence. Along the way, we talk real impact: a $9.2B industry driving jobs, payroll, and a ripple effect for hotels, restaurants, and downtown businesses. Shelby County’s numbers illustrate how distilling fuels local growth, with even more distilleries on the horizon.

Planning just got smarter, too. After a major rebrand, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is rolling out a new itinerary builder where you can favorite distilleries, drag-and-drop plans, plus a pocket-friendly Z-fold map that puts every region in your hand. We also tackle headwinds—tariffs, wellness shifts, GLP-1 medications, cannabis competition—and why authentic hospitality and premium experiences keep demand strong, even when foot traffic softens. If you’re ready to design a meaningful bourbon journey—one that pairs rickhouses with great food, art, and Kentucky’s signature hospitality—this conversation is your roadmap.

Enjoy the episode? Follow the show, share it with a friend who loves bourbon travel, and leave a quick review to help others discover us.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

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© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

Most people think lavender is just a pretty scent. We open the door to a much bigger story: a Kentucky team who planted 5,000 starts, signed a lease before they had products, and built a year-round destination inside a historic stone building where food, wellness, and craft come together.

We talk through the origins of Little Mount Lavender, the lessons learned from California farms, and how a bold idea became a brand with a clear point of view. You’ll hear how French culinary training shapes a cafe menu where lavender elevates citrus, balances sauces, and never overpowers. We dig into sourcing—multiple local suppliers, organic whenever possible, no additives, everything from scratch—and why a spotless kitchen and careful technique make such a difference. From teas and confections to oils, bath salts, and pet care, the product lineup shows how versatile true lavender can be when you honor the plant and respect how it behaves on different bodies.

Community is a pillar. The Simpsonville space hosts classes for candle pouring, bath-salt blending, and painting, alongside sold-out murder mystery nights that bring people together in the off-season. Local artisans fill the shelves with jewelry, pottery, minerals, and even fossils, turning the store into a discovery hub. We explore the farm setup—thousands of plants on a well-drained hillside, with a smaller in-town field for U-picks—and the plan for a larger, fully branded location that leans apothecary, where guests can customize blends and create on-site. If you’ve ever wondered whether lavender belongs in your kitchen, your evening routine, or your laundry room, this conversation will change how you think about flavor, calm, and clean living.

Ready to visit? Find Little Mount Lavender at 6905 Shelbyville Road, Simpsonville KY 40067. Preview products, classes, and events at littlemountlavender.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others discover it.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

A granddad with a butcher’s hand, a grocery from 1970, and a burger that made a town famous—this is the flavor map behind B&N Food Market in Bagdad, Kentucky. We sit down with Buckshot and Ashley Warren to trace how a family store turned into a destination where the Newt Burger, 20‑hour brisket, and blue‑ribbon desserts pull travelers off I‑64 and locals back for seconds. The story runs on work ethic and love: fresh‑ground beef like Newt did it and sides that taste like home.

Buckshot learned the craft shoulder to shoulder with his grandfather, then refined it with a Texas road trip. Tips from pitmasters at spots like 2M Smokehouse sharpened technique without sanding off roots, leading to brisket that stands on its own and pinto beans brightened at the finish with diced tomatoes and cilantro. Ashley adds the connective tissue—community, storytelling, and a steady social presence whose “Not Bad For Bagdad” rallying cry now belongs to the guests who line up from across the globe. Along the way, the coon hunter’s cake and a new applesauce spice cake keep the dessert case stacked with recipes that read like family history.

There’s more than food here. During the pandemic, they served outside, remodeled the 1912 building back to its bones, and doubled down on hospitality without losing pace. Portions stay generous, prices stay fair, and the smoker never sleeps. Whether you come for ribs, pulled pork, bone‑in pork chops, or a slab of fish seasoned only with salt, the promise is the same: honest, scratch‑made comfort that respects the past and cooks for today. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves real barbecue, and leave a review to help more folks find their way to Bagdad, KY.

Send us a text

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.