Cigars Meet Legends of the Track at the Leaf & Barrel Cigar & Bourbon Lounge
Written by Dylan Marson
Cigar enthusiasts generally don’t expect much from a house cigar, but in Georgetown, Kentucky, they can expect a legendary experience tied to Kentucky’s unbridled racing culture. The Leaf & Barrel Cigar and Bourbon Lounge has introduced a brand-new line of house cigars, with each paying its respects to legendary thoroughbred stars throughout Kentucky’s racing history. Each cigar has been carefully curated by Owners Larry Ledbetter, Bill Daff & Bill Grose to provide a premium experience at a nice price in the heart of Horse Country!
“We wanted to combine the cigar industry with the horse racing industry here in our market so that we could pay an homage to what we have going with thoroughbreds here in the state of Kentucky,” Said Ledbetter, “We opted for a very high quality cigar at an affordable price so that people could enjoy that little taste of Kentucky and feel like it was something that was ours.”
When starting a series of horse themed cigars, where better to start than the beginning with the very first Kentucky Derby Winner! In 1875, Aristides became the first to win what would become one of the most iconic races in human history. Only recently inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (2024) their crossing of the finish-line marked the start of something truly special to the culture of Kentucky. To match the fire & tenacity that comes with its namesake, Leaf & Barrel created a cigar that is complex and commanding, with notes of spice, charred oak and a touch of molasses. The Habano Oscuro wrapper gives this blend a fiery elegance that builds throughout the experience.
Coming in second but certainly not last is 31 Lengths. Even casual horse-racing fans might recognize this homage to one of the most recognizable & internationally famous American thoroughbreds on the planet. Secretariat captured the Triple Crown with a dominating victory at the 1973 Belmont stakes, leading by 31 lengths. The cigar is earthy, peppery with deep cocoa undertones and a rustic sweetness from the Broadleaf wrapper, making a robust full-bodied smoke that reflects the unmatched strength behind the name.
Cigar enthusiasts can find these exclusive house cigars at Georgetown's Leaf & Barrel Cigar and Bourbon Lounge, which now features a brand-new golf simulator, or at their new location in Richmond, Kentucky (103 Big Hill Ave, Richmond, KY).
About Leaf & Barrel Cigar and Bourbon Lounge:
A mecca for connoisseurs and conversation, this chummy lounge is where likeminded souls sit, relax and share a passion for good cigars and fine Kentucky bourbon. A welcoming atmosphere, an ever-expanding list of bourbons and boutique cigars, all-new golf simulator, Open Mic Nights featuring live music—it’s all here in this cozy yet open and airy lounge, along with a smattering of flatscreen TVs to catch the game.
Author: Dylan Marson
Dylan Marson is the Communications Manager for Georgetown/Scott County Tourism.
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Make this year a Make It/Take It Christmas
Written by Kathy Witt
If there was one silver lining to the pandemic, it’s that it unleashed the DIY spirit in all of us. And with the Queen Mother of gift giving occasions right around the corner, now is the perfect time to give expression to that spirit with gifts from the hands and the heart.
Here are five Georgetown businesses that host workshops on how to make pottery, stained glass, needle craft items and more.
- Birdsong Quilting and Crafts, 502-603-8211. Regular monthly classes are offered for all levels – beginner to advanced – for projects including paper piecing and block quilts. Find class options here.
- Bless your H’Art, 502-642-5330. Pick your paint project at this family-friendly paint-your-own pottery and craft studio, offering pottery wheel and clay classes, kids classes and camps, ladies nights and special holiday events – all with the goal of helping you produce your own masterpiece.
- Crafty N’Blessed By Alicia. Join in a high-energy paint party and make a personalized door hanger or two with all materials supplied: wooden cut outs, brushes, easels, aprons, hanger, ribbon, paint, etc. The shop offers a variety of themes for its door hangers: “home sweet home,” sports, birthday, seasons and holidays and more.
- Heirlooms & Gretchen’s, 502-863-2538. Stained-glass making classes are held 10 a.m.-12 p.m. year-round on Thursday and Saturday, with new student classes beginning about every eight weeks. For those who’ve already completed the beginner class, individual classes are available to continue improving skills and creating pieces.
- Meraki & Moon, 502-603-8122. A variety of artist/expert-led workshops are offered in small group settings of four to six participants: Folk Art Paint Your Plate, Bead-Embroidered Stone Pendants, Book Binding, etc. Paint and Sip classes are also on the schedule.
Sign up for a workshop yourself or give one as a gift to the crafter on your list. Classes can also be booked for small groups looking for a way to get creative or for a fun winter activity to share.
Tip it/Sip it more your style? Here are four additional options for sharing a Georgetown experience – and possibly a unique gift with someone on your list.
- Bourbon 30, 859-721-1854. Line up a flight of handcrafted small-batch bourbons to sample straight from the barrel or put on your Master Distiller cap and create your own blend. Choose from 100-plus barrels to craft your blend, then pick out your bottle shape, wax color and label name. Do it for yourself or gift the experience – it’s a Georgetown original.
- Chocomania, 502-370-4036. Monthly wine and chocolate pairing/tasting events take place that wake up the palate to how much the flavor, complexity and deliciousness of one enhances the other. Classes are announced on Chocomania’s Facebook page.
- Country Boy Brewing, 502-709-9943. Sample a cider, a winter stout and a whole lotta craft beer in a casual, community setting made all the livelier with trivia and other pub fun. Pair a flight with the onsite Kitchen’s flatbread, cowboy burger or smoked chicken wings.
- Meraki & Moon, 502-603-8122. Create your own wine flight from a selection of small, artisanal winemakers from across the globe at the Winefellas’ wine bar located inside the creative market atmosphere of Meraki & Moon. The wines can also be enjoyed during an arts workshop here.
Author: Kathryn Witt
Kathryn Witt is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer, syndicated columnist and author of several books, including Secret Cincinnati, The Secret of the Belles and Atlanta Georgia: A Photographic Portrait. A member of SATW, Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Books & Illustrators, she lives in northern Kentucky.
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G-town Holiday Gift Guide
11/19/19 Written by Kathy Witt
Our G-town Holiday Gift Guide lets you show your love of Georgetown, of shopping local, of finding those unique, small-town surprises that can only be found here. And something to make merry about – all but one fit beneath the tree. (Hint: You’ll have to hide the big one at a neighbor’s house . . . or garage.)
Country Boy Brewing: Nothing like a cold one at a chill Christmas gathering. Wrap up a 6-pack of beer ($9.99), like the brewery’s flagship bestselling Cougar Bait, an American blonde ale so delicious and refreshing Santa may be tempted to keep it for himself.
Birdsong Quilting, Embroidery, Crafts: Give a special crafter the gift that keeps on giving, or making: A sewing machine ($95-$195) – the biggest seller over the holidays at one of Georgetown’s favorite community gathering spots. Pair it with Birdsong’s pre-cut “Fat Quarter” Bundles that include 10 pieces for $20 and come in lots of styles and colors.
Heirlooms & Gretchen’s: Celebrate the Horse Headquarters of Kentucky with the horse lovers on your list with an original stained glass horse ornament ($25-$35) to hang in their window. Go big or go home for the holidays with a larger piece (from $90) that looks gorgeous with sunlight streaming through it.
Bourbon 30: Got a bourbon aficionado on your list? This craft distillery has a two- to four-hour blending session with owner and Master Crafter Jeff Mattingly that lets the giftee customize the label and blend whatever they want – right across from Royal Spring Park where bourbon is believed to have begun. Session includes a tasting and the first 750ml bottle. $150
Desserts by Rebecca: Pre-order a Christmas-themed cookie tray that includes 25 decorated sugar cookies ($40). Watch for the ad for this holiday special around November 25 and plan to order your tray for a December pick-up. Owner Rebecca Maupin notes that space fills up quickly for these trays. “Last year I made and decorated 10,000 cookies, and that was from my home. I’m a little scared to see what the numbers will be this year.” The shop also has a Paint-Your-Own Cookie Kit for $15 – think watercolor for sweet treats.
Evans Orchard offers the perfect way to thank a party hostess or add sweetness to your own table for holiday gatherings: Fresh-baked whole apple pies ($20) or the farm’s famous fried apple pies ($3.50/each). Pair with a gallon of fresh-pressed apple cider ($8.50) made onsite at Evans’ Cider Mill.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm presents more options for equestrians and equine enthusiasts . . . Here’s a unique way to slice and dice: A Horse Head or Jockey Silks Cutting Board/Cheese Board ($20), both handcrafted in Kentucky. Give family and friends something to page through while awaiting the dinner feast with The Art of Old Friends, a beautiful four-color coffee table book featuring original images of Old Friends horses by Dagmar Galleithner-Steiner, the renowned equine artist ($39.95).
Kentucky Horse Park: Claim a piece of history for a horse lover with this halter that belonged to Go for Gin, the world’s oldest living Kentucky Derby (gr.1) winner. Now 28 years old, Go for Gin won the 1994 Kentucky Derby and is a resident of the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. (Halters are available from all of the Hall of Champion residents, including Funny Cide, 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, and Point Given, 2011 Horse of the Year, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winner.) A certificate of authenticity is included. $159.99
Georgetown/Scott County Tourism: Drop by the Welcome Center for a selection of Georgetown-branded merch that will let your favorite Georgetownians show their spirit for Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters: short-sleeved horse tees in heather maroon and royal blue, plus hats, drinking glasses, koozies, books and more. Horse tee special: one for $20; two for $30.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky lets you unwrap the Queen Mother of Major Gifts: a brand new Toyota Camry, like this 2019 Camry SE – so shiny it doesn’t even need a bow. Starting at $25,800
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