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American Queen bourbon cruise has tastings, talks, distillery visits

American Queen bourbon cruise has tastings, talks, distillery visits
Distillery tours from the makers of Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve highlight American Queen's July 4 bourbon cruise.

The nine-day sailing between St. Louis, Missouri, and Cincinnati, Ohio, passes through the rolling bluegrass hills where 95% of the world's bourbon is made.

On-board tastings and lectures will be provided from Buffalo Trace representative Don Flinn and the author of 'Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage,' Michael Veach.

The voyage is paired with a July 4 celebration under the arch in St. Louis.

Highlights include a pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Louis, bourbon-enhanced menu items and gifts each night, including Veach's autographed book.

Veach's seminars are 'The Origin of Bourbon and the 19th Century,' featuring bourbons Old Crow, Old Forester and Old Taylor; 'The 20th Century and Prohibition,' highlighting Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond, Four Roses Yellow Label and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond; and 'Post Prohibition Bourbon,' with Blantons Single Barrel, Wild Turkey KY Spirit Single Barrel and Woodford Reserve.

In addition to included hop-on, hop-off shore excursions in Louisville, Kentucky, passengers may select one Kentucky distillery tour: Woodford Reserve (Versailles), Wild Turkey or Four Roses (Lawrenceburg); Jim Beam (Clermont), where Troy Beam will be on site to answer questions during tastings; or Heaven Hills Distilleries: Bourbon Heritage Center (Bardstown).

From Madison, Indiana, a Special Land Event includes lunch, a city tour of Frankfort, Kentucky, a guided tour of Buffalo Trace Distilleries and the Kentucky state capitol.

Fares start at $2,699 per person, double occupancy.