Decided to start out the day at Heaven Hill Heritage Center. No real reason, just seemed to fit in that way using Google maps and all the stops we wanted to hit.
They opened at noon so we took are time getting there from our hotel in Louisville. Breakfast along the way and made 3 or 4 liquor store hunts in our drive. Found out Kroger was open but the inside liquor store had later hours, so that was going to be a trip later.
Pulled into the parking lot around 11:30 am and realized we were not alone. A line was forming so we sped up our parking process to not be too far back in the crowd. Still not really knowing if it was just tour takers or maybe something else.
It only took a couple quick conversations with our now group friends to find out that there was a limited release bottle on the menu this morning. Not sure how many but now things got interesting. We counted and estimated as numbers 11,12,13 and 14 so hopefully there will be enough inventory ready.
Not too long after we made are spots inline, more cars started to fill the parking spaces up front and the crowd numbers tripled. The mood has now changed to more excitement and anticipation of what might be. In the short 30 minute wait outside the doors, it doesn’t take long for the bourbon hunting stories to start flying and there always seems to be one quiet to themselves person that feels like talking might give away some top secret move.
We are all watching the employees moving about through the big glass windows. Wondering what they are doing, trying to catch a glimpse of a bottle or even a case box with an interesting logo. Trying to figure out which way to run when the doors open.
11:58 am and the front door opened. A short older gentleman came out to walk down the side of our makeshift line asking “are you here for a tour or the release” Now the real counting began as everyone waited for each individual in line to profess their real intent. 24 number tags were handed out to keep the confusion down inside the gift shop. More and more this has become the new way of organizing what can be very intense rush. This morning was off to a good start still not really knowing what limited release was awaiting us.
Due to the covid restrictions we were only allowed to be let in 4 at a time. So we are now just watching the satisfied shoppers coming back out with their gift bags hoping someone will mention what it all available.
Finally it is our time!
13 year William Heaven Hill annual gift shop release. $160. Luckily the wives were with us and we got to double up.
