Scarlett and Skip Irby on Kentucky Horse Farm Tour
Scarlett and Skip Irby are returning for their fifth Mint Julep tour on Valentine’s Day.
A few years ago, Scarlett Irby of Flagler Beach, Fla., was brainstorming ideas on what to get her husband Skip for Christmas. Gift cards, ties, socks — all the usual suspects — seemed pretty mundane to Scarlett. She wanted something different, something adventurous and something Skip would absolutely love.
So what did he unwrap that Christmas morning? None other than a trip north to explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® with Mint Julep Experiences, a trusted tour company Scarlett had heard about through a coworker.
The two bourbon lovers visited a handful of distilleries and fell in love with Kentucky — and Mint Julep. They had such a great experience, they have since returned four times and have used Mint Julep every single time.
The Irbys are once again traveling north to embark on their fifth Mint Julep adventure — fittingly on Valentine’s Day — and they’re bringing another couple to experience a public bourbon tour that includes stops at Woodford Reserve Distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery and Jefferson’s Reserve at the Kentucky Artisan Distillery.
For Skip, it’s the charm of Kentucky that brings him and his wife back year after year.
Mint Julep Tour Leader
Chuck Haworth
“The bourbon, beautiful horse farms and countryside,” he specifies as the key components of his love for the commonwealth.
On the second tour Skip and Scarlett went on, they met Mint Julep Tour Leader, Chuck Haworth, and formed an instant friendship. In fact, every tour they have gone on since, they make it a point to request Chuck.
And Chuck is always happy to oblige. He’ll be leading the tour on Valentine’s Day this year.
“Skip and Scarlett have become more than clients … they’re good friends,” he says. “The Irbys can’t seem to get enough of our beautiful state. As a tour provider, they embody the ideal guests: warm and friendly — they always show up full of questions and enthusiastic about learning. They’re simply the best.”
The feeling for Skip and Scarlett is mutual. Asked what they’re looking forward to the most this trip, Skip doesn’t even hesitate.
“More bourbon and conversing with Chuck,” Skip says. “Also dinner at Jeff Ruby’s.”
Chuck, who has been leading Bourbon Country tours for Mint Julep for more than 10 years, enjoys forging bonds with guests like the Irbys. Of course, the natural beauty of Kentucky and the history and fun nature of bourbon doesn’t make his job a tough one, he says.
“As a tour guide, I thoroughly enjoy people who come to Kentucky with an open mind,” explains Chuck. “The best part of my job is sharing the culture of our commonwealth and educating people about our two flagship industries — bourbon whiskey and thoroughbred horses, the best of Kentucky’s experiences.”
The Irbys on various Mint Julep tours.
Plan your own romantic bourbon tour adventures.
Mint Julep Experiences offers public bourbon tours to various Bourbon Country distilleries each week. A public distillery tour with Mint Julep typically includes two full distillery tours and tastings, a tasting-only experience at a third distillery, lunch, bottled water, and guided transportation with a bourbon expert. On Thursdays through Saturdays, you can take a trip south as we visit Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam and Barton 1792. Or, you can opt to go east as we visit Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace and either Bulleit Distilling (Thursdays and Saturdays) or Jefferson’s Reserve at Kentucky Artisan Distillery (Fridays). And coming in March, public tours will run Wednesday through Sunday.
Mint Julep can also provide customized tours any day of the week for groups of all sizes.
If bourbon isn’t quite the “romantic” experience you’re looking for in Kentucky, you can visit the picturesque Kentucky horse farms on our Best of Kentucky Tours or on one of our special Kentucky Derby Week Tours. Other experiences offered include craft brewery tours and tastings; brunch with a BYO Bloody Mary bar and afternoon bourbon tasting; or custom tours crafted by your favorite Kentucky destinations.
Purchase A Gift Certificate
Whether it’s a gift for someone you care about or a gift for you to fuel your travel inspiration, Mint Julep Experiences offers gift certificates that can be applied towards any tour.
Custom Tour Gift: Our experience coordinators are happy to help you estimate the right dollar value for the perfect Mint Julep Tours experience. Give them a call 502-583-1433 to discuss custom tour itinerary and gift amounts.
Purchased gift certificates can be redeemed at any time. Gift certificates cannot be redeemed for cash and are non-refundable. Call 502-583-1433 if you have any questions about purchasing or redeeming gift certificates.
Remember, flowers fade, but memories live forever — and bourbon bites back.
Chuck Haworth is one of the kindest people our family has met.