SAMANTHA BROWN'S PLACES TO LOVE: Louisville & Bourbon County, Ky.

Sunday, April 24 at Noon on KPBS TV / On demand now with PBS Video App

Kentucky is synonymous with Bourbon. At Buffalo Trace Distillery, host Samantha Brown talks all things Bourbon with third generation employee, Freddie Johnson, including the history of Bourbon and how it got named. Visiting the Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, Samantha learns how German immigrant Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929 used his fortune from Bourbon to buy this land and give it back to the people of Kentucky, and how art has always been an important mission of the Forest.

Amongst the 50 oldest business in the USA and the oldest in Kentucky, Stoneware & Co. is the next stop for Samantha, where she learns about the process of making stoneware from Master Mold-Maker Ngoc Phan. At Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms, Founder Michael Blowen shares with Samantha how he first got into horse racing and how that evolved to his current mission to saves these horses. They visit various resident horses, including 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm.

The Muhammad Ali Center celebrates the life of the Louisville-born and “greatest of all time” boxer. Here, Samantha and Laura Douglas discuss Muhammad growing up in Louisville, becoming the greatest fighter ever, his huge personality and his focus on humanitarian work after fighting - including what the center does for the community now.

In Bardstown, aka the “Bourbon capital of the world,” Samantha meets Jamar, a local Bourbon expert, who explains why Bardstown is considered “the Napa Valley of Bourbon” and takes her to Bardstown Bourbon, where they sample 3 different whiskeys and talk about the history of Bourbon. Finishing off her trip, Samantha re-joins Jamar at his favorite Bourbon bar, Bourbons Bistro, along with his Bourbon club friends as they chat, sample Bourbon and sit by the fire.

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Samantha talks all things Bourbon in Kentucky.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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At Buffalo Trace Distillery, Samantha talks all things Bourbon with third generation employee, Freddie Johnson, including the history of Bourbon and how it got named.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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At Buffalo Trace Distillery, Samantha talks all things Bourbon with third generation employee, Freddie Johnson, including the history of Bourbon and how it got named.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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In Bardstown, aka the “Bourbon capital of the world”, Samantha meets Jamar, a local Bourbon expert, who explains why Bardstown is considered “the Napa Valley of Bourbon” and takes her to Bardstown Bourbon, where they sample three different whiskeys and talk about the history of Bourbon.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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The Muhammad Ali Center celebrates the life of the Louisville-born and “greatest of all time” boxer. Here, Samantha (left) and Laura Douglas (right) discuss Muhammad growing up in Louisville, becoming the greatest fighter ever, his huge personality and his focus on humanitarian work after fighting - including what the center does for the community now.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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Samantha Brown visits the Muhammad Ali Center. Louisville, Ky.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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At Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms, Founder Michael Blowen (right) shares with Samantha (left) how he first got into horse racing and how that evolved to his current mission to saves these horses. They visit various resident horses, including 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm.

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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Amongst the 50 oldest business in the USA and the oldest in Kentucky, Stoneware & Co. is the next stop for Samantha (left), where she learns about the process of making stoneware from Master Mold-Maker Ngoc Phan (right).

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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Forest giant outdoor sculpture at Kentucky's Bernheim Forest by Thomas Dambo

By Thomas Dambo. Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

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Forest giant outdoor sculpture at Kentucky's Bernheim Forest by Thomas Dambo.

By Thomas Dambo. Courtesy of American Public Television

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Outdoor sculpture at Kentucky's Bernheim Forest

Courtesy of WETA / American Public Television

Watch On Your Schedule:

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Watch Episodes:

Watch "Louisville & Bourbon County, Ky."
Watch "Asheville, North Carolina"
Watch "Houston, Texas"
Watch "Genesee River Valley, NY"
Watch "The Jersey Shore and More"

About The Series:

SAMANTHA BROWN'S PLACES TO LOVE Season 5 takes viewers on a discovery of the emotional heart of travel. The series highlights the individuals who are changing, challenging and strengthening a destination, delivering a decidedly refreshing and enriching travel experience. The series encourages viewers to experience the passion of a destination through food and drink, arts and culture, and adventure. It also inspires viewers to experience the soul of a place in a way that only traveling can do.

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Credits:

Presented by WETA. Distributed by American Public Television