Bourbon makes your sweetheart’s day sweeter (Courtesy Louisville Tourism)

Candy, flowers, cards… whiskey? If your idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day gift comes in a bottle instead of a box, you can sneak a quick trip to Kentucky, where these distilleries are finding sweet ways to celebrate this year.

In Louisville, couples can sample two bourbons with three chocolate pairings and create their own cocktails during Stitzel-Weller’s Valentine-themed mixology classes hosted by Garden & Gun Lead Greg Hojnacki on Feb. 10, 11, and 12.

On the evening of the 14th, head to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (part of downtown Louisville’s storied Whiskey Row) for an old-fashioned Speakeasy Sweethearts Valentine’s Day Dinner featuring a welcome cocktail, progressive tastings, a three-course dinner with drink pairings, and live jazz. Roaring 20s attire is encouraged — fun!

The weekends before and after V-Day, Stone Fences Tours’ “Bourbon Passport: Bluegrass” excursions make it easy to hop down the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with pickups in Lexington and Versailles and stops at Town Branch, Woodford Reserve, and Wilderness Trail distilleries.

Meanwhile, The Barrel Market in Lexington is organizing a black-tie Bourbon and Chocolate pairing event on Valentine’s Day at 7 p.m., co-presented by Bourbon Steward Brian Dickens and Chocolate Aficionado Ken Robinson.

“Castle & Cocktail” tours of Castle & Key Distillery’s grounds and gardens in Frankfort highlight what is arguably one of the most romantic destinations in Kentucky for bourbon tours and tastings any time of the year.

And a bonus shindig to the north in Indiana, West Fork Whiskey in Westfield is throwing a post-Valentine’s Day “Drunk In Love” party on February 16 to give visitors a look at the distillery’s new 4,000 square-foot event space with cocktails, light appetizers, games and vendor stations, an ideal spot to consider for an upcoming wedding reception.

Whichever you choose, it’s sure to be a Valentine’s Day to remember!