Bucket List Bourbon Distilleries
Celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month and visit one of these historic Kentucky distilleries.
Thanks to a resolution passed by Congress in 2007, September is officially National Bourbon Heritage Month, which is a big deal if you consider that the popularity of Americas native spirit has never been higher.
Last year alone, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences tours that highlight legendary and micro distilleries experienced their best year ever with more than 1 million visits. Thats a lot of bourbon tasting!
For bourbon aficionados heading to the Bluegrass State to sample some of the brown stuff, theres no shortage of distilleries to tour. Picking out the right ones can be tricky though, so weve rounded up five of our favorites to get you started.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Frankfort
This family-owned distillery has traditions dating back to the late 1700s, and it’s a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a tour to learn more about the fascinating history of bourbon production, and taste their spirits the distillery produces bourbon, rye, and vodka.
/11 Old Forester Distillery
- Address: 119 West Main Street, Louisville, KY, 40202
Enjoy a detailed explanation of bourbon making at Old Forester Distillery. Here, everything from the fermentation and distillation to the making of the barrels and more. There are several tours offered by Old Forester that ensure guests have a satisfying experience which includes tastes of some of the Worlds finest wine.
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/11 Maker’s Mark Distillery
- Address: 3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY 40037
The trademark red wax dripping down the side of a bottle of Maker’s Mark is only one thing that makes it unique. The notably sweet taste of the bourbon was born from Bill Samuel Sr.’s desire to brew a smooth finish he could share with friends and family. The quest became a family affair, and Bill’s wife, Margie, designed the unique bottle to complement the unique flavor of the bourbon.
The distillery itself is listed as a National Historic Place. Hour-long tours cover the grounds, where an expert will give the company’s history on a quarter-mile walk. At the end, guests will participate in a guided tasting of several bourbons and learn what goes into each to create their distinct flavor profiles. If visitors haven’t had enough Maker’s Mark, they can dig into seasonal dishes and cocktails at the on-site restaurant after their tour.
Bourbon Trail Tour In Lexington Ky
If you want to enjoy all that Lexington, KY, has to offer turn to Central Kentucky Tours. We offer tours ranging from our highly-esteemed a bourbon trail tour to Kentucky Derby experiences. Our tours are available for small groups and will take you on an adventure across beautiful horse farms to a historical cooperage.
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Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Address: 528 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Best Time To Visit: December to February
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday -11:00 AM 5:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday 10:00 AM 5:00 PM
- Sunday 1:00 PM 5:00 PM
Tour Price: $15 $25
What They Offer:
When planning to take the bourbon trail, do not miss visiting Evan Williams distillery because it is one of the best Kentucky distillery tours in the state.
One-hour distillery tour includes a trip to their bourbon history, viewing their bourbon distilling process, and a guided tasting. But whats our favorite place to stay for the Bourbon Trail?
Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Transportation
The ultimate Kentucky experience consists of touring bourbon distilleries and sampling a variety of handcrafted bourbons and whiskeys along the way.
Traditional and craft distilleries dot the states scenic Bluegrass byways and make their mark in thriving urban locales. The best way to see them all is with a custom Bourbon Transport Experience from Gold Shield.
You select the locations, or we can recommend some of our favorite distilleries. Our chauffeurs are knowledgeable guides when it comes to Kentucky Bourbon culture weve been a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail experience for more than 30 years.
With our customizable travel options, you can include add-on attractions, shop for uniquely original souvenirs, or take advantage of special holiday tours at the many distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Touring can take a lot of energy, so plan your Kentucky Bourbon Trail experience to include lunch or fine dining at the end of your journey. Several of the distilleries have on-site restaurants, or we can suggest popular dining options.
We have the spirit for adventure if you do!
Enjoy the sites along the way as you travel in pampered luxury. Choose from more than 40 limousines, SUVs, and vans to make your experience memorable. Immerse yourself in these amenities: custom sound, fiber-optic light bar, plush seating, TVs, DVD players, and smartphone capabilities
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Kentucky Bourbon Trail: Best Distilleries + How To Plan
Here you will find all the best things about the Kentucky bourbon trail.
Are you searching for how to go on the Kentucky bourbon trail? You have come to the right place because here you are going to find all the information you need to have an incredible time. If you did not already know Kentucky is home to some of the best bourbon on the plant. People say that going on one of the Kentucky bourbon distillery tours is like going to Disney World for adults.
What makes bourbon different from whiskey or scotch is that it has to be made with 51% corn whereas the others are made with various grains. It has to be made in America and aged inside a new and charred oak barrel. It cannot be distilled any higher than 160 proof, put inside the barrel at 125 proof, and cannot be bottled at more than 80. Also, the only thing that can be added to the whiskey is water. Once you are on the tour, you will learn so much more about the process!
There are so many things to do in Kentucky from Louisville to Lexington that you will have so much fun on your vacation. There are also many vineyards in Kentucky if you wanted to check out the local wine as well. So get your cowgirl boots and hat out and get ready for all the best bourbon tasting in Kentucky.
Make sure to check out our list of the best resorts in Kentucky for more inspiration for your Kentucky vacation!
Best Bourbon Tours In Kentucky
Last Updated on September 20, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Kentucky is known for bluegrass and horse racing, but another reason to visit the state is the Kentucky distilleries, and its impressive roster has reached 73.
If you plan to take Kentuckys bourbon trail, here are the best bourbon tours in Kentucky that you should not miss out on!
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Woodford Reserve’s Path To Flavor Tour
Join us for a guided experience through the Distillery grounds that explores our history, how were unique at all five sources of flavor, and much more. At the end of the tour, guests 21 and over can taste our award-winning craft bourbon.For this tour, we are booking out 3 months in advance. Please check back within 3 months of your date of preference.No waitlist option available
* For ticket refunds, we ask for a 24 hour notice before experience start time.
Best Time Of Year To Visit The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
It does get hot in Kentucky so one of the best times to complete the trail would be in the spring. This assures that all of the distilleries will be open. If you wanted to beat the crowds and have a little more time at each place then you could also visit anytime from November to March. It would be so much fun to go around Christmas time and see all the displays throughout the cities as well.
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Self Drive Vs Bourbon Trail Tour
Driving yourself along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an option and most people do decide to do it this way. Most of the distillers only serve you a small amount and many of them also serve food. If you decide to drive yourself and your friends around it is a great way to take the tour on your own time and not have to worry about a schedule. But you have to know your limit and be responsible.
If you wanted to take a self-guided tour then there are plenty of options for that as well. A company called Mint Julip has been awarded the best transportation company for tours many years in a row. This way you do not have to worry about drinking and driving and you can indulge as much as you want, while still being safe. This would be a great way to get the whole gang together and create memories that last a lifetime.
Best Overall: Makers Mark
A perennial favorite among visitors to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Makers Mark is a renowned brand whose distillery tour combines fabulous insight into the making of bourbon,
Makers Mark prides themselves on their “old-fashioned” techniques that they explain in detail throughout the year-round tours. Each tour has a duration of two hours and departs at 9:30 a.m.
What’s included: Round-up transportation in an air-conditioned bus, a professional guide, admission to both Maker’s Mark Distillery and Bardstown Bourbon Company, bottled water, and lunch.
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These Kentucky Distilleries Offer Tours Tastings And More For The Ultimate Trip Through Bourbon Country
Travel + Leisure
Most of the world’s bourbon comes from nearly 70 distilleries in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country. All of the big bourbon names are here Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey, among others and there’s good reason for that. Kentucky’s natural environment and weather are perfect for bourbon distilling, so when European immigrants settled in Kentucky in the 1700s, it was a match made in whiskey heaven. Now, hundreds of years later, people can visit the state to experience the top Kentucky distilleries several of which have been crafting spirits for generations along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a route with over 37 distilleries offering tastings and tours.
Kentucky distillery tours, tastings, and experiences show visitors how spirits are made, so you’ll walk away with some knowledge, a more refined palate, and probably a few bottles to take home. Those looking for a well-rounded whiskey experience should start their journey at the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center in Louisville. Here, visitors can learn more about bourbon history and plot their distillery stops . Make Louisville your home base for a multiday trip along the trail the city is home to its own Urban Bourbon Trail made up of the best bourbon bars around. The bars on this route have to serve at least 50 kinds of bourbon and host a bourbon event every month, so you’re sure to leave Kentucky with a new appreciation for the brown spirit.
What Is Included On A Public Bourbon Tour
- Transportation: Each public bourbon tour includes transportation to all tour destinations. Public tours depart from the Falls City Market in the Omni Louisville Hotel in downtown Louisville. Youll be in a Mint Julep Tours vehicle. All of our vehicles are sanitized after each tour learn more about it on our Vehicle Safety Procedures page.
- Admission & Tastings: All distillery admissions for the day and tastings at each location are included.
- Lunch: Lunch at a local Louisville restaurant is also included. The lunch location will vary. Guests will be able to choose one option from a special menu. *Lunch is not included for the public Sunday tour. If you would like to purchase alcohol at lunch or any souvenirs or bottles to take home, that is not included.
- *Gratuity for your Tour Leader is not included but always appreciated. Kentucky sales tax and a convenience fee will be added at checkout. Parking is not included in your ticket fee. For Louisville parking information, visit PARC Map or PARC Garage websites.
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Castle & Key Distillery
TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre
Castle & Key might be one of the newer distilleries in Lexington, but the brand itself holds important bourbon history. Formerly the Old Taylor Distillery, the ruins included limestone castle and old railroad tracks left abandoned and falling apart until 2014. The new owners have refurbished the historic buildings and created an outdoor space that is free and open to all visitors. This back patio sits along a river and includes a botanical walk and a bar serving up Castle and Key cocktails. The Manhattan comes highly recommended!
Angel’s Envy Distillery Louisville
Located on Louisville’s Whiskey Row, this distillery offers unique tours, by reservation only, and tasting experiences, including a Bottle Your Own Tour, which gives visitors the chance to bring home a bottle that they filled themselves.
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Our Favorite Bourbon Distilleries To Tour
Bourbon is Americas only native spirit. And almost all bourbon 95% according to the Kentucky Distillers Association is produced in Kentucky. Like the story of Kentucky itself, the story of Kentucky bourbon began in the Bluegrass region. And what a story it is: Visit distilleries, historic sites and other Bluegrass places with a bourbon connection and youll encounter such fascinations as the white dog and the angels share. Youll hear how Kentuckians ranging from a cantankerous Baptist minister to a feisty school teacher changed the course of bourbon history. Youll also meet modern-day Kentuckians and Kentucky families who continue the states most spirited tradition.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival: Since 1776, the people of Bardstown, Kentucky have been making Bourbon. Their dedication to the fine art of distilling eventually gave Bardstown the title of Bourbon Capital of the World. Come celebrate this passion and history at The Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival gives you a weekend full of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, and great entertainment, with a healthy dose of Kentucky hospitality thrown in for good measure. From black tie galas to historical tours, there is something for all ages and interests. Its a wonderful five-day event full of activities for the whole family. Read more about the festival.
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Maker’s Mark Distillery Loretto
Another iconic bourbon brand known for its red wax-dipped bottles, the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto offers tours of the National Historic Landmark, so guests can learn about the history of the brand and its makers. Visitors can even hand-dip their own bottle in the classic red wax for a fitting souvenir.
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We Are Open For Tours And Tastings
In the heart of bourbon country, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. celebrates timeless traditions and bold imaginations. Our award-winning beers and spirits are steeped in the history, charm and excitement of Kentucky where legends live fast and free.
Our family-owned brewery and distillery is shaped by a heritage that includes seven generations of Irish distillers, brewers and coopers. Uncompromising in excellence, we carefully select natural ingredients for their superior quality. From tours to pours, we are committed to delivering a world-class customer experience. Our story is deeply rooted in the rolling green hills of Ireland and the limestone-rich landscape of Kentucky. Make Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. part of your story.
Visit us along the world-renowned Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience and explore the only combination brewery and distillery on the trail
Woodford Reserve Distillery Versailles
Visit Woodford Reserve’s historic distillery in Versailles for tours and tastings, so you can learn more about the creation of this brand’s bourbon. The distillery is actually a National Historic Landmark according to Woodford Reserve, the “art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site” in 1812.
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Distilleries On The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Below you will find the 18 distilleries on the Kentucky bourbon trail. They all have their own unique features and things that make them special. Be sure to enjoy each and every one and do not try to rush through them. You can make reservations for almost all of them online and you will find more information on them in your bourbon trail guide book, which you can purchase at any of these distilleries.
- Bulliet Distilling Company
- Woodford Reserve
They are not in any special order here but you will find the best route to visit them all once you start your trip. You may find yourself having a new favorite whiskey after visiting all of these world-class distilleries on the bourbon trail. Try to remember to write down what you had at each place in your trail guidebook so you can revisit it when you get back home. Dont forget to check out our list of the Best Bourbon Distilleries In Kentucky!
The 6 Best Distilleries To Visit In Lexington Kentucky
TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre
When people think of Kentucky, they think of whiskey, but not just any whiskey. This is bourbon countryand Kentucky’s legacy is well earned. There are more whiskey barrels in Kentucky than there are people, with more than 7 million barrels of the brown stuff compared to just 4.5 million people. People from all over come to experience the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and Lexington is an integral stop along that trail. Home to 14 distilleries, including the renowned Woodford Reserve and smaller family-run distilleries, Lexington is a must-stop to learn about whiskey. Here’s where to go.
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