Kentucky’s bourbon industry is booming, and visitors want to be a part of it. Sure, a bourbon flight is a great way to sample, but fans want to go deeper. Enter the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Explore bourbon’s rich history, Kentucky roots, and the distilleries that create the perfect bourbon experience behind the glass.
Every visitor to Kentucky wants to experience the bourbon lifestyle. In 2022, more than 2.1 million visitors joined the trail to see the inner workings of Kentucky bourbon production. Did you know that Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon? That’s why there’s so much to see on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The ultimate guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail consists of 18 bourbon distilleries. Each distillery offers its own unique craft. There’s more to it than just tasting bourbon whiskey. Indulge your taste buds, learn about the Bluegrass State, and meet distillers who take pride in the quality and heritage of every bottle.
Whether you’re driving through Kentucky’s rolling hills or exploring the floating Kentucky Bourbon Trail, there are many ways to enjoy it all. You can start with a small section of the trail and return to more, or do it all at once. Plan your bourbon tasting itinerary, when to go, and tips for an unforgettable vacation.
List of distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
- brett distillation company
- evan williams
- Four Roses Bourbon
- heaven hill
- jim beam
- maker’s mark
- Town branch
- wild turkey bourbon
- woodford reserve
- angel’s envy
- stitzel weller distillery
- rabbit hole
- Michters Distillery
- old forester
- Lux Low
- Bardstown Bourbon
- Green River, formerly OZ Tyler
- Wilderness Trail Distillery
All of these distilleries are located within 180 miles of Louisville, Kentucky. As a result, Louisville has become a hub of lodging options. As you drive to the various distilleries, you’ll see rolling hills and horse farms as far as the eye can see. Be prepared for a long drive of 1.5 to 2 hours. Several distilleries are located in Louisville.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport
Let the interactive fun begin Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport. Visitors can obtain a passport at the first distillery they visit. Collect stamps in your passport for each place you visit. Collecting stamps is fun, and there is no expiration date on your passport. Explore as many trails as you want and collect stamps in a short amount of time. Collect stamps from each distillery and redeem them for a passport and a Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting glass. There are also downloadable maps and specific itineraries to make your travel time smoother.
Tips for traveling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Talk about logistics! With 18 distilleries to visit and each tour lasting approximately 1 hour, it will take you 5-6 days to complete the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We recommend splitting the trail into two long weekends and visiting each distillery at your leisure.
Visitors who want to visit sooner can opt out of the tour and have their passports stamped at the gift shop or during the tasting. However, the tour will give you some interesting history behind each distillery.
Please contact each distillery individually to confirm tour times. Some places start as early as 9am, making it ideal if you want to visit 3 or 4 places in a day.
Don’t miss the highlights of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Want to narrow down the distilleries that require more time? There are several distilleries that offer an elevated experience. These experiences are more than just introductory tours. These are the unforgettable highlights of your Bourbon Trail vacation.
- Take a mixology class. Several distilleries along the trail offer mixology classes. Learn how to make craft cocktails using bourbon. Bardstown Bourbon’s Shaken & Stirred class is a popular menu item.
- Be sure to check Maker’s Mark. For the ultimate experience, the bottle can be hand-dipped in red wax at the end of the tour.
- Old Forester Tour: If you want a unique and private touring experience, Old Forester offers tours with the President several times a year. However, it is very exclusive and gets booked quickly.
What is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour?
All distilleries are somewhat similar. Guests will see the entire distillery process. Usually it takes him an hour. Most tours are wheelchair accessible. Your senses are heightened and you can even smell the grains being cooked.
Some distilleries are housed in historic buildings, where you can learn about the history and brand of the facility. You will leave with a lot of knowledge about bourbon. At the end, you can actually taste the products and shop.
Drive the Kentucky Bourbon Trail vs Compare Other Options
If you plan on running three or four distilleries each day, you’ll need to manage bourbon samples during your operations. The distillery will provide a small sample, but most people don’t need to worry. However, if you’re driving in a group, it’s a good idea to rotate the people sampling.
If you want to take it easy and relax, consider using a travel agency. Travel agents guide small groups of travelers and follow a selected itinerary. mint julep is Kentucky’s most popular travel company offering distillery tours. A driver takes guests in a van to multiple distilleries based on his daily itinerary. Or you can create a custom itinerary.
One unique way to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is kentucky river tour. Six of the 18 distilleries are located along the Kentucky River. Experience the best of bourbon and relax on the boat while observing local wildlife.
More tips and tricks for hitting the trails
- Please check if reservations are required. Some distillery tours are more popular than others and sell out quickly.
- Some distilleries are closed for tours on Sundays and Mondays. We are also usually closed on major holidays.
- Most distilleries allow children to tour and you can sample the water at the end. They are allowed to be accompanied by their parents.
- There is a fee to visit each distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery charges a tour or sampling fee. They range from $5 to $20 per person. Specialized tours cost more. Please visit the distillery’s website for the latest prices.
