I was raised in central Kentucky. For a long time, Kentucky seemed like a forgotten state. But over the past four years or so, Kentucky has earned a reputation as a tourist destination that brings people from all over the world to the Bluegrass. As a Kentuckian, it’s great to see people gain a newfound appreciation for the meticulous craft of bourbon distilling through production tours, world-class dining experiences, and exposure to the small-town charm of Kentucky’s communities. Here is a complete Bourbon Trail travel guide, including the best distilleries, where to stay, and things to do.
Visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Over the years the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has grown to 18 distilleries. The list includes some of the largest recognizable names, like Wild Turkey and Maker’s Mark, but continues to grow with newer and smaller distilleries, such as Angel’s Envy and Lux Row. Though the Kentucky Bourbon Trail includes some of the most recognizable names, it only encompasses a small portion of the distilleries in Kentucky. Names like Buffalo Trace and Castle and Key are not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail but are worth visiting.
Getting around
There are two ways to experience the Bourbon Trail. Individuals can create a self-guided route or utilize a tour company, such as Mint Julep Tours, for a guided tour with specific, daily destinations for the public tours. Most tour companies operate out of Louisville, which makes it a great place to stay for easy, daily pick-up if you decide to use a tour company. Self-guided visitors typically stay in either the Louisville or Bardstown area for easy access to a variety of distilleries daily. The official Kentucky Bourbon Trail includes helpful itineraries to plan your visit, but they do not include distilleries not on the official trail.
Most distilleries are located in the greater Louisville and Central Kentucky area. You can easily manage 3-4 distillery tours daily, depending on your route and timed tickets.
Important! If you decide to create a self-guided experience, be sure to plan, plan, plan! Most distilleries will require a timed ticket for tastings and tours, so it’s important to prebook and space your tours out to include time in the gift shops and driving between destinations.
Where to stay on the Bourbon Trail
There are a lot of great accommodations in both Louisville and Bardstown. If you plan to stay in Bardstown, consider one of the many stellar Bed and Breakfasts nestled within the small town. Louisville has some awesome higher-end hotels throughout Whiskey Row well worth splurging on, too. Here are just a couple recommendations:
Read my entire post on the best places to stay on the Bourbon Trail!
Louisville
21c Louisville: I absolutely love the 21c experience. Louisville’s flagship 21c is an immersive experience worth indulging in. The hotel offers interestingly designed rooms with main-floor galleries of modern art and a restaurant and bar serving up local fare. If you don’t want to stay at the hotel, still drop by and check out their modern art gallery. It’s free and worth a quick trip.
Moxy Louisville Downtown: A Marriott hotel, the Moxy is a hip and fashionable hotel within walking distance of Whiskey Row. Many people rave about the bar scene. If you are a Marriott rewards member or in a partnership program, the Moxy is a Category 5 with rooms starting at 30,000 points.
Bardstown
Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast: Self-proclaimed as the first bourbon-themed bed and breakfast, the Bourbon Manor offers 10 spirit-themed rooms. It’s the perfect place for a bourbon enthusiast’s getaway. The B&B’s southern hospitality extends to its country breakfast served fresh each morning.
Old Talbott Inn: The Old Talbott Tavern is the oldest continually operating bourbon bar in the world. The inn is located in the heart of Bardstown, with shops and local restaurants all within walking distance.
Which distilleries should I visit?
With a large list of bourbon distilleries to choose from, it can be hard to decide on an itinerary, especially if you only have a couple of days. I’ve visited a lot of distilleries on the Bourbon Trail in the past six years, and I’m still visiting new ones every year! Here’s a guide to the best distilleries based on my experiences:
If you want a hands-on experience: Jim Beam, Maker's Mark If you need beautiful pictures to show your friends: Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace If you must try some hard-to-find bourbons in a tasting: Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam If you want the best tour: Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark If you want a nice place to have a cocktail: Willett, Jeptha Creed, Woodford Reserve If you want a quality meal at a distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company, Willett If you have to stay in the Louisville area: Old Forester, Angel's Envy, Rabbit Hole If you want a free tour: Buffalo Trace, Barton 1792
Most guided tours include a 3-4 pour tasting at the end. About half will include a commemorative glass you keep at the end of the tasting, all of which is included in the ticket price.
With most distilleries offering some sort of tour and tasting option, you can’t go wrong with any of them. And as the Bourbon Trail tourism continues to expand, distilleries are offering new ways to engage visitors, like the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and Buffalo Trace’s Old Taylor Tour.
Other things to do on the Bourbon Trail
There are a lot of great things to do in Kentucky outside of the distillery tours. This is a Bourbon Trail travel guide, but there are so many other things to see. Here are just a few of my favorites:
See bourbon barrels being made at Kentucky Cooperage. Located in Lebanon, Kentucky the tours are a great addition to a trip to Maker’s Mark.
While in Frankfort stop by Rebecca Ruth Candy. The company has been making bourbon balls since 1919 and offers guided tours. If you can’t make it to the shop, many of their products are sold in distillery gift shops.
Visit the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville. The center includes interactive exhibits featuring the life and legacy of Louisville’s own Muhammad Ali.
If you’re not around during horse racing season, you can still visit the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Tickets include the museum exhibits and guided tours of the grounds.
Not too far off the trail, you can visit Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace. The monument is managed by the National Park Service and is free to visit.
Get yourself an Ale-8. Not really an experience, but I love Kentucky’s homegrown ginger ale and had to give it a shoutout. You can find it at most supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations.
I hope you can find some love for my home state through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. There are so many great things to see and do and the bourbon trail travel guide will give you the real Kentuckian experience.
Explore on. -K
Jade