There are many distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. From the Brown, you can walk (or call a rideshare) to distilleries along the citys historic Whiskey Row by the Ohio River, such as Angels Envy, Old Forester Distilling Co., and the modern Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisvilles artsy NULU district. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 32 Comments. A combination of ideal weather, limestone water sources, and a long history of the craft make Central Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. We loved everything we tasted on this tour (as did many other people we spoke to who were also touring the trail). And , even then, their maps are already obsolete before they even hit the plotter. On this tour you visit micro-distilleries, tour historic sights andtowns in Kentucky, and stay in historic bed and breakfast accommodations. Bourbon has a wonderful aroma and the rickhouse is the best place tosmell it.
Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries - Bourbon Obsessed Take your pick from day #4 (the Best of Bardstown), day #5 (Makers Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage), or day #6 (Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, and maybe Wilderness Trail). A combination of ideal weather, limestone water sources, and a long history of the craft make Central Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. At Lux Row, the first few rows of the rickhouse are removed, forming a small lobby. Standing here, you get to appreciate just how many barrels sit on the shelves of a rickhouse. You do not have to take a tour at each distillery. Children are allowed on the tours and generally pay a reduced tour fee or can tour for free, depending on the distillery. It's one of the biggest in Bardstown, which is certainly worth seeing. Have a classic, refined dinner at the hotel restaurant, or opt for a more funky choice in town (Latin farm-to-table, asian fusion, or BBQ and oysters). The 6 Best Distilleries to Visit in Lexington, Kentucky, Your Trip to Lexington: The Complete Guide, The Top 13 Things to Do in Lexington, Kentucky, The Best Day Trips From Lexington, Kentucky, The Spirits Industry Is Broken, But a Sustainable Revolution Is Coming, 12 Best Things to Do for Free in Louisville, Kentucky, The 11 Best Things to Do in Galena, Illinois, The Kentucky Horse Park: A Complete Guide. At the end of this article, we list specific hotel and B&B recommendations for Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences and find what youre looking for in our map below. The Old Talbott Tavern, located in Bardstown, is also a great pick. Spend one day visiting the four distilleries near Lexington: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Town Branch. From Lexington head over to Danville, Kentucky and visit Wilderness Trace Distillery. We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. In 2019, it was much busier and had we not scheduled everything in advance, we would have missed out on a lot of tours. Dont miss out on the beautiful horse farms in the Lexington area! In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. This takes the headache out of planning a day of distillery tours, perfect for some people.
Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail The grand finale of the tour isthe bourbon tasting. Printable Bourbon Trail Map- We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. They have a good beer selection, excellent pulled pork, tasty baked beans and a variety of BBQ sauces. Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour New Riff Distilling 24 Distillery Way Newport, KY 41071 See on Map More Info Second Sight Spirits 301 B Elm Street Ludlow, KY 41016 See on Map More Info The Old Pogue Distillery 715 Germantown Road Maysville, KY 41056 See on Map More Info Boone County Distilling Co. 10601 Toebben Drive This day includes the remaining distilleries in Louisville with the option to add on one or two museums. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tonight, sleep in Louisville, Bardstown, or Lexington. Cheers, Julie. Evans William Experience in Louisville. And for full details on Bluebird Cafe, read our article How to Visit Bluebird Cafe. Then head to The Woodford Reserve Distillery. It does require more ink than printing text. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour is celebrating its 22nd birthday with a new Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide for visitors but this year, there's a twist. For weekends, I would recommend scheduling your tours in advance, any time of the year. Renting a car was cheap, driving between the distilleries was easy (and gorgeous), and we could make our own schedule. Kentucky Cooperage.
The Definitive Bourbon Trail Road Trip (Three Days) Heaven Hill. Similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Craft Tour takes bourbon touring and tasting to the next level. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville.
Pdf Printable Kentucky Bourbon Trail Map | Ruby Printable Map The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. For pricing for each distillery, take a look at our best distilleries post. And many distilleries offer longer, behind the scenes tours for a more detailed look at the distilling process. The worst time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, according to the guides that we spoke to, is during the summer months. This is the busiest time on the trail and tours can sell out. It can be chilly, but most of the time we were indoors, so weather wasnt much of a factor. You can also take a tour where you bottle the single barrel whiskey, but spaces are limited and the tour is expensive (but you do end up with a cool souvenir to take home!). There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. On this immersive tour, travel back in time to 1783, when bourbon distilling got its start. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. From Bardstown it is a 45 minute drive. It is even rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Jesse James. Due to vivid -19? We have visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail twice. It gets to be repetitive. Buffalo Trace, located in Frankfort, is one of the most famous bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Make the most of your time by including a diverse mix of ones to visit, from big names in the industry, to up-and-coming, smaller-batch operations. Dinner: Mayan Caf. Partners & Sponsors Louisville and the rest of the bourbon trail are located in the Eastern Time Zone. A stay at the boutique 21C Hotel makes a great homebase in Lexington; this artsy, modern hotel is located right downtown, and the lobby also functions as a contemporary art gallery. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. Its a step back in time where you learn about the history of Kentucky. This day includes three must-visit distilleries on Whiskey Row with suggestions for Louisvilles best eats. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. It is not the actual log cabin of Abraham Lincolns birthplace. It was delightfully quiet, with small tour groups. Why not? To maximize value, do not get too big or small. Buffalo Trace, located in Frankfort, is one of the most famous bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. All of these distilleries offer tours and tastings. If you have concerns then consider alternating driving/tastings with another person in your party, have a designated driver, or take a tour. They're really knowledgeable about the science of bourbon and booze, and the tour is fantastic. How you do it is completely up to you.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail: Lexington, Kentucky Visitor Information Cheers, Julie. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. If you want to print a different dimension, choose an alternative size from the drop-down list , then alter the size of the page. For more information, visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website. If you have plans to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail during this time, make sure you make your reservations in advance.
Distilleries | Kentucky Bourbon Trail The historic grounds are beautiful to visit, the history behind Makers Mark is intriguing, and at the end of the tour you get to hand dip a bottle in red wax. Most of this day is walkable. Lunch: Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar or Troll Pub under the Bridge. Uber and Lyft are also all good choices, and if you've managed to stay sober, biking can also be a fun option. Note: Green River is located in the Central Time Zone. We are wine drinkers. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. Nearest Green Distillery. Get suggestions on how to plan your trip, whether you just have a few days, a long weekend, or an entire week. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Lexington Brewing Company. A 24" x 18" layout will fold more efficiently than the 22" x 20" layout for example. On the other hand, you may want to sit back, enjoy the ride, and join a tour. It is a National Historic Landmark property and they offer several different tours depending on your level of interest. This Bulleit facility offers a handful of different tours, tastings and cocktail classes. It smells so good in here!! In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. This is a great place to start your visit to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Over in Bardstown, there's Willett Distillery. For lunch, dine at Star Hill Provisions at Makers Mark or Ragettis Italian Food in Lebanon. Enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night in a historic tavern. Be prepared for an experience for all five senses. We visited both but prefer the American Stillhouse. The brisket is renowned, especially with their Texas hot sauce. However, people under the age of 21 are not permitted to do a tasting (of course!) All bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbon. Bourbon is an American whiskey distilled mostly from corn. Eating is important, of course, and luckily, there are tons of local restaurants where you can get a great meal to soak up some of the liquor. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1 Day: Follow day #1, where you get a great overview of the distilling process and get to visit three distilleries in Louisville. If you dont want to take a cocktail class, Bardstown Bourbon also offers a one hour tour that starts with a tasting and ends with tasting straight out of the bourbon barrel. Visiting the winding trail of bourbon distilleries here (now officially called the Kentucky Bourbon Trail) has become a main draw to the area, and a whole tourism industry itself. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary - Suggestions for 1 Day to 1 Week In this article, learn how to plan your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, with suggestions on where to stay and what else to add in as you tour the trail. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. Plus, there is a high concentration of distilleries located right in town, not to mention lots of great restaurants and hotels to choose from. Old Forester is the only bourbon to be continually sold by the same company before, during, and after prohibition. LUXURY: The Brown Hotel. A visit to Buffalo Trace is definitely worthwhile when you are in the area, even if it is not officially on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Bourbon is distilled year-round, with the exception of a few weeks during the summer, when some distilleries shut down for routine cleaning and maintenance.
State Map of All Kentucky Distilleries - Distillery Trail My husband has been thinking about taking me to one for out anniversary. Say goodbye to Louisville and head south to Bardstown. Tours last approximately one hour, ending with a tasting. For a lesson on the wild and crazy tales of the Prohibition Era, book a tour at Prohibition Craft Spirits. However, note that the map will display an uninspiring look, since it will be used only for only one printing session. Check out this map of the KY Bourbon Trail. Consider Lexington and Louisville as practical bases for your trip: most distilleries are within these cities, or in the small towns orbiting them, and both cities have vibrant downtowns full of hotels, restaurants, and notable sights. We opted to take the 30 minute Unlocking the Senses tasting, where we sampled four Bulleit whiskeys. Since it is located off of the Bourbon Trail and does not have the actual log cabin that Abraham Lincoln was born in, this is only worth it if you have an interest in American history or Abraham Lincoln. If you want to see the entire bourbon distilling process from start to finish, including the making of the barrels and the bottling of the final product, take the Old Forester Discovery Tour. Prior guests rave about cleanliness, comfort, and location. For lunch and/or dinner, we recommend Kitchen& Bar, the restaurant at Bardstown Bourbon. Spend the day visiting two big names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage. Plus, its easy to find. Summer and autumn are busy months to visit the Bourbon Trail, so I also recommend booking your tours in advance at these times, even on weekdays. Old Forester Discovery Tour. Our website uses cookies. Andrew Jackson, Henry Harrison, and King Louis Phillippe have all stayed here. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it (and yes, it ends with a tasting).
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Guide: What To Know and Distilleries to Visit If you have specific non-KBT distilleries in mind I recommend checking their websites for pricing information.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour The Field Guide is your passport to exploring the people and the places behind the Bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail website includes a map of all area distilleries, general exploring tips, and a calendar of upcoming distillery events. Then it's on to Heaven Hill Bourbon, which offers a cheaper "mini-tour" if you're getting tired of hearing the same thing over and over again at every distillery. Today, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a collection of 18 major bourbon whiskey distilleries (Heritage Distilleries) and 23 smaller and newer microdistilleries (Craft Distilleries) that will give you the ultimate experience of learning all about Kentucky bourbon: its history, technology, craftsmanship, and artistry. To read about our favorite bourbon distillery, read this post. The bourbon and whiskey at Green River spend less time in the barrel than at most distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Here are four highly rated hotels in Louisville. Traveling directly between Louisville and Lexington (when you arent stopping at distilleries) takes less than an hour, and both cities have convenient airports. Creating a snapshot image is easy since all dimensions are measured in pixels. So, its nice to break up distillery visits with other experiences. There are tours and special events at both facilities year round. These five rules are: Bourbon contains at least 51% corn with different proportions of wheat, malted barley, or rye. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Children under 21 are welcome on tours, for free or at a discounted cost (and no sampling whiskey for them, of course). However, the spirits are further refined with their patented TerrePURE process. The mash always looks the same but the horse farms have different aspects to showcase at different times of the year. If you like the idea of getting out of Louisville for the day, I recommend day #1 plus day #4 (the Best of Bardstown) or day #5 (Makers Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage). Angels Envy puts a twist on whiskey distilling. I give links to each distillery in these daily itineraries. Tour the distillery, see the hundreds of barrels inside of the rickhouses, and maybe meet legendary Jimmy Russell while you are here. Renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore, but it's not necessary. How you do it is completely up to you. 3125 US-231 North, Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160 Featured Old Dominick Distillery Tennessee | Tennessee Whiskey Trail, Hand Sanitizer | Bourbon, Gin, Vodka, Tennessee Whiskey 305 S Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 B.R. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Louisville. This was our all-around best tour experience. This tour does the best job explaining the history of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Printable Bourbon Trail Map | Ruby Printable Map Distillery Trail is the place to start your distillery tour experience. This map was created by a user. I recommend visiting the official website of the distilleries for hours and tour information. Even if there is a sober one among the group, it can be a good idea to arrange a local driver for navigating the winding country roads. They must be designed to work with a standard printing press. Unfortunately, we do not have a PDF of this article. If you have three days in Louisville, follow our day #1 and day #2 itineraries above. This is an ultrasonic process that removes impurities and improves the quality and taste, speeding up the refining process without spending years in the barrel. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 3 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. One of our favorite parts of the tour was a visit to the rickhouse. We both acquired a taste for bourbon on our long weekend in Kentucky. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. The tour includes a walk through their cooperage, where you get to see how the barrels are made.