On the other hand, you may want to sit back, enjoy the ride, and join a tour. To tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail you have two options: self-drive the bourbon trail or join a tour group. You take a tour, learn about the art and science behind the distilling of bourbon, and end with a tasting. From Lexington head over to Danville, Kentucky and visit Wilderness Trace Distillery. If you are really short on time, you can simply visit the gift shop, get your passport stamped, and do a little shopping. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy. Morning: Stitzel-Weller Distillery. You do not have to take a tour at each distillery. The Major Kentucky Distilleries and the Bourbon Brands They Produce, Mapped. You can elect to skip the tour and just do a tasting instead. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Louisville. Angels Envy. First, decide on the size of your printout. It is a National Historic Landmark property and they offer several different tours depending on your level of interest. LUXURY:The Brown Hotel. Nope. For a lesson on the wild and crazy tales of the Prohibition Era, book a tour at Prohibition Craft Spirits. Lexington Brewing Company. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Id rather not print the article because of all of the adds. Built in 2017 and open to visitors in 2019, this brand-new distillery features modern, state-of-the-art technology. 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. Partners & Sponsors PRO TRAVEL TIP: When planning your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, check the distilleries websites for updated hours and tour availability. LOUISVILLE: Plan your visit to Louisville with our articles about the Best Things to Do in Louisville and Best Places to Eat in Louisville. All of the distilleries are listed inside, with space for your own notes and a stamp from each distillery. To maximize value, do not get too big or small. In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 7 Days: This is our day by day itinerary listed above, in the same order, with suggestions on where to stay. Tim and I stayed here on our most recent visit to Louisville and we had a very nice experience here. If you want to tour all eighteen distilleries, you need a minimum of seven days. It's worth it to buy a bottle here, because you get to dip the top in the iconic red wax yourself! Many of these distilleries are historic and their story is fascinating. It is not the actual log cabin of Abraham Lincolns birthplace. Heaven Hill. 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. Most distilleries give you a few, tiny sips of several of their bourbons, just enough to get a good taste, and not so much that you will walk around schnockered for the rest of the day. The worst time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, according to the guides that we spoke to, is during the summer months. The usual 150-page guide will include maps of the trail, itineraries and cocktail recipes, advice, tasting notes and information on the 19 participating distilleries. During these tastings, you still get to learn about the history of the distillery and what sets it apart from the others. Twenty minutes northwest of Woodford Reserve, youll find Buffalo Trace Distillery; 25 minutes southwest is Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, home to the Four Roses and Wild Turkey distilleries. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. But how big should the maps be? In 2016, we were able to show up and do a lot of tastings. 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. However, note that the map will display an uninspiring look, since it will be used only for only one printing session. Its good to know that classes about cocktails can be taken during a bourbon tour. Sundays, Mondays, and holidays are the most common days to have limited or no hours. Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. And we highly recommend lunch at the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown. Prior to touring the Bourbon Trail, Tim and I were not whiskey drinkers. After a hearty breakfast of biscuits, its time to hit the trail! HISTORIC: Talbott Tavern and Inn. Pick your favorites and group them together to form your itinerary, whether you have 2, 3, or more days. We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. For more suggestions on how to plan your time, dont miss our Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary planner. On Google Chrome, go to Bookmarks -> Bookmark This Tab and then this post will be saved in your bookmarks. 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. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is a collection of small and/or new (er) distilleries assembled by the Kentucky Distillers' Association. 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). Explore our guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for suggested routes, cant-miss spots, and other tips for having the best experience in bourbon country. It has received accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Living, and Travel & Leisure. The blue markers are restaurant recommendations, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and other notable experiences to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. They also offer seasonal classes and tours, so make sure you check their website to see what they are offering during your visit. Plus, everyone who visits gets a mini souvenir Louisville Slugger for themselves! Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. We have been twice, the same weekend both times (the weekend before Thanksgiving). We chose the self-driving option. Chuckanut Bay Distillery. Why not? Why not? This is a great spot for lunch or dinner while touring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 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. Today, bourbons popularity is at an all-time high, and in the past 20 years or so, many new distilleries have popped up among old favorites. Also in the area is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. We chose the self-driving option. Be prepared for an experience for all five senses. The tour is very well done and you get to see a few things that many tours do not include. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. Thank you for explaining that a bourbon trail tour will encompass a history of how the liquor was made. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. We have visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail twice. And for full details on Bluebird Cafe, read our article How to Visit Bluebird Cafe. Monday through Friday, tours are offered at the Kentucky Cooperage (1 pm is the latest tour time). Some of these yeast strains have been used for decades at each distillery. 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. Distilleries to visit along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 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). Partners & Sponsors The rickhouse is where the barrels are stored. We took the Shaken & Stirred class at Bardstown Bourbon and it was our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If you have concerns then consider alternating driving/tastings with another person in your party, have a designated driver, or take a tour. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 13 Comments. Your email address will not be published. They have 10 different varieties of bourbon, and a really unusual, Spanish-style building that houses the distillery. You can also inquire for a quote with our team of cartographers. Over in Bardstown, there's Willett Distillery. This is a must-see tour. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. $20 is the average price for a tour. During our visit this ranged from $5 to $20 per person depending on the distillery and the type of tour you choose to take. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. At the end of this article, we list specific hotel and B&B recommendations for Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington. It's a National Historic Landmark, but it's also gorgeously maintained, and set in a dreamlike corner of the Bourbon Trail. Take the evening to explore downtown Lexington. This is the best historical lesson about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and a great place to get an overview of how bourbon came to be. If you are looking for a highly rated hotel and dont want to spend a lot of money, this is a great option. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Most distilleries do not offer tours seven days a week. Even the most enthusiastic bourbon-lover can't just barrel through and sample bourbon at 9 places all in a rush. They're really knowledgeable about the science of bourbon and booze, and the tour is fantastic. They specialize in bourbon barrel-aged brews as well as bourbons, and since it's a smaller operation than other stops on this trip, the tour is a totally difference experience. These five rules are: Bourbon contains at least 51% corn with different proportions of wheat, malted barley, or rye. Also, consider how the map will be folded. How to Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Day 2: Louisville to Lexington: Clermont, Shelbyville, and Loretto, Day 3: Lexington, Frankfort, Versailles, and Lawrenceburg. 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. After touring the three distilleries, you can either return to Louisville or spend the night in Bardstown. Abraham Lincoln was born in a one room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky in 1809. But there is more to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail than just distillery tours and bourbon tastings. Kentucky Bourbon is perfectly aged. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Morning: Evan Williams Experience. Created by Roadtrippers - March 22nd 2016. This is Louisvilles landmark hotel. Many offer tours and a few are very near to the popular distilleries! To ensure you benefit from our products Contact us for more details. Most people stay in Louisville, Lexington, or Bardstown. Currently, there are eighteen bourbon labels that are a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tim and I stayed here on our first visit to Louisville in 2016. Children under 21 are welcome on tours, for free or at a discounted cost (and no sampling whiskey for them, of course). Afternoon: Green River. If you want to stay in a historical, luxurious hotel in Louisville, your hotel search can end right here. 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. Day after day, distillery tours can get to be monotonous. To get to Evan Williams and/or to get back to your hotel, consider driving or using Uber (we used Uber while in Louisville and kept our car parked at our hotel). ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. So, its nice to break up distillery visits with other experiences. 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. There are eighteen distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour are trademarks of the Kentucky Distillers Association. To read about our favorite bourbon distillery, read this post. Andrew Jackson, Henry Harrison, and King Louis Phillippe have all stayed here. Required fields are marked *. With more time, you can make the drive out to Owensboro and visit Green River Distilling Company or drive to Danville and visit Wilderness Trail. Morning: Makers Mark. Here's how. Coalition Whiskey. Tours last approximately one hour, ending with a tasting. Touring the Bourbon Trail gives visitors an up-close look at how bourbon is distilled, the history behind the crafting of bourbon, and the art behind the perfect bourbon tasting. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. It gets to be repetitive. Do you have a PDF of the great Article? Also known as the Independent Stave Company, this is where the barrels are constructed for many of the bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Its hot, its crowded, and during the summer months, most distilleries take a break from distilling, anywhere from a week or two or longer. You have the choice to head southeast out of Louisville to explore the Jim Beam facilities. However, with various sizes for printing come a variety of new variables. Santa Claus is a small town filled with Christmas-themed hotels, shops, restaurants, and even an amusement park. Also in Lexington is the Barrel House Distillery, which makes small-batch bourbon, as well as moonshine, vodka and rum, which makes it worth a stop. Yes, May should be a very nice month for the Bourbon Trail. Specialty tours cost more. There are four major regions of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The distilling process at Green River is very innovative and a visit here is worthwhile if you want to learn about a unique way to distill bourbon. In the Bourbon District, you're never more than 5 minutes away from the next attraction, so planning that group tour or birthday celebration just got a lot easier. For dinner, opt for classic and refined, or hip and casual. Lexington or Louisville arent the only places to eat well in bourbon country. Hotel Tango Distillery. Buffalo Trace has a long and fascinating history. Aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. The weather is nice and all of the distilleries should be in operation. They offer both tours and tastings individually, so if you'd rather skip seeing the still and warehouse, you can just sample their wares-- try the sweet and spicy Wild Turkey Honey Stinger! Similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Craft Tour takes bourbon touring and tasting to the next level. 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. Evening: Michters Distillery. Most distilleries offer free or discounted tours for military personnel. Download the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Map Download Now Join Our Newsletter Mailing List Fields marked with an * are required First Name * Last Name * Email * If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty. Distilling Company Tennessee | DISCUS, Hand Sanitizer 802 Royal Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38107 Beechtree Distillery LOUISVILLE: Plan your visit to Louisville with our articles about the Best Things to Do in Louisville and Best Places to Eat in Louisville. 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.