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. During the mid-20th century, Four Roses was the top selling bourbon in Japan but it could not be purchased in the US, even though it was being produced in Kentucky. The original distillery opened on Derby Day in the 1930s, and it recently reopened for tours. 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. Do you have to be a bourbon drinker to have a good time on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? Being on our own, we could choose which distilleries to tour and which ones to just do a tasting. Spread out over two separate trips, it took us seven days to visit seventeen distilleries (one more distillery has been added since our visit in November 2019), doing a combination of tours and tastings. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. 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. Lexington or Louisville arent the only places to eat well in bourbon country. George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill. There are many more distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And for full details on Bluebird Cafe, read our article How to Visit Bluebird Cafe. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. Chuckanut Bay Distillery. 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. This distillery features bourbon finished in port wine barrels and rye whiskey finished in rum barrels. Traveling directly between Louisville and Lexington (when you arent stopping at distilleries) takes less than an hour, and both cities have convenient airports. 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. The typical size is Letter to North America and DIN A4 for the rest of the world. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. Bourbon can be brewed anywhere in the United States, although 95% of bourbon is currently distilled in Kentucky. There are four major regions of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. They also operate a bed and breakfast. Check the Churchill Downs website for the race schedule before you go. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Day after day, distillery tours can get to be monotonous. However, note that the map will display an uninspiring look, since it will be used only for only one printing session. Just spent two nights in Bardstown and took the cocktail class which was awesome. 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. Tarpon Springs Distillery. 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. Races at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington take place in October and April, and at Churchill Downs in Louisville in November, May, and June . Visit their website here. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is organized into four regionsplease toggle through the drop down menu for official groupings. This distillery is so new that their bourbon is still aging, although they do have other liquor you can sample when you visit, like rum aged in old bourbon bottles and unfiltered vodka. And we highly recommend lunch at the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown. Her work has been featured in Washington Post Travel and Publisher's Weekly. Make sure you check the hours of the distilleries you want to visit before your trip. Due to vivid -19? This is a beautiful distillery. 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). Copyright 2023 Kentucky Distillers Association. It smells so good in here!! All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Most tours cost $10 to $15 (including tastings), and are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it . If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. 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. Kentucky Bourbon is perfectly aged. You can still tour the distillery, but you might not get to see the fermentation and distilling process. Wild Turkey. Artsy, unique, contemporarythis is another top pick in Louisville. We offer a real-time comprehensive list of all the distilleries from start up farm distillery to craft distillery to large pre-Prohibition distillery. As for tours, it looks like distilleries are still offering tours and tastings, but I would get the full details for each distillery on their website (we have a link for each distillery in this post). Bardstown Bourbon. 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. It's a great destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which focuses on smaller and more inventive distillers. How you do it is completely up to you. Finally, day three can be spent in Louisville, visiting Stitzel-Weller, Old Forester, Michters, Rabbit Hole, Angels Envy, and/or Evan Williams. The red markers are the seventeen distilleries on the trail. Then head to The Woodford Reserve Distillery. Mint Julep is the most popular tour company in Kentucky that offers tours to the distilleries. Old Forester is the only bourbon to be continually sold by the same company before, during, and after prohibition. Confirm that youre over 21 years of age. It is a very fun thing to do and it was one of our highlights on our first trip to Kentucky. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy. While you are in the area, consider a tour at Buffalo Trace, adding on a visit to Bulleit in Shelbyville, or lunch or dinner in Lexington. Kentucky's Bourbon Trail now consists of 18 whiskey distilleries. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 13 Comments. Aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. In one day, it is possible to do three to four tours and/or tastings. To maximize value, do not get too big or small. Printable Bourbon Trail Map- We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. The distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail are open year round. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kentucky Bourbon Trail: The Ultimate Guide, Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, 12 Best Things to do in Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville Restaurants: Best Eats in Town. The weather is nice and all of the distilleries should be in operation. Tours last approximately one hour, ending with a tasting. In Louisville, stay downtown at the Brown Hotel, a city landmark full of history and romance. These five rules are: Bourbon contains at least 51% corn with different proportions of wheat, malted barley, or rye. This takes the headache out of planning a day of distillery tours, perfect for some people. Plan to spend at least 2-3 days traveling along the Bourbon Trail, and stop off at some of the many charming Kentucky towns along the route. Their first bottled bourbon dates back to 1870. If you are short on time, or have no desire to visit all eighteen distilleries, here is a short list of the top experiences to have on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Looking to plan trip in mid June 2020, I recommend checking the official websites of the distilleries to see if they are open. Spend the day visiting two big names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage. Plus, its easy to find. Browse by category to find what you're looking for, or select icons displayed on the map for detailed information. Sleep in Louisville. Is there a fee to visit the distilleries? Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 3 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. These last one to two hours and cost more than your typical tour, but you get a hands-on lesson on how to mix a craft cocktail. As one of the largest sellers of bourbon in the world, their tour seems to reflect that in having one of the more interactive tours. Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Though, not nearly as polished as distilleries like Maker's Mark, it's a much more personal, intimate and informative experience than what you'll get touring a bigger operation. It can be chilly, but most of the time we were indoors, so weather wasnt much of a factor. Also, they have a cafe if you're looking for a place to grab food while on the trail. Morning: Makers Mark. Several distilleries now offer cocktail or mixology classes. These regions are broken out by geographic location. All three of these cities have great hotel and restaurant options with easy access to the Bourbon Trail. Trust me!!! Located in Lexington, this bourbon distillery also produces beer. This hotels onsite restaurant, Proof on Main, is one of Louisvilles best restaurants and bars. We opted to take the 30 minute Unlocking the Senses tasting, where we sampled four Bulleit whiskeys. A map that folds up for instance, is approximately the same size as an ordinary poster. Cheers, Julie. You know you are at a distillery when you see these prison-style buildings. Bourbon is an American whiskey distilled mostly from corn. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail website includes a map of all area distilleries, general exploring tips, and a calendar of upcoming distillery events. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This Bulleit facility offers a handful of different tours, tastings and cocktail classes. The repurposed stone castle and the rest of the historical property are breathtaking, and the distillerys chic branding (with plenty of merchandise to take home from the gift shop) adds to the overall charm of the location. If you have concerns then consider alternating driving/tastings with another person in your party, have a designated driver, or take a tour. LOUISVILLE: Plan your visit to Louisville with our articles about the Best Things to Do in Louisville and Best Places to Eat in Louisville. Tim and I stayed here on our first visit to Louisville in 2016. Note: Due to COVID-19, distillery tours may be cancelled or offered on a reduced schedule. Note: Green River is located in the Central Time Zone. All of these distilleries offer tours and tastings. This map was created by a user. For the most part, the distilleries are located in and around Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown. The Field Guide is your passport to exploring the people and the places behind the Bourbon. Many places offer tastings without a tour. Scheduling a reservation is highly recommended. Some of them are new kids on the block, and others have been around since bourbon's inception. 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. Its located right around the corner from 21c Museum Hotel, so you can walk to many sights in downtown Louisville. The KY Bourbon Trail Here are some more resources to aide you in making your way to the places that make Kentucky's world-renowned bourbon. Its a step back in time where you learn about the history of Kentucky. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Get suggestions on how to plan your trip, whether you just have a few days, a long weekend, or an entire week. Cheers, Julie, We are thinking about making this trip in an RV in early November.. are there nice places to stay and how does the pandemic affect things, Hello Jan. As far as to where to stay with your RV, I am not sure, since we had a car and stayed in hotels. There are some other very cool things to do in this part of Kentucky and I didnt want to leave those out. These newer operations often restore the beautiful, historical properties of Kentuckys original stillscenturies-old distilleries that either never reopened after prohibition or closed for other reasons. Nothing can be added to the whiskey other than water. The bourbon and whiskey at Green River spend less time in the barrel than at most distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 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 Ride sharing services are abundant in the area, and there are many guided tour options as well. We chose the self-driving option. 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). Thank you for explaining that a bourbon trail tour will encompass a history of how the liquor was made. If you want to do some non-Bourbon activities while road tripping around Kentucky, here are some ideas for you. While you are in the area, consider a visit to the Kentucky Cooperage, where the barrels are made for the storing and aging of bourbon. Morning: Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. Tim and I stayed here on our most recent visit to Louisville and we had a very nice experience here. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. You take a tour, learn about the art and science behind the distilling of bourbon, and end with a tasting. HISTORIC: Jailers Inn Bed & Breakfast. If you only have one day on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the combination of these three tours hits the most important steps in the distilling process. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. Nearest Green Distillery. A combination of ideal weather, limestone water sources, and a long history of the craft make Central Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. For more distillery rules and Kentucky Liquor laws, check out Kentucky Liquor Laws and The Bourbon Trail. Children under 21 are welcome on tours, for free or at a discounted cost (and no sampling whiskey for them, of course). If you have plans to tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail between July and early November, make your reservations in advance. Then make a quick stop at folk legend Daniel Boone's Gravesite for a great photo op (especially if you happen to have one of those coontail hats). It was delightfully quiet, with small tour groups. Green River is the outlier, located almost two hours west of Louisville, in a small town named Owensboro. We were thinking of going the week before Memorial Day weekend and staying through the weekend. It has a relatively central location, so its easy to get to Bardstown, Lexington, and even Owensboro. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. MAMMOTH CAVE: Mammoth Cave is a national park in Kentucky and it makes a great day trip from Louisville and Nashville. To read about our favorite bourbon distillery, read this post. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is a collection of small and/or new (er) distilleries assembled by the Kentucky Distillers' Association. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. It's the same for maps that are large: they can take up nearly 50% of the screen. I give links to each distillery in these daily itineraries. Evening: Michters Distillery. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. Buffalo Trace, located in Frankfort, is one of the most famous bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. 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. Sleep in Louisville. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. For tour information, visit the Wilderness trail website. About this Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary, For more restaurant recommendations, check out our article, For more ideas of what to do in Louisville, read our article about. Also, remember that the quality of maps is unbeatable! You can also inquire for a quote with our team of cartographers. Lexington Brewing Company. 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. Cameron is a freelance writer and editor working in travel publishing for the past 10 years. Sleep in Louisville. 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. Any advice you have on this front would be greatly appreciated, since Ive heard mixed answers. One of these is the very famous Buffalo Trace (skip ahead to Buffalo Trace). All bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbon. Youll need a designated driver along the trail, as youll be sipping and tasting whiskeys. They must be designed to work with a standard printing press. Here are four highly rated hotels in Louisville. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 32 Comments. It has received accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Living, and Travel & Leisure. You can bookmark this post on your browser. This day includes the remaining distilleries in Louisville with the option to add on one or two museums. Currently, there are eighteen bourbon labels that are a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Right down the road is the Four Roses Distillery. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are the days that distilleries are most likely to close their doors to tour groups, but this varies from distillery to distillery. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Over in Lebanon, hit up the Limestone Branch Distillery, which seeks to make everything as authentic as possible, and as a family-owned and operated craft distillery, their local heritage goes back a few generations. Races do not run year-round. Yes, you can push CTRL+P and that will bring up the printer dialog box. 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. For more information about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, we have two more articles that will help you plan your trip: The Ultimate Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It gets to be repetitive. 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. The Major Kentucky Distilleries and the Bourbon Brands They Produce, Mapped. Bring your military ID, if you have one. 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. 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.

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