Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. You will also notice that on some days I have included more than just distillery tours. Sleep in Louisville. Its located right around the corner from 21c Museum Hotel, so you can walk to many sights in downtown Louisville. To ensure you benefit from our products Contact us for more details. This day includes the remaining distilleries in Louisville with the option to add on one or two museums. In Louisville, stay downtown at the Brown Hotel, a city landmark full of history and romance. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. Being on our own, we could choose which distilleries to tour and which ones to just do a tasting. This is a great resource for getting an in-depth history of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as well as additional information to help plan your trip. The grand finale of the tour isthe bourbon tasting. How can I safe it to find once again? Angels Envy. Both times we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. Most distilleries offer free or discounted tours for military personnel. Dinner: Proof on Main. The whiskey cannot be distilled higher than 160 proof, enter the barrel higher than 125 proof, and it must not enter the bottle less than 80 proof. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Just spent two nights in Bardstown and took the cocktail class which was awesome. After reading your article, I am sold and will make the arrangements soon. For the most part, the distilleries are located in and around Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown. This is Louisvilles landmark hotel. The blue markers are restaurant recommendations, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and other notable experiences to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 4 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. Bourbon tourism is skyrocketing, with nearly 2 million visitors from all 50 states and . You can also spend a few days in Nashville or visit nearby New River Gorge National Park. Here in Kentucky, we do things at our own pace and you should, too. Our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. Morning: Evan Williams Experience. There are some other very cool things to do in this part of Kentucky and I didnt want to leave those out. From Bardstown it is a 45 minute drive. Is there a fee to visit the distilleries? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This was our all-around best tour experience. If you have an interest in Abraham Lincoln or American history, this is a worthwhile visit. Take the evening to explore downtown Lexington. Also known as the Independent Stave Company, this is where the barrels are constructed for many of the bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. 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. 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. Visit their website here. During our visit this ranged from $5 to $20 per person depending on the distillery and the type of tour you choose to take. It is a very fun thing to do and it was one of our highlights on our first trip to Kentucky. Be prepared for an experience for all five senses. 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. 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. Renting a car was cheap, driving between the distilleries was easy (and gorgeous), and we could make our own schedule. Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary Suggestions for 1 Day to 1 Week, 12 Best Things to do in Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville Restaurants: Best Eats in Town. 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. Partners & Sponsors Children under 21 are welcome on tours, for free or at a discounted cost (and no sampling whiskey for them, of course). There's a reason that bourbon is historically produced in Kentucky (even though legally it can come from anywhere in the US): the limestone filtered water and locally-grown grains just plain taste better, and the fact that the region has, for most of history, made most of America's bourbon, means that the people there have a deep passion for it, and they also have old-school, time-tested recipes, too. 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. LUXURY: The Brown Hotel. Visiting these distilleries is similar to visiting a winery. You will drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, with horse farms as far as the eye can see. 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. If you have plans to tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail between July and early November, make your reservations in advance. Are the distilleries open now? Do you have to be a bourbon drinker to have a good time on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? NEARBY DESTINATIONS: Asheville, North Carolina makes a great weekend destination. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a collection of eighteen whiskey distilleries. They like to talk about their mash bill and their yeast strains that they use. All content and photography shall not be reproduced without written permission from the Kentucky Distillers Association. Andrew Jackson, Henry Harrison, and King Louis Phillippe have all stayed here. For weekends, I would recommend scheduling your tours in advance, any time of the year. Plus, there is a high concentration of distilleries located right in town, not to mention lots of great restaurants and hotels to choose from. Alternatively, and on a more direct route into Lexington, you can head to Bulleit Distilling Co.'s new state-of-the-art facility in Shelbyville. Uber and Lyft are also all good choices, and if you've managed to stay sober, biking can also be a fun option. 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY, US. Learn how to plan your bourbon tasting itinerary, when to go, where to stay, and even ideas for things to do off of the bourbon trail. Once you get to Shepherdsville, visit the Jim Beam Distillery. Save to your device to access at a later date. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Im looking into doing at least part of the trail myself with some friends when weve all been vaccinated. You take a tour, learn about the art and science behind the distilling of bourbon, and end with a tasting. For most people, a combination of tours and tastings is the perfect way to sample the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Most tours teach you the same process about bourbon distilling, with a few differences at each distillery. and cannot participate in the Passport program. Bring your military ID, if you have one. Makers Mark is a must-visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Seeing as this is the only "bourbon tour" in Louisville proper, it's worth the stop. Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. For more suggestions on how to plan your time, dont miss our Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary planner. In addition, for a fee we can also make the maps in specialized file formats. The food is delicious!! Bourbon Country Map Use this interactive map of Kentucky to plan your visit by finding nearby attractions, hotels, shopping, and restaurants. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Built in 2017 and open to visitors in 2019, this brand-new distillery features modern, state-of-the-art technology. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Tours typically run every hour, and its usually best to reserve online ahead of time. Renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore, but it's not necessary. Stillwagon Distillery. Make sure you check the hours of the distilleries you want to visit before your trip. 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. One of these is the very famous Buffalo Trace (skip ahead to Buffalo Trace). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Old Forester Discovery Tour. Its centrally located, so you can walk to many of the sights and distilleries on Whiskey Row. Lexington or Louisville arent the only places to eat well in bourbon country. This itinerary is organized into seven different daily itineraries. 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. Lunch: Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar or Troll Pub under the Bridge. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy. Sleep in Louisville. Fortunately, the distilleries are getting more creative with their activities, and some are now offering cocktail classes, food pairings, and in-depth behind-the-scenes tours. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 5 Days: Follow our Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary for four days, and add on day #6 (Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses). Rather than paying the fee to join the Kentucky Distillers Association, they prefer to offer free tours and tastings to their visitors. 526 Happy Hollow Road, Shepherdsville, KY, US. 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. My father, who is a Bourbon man, will be celebrating his birthday next month and I thought of taking him on a Bourbon tour. Required fields are marked *. If you are a bourbon drinker and have a favorite distillery thats on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, make sure you include it on your tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Custom-printed maps are perfect for parks departments, companies, and recreational complexes. Children are allowed on the tours and generally pay a reduced tour fee or can tour for free, depending on the distillery. Yes, you can push CTRL+P and that will bring up the printer dialog box. Aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. This is more than just a hotel, it is also an art museum. The best time of year for a road trip down the Bourbon Trail: Summer is high season along the trail, so you'll have more crowds to contend with, and hotels will be slightly more expensive. They must be designed to work with a standard printing press. You know you are at a distillery when you see these prison-style buildings. Its hot, its crowded, and during the summer months, most distilleries take a break from distilling, anywhere from a week or two or longer. The tour guides are very knowledgable and encourage questions. Unfortunately, I do not have any private drivers to recommend. 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. Ride sharing services are abundant in the area, and there are many guided tour options as well. Its centrally located, so you can walk to many of the sights and distilleries on Whiskey Row. For more great things to do in Louisville, read our post 12 Best Things to do in Louisville. Also, take some time to enjoy the bucolic setting of this distillery. If you have specific non-KBT distilleries in mind I recommend checking their websites for pricing information. Youll need a designated driver along the trail, as youll be sipping and tasting whiskeys. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail website includes a map of all area distilleries, general exploring tips, and a calendar of upcoming distillery events. Dont miss out on the beautiful horse farms in the Lexington area! Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. You have the choice to head southeast out of Louisville to explore the Jim Beam facilities. Learn how to create your own. Before heading out of Lexington, check out the citys historic Distillery District, home to the recently revived James E. Pepper Distiller (and several other restaurants, bars, and breweries), one of Kentuckys first bourbon brands originally created during the American Revolution. We visited both but prefer the American Stillhouse. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes in the tavern. Races do not run year-round. 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. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Heaven Hill. Wild Turkey. Some printers from the past might require you to connect to your computer before printing. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Maps & Downloads - Tennessee Whiskey Trail Official Site Maps & Downloads The Google map below represents all members of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. 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). PRO TRAVEL TIP: When planning your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, check the distilleries websites for updated hours and tour availability. What Is The Best Way To Print An Un-Cost Map? 1280 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lebanon, KY, US. The process of creating a map to print is slightly more complicated than creating an image that is static. To tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail you have two options: self-drive the bourbon trail or join a tour group. It smells like you are at a bakery, only they are baking slightly sour bread. You can still tour the distillery, but you might not get to see the fermentation and distilling process. Her work has been featured in Washington Post Travel and Publisher's Weekly. Copyright 2023 Kentucky Distillers Association. It's one of the biggest in Bardstown, which is certainly worth seeing. Take the history and the gorgeous natural settings, and add delicious, often entertaining whiskey tours and tastings, and you'll see why traveling along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is such a special experience. You also get to see the bottling line in action. Dive deeper into the history behind bourbon distilling. Jim Beam. Afternoon: Take a tour at Old Forester Distillery. We both acquired a taste for bourbon on our long weekend in Kentucky. 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 red markers are the seventeen distilleries on the trail. Plus, its easy to find. Please enjoy like a true Kentuckian Responsibly. And , even then, their maps are already obsolete before they even hit the plotter. At your first distillery, pick up a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport. However, there are few places to visit out this way, if you are interested. Take a Mixology Class. They were one of only three bourbon distilleries that were allowed to operate during Prohibition, producing medicinal bourbon. MIDRANGE: Homewood Suites. This cocktail class is only offered once a day, so if you like this idea, plan your other distillery visits around this class. If you stay until Memorial Day weekend, expect big crowds that weekend because of the holiday. These distilleries are located within 110 miles of Louisville, mostly clustered between Louisville and Lexington. For more information on these tours and experience, read our article, More Information for Your Trip to Kentucky. 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. For lunch, dine at Star Hill Provisions at Makers Mark or Ragettis Italian Food in Lebanon. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL: Pick out which distilleries to visit in our article Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. First, decide on the size of your printout. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. We give links to all of the distilleries in our Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery post. As you drive back to Louisville, you have the option to stop at the Lincoln Boyhood Home and National Museum and/or Santa Claus, Indiana. If you are looking for a highly rated hotel and dont want to spend a lot of money, this is a great option. Visit Your Favorite Distillery. Required fields are marked *. A 24" x 18" layout will fold more efficiently than the 22" x 20" layout for example. Located just outside of Lexington, stay in a suite or one-bedroom apartment, perfect if you like having extra space or a kitchenette. Next, work off that bourbon tasting with a quick visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum, to see where professional baseball bats are made. In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. The bourbon and whiskey at Green River spend less time in the barrel than at most distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Located in Lexington, this bourbon distillery also produces beer. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. Foaling begins in late January and will continue through May, so visit in the spring if you want to meet the youngest future racehorses! And you definitely should try the Bourbon Cream. Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington make a great home base for this day (and day number 7 below). George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill. The Old Talbott Tavern, located in Bardstown, is also a great pick. We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. Yes, May should be a very nice month for the Bourbon Trail. Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. 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. In order to save paper, set all the borders to 0.3. Distilling Company Tennessee | DISCUS, Hand Sanitizer 802 Royal Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38107 Beechtree Distillery Then visit the Town Branch Distillery from Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, and maybe cut all that booze with a beer or two as well! The Old Nelson County Jail housed prisoners from 1797 until 1987. This hotel also gets great reviews and has an excellent location. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner while touring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Spend the day visiting two big names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage. These include Willett, Pogue, Boone County, Neeley Family Distillery, Kentucky Peerless, Kentucky Artisan and many others. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes in the tavern. This hotel gets excellent reviews on Booking.com. Coalition Whiskey. For more suggestions on how to plan your time, dont miss our Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If you are planning a week-long trip, then I recommend in staying in two to three places. It's a National Historic Landmark, but it's also gorgeously maintained, and set in a dreamlike corner of the Bourbon Trail. Tim and I stayed here on our most recent visit to Louisville and we had a very nice experience here. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it . Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. Andrew Jackson and King Louis Phillippe both stayed here. Trust me!!! Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. Renting a car was cheap, driving between the distilleries was easy (and gorgeous), and we could make our own schedule. Read on to learn how to use printable maps. Cheers, Julie. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Most distilleries do not offer tours seven days a week. Honestly, the tours do get repetitive, as they all take you through the distillation process. These regions are broken out by geographic location. We loved everything we tasted on this tour (as did many other people we spoke to who were also touring the trail). However, people under the age of 21 are not permitted to do a tasting (of course!) 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. Bulleit Distilling Company. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. Yes, all of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries charge a fee for a tour or a tasting. Wish I had this information prior will save it for next visit. Select the size of the map before it is time to print it. Cheers, Julie. USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in the United States, check out our article Best USA Road Trips, which has 18 sample itineraries for your next big adventure. 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. How you do it is completely up to you. Jim Beam has two locations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: the American Stillhouse, which is located in Clermont, and the Urban Stillhouse, which is located in downtown Louisville. A map that folds up for instance, is approximately the same size as an ordinary poster. Currently, there are eighteen bourbon labels that are a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Grab a bottle or some bourbon balls in the gift shop afterwards! Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. Below is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. You can also inquire for a quote with our team of cartographers. They have a few iconic bourbon brands that are produced here: Buffalo Trace, Blanton's (with the little horse on top of the round bottle), and Eagle Rare. Bardstown Bourbon. 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. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel Lexington. 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. Also in the area is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. They have a good beer selection, excellent pulled pork, tasty baked beans and a variety of BBQ sauces. Take a quick break from bourbon tasting and take your pick from these two amazing museums. TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30great travel booksand a list of the best travelmovies to feed your wanderlust. 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. It is open daily except for major holidays. Kentucky Bourbon is perfectly aged. This distillery features bourbon finished in port wine barrels and rye whiskey finished in rum barrels. After a hearty breakfast of biscuits, its time to hit the trail! There are four major regions of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This will minimize your driving and let you stay in the small towns in Kentucky. It's the same for maps that are large: they can take up nearly 50% of the screen. It's a pretty cool museum and factory tour, and will definitely make you appreciate old hitters and their bats. If you are still craving more bourbon, this restaurant is famous for their cocktails and bourbon and whiskey flights. In 1999, the Kentucky Distillers' Association formed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour to give visitors a firsthand look at the art and science of crafting Bourbon, and to educate them about the rich history and proud tradition of Kentucky's signature spirit. After breakfast at the hotel, its a 30-minute drive to the Frankfort area, where touring the new distillery at Castle & Key is a true gem. It smells so good in here!! 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). Morning: Makers Mark. 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. Prior to touring the Bourbon Trail, Tim and I were not whiskey drinkers. Your email address will not be published. And the smell is amazing! Note: Green River is located in the Central Time Zone. List of Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Best Time to Visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Tips, Tricks, and Advice for Touring the Bourbon Trail, check out our post about the best distilleries. MIDRANGE: Staybridge Suites Lexington. We are wine drinkers. Tonight, sleep in Louisville, Bardstown, or Lexington. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is a collection of small and/or new (er) distilleries assembled by the Kentucky Distillers' Association. 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. It's no secret that all American states can legally produce bourbon, but Kentucky is the spirit's undisputed . Getting to know more about liquor will probably help us know the right pairings to get when we eat at restaurants. As you tour more distilleries, you can pick out the differences between the bourbons. During this one-hour class, we mixed two cocktails: the Kentucky Mule and the Sazerac. Monday through Friday, tours are offered at the Kentucky Cooperage (1 pm is the latest tour time). But there is more to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail than just distillery tours and bourbon tastings. Louisville and the rest of the bourbon trail are located in the Eastern Time Zone. In this article, we focus on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, not the Craft Tour, although you can add these distilleries into your trip if you like the idea of visiting smaller distilleries. During the tour, which usually lasts about one hour, your guide leads you through the property, teaching you about the distillation process and the history of the distillery. Its located right around the corner from 21c Museum Hotel, so you can walk to many sights in downtown Louisville. If you move fast, you have enough time to visit both in the afternoon. 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. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats.
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