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Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour Review

• January 30, 2024
• Distilleries , Distillery Reviews

Woodford Reserve Distillery 7785 McCracken Pike Versailles, KY 40383 859-879-1812 www.woodfordreserve.com Tour / Review

Please enjoy our Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour Review!

The Woodford Reserve Distillery

Discretely nestled among the horse farms in Woodford County Kentucky is the home of Woodford Reserve Distillery. Located just 8 miles north of Versailles, Woodford Reserve is a beautiful and unique piece of Kentucky’s distilling history. Beautiful because the original farm-distillery land continues to be some of the finest in the Bluegrass region and unique because there have been only 4 owners of the distillery since 1812.

Woodford Reserve Distillery History: Ownership Changes and Developments

Around the aforementioned time, Elijah Pepper set up his grist mill and distillery on his 200 acre farm along Glenn’s Creek. After 66 years in the Pepper family, ownership was transferred to Labrot and Graham in 1878. Although L & G made great improvements and upgrades to the business, by 1940, Prohibition had taken its toll and the distillery was sold to Brown-Forman Distillers Corporation (currently the Brown-Forman Corporation ).

Continued consumer abandonment of Kentucky’s brown spirit in the 50’s and 60’s led the company to stop distilling and eventually sell the distillery to local farmer, Freeman Hockensmith, in 1973. Hockensmith used the property mostly for agricultural storage, but also made a brief attempt at producing fuel alcohol. Renewed interest in creating a premium bourbon drove the Brown-Forman Corporation to repurchase the aged Labrot & Grahman distillery for the second time in 1994. After a total rehabilitation of the buildings and the addition of a brand new Visitor Center, the distillery opened to the public in 1996.

Woodford Reserve Distillery Tours and Tastings

The distillery’s designation as a National Historic Landmark in 2002 was well deserved. A tour of the distillery solidifies this distinction. There are a variety of tours and tasting available at Woodford. “ Woodford Reserve’s Path To Flavor ” tour is the most popular. This 70 minute experience includes a walking tour of the distillery, as well as a tasting of Woodford’s whiskeys. The cost is $32. If you don’t have time for a 70 minute experience, then opt for “ The Spectacle For The Senses Tasting “. This 45 minute guided tasting costs $25 and includes five samples of Woodford’s family of whiskeys paired with lite bites.

Additional Tour Information

Woodford Reserve Distillery also offers a variety of other tours and tastings, including special ones that may be available for a limited time. The current experiences include:

• VIP Master Distiller Tour Experience – Two-hour behind-the-scenes tour and tasting with Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris and/or Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall – Very Limited – $500 (includes limited edition bottle)
• Innovation Inspired Tour and Tasting – 70 minute tour with an elevated tasting and the opportunity to purchase an allocated whiskey – Friday & Saturdays Only – $125
• Mixology Experience – 45 minute experience in Woodford Reserve Distillery’s Cocktail Lounge where guests learn to make various classic cocktails and their history; guests receive a souvenir rocks glass, recipes for all of the signature Woodford Reserve cocktails and bourbon balls – $50
• From the Reserve: A Curated Cocktail Experience – Guests explore crafting luxury cocktails with rare whiskeys from Woodford’s curated archival collection and receive a souvenir Double Old Fashioned tumbler – limited – Saturdays only – $150
• Indulge The Senses Experience – a tasting of special chocolates, bourbons & a cocktail – February 2024 only, Wednesday-Sundays – $40
• The Perfect Pair – similar to the Indulge The Senses Experience, but led by Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, and includes a gift pack of Double Oaked, Double Double Oaked and Compartes Chocolates to take home with you – Very Limited February 14 & 15 only – $250

Tour Times And Locations

All experiences (unless otherwise noted) begin at the Visitor Center which is located on the south side of McCracken Pike. Generally, there is ample parking, even during the very busy summer months, as there is a second lot available across the road on the north side of McCracken Pike. Tours and tastings (except as noted above) are offered Wednesday-Sunday as of January 2024. However they will be offered 7 days a week for the weeks of March 3rd & 10th, and then every week beginning in April 2024. For the most up to date distillery hours, tour times, and tour availability, visit woodfordreserve.com .

Tour Experience

On our visit, we took “Woodford Reserve’s Path To Flavor” tour. We met our tour guide, Jaime, inside the Visitor Center and after his introduction and short safety spiel, we headed outside and down the softly sloped pathway toward the distillery. This is a walking tour, but very easy, with minimal stairs. Along the way Jamie covered much of the history of Woodford Reserve Distillery from its owners to its many buildings.

Upon entering the distillery proper through the fermentation room, we learned that portions of the building date back to 1838. While in the fermentation room, Jamie discussed Woodford’s mashing process and their 5 sources of flavor (Grain, Water, Fermentation, Distillation, Maturation). Although the eight 7500 gallon cypress fermenters might look really old, they are not. Half were put in when the distillery opened in the 90’s while the others came later as production grew.

Distillation and Barreling

After our stop in fermentation, we moved on to the still area in the next room. Woodford triple distills its product, which explained the 3 beautiful copper pot stills we saw. As Jamie explained Woodford’s triple pot distillation process, we had plenty of time to view the amazing equipment and take a plethora of pictures. Interestingly, barreling takes place in the same room. The freshly distilled new make is sent to the nearby 1400 gallon gauge tank. This tank is used to proof down the spirit from 125 proof to its barrel entry proof of 110. Barrels were being filled while we were in the still area, so we were able to see in action how Woodford moves their barrels.

Barrel Run and Warehouse C

With the distillery lesson complete, we headed back outside to view the almost nine decades old barrel run. Built in 1934, Woodford Reserve Distillery’s barrel run is over 500 feet in length and helps to expedite barrel movement to the warehouses for their long rest. Once a barrel is filled in the distillery, it is moved out of the building via a rail system. The newly filled barrel moves through a window type exit on 2 rails. These two rails are spaced perfectly apart so that the barrels run the rails without needing a worker present. That’s definitely working smarter, not harder, as a full 53 gallon barrel weighs around 500 lbs.

While it’s hard to top the active barrel run, the next point of interest, Warehouse C, was a close second. Right across the way from the distillery, Warehouse C is Woodford’s oldest active barrel warehouse. This beautiful stone building was completed over 100 years ago and still houses around 5000 barrels. The smell of the angels’ share is delicious. Another interesting note Jamie made is that Woodford heats the warehouse in the winter from the bottom up so that the lower level barrels achieve the same heated aging as the upper level barrels do in the summer. Once again, they’re working smarter, not harder at Woodford.

Bottling Facility

As we left Warehouse C behind, a quick stop was made at the building next door. This Is Woodford’s bottling facility. It’s the second 100 year old plus building still in use on the property. Bottling takes place Monday-Friday and Woodford bottles all of its own products. Due to pandemic restrictions, we just got a peek at the process through a screened door. There were plenty of barrels and bottles swapping juice.

Tasting Experience

Having covered Woodford Reserve Distillery’s bourbon making process from start to finish, the only thing left to do now was taste. Jamie led the way to Dryer House which is where our tour’s tasting took place. It’s a very short distance from the distillery as well as Warehouse C. In the 1930’s the Dryer House replaced the open cattle feed station which received the spent grain from the distillery. The Slop Dryer house instead allowed the used grains to be piped in from the distillery, dried out, and then recycled as livestock feed. While livestock still enjoy the grains as feed, today’s Dryer House does not house slop, but instead, some very tasty spirits.

Our tour’s tasting consisted of 4 products: the Woodford Reserve Bourbon, the Woodford Malt Whiskey, the Woodford Reserve Rye, and a very special taste not bottled, the Woodford Reserve Bourbon straight from the barrel. The tasting lasted no more than about 15 minutes. Jamie led the way, providing guidance particularly for those who are new to tasting whiskey. The final treat was the Woodford Reserve bourbon ball. These are most delightful. Even better is that all samples, except for the straight from the barrel, are available for purchase in the gift shop. With the tasting completed, our tour had come to an end and so we headed back up the pathway to the visitor’s center.

Shopping and Conclusion

After some shopping in the very spacious and well stocked gift shop, our time at Woodford came to a close. Woodford Reserve Distillery is indeed a lovely place to visit. Due to its close proximity to Lexington and Frankfort however, tours are often booked well in advance, particularly on weekends. Don’t let that be a deterrent because its history and grounds alone are worth the trip. Visit Woodford’s outside bar, enjoy your favorite Woodford spirit, and then sit back and relax on the scenic patio soaking in all the rustic ambiance your senses can handle. Woodford Reserve is a must see for the history lover and the bourbon geek alike!

We hope you have enjoyed our Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour Review! If you would like to read about a couple of Woodford’s whiskeys, then check out our Woodford Double Double Oaked Review and our Woodford Three Grain Whiskey Review ! You can also check out our video virtual tour of the Woodford Reserve Distillery !

*NOTE: While the whiskey distilled at the Woodford Reserve Distillery is triple pot still distilled, whiskey distilled in column stills at Brown-Forman’s large Louisville distillery is also used in many of the Woodford Reserve whiskeys.

Original Visit Date: June 2021; Updated January 2024

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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Woodford Reserve Distillery

One of the prettiest drives to a Kentucky distillery goes to Woodford Reserve. Travel past picturesque horse farms with black fences on your way to this bourbon destination.

Built on the oldest distilling site in Kentucky, these hallowed grounds now house Woodford Reserve’s trademark copper pot stills and entire bourbon operation. Traditions started by Elijah Pepper in the early 1800s continue with Master Distiller Chris Morris and the Woodford Reserve brand.

Woodford Reserve Distillery Tours

See historic spaces and learn the five elements that make up the bourbon-making process. Walk past the Scottish-style copper pot stills and see new make as it flows through. Then go inside an old bourbon barrel warehouse and smell the angel’s share in the air. The educational bourbon tour covers history, sources of flavor, bottling and more.

Mint Julep Experiences goes to Woodford Reserve for distillery tours weekly on our public tours

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Tastings

Your guided sensory tasting will help you pick out the complex flavors in each bourbon or whiskey you taste. Frequent flights includes Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, Rye and Double Oaked.

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Things to know about Woodford Reserve

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Woodford Reserve made?

The Woodford Reserve address is 7855 McCracken Pike in Versailles, Ky.

Who owns Woodford Reserve?

Woodford Reserve is owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation. Sister brands include Old Forester, Early Times and Coopers Craft.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Woodford Reserve produce?

Woodford Reserve Distillery makes Woodford Reserve bourbon and Woodford Reserve Rye, Malt and Wheat Whiskeys, as well as Woodford Double Oaked and Master’s Collection products.

Is Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Yes, Woodford Reserve is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

Which distilleries are near Woodford Reserve?

Distilleries near Woodford Reserve include Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace and Four Roses.

Where can I find out more about Woodford Reserve?

Learn about Woodford Reserve at woodfordreserve.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

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Woodford Reserve Distillery

It is said that the art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of The Woodford Reserve Distillery in 1812.

Two hundred years later, the distillery was designated as an official National Historic Landmark.

Although the property went through several ownership changes and was once used for agricultural storage, the Brown-Forman Corporation repurchased it in 1994.

After a total renovation of the buildings and the addition of a visitor center, the distillery opened to the public in 1996.

Contact us today to add Woodford to your custom trail tour .

Types of Tours at Woodford Reserve

There are five guided experiences at the Distillery that explore the history and technology of Woodford Reserve.

Tickets are priced differently based on the experience and all guests 21 and over can taste the award-winning craft bourbon at the conclusion of the tours.

• Path to Flavor Tour: This tour starts with the distillery grounds and explores the five main elements that go into Woodford Reserve flavors. This is an easy walking tour with very few stairs. The tour runs while the distillery is working, so you get to see the real work in action. You get to walk inside original buildings, well over 100 years old to see the entire bourbon-making process. For this tour, Woodford is often booked out several months in advance and all tours are capped at 16 guests, so early reservations are required.
• The Spectacle for the Senses: Want to get straight to the sipping? You can skip the tour and enjoy a 30-minute guided tasting with five samples from the Woodford family of brands. For the tastings, bourbon and whiskey samples are on rotation, pending availability and reservations must be made online ahead of time.
• VIP Master Distiller Tour: For the ultimate Woodford Reserve fan, this two-hour tour with Master Distiller and/or Assistant Master Distiller is a true VIP experience. With our leaders at the helm, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Distillery, Lab, Warehouse, and of course, a tasting. Each ticket includes a limited edition bottle and the experience is limited to 8 guests. This tour is only available as the distiller’s schedules permit and are subject to change.
• Innovation Inspired Tour: This tour option focuses on what’s next for Woodford Reserve. You’ll still receive an in-depth tour of the property, but the tasting includes a more innovative line up and each guest receives a Woodford Reserve branded rocks glass at the end.
• Distillery Series Portfolio Tour: This experience showcases the grounds and buildings with a special treat for participants. The tasting includes three Distillery Series which are only available at the distillery and select local markets. Each ticket also includes three Distillery Series 375ml bottles to take home with you!

Additional Amenities

Woodford Distillery is open seven days a week and is located in Versailles, KY. The visitor’s center is spacious and well-stocked with unique gifts for the bar enthusiast. There’s also an outside bar to enjoy with a beautiful patio and a rustic atmosphere.

Although tours fill up fast, even if you don’t have a reservation, the history and grounds alone are worth the trip for both history lovers and bourbon geeks.

Become a Woodford Friend

Because the history of bourbon is the history of Kentucky, no visit is complete without stopping at the Woodford Reserve Distillery.

Contact Bluegrass Transportation to reserve your custom bourbon tour in the Bluegrass State.

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Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour Versailles, Kentucky

Woodford reserve distillery tour: immersing yourself in kentucky’s bourbon heritage.

Experience the essence of Kentucky’s bourbon tradition with the Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour. Situated amidst the picturesque landscapes of Kentucky’s bourbon country, Woodford Reserve is not just a distillery; it’s a symbol of bourbon craftsmanship and culture. This tour invites both die-hard bourbon enthusiasts and curious newcomers to explore the rich history, meticulous craft, and unique flavors that define Woodford Reserve.

Discover the Legacy Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour

Your journey begins with an exploration of Woodford Reserve’s storied past. Learn about the distillery’s roots in Kentucky’s bourbon history, its heritage buildings, and how it has emerged as a globally acclaimed bourbon producer. The tour delves into the distillery’s traditional methods that have been passed down through generations, maintaining the essence of classic bourbon making.

A Deep Dive into Bourbon Production

Experience the art of bourbon making in an immersive way. The tour takes you through each step of the production process: selecting the finest grains, the intricacies of the sour mash process, the science behind fermentation, the traditional copper pot distillation, and the art of aging in new charred oak barrels. Witness how Woodford Reserve’s commitment to quality at every stage culminates in a bourbon of exceptional depth and character.

Tasting the Distinctive Woodford Reserve Bourbon

The highlight for many is the tasting session, where you’ll savor the rich flavors of Woodford Reserve’s bourbons. Guided by experts, these tastings help you identify the unique notes and aromas that make up Woodford Reserve’s signature profile. This session offers an appreciation for the subtleties that a premium bourbon can offer, from its complex nose to its long, smooth finish.

Exploring the Idyllic Distillery Grounds

The Woodford Reserve Distillery is set against the backdrop of Kentucky’s beautiful, rolling hills. Part of the tour involves a walk around the property, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds the distillery. This serene setting is an integral part of the bourbon’s identity, reflecting the harmony of nature and craftsmanship.

Sustainability and Craftsmanship

Learn about Woodford Reserve’s initiatives in sustainability and how they blend traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. The tour showcases the distillery’s efforts to maintain eco-friendly practices, emphasizing its responsibility towards the environment while producing high-quality bourbon.

Interactive and Educational Experience

The Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour is designed to be both educational and interactive, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of bourbon making. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, engage with experienced distillers, and gain insights into the nuanced world of bourbon.

Special Editions and Distillery Exclusives

Discover Woodford Reserve’s special editions and distillery-exclusive releases. These limited offerings are a testament to the distillery’s innovative spirit, providing visitors with the chance to experience rare and unique expressions of bourbon.

Events and Community Involvement

Woodford Reserve is not just a producer of fine bourbon; it’s a vibrant part of the local community. The tour includes information about the distillery’s involvement in local events, culinary experiences, and cultural activities that celebrate Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.

A Must-Experience Kentucky Tradition The Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour offers an authentic immersion into the world of Kentucky bourbon. It’s more than just a tour; it’s an experience that connects you with the heart and soul of bourbon country, offering deep insights into one of America’s most cherished spirits.

Are you ready to embrace the spirit of Kentucky’s bourbon culture? Book your Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour now and step into a world where tradition meets excellence. Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado or eager to learn, this tour promises a memorable journey filled with rich flavors, history, and the beauty of Kentucky. Join us at Woodford Reserve, where every visit is more than a tour – it’s an experience to cherish. Reserve your spot today for an unforgettable journey into the heart of bourbon country!

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Woodford Reserve Bourbon – Woodford Reserve Distillery

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – Woodford Reserve Distillery

Woodford Reserve Straight Malt Whiskey – Woodford Reserve Distillery

Woodford Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey – Woodford Reserve Distillery

Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey – Woodford Reserve Distillery

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A Day on the Trail: Woodford Reserve Distillery Tour

• Posted on December 1, 2015
• By Distillery Trail

When you think about Kentucky you think of rolling hills of bluegrass, miles and miles of four board fences, thoroughbred horses and bourbon, lots and lots of bourbon. A visit to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Ky delivers on all of these things in a big, bold and beautiful way.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” That’s exactly the way you will feel as you drive off the interstate and take the 10-15 minute ride from the highway and up Grassy Springs Road. Be forewarned, a drive up this road can be dangerous, not because of bad traffic but because there are so many places to stop for photos that you may be late for your tour. The day I traveled up there was a crystal clear blue sky day. You can see it in some of the photos below.

Grassy Springs Road – Versailles, KY Save

“The Woodford Reserve Distillery is the only place in the world where you see Kentucky’s two most famous products – thoroughbred horses and bourbon whiskey maturing side by side.”

The Road to the Distillery – Thoroughbred Horse with Walker Save

The road to the distillery – thoroughbred horses napping in the sun save.

The Woodford Reserve Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in the U.S. Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey at this location in 1,812. Because of its importance in American history, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2,000 by the National Park Service. The distillery has changed hands a few times over the years. In fact, Brown-Forman liked it so much that they bought it twice. Brown-Forman owned the distillery from 1940 through 1970. When brown spirits were out of favor for a while, they sold the operation to a farmer who used the land for farming. In the early 90’s, Brown-Forman bought the distillery back and introduced the world to Woodford Reserve in 1996. The brand will be celebrating its 20 th anniversary next year.

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Woodford Reserve Distillery Welcome Center Save

The tour starts with a sharing of headsets. This is a working distillery so it can be a bit loud at times. The tour guide is miked up and ready to share the story of Woodford and this 200+ year old distillery operation. I have mixed emotions about the headsets. It’s great so you can hear and the guide doesn’t have to yell but, I don’t think there is as much interaction between guests and the guide.

Woodford Reserve Distillery – The View from the Welcome Center Save

Woodford reserve distillery – national historic landmark save.

Before you enter the distillery building the first thing you see is rolling barrels of newly birthed bourbon. They still roll their own here. These barrels roll from the distillery down the path to the warehouse to gently age. If you look close at a bottle of Woodford you won’t find an age statement. That’s because all of its bourbon is at least four years old and therefore does not require an age statement on its bottles. As you enter the distillery, the first thing you notice is the unmistakable smell of the mash fermenting. This is a clear sign you are in the right place. From here, you get introduced to the five things that make up bourbon.

Five Sources of Flavor Save

• Water – Calcium rich and iron free Kentucky limestone water. Makes for better whiskey and builds strong bones in those thoroughbreds.
• Grain – Woodford uses 78% corn, 18% rye and 10% barley.
• Fermentation – Most distilleries go 3 to 5 days. Woodford goes at least 6 days.
• Distillation – Woodford is triple distilled.
• Maturation – You won’t find an age statement on any Woodford product, it’s all ages a minimum of four years.

Related Story The Master Distiller’s “Rule of Thumb” on Flavor

Fermentation Tanks Save

Moving upstairs you’ll see, hear and smell the fermenting process happening in 7,500 gallon cedar tanks. Each tank will make about 20 barrels of bourbon. Most distilleries let their mash ferment for three to five days, one of the unique things that Woodford does is let their mash sit for at least six days. From here we moved on to the distillation process where the mash goes through not one but three 1,650 gallon Forsyths copper pot stills.

Three Copper Pot Stills Save

Woodford reserve spirits box save.

After the still, it’s on to barreling. Brown-Forman has its own cooperage where they make their own 53 gallon oak barrels. Woodford barrels are toasted then lightly charred. There is no numbering system used for charring barrels here, that classification is actually specific to one barrel company, not the industry. There was no bourbon being poured into barrels during our tour.

Woodford Reserve Warehouse Save

Every distillery needs a distillery cat. The barrel warehouse is often the place where you will find Oscar, possibly the most photographed cat in Kentucky. Oscar was introduced to the distillery this summer. He’s a rescue cat from the Woodford County Humane Society named after distiller Oscar Pepper. The previous cat Elijah , named after distiller Elijah Pepper passed away in June of 2014. Unfortunately, Oscar was nowhere to be found the day of our tour.

The barrels make the journey from the distillery down a gravity fed track to the old stone warehouse. The barrel warehouse next to the distillery holds about 5,000 barrels. The rest of the barrels are being stored on top of a nearby hill. You can see one of the newer warehouses in one of the photos above. All of the Woodford warehouses are heat cycled using steam that emanates from the bottom of the warehouse during the cold months of the year. This heating/cooling cycle helps to replicate that hot and cold of the Kentucky summers that help with the bourbons maturation process.

Steam Heat Cycled Warehouse Save

Rickhouse or Rackhouse? Woodford has neither, they simply go by warehouse.

Related Stories Part 1: Understanding Oak Barrel Maturation – Know Your Casks Part 2: Understanding Oak Barrel Maturation – Maturity is Not Age Part 3: Understanding Oak Barrel Maturation – Location, Location, Location

Bottling of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Save

After years of maturation the brown liquid is ready to move from barrel to bottle. In case there was any question if Woodford is “made by hand” or not, I can tell you, the bottling of the spirits, applying of the labels and boxing is done meticulously by hand.

Bourbon Sampling Save

And no distillery tour would be complete without a tasting. After touring the warehouse we headed back up the hill for a tasting. The laws for tastings vary state by state. In Kentucky, guests are allowed a maximum of two tastings of 1/2 ounce each per visitor per day. On this day, guests got to taste Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon. And the final stop on the journey is the gift shop where fans can purchase a bottle of their favorite spirit.

3 Things to Do Nearby

While you are on the distillery trail there are plenty of other things to do, see and taste. Here are three things that are just minutes away from the Woodford Reserve Distillery.

• Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah – It’s not every day you get to see a living legend in sports but, just around the corner from the Woodford Reserve Distillery is Coolmore Farms. Coolmore is the new home of one of America’s greatest athletes, Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah. After retiring from racing, he’s transitioning into his new life as a stallion at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud. The farm welcomes horse racing fans to see American Pharoah at Coolmore America, but call ahead because it is a working thoroughbred horse farm and tours are scheduled around the routines of the horses. And, if you are interested, according to their website, his stud fee is $200,000. You can watch a short film about his arrival at his new Coolmore home here .
• Rebecca Ruth Candy: Bourbon Balls – Operating since 1919, Rebecca Ruth is another Kentucky Bourbon classic. The idea of mixing candy and bourbon together was accidentally suggested by a dignitary, Eleanor Hume Offutt, at Frankfort’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1936. Mrs. Booe worked on the recipe for two years before perfecting the still-secret process for blending bourbon and candy. This unique confectionery operation is known worldwide as “The Inventor of Bourbon Candy!” and is located in downtown Frankfort, KY. The tour highlights the story of Ruth Hanly Booe and includes “Edna’s Table,” antique candy furnace and hand-stirred copper kettles that are still used to this day.
• Kentucky State Capitol – Just off of Interstate 64 is the capital of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You can take a tour of the majestic state capital, see legislatures in action or just watch time pass on the gigantic floral clock.

To find a distillery near you, visit our exclusive Distillery Trail  Distillery Directory . Here you’ll find a detailed listing of all the distilleries across the country. If you are interested in a premium listing in our directory please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll get right back to you. Cheers!

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Birthplace of Bourbon

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Kickstart your day with brunch and a cocktail, visit two distilleries, and be back at your lodging or the airport by 4PM.

Bourbon in the Evening

Enjoy bourbon after dark with a premium tour and tasting, engraved bottle, a dinner reservation at a local Kentucky restaurant, and a private premium tasting at Watch Hill Proper bourbon club.

A Custom Experience

Our tours are all custom, and all-inclusive. You pick the day and three distilleries from your chosen region. Our bourbon-loving booking team will handle the rest. Heck, if you're traveling from out of town, they can even recommend a hotel (psst we get great discounts!)

Three Distilleries

Enjoy tours and tastings at 2 distilleries, plus a tasting at a 3rd! You pick the distilleries, we'll take care of setting up the tour/tasting reservations!

Southern-Cooked Meal

Lunch is included! Based on the distilleries chosen, we'll set up a reservation (and pre-pay) for lunch at a local restaurant the day of your tour.

Private Shuttles

Your tour with us includes private transportation with one of our guides for your group to/from your lodging, and to all distillery stops and lunch venue.

Three Regions Covered

Plan your tour.

With KBB, every tour is different. When you book a custom private tour, you'll choose three distilleries from one region and then our team will take it from there!

South Region Distilleries

The Bourbon Capital of the World

Frankfort / Lexington

East region distilleries.

Beautiful Horse Country

Downtown Distilleries

Distilleries in downtown Louisville and the surrounding area

• Bardstown Bourbon Company
• Boundary Oak
• Heaven Hill
• Kentucky Cooperage (Barrel Factory)
• Limestone Branch
• Log Still Distillery
• Maker’s Mark
• Preservation
• Maker's Mark
• Barrel House
• Bluegrass Distillers
• Buffalo Trace
• Bulleit Distilling Co.
• Castle & Key Distillery
• Fresh Bourbon
• James E. Pepper Distilling Co.
• Jeptha Creed
• J Mattingly 1845
• Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company
• Lexington Brewing & Distilling
• Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
• Wild Turkey
• Wilderness Trail
• Woodford Reserve
• Wild Turkey (Currently closed)
• Angel’s Envy
• Bardstown Bourbon Company Louisville Tasting Room
• Buzzard’s Roost
• Evan Williams Experience
• Kentucky Artisan
• Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
• Neeley Family Distillery
• Old Forester
• Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
• Pursuit Spirits
• Rabbit Hole
• Stitzel-Weller
• Uncle Boojie’s
• Angel's Envy
• Buzzard's Roost
• Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery
• Uncle Boojie's

Corporate Experiences & Events

Looking to book a unique team-building experience or an event for a group over 20? We’ve got you covered! Our bourbon-loving events team will help you build a truly memorable event!

Coming 2024

The scotland tour.

Discover the world of Scottish Whiskey, History, and Culture on this all-inclusive adventure. Visits to St. Andrews, Edinburgh Castle, and the Isle of Islay are woven in between premium whiskey tastings and distillery tours to give you a true taste of the best Scotland has to offer! Coming May 2024!

Have a Question?

Check out our FAQs.

Yes! All of our tours are customizable. We have many options if you’d like to expand your tour outside of distilleries alone – including breweries, wineries, even horse farms! Our booking team will be able to share what options are available within your chosen region.

The restaurant will be chosen based off the region and distilleries selected. Once we have locked in the distilleries, we will send you a menu of the chosen restaurant with lunch options to pre-select to ensure a timely experience at the restaurant. The price of your meal is included for all guests as part of the tour, but additional purchases such as alcohol will be your responsibility and need to be paid for on-site.

We recommend booking at least three months ahead of when you plan to visit. This allows us a better chance to secure admissions at all of the distilleries on your wishlist. For Kentucky Derby Week, we recommend booking as soon as possible.

We can! While all of our tours include private transportation to and from all stops and where our guests are staying, we can also provide transport on other days of your trip or to / from the airport. Simply ask our team when you book.  

Likewise, if you have already booked all your own distillery tours, but are just in need of transportation to and from, we are happy to help!

For more Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Still Have Questions?

Contact Us for more information.

Kentucky Bourbon Boys Gift Cards

Give the gift of a customized Kentucky bourbon experience. We have gift certificates — available in any amount you'd like!

Kentucky Bourbon Boys

Give us a follow.

502.777.0761

[email protected]

Calendar of Events

Top 13 things to do, plant-friendly, diversity, equity & inclusion, new restaurants, convention center, request for proposal, woodford reserve distillery.

Woodford Reserve is the only facility in the state making bourbon using the original Scottish 'pot still' method. This historic distillery has been restored with visitors in mind, and offers exhibits on the history and heritage of bourbon, tours of the facility, lunch on the porch from a Ouita Michel restaurant and a gift shop featuring Kentucky crafts and other premium gift items. The Distillery is available as a rental facility for business meetings of 10 to 200 people. Options include the Conference Center's 2,000 square foot Creekside Room or the intimate Scale House for smaller retreats. Weather permitting, the terrace is perfect for business receptions, dinners or informal gatherings.

• Length of Tour: 1 Hour
• Guided Tours:
• Price Range $-$$$$: $$$

Dining Details

• Seating Capacity: 150
• Private Dining Capacity: 64
• Group Friendly:
• Accessibility Details: Tour path and tour bus are completely wheelchair accessible and elevators to the fermentation floor.
• Website Information: Link

Facility Info

• Theater Capacity 150
• Banquet Capacity 150
• Number of Rooms 3

In the neighborhood?

Here are a few of the best places to visit within walking distance or a quick drive

Travel Guides

Here are a few of our favorite guides to help you plan your lexington experience. dig in, the bourbon country guide.

Discover the time-honored traditions involved in crafting America’s Native Spirit and learn...

The Horse Country Guide

There is much to be discovered in the rolling hills of Kentucky’s Horse Country, which has...

The Foodie’s Guide

Do the words “local,” “fresh,” and “eccentric” resonate...

How to Get Outside in Lexington

Lexington is famous for its rolling hills and beautiful horse farms. But when you look a little

Free Visitors Guide

Request a printed copy of our Visitors Guide and learn more about everything the Horse Capital of the World has to offer.

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Choose Your Destination

• Bourbon Distilleries
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Ready to Book a Public Tour?

Use our easy online booking tool to find tours visiting your favorite Kentucky bourbon distilleries.

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Contact Mint Julep

Call us today at 502-583-1433 or email [email protected] .

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Bourbon Tours

Your all-inclusive ticket to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®

We plan your day in Bourbon Country from start to finish – transporting you to Kentucky bourbon distilleries and grabbing a local lunch along the way (except Sundays). Your Mint Julep guide will lead the day with fun facts and bourbon history, filling in the blanks between each stop. They will take care of all the details – from tour timing to distillery admissions and more. You just sit back and enjoy your fully-guided bourbon tour!

Interested in Multi-Day Bourbon Tour?

Two-day and three-day bourbon tour packages are available through a Custom Bourbon Tour booking. When booking a custom bourbon tour, you will work with an Experience Coordinator to pick your favorite distilleries to make your own bourbon trail itinerary. For help with your booking, call 502-583-1433 or fill out the Request Tour form . 

Thursday Bourbon Tour

January - December 2024

Rabbit Hole, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit

This Thursday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings. Distilleries include: a tour & tasting and tasting at Rabbit Hole, a local lunch, a premium tasting at Buffalo Trace, and bourbon tour and tasting at Bulleit Bourbon.

Departs from the Omni Hotel in Downtown Louisville Departs at 8:45 a.m. Returns at 6:15 p.m.

Friday Bourbon Tour

July - December 2024

Woodford Reserve, Jeptha Creed Stitzel Weller

This Friday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings, and a local lunch. Guests will enjoy a tour and tasting at Woodford Reserve, a tour/tasting at Jeptha Creed, and a tasting at Stitzel Weller.

Departs from the Omni Hotel in Downtown Louisville Departs at 7:30 a.m. Returns at 4:45 p.m.

Lux Row Heaven Hill, James B. Beam

This Friday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings, and a local lunch. Guests will enjoy a tour and tasting at Lux Row, a Connoisseur tasting at Heaven Hill, and a tour with tastings at James B. Beam Distilling Co..

Departs from the Omni Hotel in Downtown Louisville Departs at 8:15 a.m. Returns at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday Bourbon Tour

Maker's Mark, Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon Co.

This Saturday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings, and a local lunch. Guests will enjoy a tour and tasting at Bardstown Bourbon Co., a Connoisseur tasting at Heaven Hill, and a tour with tastings at Maker's Mark distillery.

Departs from the Omni Hotel in Downtown Louisville Depart at 8:15 a.m. Returns at 5:30 p.m.

Stitzel-Weller, Angel's Envy KY Artisan/Jefferson's Reserve

This Saturday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings, and a local lunch. Guests will start the day with a tasting at Stitzel-Weller, enjoy a tour and tasting at Angel's Envy after lunch, and a tour and tasting at KY Artisan/Jefferson's Reserve.

Departs from the Omni Hotel in Downtown Louisville Depart at 9:15 a.m. Returns at 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Brunch & Bourbon Tour

Local Brunch, Kentucky Artisan/Jefferson's Reserve, Buffalo Trace

Your Sunday brunch experience includes guided transportation, a local brunch that includes 1 breakfast cocktail at The Cafe in Louisville, a tour with tastings at KY Artisan/Jefferson's Reserve and a tasting at Buffalo Trace distillery.

Departs from the Omni Hotel in Downtown Louisville Departs at 10:15 a.m. Returns at 5:15 p.m.

Reviews from Guests

• This was the perfect way to tour the Bourbon Trail! The three distilleries we went to were unique from each other which provided a diverse tasting experience. Diane was a wonderful tour guide and Nelson was a great driver! I would highly recommend Mint Julep to anyone visiting Louisville. Thanks for a great day on the Bourbon Trail! Mary M. 8/13/2023
• A great day touring the Bourbon Trail Our guide Morgan was superb! His knowledge of the area was immense and his attention to us was incredible! A great day touring the Bourbon Trail with him! Laurinda P. 4/09/2020
• I can’t recommend Mint Julep enough, it is the only way to do the Bourbon Trail right. Mint Julep was fantastic to work with from the beginning. We had great support and communication in the planning, suggestions, and guidance taking into account all our preferences for creating a custom trip for our group. The experience was seamless and easy due to all the hard work and organization by the Mint Julep team. This was my fourth time on the Bourbon Trail and this was by far the best. Our driver was knowledgeable and proficient of course, but just as important fit our groups’ personality really well. I can’t recommend Mint Julep enough, it is the only way to do the Bourbon Trail right. Richard B. 11/01/2023
• We enjoyed getting to know & talk bourbon with others on the tour! We were in Louisville for a few days for the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon and did the Sunday Brunch & Bourbon Tour that took us to a local restaurant for brunch and 2 distilleries. Check-in at the Omni was easy, and Michael, our tour guide, was friendly, funny, welcoming, and very knowledgeable. Throughout our travels, he shared details about the area, some of the history of Louisville, and the history of KY bourbon in general. Overall, this experience was a great way to relax on the day after the half marathon and the day before we left town. We enjoyed getting to know & talk bourbon with others on the tour. We would not hesitate to book another Mint Julep tour in Louisville or try one of their Nashville tours when we visit there in the near future. KW 10/16/2023
• I highly recommend Mint Julep Tours to maximize your Bourbon Trail adventure. This was our second time on a Mint Julep tour. As expected, it was fantastic! From the promptness of the pickup, cleanliness and comfort of the vehicles, to the knowledge of all things Bourbon, we had a remarkable experience. I highly recommend Mint Julep Tours to maximize your Bourbon Trail adventure. Jim M. 5/20/2023

The Bardstown Collection VIP Bourbon Experience

A Multi-Day Tour of Bardstown Bourbon with VIP Tastings, Tours, and Exclusive Experiences. 

More Information

Departure information.

All ticketed bourbon tours depart from the Mint Julep Experiences Hub inside Falls City Market in the Omni Louisville Hotel (unless otherwise noted at booking or upon confirmation).

Departure times and destinations vary. Please double-check your confirmation sheet for the exact timing . In most cases, tour availability opens 180 days in advance of the tour departure date. For help with your booking, call 502-583-1433 .

Best Time To Visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®?

The beauty with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® is you can visit any time of the year, as the distilleries operate year-round. Some distilleries are closed to the public on certain days of the week, but most are open seven days a week.

What is included on a ticketed bourbon tour?

• Transportation: Each public ticketed bourbon tour includes transportation to all tour destinations. Public tours depart from the Falls City Market in the Omni Louisville Hotel in downtown Louisville. You’ll be in a Mint Julep Tours vehicle. All of our vehicles are sanitized after each tour— learn more about it on our Vehicle Safety Procedures page.
• Admission & Tastings: All distillery admissions for the day and tastings at each location are included.
• Lunch: Lunch at a local Louisville restaurant is also included. The lunch location will vary. Guests will be able to choose one option from a special menu. *Lunch is not included for the public Sunday tour. If you would like to purchase alcohol at lunch or any souvenirs or bottles to take home, that is not included.
• *Gratuity for your Tour Leader is not included but always appreciated. Kentucky sales tax and a convenience fee will be added at checkout. Parking is not included in your ticket fee. For Louisville parking information, visit PARC Map or PARC Garage websites.

How much walking is involved on a ticketed bourbon tour?

Each distillery tour varies but there is a fair amount of walking in Bourbon Country. We do suggest comfortable closed-toe shoes on all tours. Most distilleries are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate special circumstances. Most tours are partially outdoors.

Where is the pickup location?

All ticketed bourbon tours and most other ticketed tours depart downtown Louisville. Tours depart from the Mint Julep Hub in the Omni Louisville Hotel. Please check-in at least 15 minutes before your departure time. Your tour leader will check you in, give you a wristband, and lead you to the bus as a group. 

Book a Custom Bourbon Tour with Private VIP Transportation

Build a Bourbon Trail itinerary that takes you to all your favorite places in Bourbon Country, Horse Country and more! A Custom Tour can be tailored to your interests, schedule and tastes. Popular custom experiences include hands-on mixology classes, bottle-your-own experiences, bourbon heritage site tours, bourbon-infused culinary experiences and so much more! Please contact us to work with an Experience Coordinator to discuss a Custom Tour itinerary for you and your group.

Learn More About Custom Tours

• Name * First Last

BOURBON TOURS LOUISVILLE  |  NASHVILLE   

BUFFALO TRACE, WOODFORD RESERVE...

3Bourbons|customer|+6hrs

WINERY AND BOURBON DISTILLERY

1Winery|1Bourbon|Customer|+6hrs

HORSE FARM AND CHURCHILL DOWNS

1Farm|Churchill Downs|+5hrs

MAKERS MARK, JIM BEAM, FOUR ROSES...

WINERY AND CHURCHILL DOWNS

1Winery|Churchill Downs|5 hrs

HORSE FARM AND BOURBON DISTILLERY

1Bourbon|Horse Farm|6 hrs

SPECIAL: 

Private vehicle.

Go Bourbon tours in private vehicles, make your trip a special experience to remember for a lifetime! You can decide which distilleries you want to meet and where you want to eat. Our qualified staff will make our best to satisfy and exceed your expectations.

NASHVILLE :

Go to distilleries, 01  day.

You are in Nashville and want to visit the best and historic Bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. We plan your experience for one day, includes transportation, tour and /or taste in the distilleries. If you want, we can help you with the Hotel. The tour is customizable.

Special Occasion

Bus party | limo | van.

Go have fun! You picked the perfect time to celebrate by visiting the Bourbon Distilleries, there are so many great options to choose from Kentucky. Why no enhance your tour with delicious lunch or dinners? The tour is customizable...

Discover the Best Bourbon Trail Tours in Kentucky

Travel Guides

Explore the unique world of bourbon with these top 13 Kentucky bourbon trail tours. Sip on your favorites and discover Kentucky's distilleries.

Ready to sip your way through the best bourbon trail tours in Kentucky? This in-depth bourbon distillery tour guide will take you through 13 of the best Kentucky bourbon distillery tours like Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Evan Williams, Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, & many more.

Each distillery offers a unique experience, from the tour of the distillery to the tasting room. With this in-depth bourbon distillery tour guide, you can easily plan your trip and choose the best bourbon trail tours in Kentucky to suit your taste and preferences. Get ready to discover the rich history and distinct flavors of Kentucky’s signature drink!

3 Tips for Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail

1. When you are planning, ask yourself: What is my favorite bourbon brand (or the one I’d like to know more about)?

Once you settle on those favorites, see what other distilleries are located nearby that you might enjoy touring and tasting then reserve those to fill in the rest of the day.

2. RESERVE IN ADVANCE.

As soon as you know that you’re taking this trip, start reserving bourbon distillery tours immediately . The best tours book up fast, particularly on the weekends. On my most recent trip in July of 2023, I had to adjust my trip to a day earlier because so many of the tours I wanted to take were already booked.

That being said, if there’s a distillery tour you would like to take that’s located on “Whiskey Row” in downtown Louisville but you can’t book it online, my advice is to go in person and talk to one of the guides at the reservation desk. They might not be able to get you in on a specialty tour, but they can typically get you a space on the regular tour.

*Also note that most distilleries in July (and for some in December as well) close their fermentation facilities for maintenance, meaning you won’t be able to tour those areas.

3. Base yourself in Louisville in a hotel on or near Whiskey Row.

From here, you can easily walk or Uber / Lyft to 4+ amazing distilleries, which is a great option if the time on your trip is limited. I most recently stayed at Hotel Distil on Whiskey Row, and I would gladly stay there again. It’s an ideal location for walking to all major downtown attractions and distilleries. Plus the Hotel Distil also houses one of Louisville’s best restaurants, Repeal .

Regional Guide to Kentucky’s Distilleries

The Kentucky Bourbon distilleries listed below are grouped within each region and then ranked for their tour and bourbon quality.  The majority of Kentucky’s distilleries are spread throughout the regions of:

• Loretto, Clermont, & Bardstown
• Versailles, Lawrenceburg, & Franklin

Due to the distance between these regions and potentially conflicting tour times, it might be difficult to tour 2 to 3 of your favorite bourbon distilleries in one day. So here are my top three tips for planning your bourbon trail trip.

Now, time to talk about Kentucky’s distilleries…

13 Best Bourbon Trail Tours

Table of Contents

Region: louisville bourbon distilleries, “whiskey row”, evan williams experience.

“Civilization begins with distillation.” William Faulkner

The  Evan Williams Experience  is located in downtown Louisville on historic “Whiskey Row.”

The seamless tour features state-of-the-art films and interactive elements to relay the history of Evan Williams and the art of distilling bourbon. All tours conclude with a bourbon tasting in one of the upstairs rooms on the recreated street of “Whiskey Row.”

One tasting room is a “speakeasy” that once stood on that site with Prohibition-era replica tables where the bourbon could be hidden inside. An easy lift on the tabletop in front of you reveals the inner compartment that contains pre-filled bourbon glasses.

Although it’s one of the lower-priced bourbons, Evan Williams  is remarkably good in its flavor profile, smoothness, and complexity, and Evan Williams Single Barrel is excellent. Whenever I’ve done a blind bourbon-tasting flight, their Single Barrel always ranks in my top 3.

General Tour Information

•  Traditional Tour & Tasting: $18

Evan Williams offers several more extensive tours as well as seasonal tasting experiences, so check their website for the most recent offerings.

Old Forester Distillery

“Always carry a flagon of whisky in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.” – W.C. Fields

The Old Forester Distillery Tour & Visitor Center opened on “Whiskey Row” in the summer of 2018. Although it’s a relative newcomer to Louisville’s historic downtown district, Old Forester is the only bourbon continuously sold by the same company before, during, and after Prohibition.

But that’s not the bourbon’s only claim to historic fame. In 1870, George Garvin Brown ensured his bourbon’s consistent quality by becoming the first distiller to sell the bourbon in a sealed glass bottle.

The general tour is a top-quality experience with one of the most memorable aspects being that you can see the meticulous barrel-making process first-hand.

It’s one thing to look at a charred American white oak barrel stave, but it’s something else to see (and feel the heat) of that charring in person.

The Old Forester Distillery tour ends as most tours do in a private room with four bourbons to taste.

Paired with the tasting is Old Forester’s chocolate-dipped bourbon modjeskas, which are marshmallows wrapped in caramel and then dipped in bourbon dark chocolate, topped off with smoked sea salt. If you love them, you can buy a bag in the gift shop which is filled with loads of other great gifts.

If you’re in a hurry and can’t find the time to tour Old Forester, you can pay a visit to George’s Bar which is a cozy cocktail lounge offering cocktails and flights in the visitor center.

• Old Forester Tour: $32
• Nothing Better In The Market Tour: $70

Angel’s Envy Distillery Tour

“I wish to live to 150 years old, but the day I die, I wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other.” – Ava Gardner

While I prefer both the Evan Williams Experience and Old Forester Distillery tours over this one, Angel’s Envy is still well worth the visit. The gift shop is large and well-stocked, and the facility is interesting to tour.

The standard tour is exactly that, “standard,” with not a lot of extras to experience, but you will learn the intricate process of making bourbon and why all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.

What makes Angel’s Envy a standout from other bourbons and ryes on the Bourbon Trail is their emphasis on “finishing” the bourbon.

In addition to meeting the bourbon standard aging process (a minimum of two years in a new charred American oak barrel), Angel’s Envy then places its bourbon in port barrels and its rye in rum barrels to finish, lending each one a more distinctive flavor profile which you’ll explore during the tasting at the end of the tour.

500 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

• The Signature Tour: $25
• Private Select Tour: $45

Angel’s Envy offers several experiences and classes, so check their website for the most up-to-date offerings.

Michter’s Distillery

“Happiness is having a rare steak, a bottle of whisky, and a dog to eat the rare steak.” – Johnny Carson

Also located on Louisville’s historic “Whiskey Row,” Michter’s Distillery is a great option for those who prefer a tour that doesn’t involve a lot of walking, given that the entire tour takes place in one large room.

Situated across the street from the iconic Louisville Slugger Museum , Michter’s is a smaller facility with limited space, but the tasting is where the tour shines. The guide places an emphasis on tasting notes and the role that smell plays in how we perceive flavors.

801 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

• The Discovery Tour: $25
• The Founder’s Tour: $50
• The Legacy Tour: $100

The 2nd floor features The Bar at Fort Nelson which is a relaxed space filled with leather club chairs where you can enjoy classic and creative cocktails. Click here for more information on the Bar at Fort Nelson.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery Tour

“It is true that whisky improves with age. The older I get, the more I like it.” Robert Black

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Louisville, making it one of the most convenient and historic outlying distillery stops along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Originally opened on Derby Day in 1935 and reopened to the public in 2014, the Stitzel-Weller Distillery is one of the true cathedrals of the American whiskey industry. 

Bulleit Bourbon (and their Rye) has long been one of my favorite Kentucky bourbons. It’s hard to miss that orange label, tilted just slightly as it curves around the lower half of the bottle. 

In the past few years, I’ve enjoyed the Stitzel-Weller standard tour which guides you around the historic property and buildings, ending with a tasting of these four bourbons in a private tasting room:

• Bulleit Bourbon
• Bulleit 10 Year
• I.W. Harper
• Blade and Bow

Most recently, I booked their new progressive walking tour which combines the tasting with the tour. I really enjoyed this different take on the standard tour where periodically you pause, pull out the provided glass cairn (which is yours to keep as part of the tour), and sip the various bourbons and whiskeys offered along the way. The setting is also picturesque as you stroll from building to building.

3860 Fitzgerald Road, Louisville, KY 40216

• The Stitzel-Weller Experience: $25
• Progressive Walking Tour & Taste: $65

Stitzel-Weller offers a variety of additional classes and experiences, so check their website for the most up-to-date offerings.

Stitzel-Weller is also home to the Garden & Gun Club, located on the 2nd floor of their visitor’s center. Here you can rest your feet while enjoying a light bite and one of their curated cocktails. Click here for the Garden & Gun Club.

Region: Loretto, Clermont, & Bardstown

Maker’s mark distillery.

“Nothing is so musical as the sound of pouring bourbon for the first drink on a Sunday morning. Not Bach or Schubert or any of those masters.” Carson McCullers

The road to  Maker’s Mark bourbon distillery in Loretto, KY, can be a little confusing. On my first visit here, the route guidance told me that I had arrived, and there was nothing but fields, barns, and a small house or two scattered about. 

To avoid potential confusion and arrive in time for your tour, Maker’s Mark provides these instructions for getting to their distillery from Louisville:

Star Hill Farm is located at 3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto, KY, 40037. From Louisville: Driving time: Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes. 

• Take I-65 South from Louisville to exit #112, Clermont/Bernheim Forest exit. At ramp turn left onto Hwy. 245 South to Bardstown. 

• Take Hwy. 245 to intersection of Hwy. 62, turning right, and continue on Hwy. 62 east for approx. 2 miles. Hwy. 62 runs into Hwy. 150 where you will turn left and continue approx. 2 miles and drive past My Old Kentucky Home State Park. 

• At intersection of Hwy. 150 and 49, turn right onto Hwy. 49 South and follow the brown historical landmark signs to Holy Cross, which will direct you to go left onto Hwy. 49. 

• Follow Hwy. 49 where you will turn left onto Hwy. 52 East into Loretto. Continue on through Loretto. 

• Turn left onto Bill Samuels Jr. Rd. and historic Maker’s Mark® Distillery is straight ahead. 

Regardless of which tour you reserve (they offer a wide variety and actively update them), you’re in for a great experience. Plus, Maker’s Mark is just a beautiful place. The grounds, house, and distillery buildings are picture-perfect. 

At the end of each tour, you’ll have an opportunity to taste a selection of their bourbon.  

I’ve had the opportunity to experience 2 of Maker’s Mark Distillery Tours, and if you only have time to tour one of Kentucky’s distilleries, make it this one. It was the hands-down favorite (on currently my 3rd trip) along the Bourbon Trail. 

General Distillery Tour Bourbon Tasting 

• Maker’s White (which is basically moonshine or “white dog”)
• Regular Maker’s Mark (the kind you can buy anywhere)
• Maker’s 46 (which is made by inserting seasoned French Oak staves into the bourbon barrels to add additional rich flavor)
• Maker’s Cask Strength (bourbon derived from a single barrel and my favorite of the 4).

After the tasting, you’re given a decadent bourbon chocolate to savor before you walk under the Chihuly glass ceiling of the hallway to the Maker’s Mark gift shop. 

If you like, you can dip your own bottle of Maker’s Mark in their iconic red wax or buy an exclusive bottle of the Maker’s Private Select.

The distillery address is technically: 3350 Burks Spring Road, Loretto, KY 40037.

GPS will try to take you to the Business Office, but the Historic Distillery is more directly accessed using Bill Samuels Jr Road.    

• General Distillery Tour: $ 24
• Behind the Bourbon: $65

Be sure to check the Maker’s Mark website for the most up-to-date tours and experiences.

James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Jim Beam)

“I have never in my life seen a Kentuckian who didn’t have a gun, a pack of cards, and a jug of whiskey.” – Andrew Jackson

It doesn’t get much more iconic than Jim Beam bourbon . With its instantly recognizable name and its best-selling brands including Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Old Grandad, and, of course, Jim Beam, the distillery is an impressive one to visit.

Located 30 minutes from Louisville by car, it’s an accessible bourbon trail distillery to visit if you don’t want to drive too far afield. Due to the fermentation tanks, rickhouses, and bottling facility being situated fairly far apart, this tour involves riding a large comfortable bus to a couple of the locations, but it’s a quick trip each time.

Quite a lot of thought has been put into the design and aesthetics of the tour experience, with the first building of the tour featuring an indoor waterfall illustrating Kentucky’s natural limestone filtration which makes the whiskey taste better.

Towards the end of the distillery tour, you’ll walk the Knob Creek bottling line where you can hand pick and purchase a Single Barrel bottle and customize the warm wax seal with your thumbprint.

Finally, you return to the Visitor’s Center where you’ll be able to taste four of their most popular bourbons before being set loose in their two-story gift shop.

I really enjoyed this tour, and I would happily do it again. Due to the popularity of this bourbon brand, I feel it’s a great place to start, but the tours fill up fast.

568 Happy Hollow Rd. Clermont, KY 40110

• Bourbon The Beam Way – Distillery Tour & Tasting: $28

Jim Beam Distillery offers several more tasting options and experiences that you can book, so check the website for the most up-to-date listings.

Another great feature of Jim Beam Distillery is their onsite restaurant, The Kitchen Table. Here you can order appetizers, salads, burgers, pizzas, brisket, fried chicken, and even dessert. The large cocktail bar in the center shakes and stirs up some great bourbon cocktails, or just order your favorite bourbon to sip neat.

If you’d like to make a reservation for The Kitchen Table, it’s available on Resy.

Willett Distillery

“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” Raymond Chandler

Located about 30 minutes from Maker’s Mark is the  Willett Distillery , perched on top of a hill overlooking the green valleys of Bardstown, KY.

One of the most recognizable aspects of Willett bourbon is their striking pot still bottle design.

This rustic family-owned distillery is beautiful and well-maintained from its photo-filled visitor waiting area to the final tasting room.

Because Willett Distillery functions on a smaller scale, only 1 tour experience is offered at this time, so if touring Willett Distillery is at the top of your wishlist, reserve early. They accept bookings 90 days in advance.

1869 Loretto Road, Bardstown, KY 40004.

• Distillery Production Tour with Tasting: $25

Willett Distillery also features “The Bar at Willett” where you can order up-scale small plates alongside classic and inventive cocktails. Reservations are required, so click this link if you’re interested in reserving The Bar at Willett.

Heaven Hill Distillery

“Whiskey is liquid sunshine” George Bernard Shaw

An official member of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, Heaven Hill Distillery is also located in Bardstown near the Willett Distillery. 

While their gift shop and visitor center are top-notch with self-guided exhibits and an informative film in their 1935 Distillery Theatre, the actual general tour is not that exciting or enticing, especially when compared to the quality of tours offered by Maker’s Mark & Jim Beam. 

Heaven Hill might not be a familiar name to you, but most likely, you’ve heard of some of their bourbon brands:

• Rittenhouse Rye
• Elijah Craig
• Evan Williams

While the website calls it a bourbon trail “tour,” it’s actually an informed tasting inside a room with a guide. You won’t be walking through rickhouses or seeing yellow bubbling mash unless you pay more for their “Bottled & Bond Tour & Tasting” for $35.

If you’re looking to sample more varieties of bourbon while giving your feet a rest from touring distilleries, or if you’re looking for a more “indoor” experience, Heaven Hill is a great option. 

1311 Gilkey Run, Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004

• Magic of the Mashbill: $18
• Whiskey Connoisseur Experience: $25
• Bottled-in-Bond Tour and Tasting: $35

Heaven Hill also offers a bar experience on the 2nd floor of the visitor’s center called Five Brothers Bar which features bourbon flights and cocktails.

Dining Tip: Eat Lunch in Historic Bardstown

In between touring the many Kentucky distilleries along the bourbon trail, you’re going to want some lunch or dinner, and Bardstown has a lot to offer. 

Perfect for lunch or dinner,  Talbott Tavern , built in 1779, is a site steeped in history.

“The Talbott Tavern is a uniquely well-crafted early American stone building and as a young boy Abraham Lincoln and his family stayed here. .. There are noticeable bullet holes in the now faded paintings where legend Jesse James shot them.” | Dry Stone Masonry Institute of America

In keeping with the theme of the bourbon trail, Talbott Tavern offers a customized flight where you choose your tasting made up of the wide variety of bourbon and rye they serve sourced from the surrounding distilleries. 

Another great option is the Scout & Scholar Brewing Company offering classic pub food and plenty of beer on tap if you’re looking for a break from all that bourbon. But if you’re not, they also offer Private Select Bourbon flights to expand your tasting profile.

Region: Versailles, Lawrenceburg, Franklin

Woodford reserve distillery.

“A good gulp of hot whiskey at bedtime—it’s not very scientific, but it helps.” Alexander Fleming (Inventor of Penicillin)

The Woodford Reserve tour is charming in every aspect—from the old barrel railway used to move the freshly filled barrels to the rickhouse to the on-site bottling facility and visitor/tasting center. This tour was one of the most memorable I have ever been on over the years I’ve been touring Kentucky’s distilleries along the bourbon trail.

The Woodford tour ends, as all do, with the bourbon tasting. The tasting room is located on the other side of the fireplace wall of the visitor center, with a rectangular bar facing the fire. The guide stands in the middle, offering tasting note tips.

We were able to taste the  regular Woodford Reserve  and the Cask Strength  (or dessert bourbon as they call it) combined with a chocolate bourbon truffle. 

7785 McCracken Pike, Versailles, KY 40383

• Woodford Reserve’s Path To Flavor Tour: $32

Woodford Reserve offers several additional tours and specialty experiences, so click the link below to see their current offerings.

Four Roses Distillery

“Whiskey, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation.” Haruki Murakami

Situated on top of a breezy hill is the most romantic of the Kentucky distilleries along the Bourbon Trail:  Four Roses .

Established in 1888 originally on “Whiskey Row” by Paul Jones, a Louisville businessman, the Four Roses label is rooted in the story of his proposal to a Southern belle named Mary. After courting her for a number of years, Jones asked Mary to respond to his “final” marriage proposal by wearing a corsage of four red roses to a cotillion dance.  This time she accepted and entered the ballroom wearing the corsage.

While Four Roses bourbon is smooth and the distillery, with its Spanish Mission style architecture, has a unique and interesting story from 1888 to the present, the tour itself can still use some work. It’s more of a “Cliff’s Notes” brief summary version of how they make their bourbon.

Their bottling facility is located at a different location as well, so that element of the process can’t be witnessed on-site. If you have the time, you can take your distillery tour ticket stub and visit the bottling facility for free if you’re interested.

You will be given four bourbons to taste:  The Standard Yellow Lable Four Roses, The Small Batch, Single Barrel, and The Cask Strength.

Before or after your tour, browse the large gift shop fittingly accented throughout with roses or you can enjoy a cocktail or bourbon tasting in Bar 1888.

1224 Bonds Mill Road, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342

• Distillery Legacy Tour: $22

Four Roses Distillery offers several additional tasting experiences as well as seasonal offerings, so check their website for the most up-to-date tours.

Buffalo Trace Distillery

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” Mark Twain

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a juggernaut in the world of bourbon.

Consider the brands they make; in addition to the standard Buffalo Trace Bourbon, they are also responsible for crafting Eagle Rare, Blanton’s (John Wick’s bourbon of choice), Pappy Van Winkle, E.H. Taylor, Stagg, Sazerac Rye, and Weller to name a few.   

What sets Buffalo Trace Distillery even further apart from the competition is that they never charge for their tours. They are always complementary. That being said, you still have to reserve in advance, particularly if you want to go on a specialty experience like: The Buffalo Trace Hard Hat Tour .

Even if you’re not overly into bourbon, the grounds are beautiful, not to mention they have one of the largest and most interesting gift shops of the distilleries along the bourbon trail. The tours are also highly detailed and informative.

That being said, the bourbon tasting experience at the end of the tour leaves a little to be desired. Due to limited quantities, Buffalo Trace only offers a few brands for tasting and purchasing in the Visitor Center. 

113 Great Buffalo Trace, Franklin County, Frankfort, KY 40601

• All Buffalo Trace tours are complimentary including tours for large groups or tours that require reservations.
• The Trace Tour
• The Hard Hat Tour
• The Expansion Tour
• Old Taylor Tour

Additional Tours are available focusing on the gardens and historic landmarks, so check their website for current offerings.

Wild Turkey Distillery

“There’s no app for a bourbon buzz on a warm day in a cool, dark bar. The world will always want a drink.” Gillian Flynn

The  Wild Turkey Tour  is as industrial as it gets. Not that it makes the tour less interesting, but I prefer the smaller distilleries along the Bourbon Trail as opposed to the mass conglomerate operations. 

The tour lasts about one hour, and you get to see where they make the bourbon as well as where they bottle the various vodka brands that they own. An impressive operation, to say the least. 

The Visitor Center is a fun place to look around and learn a bit more about the history of the distillery location and the origin of the name. Currently, Wild Turkey is closed to visitors and tours as they refresh the visitor’s center, so I’m looking forward to see what updates they have in store.

1417 Versailles Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342

Final Thoughts

“My own experience has been that the tools I need for my trade are paper, tobacco, food, and a little whisky.” William Faulkner

Every year, I look forward to visiting more distilleries along Kentucky’s bourbon trail so check back for updates.

The next two bourbon trail distilleries on my hit list include:

• Bulleit Distilling Company Visitor Experience
• Castle & Key Distillery

While I did a tour and tasting of Bulleit when it was located at the Stitzel-Weller facility, I have yet to visit their new Visitor Center experience that opened in 2019 in Shelbyville, KY. Click here for more information.

And finally, the distillery that is currently intriguing me the most is Castle & Key, which I saw from a distance when I was driving to Lexington. It actually looks like a castle, and in addition to their distillery and grounds tours, they offer a rotating calendar of events. Click here for more information.

Everyone’s taste is unique and preferences differ, but hopefully, this guide helps you discover your go-to bourbon as you forge your own path along Kentucky’s bourbon trail.

If you’re planning on staying in Louisville, then be sure to check out the Go-To Louisville KY Guide for Best Hotels, Attractions, & Dining .

Leave a Comment

7 thoughts on “discover the best bourbon trail tours in kentucky”.

You’re welcome, and I’m glad you found the information helpful. Enjoy your trip this summer!

Thank you for posting all of the information with tour prices and your opinion. I am looking forward to visiting Kentucky this summer 2023.

Hi Terri, I would recommend checking out the Pegasus Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour Packages. They are rated really well and offer several packages to choose from with a driver to take you to the distillery region of your choice for the tours. My personal favorite region is the South / Bardstown Distilleries which includes Maker’s Mark (my favorite tour).

https://www.takepegasusdistilled.com/distillery-packages

Hope this helps!

I want to find a package tour that goes to several distilleries/breweries, one inclusive price, and transportation. Is there such a thing?

I would recommend checking out the Pegasus Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour Packages. They are rated really well and offer several packages to choose from with a driver to take you to the distillery region of your choice for the tours. My personal favorite region is the South / Bardstown Distilleries which includes Maker’s Mark (my favorite tour).

Here is the link: https://www.takepegasusdistilled.com/distillery-packages

If you’re staying in Louisville, The Brown Hotel is my favorite, but there are lots of great hotels along 3rd street between W Broadway and the Riverwalk which put you right in the middle of Louisville’s downtown scene where you can walk to restaurants and other attractions.

Hope these suggestions help, and I hope you have a great trip!

Want to schedule a tour for three and set up a driver to visit 2 top rated distillery’s Also will need accommodations for 2 nites. .any suggestions.

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the post. I’ll be sure to check out your site as well!

Your guide for mastering the Bourbon Trail,™ with real-world advice and suggested itineraries from your favorite Bourbon writers, local experts and
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Bourbon comes to copper & kings, jeptha creed introduces ‘big game day’ bloody mary.

Woodford Reserve releases its most expensive bourbon ever to honor the Kentucky Derby

I n honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, sponsor Woodford Reserve has created something special for the winner and a very limited number of friends.

The Kentucky distillery, which is the presenting sponsor of the historic Thoroughbred horse race, has produced its most expensive and rarest version of the premium bourbon yet.

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The winner of the 2024 Kentucky Derby will be presented with a $15,000 version of Woodford Reserve.

“This decanter embodies the spirit of Kentucky and the spectacle of Derby,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, in a news release from Brown-Forman.

This special edition was aged in three barrels: The original bourbon barrel, a cognac cask and a “couture barrel whose staves were seasoned in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle,” according to the news release.

It comes in a Baccarat crystal decanter with a bespoke leather carrying case and a crystal stopper infused with gold.

Only 150 bottles are available of the special edition.

Price, how to buy bottle of special edition Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve

If this sounds terrific and you’ve got $15,000 burning a hole in your pocket but no potential Derby runner lined up, a limited number of bottles will be available to buy on Woodford Reserve’s web site, shop.woodfordreserve.com/woodford-reserve-kentucky-derby-150-baccarat-edition/, and at the distillery gift shop beginning March 28.

There’s one other way to get a shot at this rare and special bourbon: One bottle will be auctioned by the Backside Learning Center , which assists families who work on the backside of Churchill Downs caring for the horses.

What does this bourbon taste like? According to the tasting notes, it has a rich floral and red fruit nose with honey, oak and brown spices. On the palate, it’s brown sugar-caramelized citrus peel, rich toasted oak, caramel, warming spices and dried dark fruit. The finish is big, bold with a long smooth fruit and spice presence.

Other rare, expensive Woodford Reserve Kentucky bourbon releases

How does it compare to other Woodford Reserve special releases?

It’s a big step up in price.

In 2021, Woodford Reserve released its first Baccarat edition in duty-free shops in airports around the world at a price of $1,500.

Then in 2022, the Baccarat bottle was released in the U.S. for $2,000 , the most expensive Woodford Reserve at that time.

Besides special retailers, the bourbon was available by the shot in the Matt Winn bar at Churchill Downs for $350 a pour. And Carson’s in Lexington offered pours for $100.

New Woodford Reserve blends from 100 barrels, is one of its strongest bourbons released

What’s the economic impact of bourbon in Kentucky? Report says major growth still to come

Kentucky’s largest independent distillery just named its first distiller

©2024 Lexington Herald-Leader. Visit kentucky.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

KENTUCKY DERBY 150: BACCARAT EDITION

The ultimate expression of american whiskey.

Woodford Reserve®, “Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby®,” commemorates the 150th running of the world’s most famous race with a unique and extraordinary expression of American Whiskey. This Cognac cask finished American Whiskey, aged in handcrafted couture barrels seasoned in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs®, is presented in stunning Baccarat crystal. This truly remarkable Woodford Reserve expression is a tribute to 150 years of greatness.

Buy Online for Pickup at the Distillery

The barrels, american white oak staves, seasoned in the kentucky derby winner's circle, were hand-raised into two couture barrels., the whiskey, these couture barrels were filled with woodford reserve's rare xo cognac cask finished american whiskey for its third barrel influence., the decanter, this thrice-barreled whiskey is presented in stunning baccarat crystal. to pay homage to the famous garland of roses, baccarat infused the crystal stopper with 24k gold to create the striking red color..

Tasting Notes

Color: Carnelian Red Aroma: Rich floral and red fruit notes sweetened with honey and textured with hearty oak and brown spices. Taste: Brown sugar-caramelized citrus peel, rich toasted oak, caramel, warming spices and dried dark fruit. Finish: Big and bold with a long smoothing fruit and spice presence.

WHERE ARE YOU SHIPPING?

At this time we are only shipping spirits to Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Washington D.C.