Exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is one of the best ways to learn about bourbon, Kentucky history, and take scenic drives in bluegrass country, all in one trip.
No wonder it has attracted 2.5 million visitors from all over the country in the last five years.
In this article, I’ll cover pretty much everything you need to know about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including which distilleries to visit, when to go and where to stay.
What is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) established the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999 as a road-trip style experience with 10 major distilleries in the Louisville and Lexington areas.
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.
Of course, all the bourbon tasting sessions are a great perk, too.
Each of the bourbon distilleries offers a completely different experience and I highly recommend you visit them all (if you have the time, of course).
What is Kentucky Bourbon?
Before you explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, here’s a brief explainer of some of the products you’ll encounter.
Whiskey is a broad term for an alcoholic beverage made from a fermented grain mash that is distilled and aged in oak barrels.
For a whiskey to be called bourbon, it must meet the following requirements:
- Made in the USA
- Mash must be at least 51% corn
- Mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less
- Aged in new charred oak barrels at 125 proof or less
- No additional coloring or flavoring in the mash
- Bottled at a minimum of 80 proof
Major Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
In general, distillery tours last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. You’ll get to learn some history and facts about Kentucky bourbon, view a few or all steps of bourbon production, and taste a few of their product offerings.
0. Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center
The Frazier History Museum houses several educational exhibits and collections that tell of Kentucky’s history and its place in national and even international history.
Perhaps this is why this was made the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2018 even though it’s not a distillery.
At the welcome center, you can talk to the friendly concierges who’ll have information on the trail’s distilleries and all the best places to experience the best of Kentucky cuisine and nightlife.
You can also buy your Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport and Field Guide here. This contains information about all the distilleries on the trail, maps, cocktail recipes, trip planning resources, and many more.
Get a stamp from every distillery that you tour, complete the stamps on the passport, and get special gifts.
Essential Information
- Location: 829 W Main St., Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-753-1699
- Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 12am–5pm
1. Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
A short walk down the block from Ground Zero of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery.
Learn about their unique process, from high-quality ingredients to chill filtering their products.
Essential Information
- Location: 801 W Main St., Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-389-4290
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Sour Mash, 10-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Tours: Discovery Tour ($20 per head); Founders Tour ($50 per head); Legacy Tour ($100 per head)
- Hours: Wed–Sat 11am – 5pm; Sun 1pm–5pm; Mon–Tue closed
2. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Evan Williams was the first distillery on Whiskey Row, opening way back in 1783 on the banks of the Ohio River.
Their place feels like a museum that takes you on a fascinating journey throughout time, where you’ll learn all about this area of the state and all about the history of bourbon in this Kentucky distillery.
Essential Information
- Location: 528 W Main St., Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-272-2623
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Honey Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon
- Tours: Traditional Tour and Tasting ($18 per head); Speakeasy Tasting Experience ($25 per head); The Ideal Bartender Experience ($35 per head)
- Hours: Tue–Thu 11am – 5pm; Fri–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun, 1pm–5pm
3. Old Forester Distilling Co.
Old Forester is the only bourbon continuously distilled by the founders before, during, and after Prohibition, with their first bourbon produced way back in 1870.
They take great pride in their process, and you get to witness all the stages when you take their tour.
Essential Information
- Location: 119 W Main St., Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-779-2222
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 1920 Prohibition Style, 2004 Birthday Bourbon
Tours: Old Forester Tour ($32 per head); Nothing Better In The Market ($70 per head) - Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun–Mon closed
4. Angel’s Envy Distillery
Angel’s Envy specializes in finished bourbon and rye; their bourbon is finished in port wine barrels, and their rye is finished in rum casks.
Finished bourbon is a bit controversial (see the definition of bourbon above), but it doesn’t make Angel’s Envy products less exquisite.
Essential Information
- Location: 500 E Main St., Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-779-2222
- Must-try Products: Port Finished Bourbon, Rum Finished Rye, Finished Cask Strength
Tours: Signature Tour ($25 per head); Bottle Your Own Tour (temporarily unavailable; $99 per head) - Hours: Mon, Wed: 10am–5pm; Tue 12pm–5pm; Thu 10am–7pm; Fri–Sat: 10am–8pm; Sun: 12:30pm–5:30pm
5. Rabbit Hole Distillery
Rabbit Hole Distillery is one of the most recent additions to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail; their ultra-modern facility in Nulu (New Louisville) opened in August 2018.
The husband and wife team who founded this distillery aims to innovate and elevate the art of bourbon.
Essential Information
- Location: 711 E Jefferson St., Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-561-2000
- Must-try Products: Cavehill (4-Grain Bourbon), Heigold (High Rye Bourbon), Founder’s Collection: Boxergrail (Cask Strength Rye Whiskey)
- Tours: Distillery Tour ($25 per head)
- Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun–Mon closed
6. Stitzel–Weller Distillery
Stitzel–Weller Distillery has had a long history, even closing for 22 years before gaining new life in 2014.
Today, they are home to three brands of bourbon, all exceptional in their own unique way.
Essential Information
- Location: 3860 Fitzgerald Road, Louisville, KY
- Phone: 502-810-3800
- Must-try Products: Blade And Bow Bourbon, I.W. Harper 15-Year-Old Bourbon, Orphan Barrel Rhetoric (20- to 25-Year-Old Bourbon)
- Tours: The Stitzel-Weller Experience ($25 per head); Progressive Walking & Tasting Tour ($65 per head)
- Tastings: Chocolate Tasting Experience ($30 per head); A Taste of History ($30 per head); Cocktails Through The Ages ($60 per head)
- Hours: Wed–Sat, 10am–5:30pm; Sun, 12:30pm–5:30pm; Mon–Tue closed
7. Bulleit Distilling Company
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey was formerly produced in Stitzel–Weller Distillery until they moved into their new distillery in Shelbyville. They’ve won awards for their sustainable approach to producing great whiskey.
Essential Information
- Location: 3464 Benson Pike, Shelbyville, KY
- Phone: 502-647-5799
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Barrel Strength Bourbon
- Tours: The Frontier Whiskey Experience ($22 per head)
- Tastings: Unlocking the Senses ($18 per head)
- Hours: Wed–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 11:30pm–5pm; Mon–Tue closed
8. Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. (Makers of Town Branch Bourbon)
The only distillery and brewery on the trail, you can learn about both bourbon-making and beer-making when touring their facility, plus tastings of bourbon and beer at the end of the tour.
Essential Information
- Location: 401 Cross St., Lexington, KY
- Phone: 859-255-2337
- Must-try Products: Town Branch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey, Town Brand Single Malt Whiskey
- Tours: Brewery & Distillery Tour and Tasting ($13 per head)
- Hours: Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm; Sun 12pm–5pm; Mon–Tue closed
9. Woodford Reserve Distillery
Operating since 1812, the Woodford Reserve Distillery is the oldest on this list and the only distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Essential Information
- Location: 7785 McCracken Pike Versailles, KY
- Phone: 859-879-1812
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Distiller’s Select, Master’s Collection
- Tours: (strictly reservations required) Path To Flavor Tour ($32 per head); Innovation Inspired Tour and Tasting ($125 per head); VIP Master Distiller Tour Experience ($500 per head)
- Tastings: (strictly reservations required) Spectacle For The Senses ($25 per head)
- Hours: Vary depending on the specific tour booked
10. Rare Breed Distilling (Makers of Wild Turkey Bourbon)
The Wild Turkey Bourbon is another popular distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and is one of the few Kentucky distilleries that produce some of the most popular bourbons in the world.
Essential Information
- Location: 1417 Versailles Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY
- Phone: 502-839-4544
- Must-try Products: Wild Turkey Bourbon, Rare Breed Bourbon, Wild Turkey American Honey Sting
- Tours: Temporarily unavailable due to renovations; check back for updated tour options
- Hours: Thu–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 12pm–4pm; Mon–Wed closed
11. Four Roses Distillery
The distillery was built in 1910 and has always produced Four Roses Bourbon, although, for a number of decades in the 20th century, it was only sold in Europe and Japan.
Their expanded visitor center just opened at the end of 2021, with modern facilities tucked inside Spanish architecture.
Essential Information
- Location: 1224 Bonds Mill Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY
- Phone: 502-839-3436/502-839-2655
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Small Batch, Single Barrel
- Tours: Distillery Legacy Tour ($22 per head)
- Tastings: Single Barrel Flight ($45 per head); A Taste of History ($16 per head)
- Hours: Wed–Sat 9am–4pm; Sun 12pm–4pm; Mon–Tue closed
12. Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown Bourbon’s location is one of the most sophisticated ones on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, with a focus on open spaces and clear glass.
They also have a kitchen and bar right on the premises where you can get a sumptuous meal before or after your tasting and/or tour.
Essential Information
- Location: 1500 Parkway Dr., Bardstown, KY
- Phone: 502-233-4769
- Must-try Products: Fusion Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Discovery Series Blended Whiskey
- Tours: From Distillate to Barrel Tour ($15 per head); Behind the Scenes with Head Distiller ($50 per head); Tour with The Master Distiller ($95 per head); Fill Your Own Bottle VIP Experience ($295 per head)
- Tastings: Bardstown Bourbon Company Tasting ($20 per head); Rickhouse Barrel Thieving ($30 per head); A Taste of Whiskey History ($250 per head)
- Hours: Wed–Sun 10am–5pm; Mon–Tue closed
13. Lux Row Distillers
Lux Row Distillers produces bourbon and whiskey for 5 different brands. Their distillery opened in 2018, though the parent company Luxco has been around since the 1950s.
Photo Credit: Anthony
Essential Information
- Location: 1 Lux Row, 3050 E John Rowan Blvd, Bardstown, KY
- Phone: 502-337-7420
- Must-try Products: Blood Oath Bourbon, Ezra Brooks Bourbon, Rebel Bourbon
- Tours: Warehouse & Whiskey ($10 per head); Lux Row Distillers Production Tour ($15 per head)
- Tastings: Lux Row Premium Tasting ($25 per head)
- Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun–Mon closed
14. Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
Founded in 1935 by the Shapira family, Heaven Hill Distillery is the country’s largest family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier.
The visitor center in Bardstown is not where their current distillery is—they’re currently distilling in the historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. Sadly, their original distillery burned down in 1996.
Essential Information
- Location: 1311 Gilkey Run Rd., Bardstown, KY
- Phone: 502-272-2623
- Must-try Products: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Henry McKenna Single Barrel, Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Tastings: Magic of the Mashbill ($18 per head); Whiskey Connoisseur Experience ($25 per head); You Do Bourbon ($40 per head)
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–5pm; Fri–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 1pm–5pm
15. James B. Beam Distilling Company
Jim Beam is the top-selling bourbon in the world, and their distillery is known as the birthplace of bourbon and easily the most popular on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Their newly renovated American Outpost replaced the American Stillhouse in 202 as a visitor and retail center.
Essential Information
- Location: 568 Happy Hollow Rd, Clermont, KY
- Phone: 502-543-9877
- Must-try Products: Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Jim Beam Black, Jim Beam Honey
- Tours: Beam Made Bourbon ($22 per head);
- Tasting: Meet the Family ($12 per head); Basil Hayden Culinary Tasting Experience ($50 per head)
- Hours: Wed–Sat 9am–5:30pm; Sun 12pm–4pm; Mon–Tue closed
16. Maker’s Mark
Another favorite on the trail, Maker’s Mark Distillery is perfect if you’re looking for both aesthetics and history.
Take your time strolling through the grounds and take lots of pictures. Buy yourself an undipped bottle in the gift shop and you’ll get to hand-dip it in red wax.
Essential Information
- Location: 3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY
- Phone: 270-865-2099
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Maker’s Mark 46, Maker’s Mark Private Selection
- Tours: The Maker’s Mark Tour ($22 per head)
- Hours: Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm; Sun closed
17. Wilderness Trail Distillery
The Wilderness Trail Distillery joined the trail in 2019, making it the newest stop.
It’s also a chance to learn a different way to make bourbon; they use the sweet mash technique instead of the sour mash technique, bringing out a more subtle blend of flavors.
Essential Information
- Location: 4095 Lebanon Rd, Danville, KY
- Phone: 859-402-8707
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 6-Year Bourbon, Wheated Bottled in Bond
- Tours: Distillery Tour ($15 per head)
- Hours: Tue–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun–Mon closed
18. Green River Distilling Company
The Green River Distillery is another historic distillery, producing bourbon for various brands since the end of Prohibition.
This stop is quite a distance away from the other distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (it’s not even in the same time zone), but you won’t regret driving out here if you have the time.
Essential Information
- Location: 10 Distillery Road in Owensboro, KY
- Phone: 270-691-9001
- Must-try Products: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Tours: Distillery Tour and Tasting ($20 per head); Barrel Thieving Distillery Tour ($45 per head)
- Tastings: Sit and Sip ($12 per head)
- Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–3pm; Sun closed
Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary
There are many ways to plan your trip, but here’s our suggested itinerary based on the general area of the distilleries.
- Days One and Two: Louisville Area: Welcome Center + 6 Louisville distilleries
- Day Three: Lexington Area: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford, Town (+ Bulleit)
- Day Four: Bardstown Area: Bardstown, Lux Row, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark
- Day Five: Outliers: Wilderness, Green River
When’s the best time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
While Kentucky distilleries are open year-round, visiting during the fall or spring months is ideal. Bourbon is in full production, and the weather is just right.
I don’t recommend visiting during the summer months as the weather is hot and the temperatures inside can be unbearable.
Where should I stay on the Bourbon Trail?
I would recommend staying in the Louisville or Lexington areas so you can be as close as possible to more distilleries on the trail.
You’ll find that these places have the easiest access to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and plenty of hotels, Airbnbs, and restaurants.
If I have to choose only one distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which one should I choose?
It really depends on what you want out of this tour.
The James B. Beam Distilling Company is the birthplace of bourbon and the most popular one on this trail.
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience does the best job explaining the history of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and bourbon in general. It’s also been reported to be more family-friendly than most of the other distilleries on the trail.
The Discovery Tour at Old Forester provides the most detailed information about the entire bourbon distilling process from start to finish, from making the barrels to bottling the final product.
Touring the Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company is unique in that you’ll get to learn about both bourbon and beer.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
Aside from their 18 Heritage distilleries, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour features 28 smaller but no less excellent distilleries, made to showcase the best of Kentucky craftsmanship and history.
The entire trail would take you a minimum of 5 days. I recommend you embark on this journey if you have a lot of time and money to spend (whether you live in the state or not).
If not, you can pick from a handful of Kentucky bourbon distilleries by area. The Craft Tour is divided into 4 regions: Northern, Central, Western, and Bluegrass.
Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
Photo Credit: New Riff Distilling Facebook
Address: 24 Distillery Way, Newport, KY 41073
New Riff Distillery makes Bourbon, Rye, and soon Malted Rye. They also create special whiskey recipes and Kentucky Wild Gin.
2) Pensive Distillery Co
Address: 720 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071
Pensive Distillery Co is a trendy bar and eatery that serves American dishes for dinner and brunch. They make craft cocktails too.
You can buy 100 proof bourbon, 80 proof bourbon, apple pie moonshine, and vodka from them. They also make their own spirits right here at the distillery.
3) Second Sights Spirits
Address: 301 Elm St, Ludlow, KY 41016
Second Sight Spirits is a small, artisan distillery located in downtown Ludlow, Kentucky. The company distills Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon and fine rums on site.
Photo Credit: Augusta Distillery Facebook
Address: 207 Seminary Ave, Augusta, KY 41002
Augusta Distillery is a new player on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It’s located by the small Kentucky river town on limestone banks, a historic spot on the original Bourbon Trail.
In 2023, Augusta Distillery snagged the San Francisco Spirits Awards for its Buckner’s 13-year-old single-barrel bourbon. You can join their “Pardon Our Dust” tour and barrel tasting for $29; it lasts an hour.
5) The Old Pogue Distillery
Address: 705 Germantown Rd, Maysville, KY 41056
The Old Pogue property has the Pogue family’s historic home and a craft distillery. It has a tasting room, grain holding, and barrel storage.
The Old Pogue Distillery stands where the original H.E. Pogue Distillery was and uses the same water source.
Today, the Pogue Family owns the distillery and makes small batches of Rye and Bourbon whiskey, following their ancestors’ recipes and methods.
Photo Credit: NeeleyFamilyDistillery.com
Address: 4360 KY-1130, Sparta, KY 41086
Neeley Family Distillery creates a variety of products like bourbon, whiskey, rum, moonshine, vodka, and gin, all under the Neeley Family brand.
Using traditional methods, the Neeley family crafts their award-winning Kentucky Bourbon with triple-copper pot distillation. Everything is pot distilled, sweet mashed, and made right on-site.
The craft distillery has both indoor and outdoor bars and can be rented for events. It’s right by the Kentucky Speedway.
7) Boone County Distillery Co
Address: 10601 Toebben Dr, Independence, KY 41051
Proudly part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour and B-Line, Boone County Distilling is a small bourbon distillery in Boone County, Kentucky. They offer one-hour tours for $8 per person.
Explore their history, see behind-the-scenes spirit production, and savor the aroma of their 1,000-barrel rick house. The tour ends with an educational tasting of their products in the tasting room.
Central Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
8) Kentucky Artisan Distillery
Address: 6230 Old Lagrange Rd, Crestwood, KY 40014
Kentucky Artisan Distillery is a craft distillery in Kentucky, home to Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon, Whiskey Row Bourbon, and other craft brands.
It’s a small distillery, a bit off the beaten path, but totally worth a visit. They handle everything here – distilling, blending, and bottling special offerings.
Photo Credit: Braking for Bourbon Facebook
9) Kentucky Peerless Distillery Co.
Address: 120 N 10th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co has been around since the late 1800s, passing through generations. They, like a few others, sold their product for medicinal purposes during Prohibition, but had to close down. However, in 2015, they made a comeback.
Situated on 100 acres of active farmland, the company now produces top-notch Kentucky bourbon, whiskey, and rye brands.
10) Copper & Kings
Address: 1121 E Washington St, Louisville, KY 40206
Copper & Kings is a distillery in America that focuses on brandy. They distill grape brandy, apple brandy, gin, absinthe, and a range of liqueurs called Destillaré. Additionally, they have a line of craft sodas named Butchertown Sodas.
Photo Credit: Jeptha Creed Distillery Facebook
Address: 500 Gordon Ln, Shelbyville, KY 40065
Jeptha Creed Distillery sits on 64 acres of Shelbyville Kentucky farmland. Woman-owned and operated by dynamic mother-and-daughter duo Joyce and Autumn Nethery, the company is crafting the next generation of high-end, delicious heritage distilled spirits with only the best ingredients locally grown and sourced.
Jeptha Creed Distillery also offers moonshine, brandy, vodka, bourbon, and other ground-to-glass spirits. They have mixology classes, barrel tasting and spirit tasting, aside from the famous Kentucky Bourbon trail.
12) Willett Distillery
Address: 1869 Loretto Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Willett Distillery is a private, family-owned-and-operated company that produces bourbon and rye whiskey. The rustic outpost is open for distillery tours, a tasting room & bar gifts.
13) Preservation Distillery and Farm
Address: 426 Sutherland Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Preservation Distillery is a 40-acre historic tobacco farm 100% family owned. They are known for aging some of Kentucky’s most prized vintage barrels.
While they can be considered small-scale heritage crafters, they produce big whiskey and high quality, vintage crafted bourbon, such as Very Olde St. Nick, Pure Antique, Rare Perfection, and Wattie Boone.
Photo Credit: Memphis Whiskey Warmer Facebook
Address: 225 Dee Head Rd, New Haven, KY 40051
Log Still Distillery is a large, family-owned area spanning 300+ acres. Visit the Tasting Room to savor Monk’s Road premium Bourbons and Gins.
They also have a massive 2300-seat Amphitheater known as the Amp, and a unique train experience.
15) Limestone Branch Distillery
Address: 1280 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lebanon, KY 40033
Stephen and Paul Beam founded Limestone Branch Distillery, continuing a 200-year legacy of Kentucky Bourbon. Look out for their well-known bourbons, Yellowstone Select and Limited Edition.
Limestone Branch Distillery is also home to Minor Case Rye Whiskey finished in Sherry Casks, and some unique products from their experimental collection.
Western Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
Photo Credit: Boundary Oak Distillery, LLC Facebook
Address: 2000 Boundary Oak Dr, Radcliff, KY 40160
Boundary Oak Distillery is named after a 100-year-old, big oak tree on Brent Goodin’s family farm. They use water from a natural limestone spring at the tree’s base to craft small-batch Boundary Oak moonshine, bourbon, and amber.
17) The Bard Distillery
Address: 5080 KY-175 South, Graham, KY 42344
Nestled in a 1920s school site, The Bard Distillery overlooks Graham, KY, a historic coal-mining town. They offer various whiskeys, including Cinder and Smoke Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Muhlenberg Silver Mühl Whiskey, and more.
The Bard Distillery also provides tours and tastings.
Photo Credit: Casey Jones Distillery Facebook
Address: 2815 Witty Ln, Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Casey Jones Distillery sits on a charming 74-acre farm in Western Kentucky’s rolling hills. They specialize in small-batch, handcrafted craft spirits, including Kentucky Proud Bourbons, Barrel Cuts, Rye, and Moonshine. Their authentic square pot distilling sets them apart.
19) MB Roland Distillery
Address: 137 Barkers Mill Rd, Pembroke, KY 42266
MB Roland Distillery is Kentucky’s first modern completely “grain to grass” craft distillery. It is also one of the founding members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
Aside from their world-famous bourbons, MB Roland Distillery also makes other unique whiskies not made at a typical Kentucky distillery, such as their “Dark Fired Whiskey,” their hemped bourbon, straight malt whiskey, and more.
20) Dueling Grounds Distillery
Address: 208 Harding Rd, Franklin, KY 42134
Dueling Grounds Distillery is a new whiskey spot between Nashville and the caves. They make Linkumpinch Bourbon by hand, aged for four years, available in single barrels and bottled in bond. You can also try their American Dry Gin and Barrel Aged Gin. Plus, don’t miss out on their pizza kitchen open from Friday through Sunday.
Bluegrass Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
Photo Credit: Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Facebook
21) Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
Address: 283 Crab Orchard Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601
Whiskey Thief Distilling, which is nestled on the beautiful 127-acre The Boys Farm, has been operating for over 10 years.
Whiskey Thief Distilling grows their own grains that they distill. They are also the first and only Kentucky Distillery to offer every visitor a single-barrel thieving/tasting experience, at barrel strength.
Address: 4445 McCracken Pike, Frankfort, KY 40601
“The Castle” was originally the site of the Old Taylor Distillery (built in 1887 and first served as a distillery as early as 1819). It became the birthplace of Kentucky’s bourbon Tourism.
In 2014, the ruins of the once grand location were bought, restored, and became Castle & Key Distillery.
Today, the place offers admittance to the grounds at no cost. Castle & Key hosts various tour experiences, seasonal live music (Spring House Music Series), and weddings. They also have a bar on the property, where you can sample their proprietary bourbon distilled and released at the historic place.
23) Barrel House Distilling Co.
Address: 1200 Manchester St, Lexington, KY 40504
Barrel House Distilling Company is the maker of Pure Blue Vodka, Devil John Dark Shine, Oak Rum, Barrel House Select, Devil John Moonshine, and RockCastle Bourbon, among other award-winning spirits.
Photo Credit: James E. Pepper Distillery Facebook
24) James E. Pepper Distillery
Address: 1228 Manchester St UNIT 100, Lexington, KY 40504
Colonel James E. Pepper (1850-1906) was a bold Bourbon industrialist and a lively promoter of his family brand. He was the third generation in the Pepper family making Old Pepper whiskey since 1780, back during the American Revolution.
His distillery in Lexington was once the largest in the U.S. from 1880 to 1967, but it was abandoned, along with the brand, for over 50 years.
After a decade of historical research and a multi-year reconstruction effort, new owner Amir Peay and team relaunched the brand, renovated the historic distillery, and reopened using the OG owner’s name “James E. Pepper” Distillery.
25) RD1 Spirits
Address: 1170 Manchester St Suite 190, Lexington, KY 40508
In 1865, the Ashland Distillery was established, the first to obtain a federally registered distillery license, and was assigned RD#1.
Today, the remains of the original distillery can be found at the heart of Lexington’s Distillery District.
The RD1 Spirits brand was reborn in 2021 in hopes of producing the highest-quality Kentucky bourbon, whiskey, and rye brands that showcases the “Bluegrass Glory.”
26) Fresh Bourbon
Address: 377 E Main St ST. 100, Lexington, KY 40507
Sean and Tia Edwards, owners of Fresh Bourbon Distillery, lead one of the few Black-owned distilleries in the heart of Lexington.
Their distillery, nestled in the Bluegrass Region, provides a distinct Kentucky Bourbon and Mixology Cocktail Experience.
Photo Credit: Bluegrass Distillers Facebook
Address: 501 W 6th St #165, Lexington, KY 40508
Bluegrass Distillers offers guided tours & tastings of bourbons & rye whiskeys in the heart of the Kentucky bluegrass region.
This craft bourbon distillery is one of few Kentucky distilleries to allow guests to draw bourbon straight from the barrel, cork it and label the bottle themselves.
28) Hartfield & Co.
Address: 320 Pleasant St, Paris, KY 40361
Hartfield & Co. is located downtown within beautiful and historic Paris Kentucky, in the heart of the Bluegrass in the birthplace of Bourbon Whiskey – Bourbon County. They are the first distillery to legally produce Bourbon from Bourbon County in 94 years, since Prohibition closed 26 distilleries in the county in 1920.
Today, Hartfield & Co. keeps the pre-Prohibition style (locally-sourced and in small batches) to capture the Bourbon Whiskey the distillery is known for.
Tips for Planning your Kentucky Bourbon Trail trip
- You don’t need to take a tour of every distillery.
- But if you feel you need to, book a slot ahead of time if you can, especially for the more popular ones.
- Show up early
- Decide early on whether you’re taking a tour bus or driving.
After you finish the trail, maybe visit Indiana Caverns, which is an adventure park half an hour away from Louisville via I-64.
Or maybe Mammoth Cave National Park! It’s about 90 minutes south of Louisville and one of the largest caves (spanning over 400 miles!) in the world.
Other Alcohol-Themed Trails to Explore
If you plan to drink your way around the country, check out other similar itineraries:
