Ride sharing services are abundant in the area, and there are many guided tour options as well. Is there a fee to visit the distilleries? A visit to Buffalo Trace is definitely worthwhile when you are in the area, even if it is not officially on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tonight, sleep in Louisville, Bardstown, or Lexington. They were one of only three bourbon distilleries that were allowed to operate during Prohibition, producing medicinal bourbon. My father, who is a Bourbon man, will be celebrating his birthday next month and I thought of taking him on a Bourbon tour. Some of these yeast strains have been used for decades at each distillery. During the tour, which usually lasts about one hour, your guide leads you through the property, teaching you about the distillation process and the history of the distillery. The Major Kentucky Distilleries and the Bourbon Brands They Produce, Mapped. From the Brown, you can walk (or call a rideshare) to distilleries along the citys historic Whiskey Row by the Ohio River, such as Angels Envy, Old Forester Distilling Co., and the modern Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisvilles artsy NULU district. Their signature tour is a one-hour tour of the distillery. Over in Lebanon, hit up the Limestone Branch Distillery, which seeks to make everything as authentic as possible, and as a family-owned and operated craft distillery, their local heritage goes back a few generations. Both times we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. The repurposed stone castle and the rest of the historical property are breathtaking, and the distillerys chic branding (with plenty of merchandise to take home from the gift shop) adds to the overall charm of the location. For more suggestions on how to plan your time, dont miss our Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary planner. Sleep in Louisville. Prior to touring the Bourbon Trail, Tim and I were not whiskey drinkers. About this Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary, For more restaurant recommendations, check out our article, For more ideas of what to do in Louisville, read our article about. The food is delicious!! If you have any questions about this Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. Heaven Hill is one of the biggest bourbon distilleries, producing Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Children are allowed on the tours and generally pay a reduced tour fee or can tour for free, depending on the distillery. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. This is the biggest driving day on this Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. Are children allowed on the tours? In 2019, it was much busier and had we not scheduled everything in advance, we would have missed out on a lot of tours. Here are four highly rated hotels in Louisville. Very interested in a 3 day trip. Visiting the winding trail of bourbon distilleries here (now officially called the Kentucky Bourbon Trail) has become a main draw to the area, and a whole tourism industry itself. Morning: Makers Mark. 526 Happy Hollow Road, Shepherdsville, KY, US. It smells wonderful and it kind of made me hungry! I am not sure. Is May a good month to do the Bourbon Trail? Get suggestions on how to plan your trip, whether you just have a few days, a long weekend, or an entire week. This is the busiest time on the trail and tours can sell out. BUDGET: Glo Best Western Lexington. Distilleries to visit along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. And we highly recommend lunch at the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. Dine on Central American food prepared by the chef who grew up on the Yucatan Peninsula. Alternatively, and on a more direct route into Lexington, you can head to Bulleit Distilling Co.'s new state-of-the-art facility in Shelbyville. Please enjoy like a true Kentuckian Responsibly. If you have concerns then consider alternating driving/tastings with another person in your party, have a designated driver, or take a tour. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner while touring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. They offer a comprehensive tour of their facility, including a look into how their bourbon is bottled. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. This hotel gets excellent reviews on Booking.com. Spend the day visiting two big names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage. MIDRANGE: Homewood Suites. Creating a snapshot image is easy since all dimensions are measured in pixels. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you want the map twice as wide you can select extra large. While you are in the area, consider a tour at Buffalo Trace, adding on a visit to Bulleit in Shelbyville, or lunch or dinner in Lexington. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. This day includes three must-visit distilleries on Whiskey Row with suggestions for Louisvilles best eats. Just spent two nights in Bardstown and took the cocktail class which was awesome. This inn has been welcoming guests since 1779. What Is The Best Way To Print An Un-Cost Map? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Spring is a nice time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This distillery features bourbon finished in port wine barrels and rye whiskey finished in rum barrels. If you've got a sweet tooth, definitely also try the bourbon cream (it's perfect if you're still not sold on straight bourbon) and bourbon brittle. Some distilleries are closed Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Morning: Evan Williams Experience. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes in the tavern. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. The Old Nelson County Jail housed prisoners from 1797 until 1987. However, note that the map will display an uninspiring look, since it will be used only for only one printing session. But how big should the maps be? Its hot, its crowded, and during the summer months, most distilleries take a break from distilling, anywhere from a week or two or longer. With so many great distilleries spread across the rolling hills of Kentucky, planning a trip on the Bourbon Trail can feel a bit overwhelming. Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey and Four Roses are clustered together near Lexington. They also operate a bed and breakfast. Take the first tour of the day to give yourself enough time to get to Green River. Bourbon can be brewed anywhere in the United States, although 95% of bourbon is currently distilled in Kentucky. Free Printable US Map With States Labeled, Washington State Map With Cities and Counties. Andrew Jackson and King Louis Phillippe both stayed here. Visiting these distilleries is similar to visiting a winery. Check the hours of operation for each distillery before your visit. You'll avoid most crowds, enjoy off-season hotel prices, and the scenery along Kentucky's rural roads is unsurpassed in autumn. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. Dinner: Proof on Main. But many distilleries offer special tours. The Angels Envy tour features a tasting of their Rye whiskey straight from the barrel. This is more than just a hotel, it is also an art museum. Visit the distillerys website for up-to-date pricing. I give links to each distillery in these daily itineraries. Eating is important, of course, and luckily, there are tons of local restaurants where you can get a great meal to soak up some of the liquor. You can also spend a few days in Nashville or visit nearby New River Gorge National Park. The typical size is Letter to North America and DIN A4 for the rest of the world. This is a must-see tour. Take a specialized tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Fortunately, the distilleries are getting more creative with their activities, and some are now offering cocktail classes, food pairings, and in-depth behind-the-scenes tours. Day after day, distillery tours can get to be monotonous. My husband has been thinking about taking me to one for out anniversary. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy. On the tours, learn how bourbon is produced, hear about the history of the distillery, and end with a bourbon tasting. Summer and autumn are busy months to visit the Bourbon Trail, so I also recommend booking your tours in advance at these times, even on weekdays. Sundays, Mondays, and holidays are the most common days to have limited or no hours. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. Are you? Plan to spend at least 2-3 days traveling along the Bourbon Trail, and stop off at some of the many charming Kentucky towns along the route. TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30great travel booksand a list of the best travelmovies to feed your wanderlust. The list is ever growing. Plus, its easy to find. Next up is the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Many offer tours and a few are very near to the popular distilleries! Artsy, unique, contemporarythis is another top pick in Louisville. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Also in Lexington is the Barrel House Distillery, which makes small-batch bourbon, as well as moonshine, vodka and rum, which makes it worth a stop. You can still tour the distillery, but you might not get to see the fermentation and distilling process. The tour gives a fabulous insight to the making of bourbon, the property is gorgeous, the history behind Makers Mark is intriguing, and the bourbon is delicious. They're really knowledgeable about the science of bourbon and booze, and the tour is fantastic. This cocktail class is only offered once a day, so if you like this idea, plan your other distillery visits around this class. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. Tim and I stayed here on our first visit to Louisville in 2016. Note: Due to COVID-19, distillery tours may be cancelled or offered on a reduced schedule. Then it's on to Heaven Hill Bourbon, which offers a cheaper "mini-tour" if you're getting tired of hearing the same thing over and over again at every distillery. Hours vary by day of the week, with more tour times on Fridays and Saturdays. After touring Old Forester, its a short walk to Angels Envy. Located in Lexington, this bourbon distillery also produces beer. If you have plans to tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail between July and early November, make your reservations in advance. More than one distillery tour taught us that the strain of yeast they use is one of the most important factors in how their final product tastes. If you have plans to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail during this time, make sure you make your reservations in advance. Next, work off that bourbon tasting with a quick visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum, to see where professional baseball bats are made. You could easily spend an hour or two here, sampling their beers and boozes and chatting with the owners. However, there is a lot more to do in this part of Kentucky than just tour bourbon distilleries. This is the best historical lesson about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and a great place to get an overview of how bourbon came to be. Coalition Whiskey. We are looking for a private driver for 2 days. All rights reserved. On this immersive tour, travel back in time to 1783, when bourbon distilling got its start. During the mid-20th century, Four Roses was the top selling bourbon in Japan but it could not be purchased in the US, even though it was being produced in Kentucky. After a hearty breakfast of biscuits, its time to hit the trail! Afternoon: Louisville Slugger Museum and/or the Muhammed Ali Center. Evening: Michters Distillery. Then head to The Woodford Reserve Distillery. LUXURY: The Brown Hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, its a 30-minute drive to the Frankfort area, where touring the new distillery at Castle & Key is a true gem. Today, bourbons popularity is at an all-time high, and in the past 20 years or so, many new distilleries have popped up among old favorites. How to Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Day 2: Louisville to Lexington: Clermont, Shelbyville, and Loretto, Day 3: Lexington, Frankfort, Versailles, and Lawrenceburg. Plus, its easy to find. NEARBY DESTINATIONS: Asheville, North Carolina makes a great weekend destination. Here in Kentucky, we do things at our own pace and you should, too. Required fields are marked *. If you want to tour the distilleries without the crowds, visit Kentucky from the end of November through March. Bourbon is distilled year-round, with the exception of a few weeks during the summer, when some distilleries shut down for routine cleaning and maintenance. Pdf Printable Kentucky Bourbon Trail Map - We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. Trust me!!! With driving times averaging about twenty minutes between distilleries, most people can fit in three tours per day (in some distilleries, tours are only offered on the hour). They offer both tours and tastings individually, so if you'd rather skip seeing the still and warehouse, you can just sample their wares-- try the sweet and spicy Wild Turkey Honey Stinger! Bourbon Country Map Use this interactive map of Kentucky to plan your visit by finding nearby attractions, hotels, shopping, and restaurants. Our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. As you drive back to Louisville, you have the option to stop at the Lincoln Boyhood Home and National Museum and/or Santa Claus, Indiana. If you have specific non-KBT distilleries in mind I recommend checking their websites for pricing information. If you are looking for a highly rated hotel and dont want to spend a lot of money, this is a great option. MAMMOTH CAVE: Mammoth Cave is a national park in Kentucky and it makes a great day trip from Louisville and Nashville. Get suggestions on how to plan your trip, whether you just have a few days, a long weekend, or an entire week. In fact, if you visit every. Fantastic article! During these tastings, you still get to learn about the history of the distillery and what sets it apart from the others. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. The process of creating a map to print is slightly more complicated than creating an image that is static. Artsy, unique, contemporarythis is another top pick in Louisville. We loved everything we tasted on this tour (as did many other people we spoke to who were also touring the trail). So, its nice to break up distillery visits with other experiences. As for tours, it looks like distilleries are still offering tours and tastings, but I would get the full details for each distillery on their website (we have a link for each distillery in this post). Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Most distilleries offer free or discounted tours for military personnel. Spread out over two separate trips, it took us seven days to visit seventeen distilleries (one more distillery has been added since our visit in November 2019), doing a combination of tours and tastings. After that, check out the Maker's Mark Distillery. Learn more about the benefits of printing maps. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1 Day: Follow day #1, where you get a great overview of the distilling process and get to visit three distilleries in Louisville. Rooms are modern and trendy and there is an onsite restaurant. This map was created by a user. Tim and I stayed here on our first visit to Louisville in 2016. Below is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We are wine drinkers. What distinguishes one bourbon from another is the mash bill, the strain of yeast used by each distillery (some strains dating back decades), and how long the whiskey ages in the oak barrels. To get to Evan Williams and/or to get back to your hotel, consider driving or using Uber (we used Uber while in Louisville and kept our car parked at our hotel). Looking to plan trip in mid June 2020, I recommend checking the official websites of the distilleries to see if they are open. On the other hand, you may want to sit back, enjoy the ride, and join a tour. It's no secret that all American states can legally produce bourbon, but Kentucky is the spirit's undisputed . HISTORIC: Talbott Tavern and Inn. As soon as you step out of your car, you can smell the grains cooking, the first part of the distillation process. Its located right around the corner from 21c Museum Hotel, so you can walk to many sights in downtown Louisville. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. Wish I had this information prior will save it for next visit. Next, hit up Wild Turkey Distillery, which has been crafting Kentucky bourbon since 1869. Chuckanut Bay Distillery. We opted to take the 30 minute Unlocking the Senses tasting, where we sampled four Bulleit whiskeys. Renting a car was cheap, driving between the distilleries was easy (and gorgeous), and we could make our own schedule. Lexington Brewing Company offers a wide variety of tours as well as a mixology class. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. You can take a tour and get a stamp in your passport at either location. George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill. Abraham Lincoln was born in a one room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky in 1809. This is an ultrasonic process that removes impurities and improves the quality and taste, speeding up the refining process without spending years in the barrel. Jim Beam. It's located next to a field full of giant rickhouses, which is what the building where barrels of bourbon age are called. Tours last approximately one hour, ending with a tasting. We saw their vans everywhere! Plan to spend at least 2-3 days traveling along the Bourbon Trail, and stop off at some of the many charming Kentucky towns along the route. Printable Bourbon Trail Map- We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Your timing depends on which experiences you choose to have at each distillery. But they see map making as a necessary problem, one which requires a significant amount of time and money. The distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail are open year round. In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. Each of these bourbon distilleries must be a member of the Kentucky Distillers Association, which requires paying a fee. It smells so good in here!! You do not have to take a tour at each distillery. From Lexington head over to Danville, Kentucky and visit Wilderness Trace Distillery. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL: Pick out which distilleries to visit in our article Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. But inside are stacks and stacks of bourbon filled barrels, slowly maturing and filling the air with a wonderful aroma. Founding Fathers Distillery. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It is a National Historic Landmark property and they offer several different tours depending on your level of interest. For more information about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, we have two more articles that will help you plan your trip: The Ultimate Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Walk across the street to Proof on Main. If you are only planning a quick visit to Kentucky (3 to 4 days tops), I recommend choosing one place and making this your home base. Bourbon tourism is skyrocketing, with nearly 2 million visitors from all 50 states and . Trail builders, on the other hand prefer to be in the woods in order to use chainsaws to make their trails. The blue markers are restaurant recommendations, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and other notable experiences to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. Each distillery has a gift shop selling bourbon and related souvenirs. You can also take a tour where you bottle the single barrel whiskey, but spaces are limited and the tour is expensive (but you do end up with a cool souvenir to take home!). How you do it is completely up to you. Most distilleries give you a few, tiny sips of several of their bourbons, just enough to get a good taste, and not so much that you will walk around schnockered for the rest of the day. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 32 Comments. There are tours and special events at both facilities year round. Touring the Bourbon Trail gives visitors an up-close look at how bourbon is distilled, the history behind the crafting of bourbon, and the art behind the perfect bourbon tasting. Plus, there is more to see and do in this part of Kentucky, with scenic drives, great towns to visit, and restaurants to try. As you tour more distilleries, you can pick out the differences between the bourbons. This ultra-modern distillery is located in Nulu (New Louisville). Kentucky Bourbon Trail: The Ultimate Guide, Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, 12 Best Things to do in Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville Restaurants: Best Eats in Town. Whether you just have a few days or an entire week, we have some great ideas for how you can plan your time. Lexington Brewing Company. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. HISTORIC: Jailers Inn Bed & Breakfast. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary Suggestions for 1 Day to 1 Week, 12 Best Things to do in Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville Restaurants: Best Eats in Town. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 3 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. We have links to each distillery in our Best Distilleries post. If you want to see the entire bourbon distilling process from start to finish, including the making of the barrels and the bottling of the final product, take the Old Forester Discovery Tour. Old Forester Discovery Tour. NASHVILLE: For recommendations on what to do in Nashville, check out our articles Best Things to Do in Nashville and Best Eats in Nashville. Printing a map gives you an image that can be used to guide your instructions. Her work has been featured in Washington Post Travel and Publisher's Weekly. In this article, learn how to plan your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, with suggestions on where to stay and what else to add in as you tour the trail. It has a relatively central location, so its easy to get to Bardstown, Lexington, and even Owensboro. If you collect stamps from each distillery you can redeem your passport for a Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting glass. They must be designed to work with a standard printing press. For more great things to do in Louisville, read our post 12 Best Things to do in Louisville. We have not visited this distillery yet but have been drinking their bourbon for quite some time. Some distilleries are closed on Mondays. However, if you like the idea of getting outside of the city, Bardstown also makes a nice option. It was educational, lots of fun, and a great way to tour another distillery without taking a tour.

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