See the Historic Bourbon Trail with Kentucky Bourbon Tours

From the charred oak barrels to the intoxicating aroma of mash, each Kentucky distillery along the Historic Bourbon Trail has its own unique story and flavor profile. This summer, join Kentucky Bourbon Tours’ bourbon trail and get an interactive glimpse into the crucial piece of Kentucky history you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you spend two days or a whole week, there is plenty to keep you busy here, from extensive tours of top distilleries, amazing tasting experiences, and dinners at bourbon-themed restaurants, to wild big-city nightlife and a serene time in the quaint countryside. 

Ready to explore? Here are the top 6 Kentucky distilleries to include in your Historic Bourbon Trail with Kentucky Bourbon Tours.

6 top bourbon distilleries to visit with Kentucky Bourbon Tours

With nearly 100 bourbon distilleries scattered across the Bluegrass state, picking a few options to fit into your schedule can be challenging. Some of these facilities are as close as eight miles, while others are as far as 70 miles apart. Whether you are passing through Kentucky or on an extensive adventure of what the state has to offer, here are the top 5 bourbon distilleries to visit:

1. Rabbit Hole

711 E. Jefferson Street, Louisville

Rabbit Hole is undoubtedly one of the newest distilleries in Kentucky, paying homage to the art and science of distillery. Nestled in Nulu, New Louisville, the ultra-modern facility opened its doors for the first time in August 2018. It has since become a top attraction offering whiskey enthusiasts a fully immersive experience of the bourbon-making process from grain to bottle. Their guide is very knowledgeable and offers immersive walks through the entire distillery while explaining the nostalgic history of bourbon. You will also get an engaging five-sense tasting experience and a fun time at their cocktail bar with a nice view.

2. The Evan Williams

528 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

Located right in the middle of the historic “Whiskey Row,” Evans Williams Bourbon Experience offers a transformative distillery tour, tastings, and idyllic event space. Their tour package is undoubtedly the most technically advanced, complete with videos, immersive exhibits, and a memorable walk through “old Louisville” highlighting the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit. Travel back in time to 1783, and live through the early days of Louisville, where you learn about culture, traditions, and the early history of bourbon whiskey. Towards the tail end of your tour, visit their cozy tasting rooms to sample three different bourbon whiskeys and purchase a few bottles as souvenirs. All ages can tour the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. However, one must be at least 21 to enter the tasting rooms.

3. Old Forrester

119 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

With their first bottle dating 1870, Old Forrester is one of the oldest bourbon distilleries with a rich, entwined history that has created the fabric of the Louisville community. Their tours offer excellent opportunities to experience behind-the-scenes happenings, from barreling to bottling your favorite whiskey. Walk through their cooperage to see how barrels are made and the plates that go into the still. You will also get opportunities to see the bottling line in action. It is worth noting Old Forrester is the only bourbon trail in Kentucky that offers extensive tours of the cooperage. The cooperage and bottling lines are operational on Tuesdays through Saturdays before 5 pm. If you visit the facility on Sundays and Mondays, you will see the equipment minus all the enthralling action.

4. Bulleit Bourbon

3860 Fitzgerald Rd, Shively, KY 40216

Bulleit Bourbon, also known as Stitzel-Weller distillery, has been in operation since early 1935. The distillery specializes in high rye bourbon whiskey and offers amazing tours and interacting tastings where you experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the Bulleit portfolio. They also offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of their distillery, where you get to know the cultural creators, tastemakers, and entrepreneurs behind the old Augustus Bulleit and Bulleit Frontier Whiskey of today. You can enroll in their monthly mixology class, where you learn the history of classic cocktails while improving your shaking and stirring techniques. 

5. Wild Turkey

1525 Tyrone Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342

Wild Turkey is the producer of one of the best-selling bourbon in the world. Their highly informative and hospitable guide offers immersive tours where you see the hundreds of barrels inside the rick houses and experience all the magic that goes into the bourbon distilling process. If you are really lucky, you might catch the eye of their legendary master distiller, Jimmy Russel, the world’s longest-tenured active master distiller. The distillery offers bourbon tastings and sales for visitors over 21 years. Minors with valid IDs are free to tour the facility without a tasting. 

6. Angel’s Envy

500 E Main Street, Louisville

Located in the heart of Louisville’s Bourbon District and the Historic Bourbon Trail, Angel’s Envy is downtown’s first fully operational whiskey production line. The distillery feature bourbon finished in port wine barrels and rye whiskey finished in rum barrels. Their tours include an in-depth tasting of their finest bottles and unfinished Rye whiskey flowing out of the barrel. Apart from their engaging tour experience, Angel’s Envy offers beautiful Louisville views and a unique atmosphere for dinners, cocktail receptions, meetings, and gatherings. 

FAQs about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail & the Historic Bourbon Trail

What time of year should I visit Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Spring is the best time to be part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and bourbon is in full production. If you prefer to avoid the crowd, visit the distillery from the end of November through March.

How long does it take to make the bourbon trail in Kentucky?

Bourbon trail duration differs based on the specific distillery to visit and the scheduled activities. On average, expect your tour to last 90 minutes. 

What should I wear to the Bourbon trail?

Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and casual light clothing for your tour.

In a nutshell, Kentucky Bourbon Trail offers much more than its distillery tours and bourbon tastings. Drive through the scenic views and spend nights in historic taverns offering memorable nightlife experiences. 

Start Your Next Adventure at DistilleryNearby

DistilleryNearby provides a tailored directory to help you explore distilleries by location, beverage type, or amenities, making it easy to find great local options. Browse our state-by-state direction today and plan your next adventure. 

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