The Bourbon Trail in Kentucky is a bucket list trip for whiskey lovers around the world. Kentucky is home to some of the most famous whiskey distilleries on the planet, and touring them is a treat. But there are some things to know before visiting the Bourbon Trail that will make your trip hiccup-free.
I finally visited the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky for my annual birthday trip. It’s a little ironic that I’d been to distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, and even Belgium before going practically down the street to Kentucky! So it was long overdue that I visit the best concentration of whiskey distilleries in my own country.
Before I set out on my trip I did a ton of research, and even still learned a few things once I arrived. I’m sharing them here so you can learn from my mistakes. Here are the best tips for visiting the Bourbon Trail.
Six Tips for Visiting the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky
1. The Bourbon Trail isn’t a singular trail, so plan accordingly.
The Bourbon Trail may sound like a singular, simple road connecting all of Kentucky’s distilleries, but the distilleries are actually quite spread out. They are loosely categorized into four regions: Central (Louisville and Bardstown), Bluegrass (Lexington), Western (near Tennessee) and Northern (near Cincinnati). It’s best to organize your itinerary into those regions as well, focusing on one region (or partial region) a day.
The Central and Bluegrass regions are the most popular, consisting of the most well-known whiskey brands. We stayed in downtown Louisville, which has several distilleries within walking distance, then drove to one region a day. Which leads me to my next point…
2. The best way to get around the Bourbon Trail is a car — or a tour.
Because the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky is so spread out, the only way to get from region to region — and even distillery to distillery — is a car. Ubers and carshares are unreliable or nonexistent in the small towns, and many distilleries are an hour’s drive or more from main areas like Louisville.
That leaves you with three options. Renting a car and convincing one of your friends to be the designated driver, hiring a driver, or taking a guided tour. There are several companies that will drive — and even organize — your distillery tour. This half-day tour departs from Bardstown, while this full day distillery tour departs from Louisville. Or book a guided tour for your whole group, including transportation from throughout Kentucky (and even Indiana!).
3. Plan your distillery tours early and carefully.
Distillery tours must be booked in advance. And a word of warning: they fill up fast, so book early! Organize the distilleries based on the area you’ll be in, and keep an eye on the travel times between each one. Some are farther away than you think! Also, most require visitors to check in 15-20 minutes before the tour starts, so make sure to plan extra time into your day.
If you’re planning to cover a lot of ground, divide your distilleries into different areas on different days. We started with downtown Louisville, home to Michter’s, Angel’s Envy, Old Forester, and Copper & Kings. Then we did one day near Bardstown (Willett, Barton 1792, Heaven Hill, Lux Row, Maker’s Mark, and Bardstown). Another day we did the Frankfort Area (Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, Castle & Key).
Related :: The Can’t Miss Distilleries in Kentucky
4. Don’t forget to eat!
When planning your distillery tours, don’t forget to schedule time for lunch. You don’t want to spend an entire distillery tour with your stomach growling, and it’s always best not to drink on an empty stomach!
Some distilleries have on-site cafés or restaurants. Many were temporarily closed during our trip because of Covid, so check distillery websites beforehand. One place I’ll highly recommend is The Bar at Willett. It’s a beautiful place for a great cocktail and some food. But it’s no secret, so make reservations in advance.
5. Don’t overbook yourself.
Obviously you want to see all your favorite distilleries while you’re in Kentucky, but don’t overbook yourself. It’s tough to visit more than two distilleries a day because of the tour times (which tend to be earlier in the day) and the distance between them.
Plus distillery fatigue is real! While distillery tours are definitely fun, they require paying careful attention and some even require a lot of walking. Plus you’ll be drinking at each one. All that adds up to an exhausting day, so give yourself some down time to reflect on your adventures.
And know that it will probably take more than one trip to see all the distilleries you want.
6. There’s more to Kentucky than just whiskey!
For us whiskey nerds, it’s easy to forget that Kentucky contains more than just whiskey distilleries! Louisville is also home to Churchill Downs, the home of the famous Kentucky Derby horse race. If there’s not a race while you’re in town, you can also tour the racetrack. Or check out the Kentucky Derby museum.
Speaking of museums, there are dozens in Louisville, including the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the Muhammad Ali Center. There’s plenty of history in Kentucky, so seek out some historical spots in between distillery tours.
As for food, Kentucky is home to more than just fried chicken (although don’t miss that while you’re there!). It’s famous for the Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich topped with Mornay sauce. And the Derby Pie, a chocolate and walnut tart.
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Not only are there hundreds of distilleries in Kentucky, there’s plenty to do and to eat. So take your time, enjoy your trip, and keep a running list of what to do on your next visit — because your first trip likely won’t be your last!
Related :: Five Surprising Things About the Bourbon Trail and Can’t Miss Distilleries in Kentucky
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