Prior guests rave about cleanliness, comfort, and location. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a collection of eighteen bourbon distilleries, is drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The final distillery is back up near Louisville: The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience. And we highly recommend lunch at the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown. My husband has been thinking about taking me to one for out anniversary. Children under 21 are welcome on tours, for free or at a discounted cost (and no sampling whiskey for them, of course). 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY, US. Partners & Sponsors 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. Most people stay in Louisville, Lexington, or Bardstown. The food is delicious!! This hotels onsite restaurant, Proof on Main, is one of Louisvilles best restaurants and bars. Green River is the outlier, located almost two hours west of Louisville, in a small town named Owensboro. If time allows, consider the areas other great export: thoroughbred horses. It is not the actual log cabin of Abraham Lincolns birthplace. After touring Old Forester, its a short walk to Angels Envy. Cheers, Julie. TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30great travel booksand a list of the best travelmovies to feed your wanderlust. Ride sharing services are abundant in the area, and there are many guided tour options as well. To take a tour at all eighteen distilleries you will need a minimum of five days, but six to seven days is ideal. Abraham Lincoln was born in a one room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky in 1809. And , even then, their maps are already obsolete before they even hit the plotter. Tim and I stayed here on our most recent visit to Louisville and we had a very nice experience here. Make sure to stop for a drink at the Bluegrass Tavern, a Lexington classic that boasts the largest bourbon collection in the state. Maps & Downloads - Tennessee Whiskey Trail Official Site Maps & Downloads The Google map below represents all members of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. Take a quick break from bourbon tasting and take your pick from these two amazing museums. If you only have one day on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the combination of these three tours hits the most important steps in the distilling process. They must be designed to work with a standard printing press. Seeing as this is the only "bourbon tour" in Louisville proper, it's worth the stop. There are six distilleries in Louisville (seven if you count the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse), five located in and around Lexington, one in Danville, five in and around Bardstown, and one in Owensboro. Green River sits out in Owensboro, almost a two-hour drive from Louisville. If you are looking for a large-format map, you should buy an printer that is large-format. Located just outside of Lexington, stay in a suite or one-bedroom apartment, perfect if you like having extra space or a kitchenette. Also in the area is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. On the third day, watch the horse races at Churchill Downs. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Map Rocks Glass WellTold (22,289) $19.95 Bestseller Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Art Print - 11" x 15" +, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Map - Kentucky - Bourbon - Louisville - Bardstown - KY GeographicsArt (739) $69.00 FREE shipping Kentucky Distilleries map MediaevalMapmaker (2,260) $23.95 More colors On our most recent tour in November 2019, we booked all of our tours in advance but only one of them was sold out (the Inside the Barrel Tour at Angels Envy). Next up is the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Its a step back in time where you learn about the history of Kentucky. We have links to each distillery in our Best Distilleries post. Afternoon: Green River. Buffalo Trace has a long and fascinating history. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. This tour does the best job explaining the history of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. A stay at the boutique 21C Hotel makes a great homebase in Lexington; this artsy, modern hotel is located right downtown, and the lobby also functions as a contemporary art gallery. 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. Required fields are marked *. Old Forester Discovery Tour. In 2019, it was much busier and had we not scheduled everything in advance, we would have missed out on a lot of tours. One of these is the very famous Buffalo Trace Distillery (which we include on this itinerary). Here are four highly rated hotels in Louisville. Sleep in Louisville. 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. BUDGET: Glo Best Western Lexington. 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. How you do it is completely up to you. Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. Learn how to create your own. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. This map was created by a user. Be sure to click the map to visit www.kybourbontrail.com to plan your trips and get detailed directions to all of the distilleries along the Bourbon Trail! The Kentucky Bourbon Trail began in 1999 as a way to bring tourism to Kentucky. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel Lexington. Just spent two nights in Bardstown and took the cocktail class which was awesome. List of Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Best Time to Visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Tips, Tricks, and Advice for Touring the Bourbon Trail, check out our post about the best distilleries. Its located right around the corner from 21c Museum Hotel, so you can walk to many sights in downtown Louisville. Spend one day visiting the four distilleries near Lexington: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Town Branch. Bourbon has a wonderful aroma and the rickhouse is the best place tosmell it. If you are looking for a highly rated hotel and dont want to spend a lot of money, this is a great option. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. However, people under the age of 21 are not permitted to do a tasting (of course!) ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Wish I had this information prior will save it for next visit. Most distilleries offer free or discounted tours for military personnel. Any advice you have on this front would be greatly appreciated, since Ive heard mixed answers. Pdf Printable Kentucky Bourbon Trail Map - We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. The samples were pretty small, but it's straight bourbon, so you're probably gonna feel pretty good afterward. Twenty minutes northwest of Woodford Reserve, youll find Buffalo Trace Distillery; 25 minutes southwest is Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, home to the Four Roses and Wild Turkey distilleries. Makers Mark is a must-visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. On this immersive tour, travel back in time to 1783, when bourbon distilling got its start. All standard one-hour tours are roughly the samea tour of the facility ending with a tasting. The tour guides are very knowledgable and encourage questions. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. Spring is a nice time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Finally, day three can be spent in Louisville, visiting Stitzel-Weller, Old Forester, Michters, Rabbit Hole, Angels Envy, and/or Evan Williams. It is possible to print maps by choosing the print option in your printer menu. Do you have a PDF of the great Article? This was our all-around best tour experience. In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. Follow day #4 and #5, sleeping in either Bardstown or Louisville. We opted to take the 30 minute Unlocking the Senses tasting, where we sampled four Bulleit whiskeys. After touring the three distilleries, you can either return to Louisville or spend the night in Bardstown. Rather than paying the fee to join the Kentucky Distillers Association, they prefer to offer free tours and tastings to their visitors. 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. 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. All of these distilleries offer tours and tastings. You can bookmark this post on your browser. In 1999, the Kentucky Distillers' Association formed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour to give visitors a firsthand look at the art and science of crafting Bourbon, and to educate them about the rich history and proud tradition of Kentucky's signature spirit. During this one-hour class, we mixed two cocktails: the Kentucky Mule and the Sazerac. Louisville is the most logical choice, with its relatively central location, abundance of hotels and restaurants, and easy access to the airport. Tour the distillery, see the hundreds of barrels inside of the rickhouses, and maybe meet legendary Jimmy Russell while you are here. Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Download the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Map Download Now Join Our Newsletter Mailing List Fields marked with an * are required First Name * Last Name * Email * If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty. Visit the final two distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, plus one notable bourbon distillery that is not part of the official trail, Buffalo Trace. Note: This post contains affiliate links. MIDRANGE: Staybridge Suites Lexington. It can be chilly, but most of the time we were indoors, so weather wasnt much of a factor. Be prepared for an experience for all five senses. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is a collection of small and/or new (er) distilleries assembled by the Kentucky Distillers' Association. Our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. While you are in the area, consider a visit to the Kentucky Cooperage, where the barrels are made for the storing and aging of bourbon. MAMMOTH CAVE: Mammoth Cave is a national park in Kentucky and it makes a great day trip from Louisville and Nashville. We recommend staying in Louisville. Tours are offered Monday through Friday; they do not offer tours on weekends. We were thinking of going the week before Memorial Day weekend and staying through the weekend. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 32 Comments. For more great things to do in Louisville, read our post 12 Best Things to do in Louisville. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. The red markers are the seventeen distilleries on the trail. Races at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington take place in October and April, and at Churchill Downs in Louisville in November, May, and June . 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. Dinner: Proof on Main. Heaven Hill is one of the biggest bourbon distilleries, producing Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Lexington Brewing Company. During this time, most tours will be full and many will sell out in advance. Kentucky's Bourbon Trail now consists of 18 whiskey distilleries. For dinner, opt for classic and refined, or hip and casual. There are eighteen distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Take a specialized tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This takes the headache out of planning a day of distillery tours, perfect for some people. It has a relatively central location, so its easy to get to Bardstown, Lexington, and even Owensboro. The usual 150-page guide will include maps of the trail, itineraries and cocktail recipes, advice, tasting notes and information on the 19 participating distilleries. I recommend visiting the official website of the distilleries for hours and tour information. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations? After that, check out the Maker's Mark Distillery. Wilderness Trail is the newest member on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Grab a bottle or some bourbon balls in the gift shop afterwards! If you prefer, you can inquire for a quote with our group of cartographers. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. To read about all eighteen distilleries, check out our post about the best distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Woodford Reserve (a seven-minute drive from Castle & Key) has its own restaurant and is a great mid-day stop for lunch and a tour of its beautiful grounds. They were one of only three bourbon distilleries that were allowed to operate during Prohibition, producing medicinal bourbon. Angels Envy offers several different tours. However, if you like the idea of getting outside of the city, Bardstown also makes a nice option. We loved everything we tasted on this tour (as did many other people we spoke to who were also touring the trail). There are many distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Buffalo Trace. 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. At your first distillery, pick up a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport. On this tour you visit micro-distilleries, tour historic sights andtowns in Kentucky, and stay in historic bed and breakfast accommodations. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. You also get to see the bottling line in action. 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. Cheers, Julie. From beautiful fall foliage, to pumpkin patches and farm cider, this is the best time to experience the Bourbon Trail. Take the evening to explore downtown Lexington. Use it to customize your trail experience. You won't be able to fully appreciate every sip if you don't take a break to clear your mind and your palate! It gets to be repetitive. The busiest time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is from August through mid-November. You do not have to take a tour at each distillery. Have a classic, refined dinner at the hotel restaurant, or opt for a more funky choice in town (Latin farm-to-table, asian fusion, or BBQ and oysters). NASHVILLE: For recommendations on what to do in Nashville, check out our articles Best Things to Do in Nashville and Best Eats in Nashville. How to Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Day 2: Louisville to Lexington: Clermont, Shelbyville, and Loretto, Day 3: Lexington, Frankfort, Versailles, and Lawrenceburg. This itinerary is organized into seven different daily itineraries. Say goodbye to Louisville and head south to Bardstown. Looking to plan trip in mid June 2020, I recommend checking the official websites of the distilleries to see if they are open. 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. Check the hours of operation for each distillery before your visit. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. This is more than just a hotel, it is also an art museum. You have the choice to head southeast out of Louisville to explore the Jim Beam facilities. 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. Since it's the largest maker of Kentucky bourbon, you'll get a different view: that of a larger-scale operation. This will minimize your driving and let you stay in the small towns in Kentucky. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 6 Days: Follow our itinerary for 5 days and add on day #7 (Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, and Lexington Brewing Company). Cheers, Julie. This hotel gets excellent reviews on Booking.com. MIDRANGE: Homewood Suites. Uber and Lyft are also all good choices, and if you've managed to stay sober, biking can also be a fun option. If you have any questions about this Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Even if there is a sober one among the group, it can be a good idea to arrange a local driver for navigating the winding country roads. Santa Claus is a small town filled with Christmas-themed hotels, shops, restaurants, and even an amusement park. Again, thanks for the great article! For lunch and/or dinner, we recommend Kitchen& Bar, the restaurant at Bardstown Bourbon. What Size Of Paper Do You Print Your Maps On? Browse by category to find what you're looking for, or select icons displayed on the map for detailed information. In order to see all four, you should be at the first distillery at opening time. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more restaurant recommendations, check out our article Best Eats in Louisville. 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. Northern Route New Riff Second Sight Old Pogue Boone County Neeley Family Western Route Boundary Oak Casey Jones MB Roland Dueling Grounds Central Route Kentucky Artisan Kentucky Peerless Jeptha Creed Willett Preservation Bluegrass Route Near the end of this article, I will give you suggestions on how to group these days together in order to have the best experience. It's a great destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which focuses on smaller and more inventive distillers. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Both times we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. The mash always looks the same but the horse farms have different aspects to showcase at different times of the year. It's the same for maps that are large: they can take up nearly 50% of the screen. Sleep in Louisville. Here in Kentucky, we do things at our own pace and you should, too. Are you? Several distilleries now offer cocktail or mixology classes. We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. Located in Downtown Louisville, the Bourbon District is a walkable urban experience for anyone looking for a taste of Kentucky. You can search by name, state, spirit, amenity or simply click on the map to discover distilleries you never knew existed! Next, hit up Wild Turkey Distillery, which has been crafting Kentucky bourbon since 1869. In 2016, we were able to show up and do a lot of tastings. To ensure you benefit from our products Contact us for more details. Enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night in a historic tavern. PRO TRAVEL TIP: When planning your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, check the distilleries websites for updated hours and tour availability. The tour takes you through the entire distilling process from start to finish, so you'll get to see the still, the warehouse, and the bottling process. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Im looking into doing at least part of the trail myself with some friends when weve all been vaccinated. The historic grounds are beautiful to visit, the history behind Makers Mark is intriguing, and at the end of the tour you get to hand dip a bottle in red wax. Your email address will not be published. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Angels Envy. 1280 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lebanon, KY, US. If you dont want to take a cocktail class, Bardstown Bourbon also offers a one hour tour that starts with a tasting and ends with tasting straight out of the bourbon barrel. Visit Your Favorite Distillery. In addition, for a fee we can also make the maps in specialized file formats. Afternoon: Louisville Slugger Museum and/or the Muhammed Ali Center. If you want the map twice as wide you can select extra large. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it . This hotel also gets great reviews and has an excellent location. If you want to do some non-Bourbon activities while road tripping around Kentucky, here are some ideas for you. Do you have to be a bourbon drinker to have a good time on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? We are wine drinkers. Make the most of your time by including a diverse mix of ones to visit, from big names in the industry, to up-and-coming, smaller-batch operations. Located in Bardstown, the Old Talbott Tavern dates back to the 1700s. For information on how to plan your visit, dont miss our Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Evans William Experience in Louisville. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Youll need a designated driver along the trail, as youll be sipping and tasting whiskeys. A map that folds up for instance, is approximately the same size as an ordinary poster. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Most distilleries do not offer tours seven days a week. Lunch: Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar or Troll Pub under the Bridge. 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. Thank you for explaining that a bourbon trail tour will encompass a history of how the liquor was made. Local Chef Ouita Michel is at the forefront of Bourbon Trail gourmet dining, with top-notch restaurants in Midway, Versailles, and Lexington. 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. There are four major regions of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey and Four Roses are clustered together near Lexington. LOUISVILLE: Plan your visit to Louisville with our articles about the Best Things to Do in Louisville and Best Places to Eat in Louisville. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. Trust me!!! It smells wonderful and it kind of made me hungry! The tastings do get spread out over the day, but they are also right before you hop in the car to get to the next distillery, so know your limits. A combination of ideal weather, limestone water sources, and a long history of the craft make Central Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. 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. 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. The bourbon and whiskey at Green River spend less time in the barrel than at most distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Distilleries to visit along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. It's worth it to buy a bottle here, because you get to dip the top in the iconic red wax yourself! It was educational, lots of fun, and a great way to tour another distillery without taking a tour. Theres something here for everyone. Currently, there are eighteen bourbon labels that are a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and to be visited by Jesse James ghost. $20 is the average price for a tour. How you do it is completely up to you. If you plan to take distillery tours, you will need to visit the website anyway, in order to make your reservations. It takes five days to complete this tour. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 4 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. On day two, visit the distilleries located south of Louisville: Makers Mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon, and Lux Row. Bulleit Distilling Company. Download the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Map Download Now Join Our Newsletter Mailing List Fields marked with an * are required First Name * Last Name * Email * If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty. The 6 Best Distilleries to Visit in Lexington, Kentucky, Your Trip to Lexington: The Complete Guide, The Top 13 Things to Do in Lexington, Kentucky, The Best Day Trips From Lexington, Kentucky, The Spirits Industry Is Broken, But a Sustainable Revolution Is Coming, 12 Best Things to Do for Free in Louisville, Kentucky, The 11 Best Things to Do in Galena, Illinois, The Kentucky Horse Park: A Complete Guide. If you have plans to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail during this time, make sure you make your reservations in advance. If you are a bourbon drinker and have a favorite distillery thats on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, make sure you include it on your tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Afternoon: Take a tour at Old Forester Distillery. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour is celebrating its 22nd birthday with a new Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide for visitors but this year, there's a twist. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. This ultra-modern distillery is located in Nulu (New Louisville). Dive deeper into the history behind bourbon distilling. Old Forester is the only bourbon to be continually sold by the same company before, during, and after prohibition. Jack Frys and the Brown Hotel Lobby Bar are also great options. To maximize value, do not get too big or small. Consider Lexington and Louisville as practical bases for your trip: most distilleries are within these cities, or in the small towns orbiting them, and both cities have vibrant downtowns full of hotels, restaurants, and notable sights. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. Tours last one hour and end with a tasting. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour are trademarks of the Kentucky Distillers Association. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. Some of them are new kids on the block, and others have been around since bourbon's inception. Plus, its easy to find. Many offer tours and a few are very near to the popular distilleries! 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.
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