Unbiased reviews of distilleries I've visited on the "unofficial" Bourbon Trail
May 2024
Updated: June 2024
The Bourbon Trail is a tour made up of 18 Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA) bourbon distilleries throughout Kentucky. When I started this adventure there were 7. These are my picks and the feedback from others who have gone on the trail with me. Before you go on about my picks let me tell you, my definition of the Bourbon Trail and the official KDA definition are vastly different. While the KDA requires the distillery to be a member to be on the “official Bourbon Trail”, I consider anytime I head on down to Kentucky and visit distilleries whether they are KDA Bourbon Trail, Craft Bourbon or independent distilleries, that’s MY Bourbon Trail. I have done the Bourbon Trail Tour 18 times since 2010. While I do not claim to be an expert I have seen many changes and taken over 25 different friends multiple times visiting over 30 distilleries. I have not taken tours at all of them but for the major ones I have done them multiple times. To be fair some of my reviews come early in my trail travels and I’m sure things have changed. I will rank my top 10 tours and distilleries and try to give a fair and unbiased review on the others, again this is my opinion only and should be taken with a grain of salt.
For most distilleries you can book tours 90 days out and it’s highly advised to book them as soon as you can. When I started this journey you could just show up and take a tour. Because of the popularity of the trail this does not happen at many distilleries anymore. Tours usually take an hour to an hour and half, give yourself 2 hours at a facility to be on the safe side. I recommend two tours a day and then visit other distilleries for shopping and possible tastings. I’ve done the Trail in a day and I’ve done it in 5 days and every combination in between.
I usually divide my tours up in two ways. Either doing the Louisville (West) side and then moving to Lexington(East) side with Bardstown also what I consider the west side. I will stay in Louisville or Lexington depending on where we’re going but you could stay at either one and run from there. I just find the drive easier from the city for each distillery on that side
Many things changed after COVID so check with the different distilleries as to their days and hours of operation.
When to go is always a question people ask. The majority of time we’ve gone in October and have found the distilleries to be moderately busy. The Fall foliage is beautiful the closer you get to November. Summer months can be warm, and I’ve found not as busy. Spring is kind of like Fall where it’s somewhat busy but manageable. We try and go during the week to avoid the weekend crowds. Late July early August some distilleries shut down production, during the warmest time of the year, for maintenance. The distilleries are still open, but the tour may not show everything depending on their maintenance and production schedule. In the winter months, occasionally, a distillery will close due to weather conditions. Special events such as the Derby, Keenland Racing, Bourbon Festival all bring large crowds to the trail.
You don’t have to be a Bourbon drinker to enjoy the Trail. I used to be a Seagram’s 7 and Coke guy, I could drink those all day but give me a shot of anything and I’d gag. My first tastings were horrendous, I thought this stuff can’t be good and I will never be able to drink it straight. Fourteen years later I drink my Bourbon neat, with a cube or in an Old Fashion or Manhattan. I have become a Bourbon enthusiast, but I am far from a Bourbon snob. Manty people I’ve taken cannot stand the taste of it, but they thoroughly enjoy the whole experience, I’ve even converted a few.
There may be some mistakes I’ve made describing the different distilleries or experiences, but it’s like when you take a tour and the tour guide states “Bourbon must be stored in a new oak charred barrel” I cringe just a bit because they should say according to the rules of making bourbon, a container and not barrel. But that’s just tomatoes or tomatos, take what I say with a little leeway.
Here are my Top 10 Bourbon Distilleries
1. Buffalo Trace, OFC Distillery
This was one of my first tours and has been my favorite since the beginning. I’ve seen many changes ,but they seem to offer the best experience. It is very hard to book a tour online but (and I could be blowing this for myself) you sometimes can get a tour the day you show up. Every day they have a special allotment for either Blanton’s, EH Taylor, Weller or Eagle Rare. The line will start forming around 7:30 am and the doors open at 9:00 am. You are allowed 1 bottle per person and you can only get that same bottle every 90 days. They do though have many of their products for sale in the gift shop. They by far have the best gift shop. Their tour guides really enjoy their job. The tours are FREE and this is the only distillery I’ve been to that does this. If you can’t get a tour you can always get a free tasting. They have different tours. I’ve tried their Hard Hat Tour, which was great and their Ghost Tour which was a little cheesy, but we had a large group of us and we made it fun. A very picturesque distillery and grounds.
2. Makers Mark Distillery
The property is the most beautiful of all the distilleries. The tours are never disappointing. They have excellent tour guides. The drive can be a little harrowing but there is an alternate way. Look for directions online and don’t try your GPS unless you want an adventure. I go that way most of the time for the fun of it. I’ve always thought their tastings was the best of the distilleries, the room and ambiance of the tasting makes it enjoyable. The start at the visitors center has changed from the first time but so have most of them. They too have an excellent gift shop and you can even dip your own bottle. Here you have a good chance of finding bottles you can’t find in the stores.
One thing Makers offers is their Ambassador program. To become an Ambassador you simply sign up online. Your name goes on a plaque on the end of a barrel. When your barrel is ready you get notified to come to the distillery and purchase bottles from your barrel. You then become an Ambassador for Life which gives you free tours and a discount at the gift shop. Every year Makers sends you a small Christmas gift as a Thank You.
3. James Beam Distillery
While I almost dropped this down a notch I still enjoy this one on every trip down the trail. They have a very good gift shop also. You start out on a bus and then immerse yourself in the Beam experience. The reason I almost dropped them was they have changed their tastings. When we first went on a tour at the end you were given a credit card type card and you inserted in what you would describe as a small vending machine and pick your pour. Very little direction was given. They changed to after the tour you went to a tasting room but what was even better, after that you went out in the foyer to the bar area and they had a cocktail making quick class. They stopped the cocktail class which was disappointing but now you taste on the go as you take your tour. It just wasn’t presented well and seemed like they didn’t want to waste time with the tasting room. (Updated June 2024) After coming back with a group that had never done the trail, the disappointment continues. They ranked this tour as one of the lowest out of the 4 we went on. A lot had to do with the guide (same one we had in May) and the fact that the tasting on the go and very impersonal. They have multiple type tours and the best I’ve experienced has been a day with Fred & Freddie Noe (Booker Noe’s son and grandson, James Beam great great grandson. A day that can never be topped.
4. Independent Stave Company
While this is not a distillery tour it is a tour you should not miss. To watch the barrels be made is amazing and you are right in the middle of it all. It is further south than most of the distilleries so it would be good to visit if you’re heading down to Makers Mark
5. Willett Distillery
A smaller distillery but very good tour. You do tastings on the go, but they seem to do it right. Guides are friendly and very informative. Great restaurant which I will review later in the article.
6. Rabbit Hole Distillery
I just did this a few months ago and wished I had done it sooner. A small distillery but a lot of action packed in a small package. More modern technology than the older distilleries but a fun tour with a good ending taste
7. Stitzel Weller DIstillery
While the majority of this operation was Bulleitt and has moved to Shelbyville, this is the original spot where Pappy was made and Bulleit started here. I felt it was one of the most informative tours to be on. This is a favorite of a few who have joined me on the tours.
8. Castle & Key / Old Taylor Distillery
Flat out I do not like the distillery tour. But the grounds are fabulous and the only way to see the whole complex is to take a tour. We first went there the first week they opened and had a great time talking with one of the owners and Marianne Eaves, who at that time was their Master Distiller. I’m sure they’ve changed their tastings ,but when we went they still had not bottled their bourbon so we had mixed gin or vodka drinks in their bar, which were excellent and I am not a gin drinker. It’s a great stop to grab a drink at their outside bar and go down by the Key or the creek and enjoy the afternoon. Definitely a stop we always make between Buffalo Trace and Woodford.
9. Barrels & Billets
I could almost put this at the top of my list because I can’t wait to go back again and take my group there this October. This is right next door to the Louisville Slugger Museum. It is a great place to go with a small or large group. It’s just fun. You spend about 45 minutes putting together your very own whiskey mash bill. You have small measuring “stick” and you combine a variety of bourbon mixtures and determine how much of each or none and come up with your own bourbon recipe, At the end for a nominal cost you make your own label and they make you a bottle from your recipe. Great Fun
10. Wild Turkey Distillery
I keep going back and forth whether to put this on the list. There is one reason right now and that’s the possibility of meeting Jimmy Russel. If you don’t know who Jimmy Russel is you might as well stop reading this report any further until you Google or Wikipedia him. He makes appearances in the gift shop all the time and the other day we also had the pleasure of meeting his wife. The reason I almost did not include this is when we took our tour we had a horrible experience and never took another tour again. There were 3 or 4 highly intoxicated individuals on the tour and the young tour guide could not handle it. They totally ruined the experience for everyone For being an older distiller Wild Turkey has modernized their operations and if you like to see how computers help make bourbon this is a tour for you. Their gift shop tasting bar just opened last week after being shut down for 2 ½ years. The renovated facility is absolutely beautiful and they now have a bar that overlooks the back porch area. I will try the tour some day but right now it’s not on my radar.
Those listed below are just not my Top 10, again this is my thoughts and those who have done the trail with me. I’ll admit if I didn’t take a tour and also let you know if I’ve only given them one chance. I do enjoy going back and seeing if things have changed. Every distillery is worth a visit, you can make your own decisions.
Angels Envy Distillery
This is my wife’s favorite tour and she can’t understand why I’m not head over heals about it like she is. A very good tour but I guess I’m more of a bourbon traditionalist. It’s a modern distillery and should be on my list of must visits but I just can’t pull the trigger right now. Great tastings, I’ve done just the tastings and thy were very good. After the tour and tasting we took the back wall opened up to reveal a really cool bar for more drinks.
Bardstown Distillery
One of the newer and more modern distilleries. While I’ve stopped there three times I’ve yet to take a tour. I do highly recommend their restaurant though. It looks like it might be a great tour.
Barton 1792 Distillery
I believe they have stopped their tours and closed their visitors center but check if you want. I remember very little about the tour and my second time did a tasting which was less than impressive although I did buy a bottle of their Bourbon Cream.
Bulleit Distillery
This could also be put on the must see tours but it just didn’t overly impress me. The facility is beautiful and I really like their gift shop. Employees very friendly. We were there after they just opened and the tasting was different than the others and just didn’t make it with me.
Copper & King Distillery
Many in our group of 13 who made this tour years ago insists on going back next time. I wasn’t a big fan of the place, but it was a very interesting tour. As of today, I believe they now have bourbon as when we took the tour they made brandy. Interesting is when they show you where they store their barrels in the basement, they play hard rock music to vibrate the barrels. Tasting was fun but it was brandy at the time.
Evan Williams Experience
I had been putting this tour off for years only because it isn’t a distillery, but I knew sooner or later I had to stop there. I can now say I was there. That’s about it, great to learn the history of bourbon but one I’m sure we will never go back to. Great place to start and learn about the bourbon trail as it is in downtown Louisville.
Four Roses Distillery
While the bourbon purists will be surprised, I don’t have this on my must do tours I really do not like their tour. You wear a headset, which is not all that bad, but I have done 3 tours here and have never been impressed with the guide or the tour. It’s a lot of outside views and looking into windows. Now the tastings is great, I could put this at the top of the list for tastings. They opened a new visitors center in September which for me was their third center since I’ve been on the trail, A very nice building with a nice gift shop. Worth a stop and a tasting but it’s up to you on the tour.
Four Roses Cox Creek
I’ve only stopped there twice, and this was early in my ventures. The barreling and storage takes place here which is just down the road from Jim Beam on your way into or out of Bardstown. Very different and interesting tour. You get two tours for the price of one if you go to Four Roses.
Heaven Hill
This is a very difficult one for me to assess. While it isn’t an actual distillery it is the home for many different Bourbons. They opened a new visitors center a while back and I kind of liked the old one better. They offer tours and tastings but I am assuming the tour is more like Evan Williams where you learn about the history and process instead of actually seeing it I may be completely off since I’ve never done a tour there but I still like to stop by and see if there’s anything new and unusual in their gift shop.
James E Pepper Distillery
In Lexington one that I am sure is missed by many. Again, I’ve never done a tour here (not sure what tours they have) but its tasting area was good but you’re more on your own than being led by a guide. It’s in a small industrial complex which has places to eat, a bar (one of my favorites) and some shops. Great way to end a day on the trail if you’re staying in Lexington.
Jeptha Creed Distillery
A newer small distillery right off the main highway going between Louisville and Lexington. Did a tasting with a group of about 20 people. I hate to so say it but no one was overwhelmed by the bourbon. Their schtick is that they use red corn and that’s what makes them different. I just could not get into their bourbon. It was the first time I ever had a guide tell us she didn’t like some of their offerings. It’s also the first time I’ve ever seen after a tasting people not shop for a bottle of the tasting they liked, everyone just left. While the building and gift shop is very nice hopefully with age will come better tastings. It’s right off the highway so it’s a stop you can make if you have a few minutes extra and want to cross it off our bucket list.
Kentucky Artisan Distillery
Jefferson and Jefferson Ocean are among their bourbons. Our first trip there we had a great experience. I would put this on the must stops but it is smaller and we had an exceptional tour. There were 13 of us with no reservations, we asked to do a tasting and got a free impromptu tour, which for a small distillery was great. We just stopped there this last tour and did a tasting, which was both informative and good. We were told that they are going to be relocating down near Makers Mark. A nice quick stop between Louisville and Lexington.
Lux Row Distillery
Very nice grounds and a newer distillery. I’ve only stopped here a couple of times but I want to do a tour. Nice gift shop and I look forward to a tour and tasting. Peacocks wandering the grounds add to the ambience.
Michters Distillery
Again a small version of a large distillery. Everything is in one downtown building on multiple floors in Louisville. I just was not impressed with the tour. The tasting didn’t disappoint me, but it didn’t dazzle me either. What I really like about this place is their upstairs bar which is open later than most distillery bars. A good place to stop if you’re doing the Louisville downtown distilleries.
New Riff Distillery
I first visited this distillery when they first opened and had no bourbon, just some clear spirits. Since then they have their bourbon and it’s really good. The distillery is in a Liquor Party store parking lot, claimed to be the largest liquor store in the U.S. Through one of the tours I learned that the owner of the Party Store could not own that and a distillery so he sold off to the employees and built a distillery on the property. I’ve done a couple of tours here and they both were pretty good. I usually just stop in when I’m in Cincinnati and see what’s new and then hit the Party Store. The problem is they are far north, right across the river from Cincinnati, so it’s hard to put this on the trail route unless you go through Cincy or that is a stop. The area where this distillery is Newport-Covington has some great bourbon bars.
Old Forester Distillery
If you could put a distillery and all it’s working into a downtown building, here it is. Built much like Michters, you can see the whole process here, even the barrel making. Not a bad tour for first timers. Downtown Louisville “distilleries” are great to get the feel of how bourbon is made, then hit the BIG boys to see the real thing.
Peerless Distillery
While I admit the only reason I stopped here was to say I was there, it let a little to be desired for me. Found in Louisville off of Main Street, the day we stopped no one else was there. To be fair when asked if we needed help we simply said we were just looking around. The two workers went back to what they were doing, one eating his lunch behind the counter and the other working somewhere else in the building. I’m not sure on tours or tastings, I can say been there done that.
Town Branch Distillery
One of the first distilleries in downtown Lexington. It is a good tour and a really good tasting. The non-bourbon drinkers like this because you can also taste their beer, Kentucky Bourbon Ale. If we stop here I try and do it at the end of the days tour on our way to the hotel. If you have time, try this tour.
Whiskey Thief Distillery
Well off the beaten path, once you’re there it’s kind of hard to find the exact place to be. Situated in a large pole building type barn at the end of a single lane winding gravel road down from their gift shop. The first time I was there we drove to the barn, and no one was in sight, everything was closed up so we sent someone to see what was in the building and he came back and said he didn’t see anyone around, so we left, stopped by their small gift shop and left. Last week was a different story. The building was opened up and the staff could not have been more friendly. While this is a very small operation, everything is right there in front of you. We didn’t take the tour which would have encompassed ½ of the building but what we wanted to do, but you had to take the tour, was the tasting. You taste right out of the barrels and for a decent price you can bottle your own. They have a very welcoming outside area that has food, drinks and sometimes live music. With how friendly the staff was my group felt this would be a great place to just sit and relax on a warm Kentucky afternoon.
Woodford Reserve Distillery
I know probably 90% of you will disagree with me on this and will say this is one of their favorite tours. It just does not impress me that much. We just went there last week and toured the facility with some newbies. This is the first tour I’ve taken there in years and I could not get into it. Our tour guests put this in the bottom of the distilleries we visited. I will say it is one of the most picturesque distilleries, has a great gift shop and tasting. My last 4 or 5 trail tours I’ve just stopped and did tastings here and it was great. Their guides are very knowledgeable and entertaining. The drive to the facility can be breathtaking taking you right through the middle of horse country. You feel you’re actually on the farm. We’ve even stopped to pet the horses a few times. Don’t miss this distillery, it just wasn’t in my top ten. (Updated June 2024) Taking a new group through the tour it shows how the guide makes all the difference. The last two tours we had the same guide and while very knowledgeable and somewhat entertaining, just did not give a good representation of the company. This time we had an excellent tour guide and she made me feel like Woodford may belong on the top ten list.
Distillery Restaurants
As I’ve learned doing my trips, you have to put food stops in your itinerary. Even though the amount of alcohol you consume in a tasting is minimal, it’s good to take a break. I’ve listed only the few restaurants I’ve tried. I’m sure there are many others and I hope to visit them in the future.
Distillery Restaurants
James Beam the Kitchen
Located right next to their visitors center where you check in for tours. Opened a year ago and is a full scale restaurant. Very good food and a full bar. Plan to eat before or after your tour and you won’t be disappointed. The wings were some of the best I’ve ever had. I think each time I’ve been there Freddie Noe has been there. (Updated June 2024) Freddie wasn’t there this trip so maybe he’s not always there. Our group gave high marks to the double Smashburger, they loved it. Disappointed they no longer have their wings anymore, I thought they were some of the best wings I’ve ever had.
Willett
Upstairs from their visitors center. Not the largest menu but I was told their egg salad sandwich was to die for and they weren’t wrong. You will leave there craving to come back for another. Very good cocktails too. Reservations a must.
Bardstown Distillery
All I can say it wow. Four of us had 4 different items, including two vegan dishes and everyone said their food was top of the line. Large restaurant but reservations were recommended.
Castle & Key
They usually have a food truck. Can’t say how it is.
Woodford Reserve
It’s been quite a long time since I’ve eaten here, it was just premade sandwiches when I was there.
Makers Mark
Their restaurant was okay. Was there with a group of 6 and we couldn’t really find that much for a filling lunch. We ended up with charcutier boards. The restaurant was closed for renovation last week and they have a temporary one set up next to the visitors center. Hopefully besides updating their restaurant they’re adding to the menu.(Updated June 2024) Still renovating.
Old Talbott Tavern
This is not in a distillery but is a great place to sit and relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this tavern, the oldest Bourbon Bar in the world, built in 1779. In the heart of downtown Bardstown don’t miss their hot brown sandwich. While you’re at it take a venture upstairs and see the hotel room Jesse James shot up, there’s still holes in the wall. Other notable visitors and guests George Rogers Clark, Daniel Boone, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Foster, George Patton and John Corthier to name a few. This is also a hotel which is more like a B&B. Ranked 13th most haunted inns in the United States, although I’ve stayed there a few times and no one has visited us…..yet.
The Stave
Again not a distillery restaurant but a staple for many on the trail. Located about 5 minutes between Castle and Key and Woodford. I have had good experiences here and I’ve had terrible. Just depends on the time and day. I’ve been there where the food was great and we were in and out in no time and I’ve been there when we’ve waited over an hour and a half, never getting our food. This is a small place frequented by small bus tours. If you get there when there are no busses, you’re in luck. But if you get there on a day when there are tour busses, forget it. They seem to get priority and you get whatever time is left over. This last time the only reason we went after, our last disaster, was I forgot to cancel the reservations I made months ago. This time worked out great and the food was very good. Our group tried a variety of dishes and no one was disappointed. Reservations are recommended. If you see busses on site or arriving, order quick. I gave our last group menus before we arrived so they were ready to order right a way. A lot of times these busses (small ones not Greyhounds) pre-order so the kitchen is already busy.
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