Learn more about the benefits of printing maps. It's a National Historic Landmark, but it's also gorgeously maintained, and set in a dreamlike corner of the Bourbon Trail. Its centrally located, so you can walk to many of the sights and distilleries on Whiskey Row. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it (and yes, it ends with a tasting). It can be chilly, but most of the time we were indoors, so weather wasnt much of a factor. The distilling process at Green River is very innovative and a visit here is worthwhile if you want to learn about a unique way to distill bourbon. To tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail you have two options: self-drive the bourbon trail or join a tour group. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. It gets to be repetitive. As one of the largest sellers of bourbon in the world, their tour seems to reflect that in having one of the more interactive tours. For lunch and/or dinner, we recommend Kitchen& Bar, the restaurant at Bardstown Bourbon. LUXURY: The Brown Hotel. Sleep in Louisville. Renting a car was cheap, driving between the distilleries was easy (and gorgeous), and we could make our own schedule. 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. All of these distilleries offer tours and tastings. On the third day, watch the horse races at Churchill Downs. After that, check out the Maker's Mark Distillery. Some distilleries are closed Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Visit the distillerys website for up-to-date pricing. If you have hotel reserved, the staff might be able to make some recommendations for you. The rickhouse is where the barrels are stored. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. You can search by name, state, spirit, amenity or simply click on the map to discover distilleries you never knew existed! Once you get to Shepherdsville, visit the Jim Beam Distillery. Im looking into doing at least part of the trail myself with some friends when weve all been vaccinated. Sleep in Louisville. Races at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington take place in October and April, and at Churchill Downs in Louisville in November, May, and June . This itinerary is organized into seven different daily itineraries. This budget hotel gets good reviews and is conveniently located in Bardstown. The blue markers are restaurant recommendations, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and other notable experiences to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. Your email address will not be published. We are wine drinkers. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. A map that folds up for instance, is approximately the same size as an ordinary poster. They like to talk about their mash bill and their yeast strains that they use. Use it to customize your trail experience. But inside are stacks and stacks of bourbon filled barrels, slowly maturing and filling the air with a wonderful aroma. 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! This distillery is so new that their bourbon is still aging, although they do have other liquor you can sample when you visit, like rum aged in old bourbon bottles and unfiltered vodka. Wilderness Trail sits a bit farther away, in Danville. All of the distilleries are listed inside, with space for your own notes and a stamp from each distillery. Afternoon: Green River. Why not? Rooms are modern and trendy and there is an onsite restaurant. In this post, we cover everything you need to know to have the best experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. To read about all eighteen distilleries, check out our post about the best distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If you have three days in Louisville, follow our day #1 and day #2 itineraries above. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. Plus, being on your own gives you the flexibility to visit other sights along the way, such as a nice lunch in Bardstown or a scenic drive through horse country. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Visit their website here. 528 W Main St Louisville, Kentucky (502) 272-2623. Are the distilleries open now? Then head to The Woodford Reserve Distillery. We recommend staying in Louisville. Their first bottled bourbon dates back to 1870. Its good to know that classes about cocktails can be taken during a bourbon tour. If you want the map twice as wide you can select extra large. It must be distilled from at least 51% corn. If you collect stamps from each distillery you can redeem your passport for a Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting glass. Artsy, unique, contemporarythis is another top pick in Louisville. Why not? Built in 2017 and open to visitors in 2019, this brand-new distillery features modern, state-of-the-art technology. The barrel making process is a key element in bourbon distilling, and this is the best place to learn all about it, since many distilleries get their barrels here. For a lesson on the wild and crazy tales of the Prohibition Era, book a tour at Prohibition Craft Spirits. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. BUDGET: Glo Best Western Lexington. Unfortunately, we do not have a PDF of this article. Custom-printed maps are perfect for parks departments, companies, and recreational complexes. Distillery Trail is the place to start your distillery tour experience. Here in Kentucky, we do things at our own pace and you should, too. 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. Pick your favorites and group them together to form your itinerary, whether you have 2, 3, or more days. Click OK to confirm. The KY Bourbon Trail Here are some more resources to aide you in making your way to the places that make Kentucky's world-renowned bourbon. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL: Pick out which distilleries to visit in our article Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Walk across the street to Proof on Main. For information on how to plan your visit, dont miss our Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. There are five rules that distinguish bourbon from all other whiskeys. 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. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail website includes a map of all area distilleries, general exploring tips, and a calendar of upcoming distillery events. This will minimize your driving and let you stay in the small towns in Kentucky. For more distillery rules and Kentucky Liquor laws, check out Kentucky Liquor Laws and The Bourbon Trail. Yes, you can push CTRL+P and that will bring up the printer dialog box. Founding Fathers Distillery. It is open daily except for major holidays. Its centrally located, so you can walk to many of the sights and distilleries on Whiskey Row. 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. Local Chef Ouita Michel is at the forefront of Bourbon Trail gourmet dining, with top-notch restaurants in Midway, Versailles, and Lexington. Jim Beam has two locations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: the American Stillhouse, which is located in Clermont, and the Urban Stillhouse, which is located in downtown Louisville. 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. 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. Morning: Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Spend one day visiting the four distilleries near Lexington: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Town Branch. 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. MIDRANGE: Staybridge Suites Lexington. There are many distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Is there a fee to visit the distilleries? Learn how to plan your bourbon tasting itinerary, when to go, where to stay, and even ideas for things to do off of the bourbon trail. Bardstown Bourbon. Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour New Riff Distilling 24 Distillery Way Newport, KY 41071 See on Map More Info Second Sight Spirits 301 B Elm Street Ludlow, KY 41016 See on Map More Info The Old Pogue Distillery 715 Germantown Road Maysville, KY 41056 See on Map More Info Boone County Distilling Co. 10601 Toebben Drive Touring the distilleries, learning about the origins of bourbon, and tasting lots and lots of bourbon whiskey is an excellent way to spend a long weekend. 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. Printable Bourbon Trail Map - We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. This distillery is located in Shively, very close to downtown Louisville. Aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. 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. Evening: Michters Distillery. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. From beautiful fall foliage, to pumpkin patches and farm cider, this is the best time to experience the Bourbon Trail. Cheers, Julie. Before heading out of Lexington, check out the citys historic Distillery District, home to the recently revived James E. Pepper Distiller (and several other restaurants, bars, and breweries), one of Kentuckys first bourbon brands originally created during the American Revolution. TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30great travel booksand a list of the best travelmovies to feed your wanderlust. We have been twice, the same weekend both times (the weekend before Thanksgiving). We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. HISTORIC: Talbott Tavern and Inn. 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. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is a collection of small and/or new (er) distilleries assembled by the Kentucky Distillers' Association. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. 3125 US-231 North, Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160 Featured Old Dominick Distillery Tennessee | Tennessee Whiskey Trail, Hand Sanitizer | Bourbon, Gin, Vodka, Tennessee Whiskey 305 S Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 B.R. How you do it is completely up to you. For most people, a mix of tours and tastings is the best way to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. You can still tour the distillery, but you might not get to see the fermentation and distilling process. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Her work has been featured in Washington Post Travel and Publisher's Weekly. Old Forester offers a tour with the president of the company (a few times per year). This takes the headache out of planning a day of distillery tours, perfect for some people. Your email address will not be published. Browse by category to find what you're looking for, or select icons displayed on the map for detailed information. 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). These regions are broken out by geographic location. Plus, its easy to find. 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. Definitely book tours at your must-see distilleries in advance, regardless of the time of year, and if you plan to do a special tour, such as a cocktail class or behind the scenes tour. As soon as you step out of your car, you can smell the grains cooking, the first part of the distillation process. Mint Julep is the most popular tour company in Kentucky that offers tours to the distilleries. Also in the area is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. In 2016, we were able to show up and do a lot of tastings. If you are doing this over a long weekend, plan on spending one day in each area. 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 Plus, everyone who visits gets a mini souvenir Louisville Slugger for themselves! Tours typically run every hour, and its usually best to reserve online ahead of time. If you want to print a different dimension, choose an alternative size from the drop-down list , then alter the size of the page. It's worth it to buy a bottle here, because you get to dip the top in the iconic red wax yourself! Explore our guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for suggested routes, cant-miss spots, and other tips for having the best experience in bourbon country. Fantastic article! Plus, if you save your ticket from the distillery tour, you can tour their warehouse operation, located in Cox's Creek, for free! 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. Our website uses cookies. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. The Field Guide is your passport to exploring the people and the places behind the Bourbon. If you want to do some non-Bourbon activities while road tripping around Kentucky, here are some ideas for you. We have visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail twice. Abraham Lincoln was born in a one room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky in 1809. On this tour, you visit micro-distilleries and this takes an additional week to visit all of these distilleries. Dive deeper into the history behind bourbon distilling. Cameron is a freelance writer and editor working in travel publishing for the past 10 years. We loved everything we tasted on this tour (as did many other people we spoke to who were also touring the trail). 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. We both acquired a taste for bourbon on our long weekend in Kentucky. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Spend the night in a historic tavern, enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, or visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Morning: Makers Mark. On Google Chrome, go to Bookmarks -> Bookmark This Tab and then this post will be saved in your bookmarks. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 4 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. 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. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. We give links to all of the distilleries in our Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery post. Then make a quick stop at folk legend Daniel Boone's Gravesite for a great photo op (especially if you happen to have one of those coontail hats). Tours last approximately one hour, ending with a tasting. Many people state that the Buffalo Trace tour is their favorite in Kentucky. Here's how. For pricing for each distillery, take a look at our best distilleries post. Some of them are new kids on the block, and others have been around since bourbon's inception. So, its nice to break up distillery visits with other experiences. Take your pick from day #4 (the Best of Bardstown), day #5 (Makers Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage), or day #6 (Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, and maybe Wilderness Trail). Sleep in Louisville. Any advice you have on this front would be greatly appreciated, since Ive heard mixed answers. Distilling Company Tennessee | DISCUS, Hand Sanitizer 802 Royal Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38107 Beechtree Distillery Plus, there is more to see and do in this part of Kentucky, with scenic drives, great towns to visit, and restaurants to try. When the printout is completed then you can save it as PDF. Coalition Whiskey. The typical size is Letter to North America and DIN A4 for the rest of the world. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 5 Days: Follow our Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary for four days, and add on day #6 (Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses). Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you like the idea of getting out of Louisville for the day, I recommend day #1 plus day #4 (the Best of Bardstown) or day #5 (Makers Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage). Plus, its easy to find. Its a step back in time where you learn about the history of Kentucky. Being on our own, we could choose which distilleries to tour and which ones to just do a tasting. After touring Old Forester, its a short walk to Angels Envy. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. Prior guests rave about cleanliness, comfort, and location. 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. Lexington Brewing Company offers a wide variety of tours as well as a mixology class. Today, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a collection of 18 major bourbon whiskey distilleries (Heritage Distilleries) and 23 smaller and newer microdistilleries (Craft Distilleries) that will give you the ultimate experience of learning all about Kentucky bourbon: its history, technology, craftsmanship, and artistry. 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. The distilleries of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail are deeply rooted in history, many beginning operations in the 18th or 19th centuries that are still operated by the same families generations later. The brisket is renowned, especially with their Texas hot sauce. In order to save paper, set all the borders to 0.3. You can also select Print from your web browsers menu (the web browser menu typically looks like 3 dots in either the horizontal or vertical position). Prior to touring the Bourbon Trail, Tim and I were not whiskey drinkers. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. Louisville and the rest of the bourbon trail are located in the Eastern Time Zone. This is Louisvilles landmark hotel. Take the history and the gorgeous natural settings, and add delicious, often entertaining whiskey tours and tastings, and you'll see why traveling along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is such a special experience. 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. It's a pretty cool museum and factory tour, and will definitely make you appreciate old hitters and their bats. It is a National Historic Landmark property and they offer several different tours depending on your level of interest. But map makers don't want to let that stop them from building trails. To take a tour at all eighteen distilleries you will need a minimum of five days, but six to seven days is ideal. Tim and I stayed here on our first visit to Louisville in 2016. Similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Craft Tour takes bourbon touring and tasting to the next level. A combination of ideal weather, limestone water sources, and a long history of the craft make Central Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. Partners & Sponsors Both times we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. Map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Below is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 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.