In 1999, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association developed a tourism-driven experience that would highlight the many bourbon distilleries that dot the Kentucky landscape.
The official Kentucky Bourbon Trail was formed, and now millions of people from near and far flock to the bluegrass state for a taste of history, tradition and innovation.
In fact, in the last few years, more than 2.5 million visitors from all over the world have traveled to Kentucky to step foot on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and experience America’s only native spirit.
As you visit each distillery, you can pick up a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport and collect stamps as you go. The handy booklet also provides some info about each place. There’s also a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which features some of the smaller distilleries in the state.
As someone who has spent a fair share of her time on the trail — as a bourbon writer and tour guide — I have a few helpful hints to share if you’re planning a future visit. I also will include a list here of some of the bigger distilleries in the state and what brands each makes.
Tips
The most important thing to realize is you can’t do it all in one day. Some of these distilleries are hours apart, and booking a tour at your desired timeslot is hard to do. It’s best to pick and choose a handful of must-see places, and then go from there.
There are several options if you’d rather go through a designated tour company, and most of those are based in Louisville, which is also home to more than eight distilleries alone. The company I work for, which has been in business 12 years, is Mint Julep Experiences, and there are a handful of others in town as well.
Most of these will customize your itinerary to your liking and even book the tours for you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about driving, parking or getting lost on the long and winding Kentucky backroads.
Some distilleries have a bar where you can enjoy samples or cocktails while you wait, and all distilleries have giftshops where you can purchase bottles, T-shirts and other memorabilia. In fact, most bourbon tours include a few product samples, so plan accordingly if you choose to drive on your own.
Sometimes dogs are allowed and sometimes not. The same goes for children. So it’s best to check before showing up with either.
Sips
Here is a list of most of the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the brands each produces. With all the bourbons out there, it’s sometimes difficult to figure out who makes what, so hopefully this simplified list will help.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Sazerac-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery and Barton 1792 Distillery are not technically an official part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail — which is why you won’t find them on the passport — but since they’re a huge part of bourbon tourism, they are included here.
BARDSTOWN/SOUTH
Bardstown Bourbon Co.
- Fusion Series
- Discovery Series
- Collaborative Series
Barton 1792
- 1792
- Thomas S. Moore
- Kentucky Tavern
- Kentucky Gentleman
- Very Old Barton
Heaven Hill
- Larceny
- Elijah Craig
- Pikesville Rye
- Bernheim Wheat
- Rittenhouse Rye
- Parker’s Heritage
- Old Fitzgerald
- Henry McKenna
- Mellow Corn
- JTS Brown
Jim Beam
- Jim Beam
- Booker’s
- Baker’s
- Knob Creek
- Basil Hayden
- Legent
- Little Book
- Old Grand-Dad
- Old Overholt
Limestone Branch
- Yellowstone
- Minor Case Rye
Maker’s Mark
- Maker’s Mark
- Maker’s 46
Preservation
- Very Olde St. Nick
- Wattie Boone & Sons
- Cowboy Little Barrel
Wilderness Trail
- Wilderness Trail
Willett
- Willett
- Willett Family Estate
- Old Bardstown
- Noah’s Mill
- Rowan’s Creek
- Johnny Drum
- Pure Kentucky
SHELBYVILLE/FRANKFORT/LAWRENCEBURG
Buffalo Trace
- Buffalo Trace
- Blanton’s
- Elmer T. Lee
- E.H. Taylor
- Eagle Rare
- Pappy Van Winkle
- W.L. Weller
- Sazerac
- George T. Stagg
- Stagg Jr.
- Thomas H. Handy
- Rock Hill Farms
- Hancock’s Reserve
- Early Times
- Benchmark
Bulleit
- Bulleit
- Blade & Bow
Four Roses
- Four Roses
Jeptha Creed
- Jeptha Creed
- Bloody Butcher’s Creed
Wild Turkey
- Wild Turkey
- Russell’s Reserve
- Rare Breed
- Kentucky Spirit
- Long Branch
LEXINGTON/VERSAILLES
Castle & Key
- Restoration Rye
James E. Pepper
- James E. Pepper
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
- Town Branch
- Pearse Lyons Reserve
Woodford Reserve
- Woodford Reserve
LOUISVILLE
Angel’s Envy
- Angel’s Envy Bourbon
- Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection
Evan Williams
- Evan Williams
Kentucky Artisan Distillery
- Jefferson’s
- Billy Goat Strut
- Whiskey Row
Kentucky Peerless
- Peerless
Michter’s
- Michter’s
- Bomberger’s
- Shenk’s
Old Forester
- Old Forester
Rabbit Hole
- Rabbit Hole
Stitzel-Weller
- Blade & Bow
NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Boone County Distilling
- Boone County
- Eighteen 33 Bourbon
New Riff
- New Riff
Old Pogue
- Old Pogue
OWENSBORO/ETC.
Green River
- Green River
M.B. Roland
- M.B. Roland
Hey Sara, I appreciate that this post mentioned that it is important for us to plan our trips properly to prevent hiccups. My wife and I are looking to go on a trip to celebrate our anniversary. I will definitely look at planning the trip with a tour guide to ensure we never miss anything out.
You’ll have a much better time planning ahead. I can’t tell you how many distilleries sell out of tour tickets weeks in advance. It’s crazy! Going through a tour company — like Mint Julep Tours or any others — ensures your tickets will be booked.
To the best of my knowledge, Legent belongs under Jim Beam, it is a Suntory/Beam product. It is not under Wild Turkey.
You are correct, Jeffrey! Thanks for catching that.
Sara, we are looking at doing the bourbon trail in the fall. What month would you recommend.
Hey Damian —
I would aim for October and/or early November. September is National Bourbon Month, so it’s quite a bit more busy that time of year and the tours will likely be filled up. There is the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown in September, though, so if that’s something you’d be interested in attending, I would recommend it. That being said, it’s likely most tours around those dates (Sept. 16-18) will be sold out.
Hi Sara, I’m amazed at the amount of distilleries and wondered if I could reach out to you separately.
Wendy
You can reach me at sarah@caskx.com
Why is Blade and Bow listed under Bulleit as well as Stitzel-Weller? I know it’s made by Stitzel-Weller. Just curious
So the old Stitzel-Weller distillery and Bulleit are both owned by the spirits company Diageo. Stitzel-Weller no longer distills onsite, but lots of barrels are stored there, and it’s the official home of Blade & Bow. They offer great tours, by the way, and the Garden & Gun Club is a nice spot to grab a cocktail and/or snack before or after your tour. I believe each bottle of Blade & Bow does contain a little of the bourbon that was once distilled at Stitzel-Weller through the Solera Aging Method.