But they see map making as a necessary problem, one which requires a significant amount of time and money. It takes five days to complete this tour. Also, the visitors center offers lots of history, facts and figures. It smells so good in here!! In 2019, it was much busier and had we not scheduled everything in advance, we would have missed out on a lot of tours. All standard one-hour tours are roughly the samea tour of the facility ending with a tasting. Plus, everyone who visits gets a mini souvenir Louisville Slugger for themselves! The weather is pleasant and bourbon is in full production. Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. To get to Evan Williams and/or to get back to your hotel, consider driving or using Uber (we used Uber while in Louisville and kept our car parked at our hotel). They specialize in bourbon barrel-aged brews as well as bourbons, and since it's a smaller operation than other stops on this trip, the tour is a totally difference experience. Heaven Hill. The grand finale of the tour isthe bourbon tasting. The final distillery is back up near Louisville: The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience. Some printers from the past might require you to connect to your computer before printing. It can be chilly, but most of the time we were indoors, so weather wasnt much of a factor. Bourbon Capital BBQ Challenge. If you plan to take distillery tours, you will need to visit the website anyway, in order to make your reservations. Visiting these distilleries is similar to visiting a winery. However, there are few places to visit out this way, if you are interested. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. 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. 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). They offer a comprehensive tour of their facility, including a look into how their bourbon is bottled. In this article, learn how to plan your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, with suggestions on where to stay and what else to add in as you tour the trail. On the tours, learn how bourbon is produced, hear about the history of the distillery, and end with a bourbon tasting. Any advice you have on this front would be greatly appreciated, since Ive heard mixed answers. Lunch: Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar or Troll Pub under the Bridge. Bulleit Distilling Company. Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail If you've got a sweet tooth, definitely also try the bourbon cream (it's perfect if you're still not sold on straight bourbon) and bourbon brittle. We took the Shaken & Stirred class at Bardstown Bourbon and it was our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Then head to The Woodford Reserve Distillery. This is a beautiful property with a lot of tour and tasting options. Monday through Friday, tours are offered at the Kentucky Cooperage (1 pm is the latest tour time). And dont miss our post about all eighteen distilleries, the Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And , even then, their maps are already obsolete before they even hit the plotter. 528 W Main St Louisville, Kentucky (502) 272-2623. Check the hours of operation for each distillery before your visit. For more suggestions on how to plan your time, dont miss our Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations? They're really knowledgeable about the science of bourbon and booze, and the tour is fantastic. Distillery Map Bourbon Buzz 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. Use it to customize your trail experience. 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. USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in the United States, check out our article Best USA Road Trips, which has 18 sample itineraries for your next big adventure. Most of this day is walkable. The list is ever growing. This Bulleit facility offers a handful of different tours, tastings and cocktail classes. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Browse by category to find what you're looking for, or select icons displayed on the map for detailed information. A Few Facts about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If you want to stay in a historical, luxurious hotel in Louisville, your hotel search can end right here. We have links to each distillery in our Best Distilleries post. They also operate a bed and breakfast. Here's how. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. It was educational, lots of fun, and a great way to tour another distillery without taking a tour. As soon as you step out of your car, you can smell the grains cooking, the first part of the distillation process. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. 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. Its located right around the corner from 21c Museum Hotel, so you can walk to many sights in downtown Louisville. If you are short on time, or have no desire to visit all eighteen distilleries, here is a short list of the top experiences to have on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. At your first distillery, pick up a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport. Plus, there is more to see and do in this part of Kentucky, with scenic drives, great towns to visit, and restaurants to try. You can search by name, state, spirit, amenity or simply click on the map to discover distilleries you never knew existed! For weekends, I would recommend scheduling your tours in advance, any time of the year. 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. 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. There are some other very cool things to do in this part of Kentucky and I didnt want to leave those out. Thank you for explaining that a bourbon trail tour will encompass a history of how the liquor was made. MIDRANGE: Staybridge Suites Lexington. Printable Bourbon Trail Map- We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. You won't be able to fully appreciate every sip if you don't take a break to clear your mind and your palate! Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. While in Bardstown, head to the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskeyso you can learn all about the liquid gold you've been knocking back! You can take a tour and get a stamp in your passport at either location. For most people, a combination of tours and tastings is the perfect way to sample the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. There are many more distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Sleep 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. Custom-printed maps are perfect for parks departments, companies, and recreational complexes. Check out this map of the KY Bourbon Trail. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. It's one of the biggest in Bardstown, which is certainly worth seeing. During the tour, which usually lasts about one hour, your guide leads you through the property, teaching you about the distillation process and the history of the distillery. Andrew Jackson and King Louis Phillippe both stayed here. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy. 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. Summer and autumn are busy months to visit the Bourbon Trail, so I also recommend booking your tours in advance at these times, even on weekdays. To take a tour at all eighteen distilleries you will need a minimum of five days, but six to seven days is ideal. Are the distilleries open now? This is the busiest time on the trail and tours can sell out. NASHVILLE: For recommendations on what to do in Nashville, check out our articles Best Things to Do in Nashville and Best Eats in Nashville. Cheers, Julie. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. There are tours and special events at both facilities year round. A beautiful time of year, however, is mid-September to late-October. It's not a part of the Kentucky Distillers Association's official Bourbon Trail, but they are, however, open for tours and tastings. Yes, you can push CTRL+P and that will bring up the printer dialog box. This map was created by a user. Afternoon: Green River. Cheers, Julie. There are four major regions of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Many offer tours and a few are very near to the popular distilleries! George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill. This grain mixture is referred to as the mash bill. Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Your email address will not be published. Similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Craft Tour takes bourbon touring and tasting to the next level. Bring your military ID, if you have one. Pdf Printable Kentucky Bourbon Trail Map | Ruby Printable Map Mint Julep is the most popular tour company in Kentucky that offers tours to the distilleries. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. This inn has been welcoming guests since 1779. You'll avoid most crowds, enjoy off-season hotel prices, and the scenery along Kentucky's rural roads is unsurpassed in autumn. What Is The Best Way To Print An Un-Cost Map? These distilleries are located within 110 miles of Louisville, mostly clustered between Louisville and Lexington. Again, thanks for the great article! This was our favorite tour for several reasons. Also, take some time to enjoy the bucolic setting of this distillery. Unfortunately, I do not have any private drivers to recommend. Hotel Tango Distillery. 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. This is a beautiful distillery. If you have plans to tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail between July and early November, make your reservations in advance. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. This is Louisvilles landmark hotel. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Its good to know that classes about cocktails can be taken during a bourbon tour. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. Theres something here for everyone. This will minimize your driving and let you stay in the small towns in Kentucky. Tim and I stayed here on our most recent visit to Louisville and we had a very nice experience here. 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. It has received accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Living, and Travel & Leisure. Also known as the Independent Stave Company, this is where the barrels are constructed for many of the bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. We chose the self-driving option. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and to be visited by Jesse James ghost. Required fields are marked *. Sleep in Louisville. The Old Nelson County Jail housed prisoners from 1797 until 1987. Lexington or Louisville arent the only places to eat well in bourbon country. Bourbon Country Map Use this interactive map of Kentucky to plan your visit by finding nearby attractions, hotels, shopping, and restaurants. It smells wonderful and it kind of made me hungry! Renting a car was cheap, driving between the distilleries was easy (and gorgeous), and we could make our own schedule. A long weekend is a good amount of time to spend on the Bourbon Trail, but if you plan to combine your trip with other area activities, a week is definitely doable. 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. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 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. 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 They were one of only three bourbon distilleries that were allowed to operate during Prohibition, producing medicinal bourbon. Copyright 2023 Kentucky Distillers Association. The weather is nice and all of the distilleries should be in operation. Races at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington take place in October and April, and at Churchill Downs in Louisville in November, May, and June . To read about our favorite bourbon distillery, read this post. In this article, we focus on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, not the Craft Tour, although you can add these distilleries into your trip if you like the idea of visiting smaller distilleries. Click OK to confirm. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. Four Roses distillery was built in 1910 and features Spanish Mission-Style architecture, a rarity in Kentucky. Her work has been featured in Washington Post Travel and Publisher's Weekly. Make sure you check the hours of the distilleries you want to visit before your trip. This budget hotel gets good reviews and is conveniently located in Bardstown. The distilling of bourbon began in Kentucky in the 1700s in Bourbon County. To get here, drive or use Uber. There's a reason that bourbon is historically produced in Kentucky (even though legally it can come from anywhere in the US): the limestone filtered water and locally-grown grains just plain taste better, and the fact that the region has, for most of history, made most of America's bourbon, means that the people there have a deep passion for it, and they also have old-school, time-tested recipes, too. Map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Below is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. For lunch, dine at Star Hill Provisions at Makers Mark or Ragettis Italian Food in Lebanon. Explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences and find what youre looking for in our map below. It is a very fun thing to do and it was one of our highlights on our first trip to Kentucky. Morning: Rabbit Hole. Unfortunately, we do not have a PDF of this article. Nothing can be added to the whiskey other than water. It is also possible to save the map in a PDF format. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. 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. Creating a snapshot image is easy since all dimensions are measured in pixels. Located in Lexington, this bourbon distillery also produces beer. It's a great destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which focuses on smaller and more inventive distillers. 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. Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington make a great home base for this day (and day number 7 below). There is a lot of history here. However, people under the age of 21 are not permitted to do a tasting (of course!) Bourbon can be brewed anywhere in the United States, although 95% of bourbon is currently distilled in Kentucky. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. There are many distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. To tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail you have two options: self-drive the bourbon trail or join a tour group. Due to vivid -19? For most people, a mix of tours and tastings is the best way to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. With so many great distilleries spread across the rolling hills of Kentucky, planning a trip on the Bourbon Trail can feel a bit overwhelming. We loved everything we tasted on this tour (as did many other people we spoke to who were also touring the trail). Louisville and the rest of the bourbon trail are located in the Eastern Time Zone. Spend one day visiting the four distilleries near Lexington: Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Town Branch. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary - Suggestions for 1 Day to 1 Week In addition, for a fee we can also make the maps in specialized file formats. Tours typically run every hour, and its usually best to reserve online ahead of time. However, the spirits are further refined with their patented TerrePURE process. But how big should the maps be? All three of these cities have great hotel and restaurant options with easy access to the Bourbon Trail. Visit the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail website here. You could easily spend an hour or two here, sampling their beers and boozes and chatting with the owners. Both times we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. These are the rickhouses at Heaven Hill. Uber and Lyft are also all good choices, and if you've managed to stay sober, biking can also be a fun option. You will also notice that on some days I have included more than just distillery tours. The tour is very well done and you get to see a few things that many tours do not include. But inside are stacks and stacks of bourbon filled barrels, slowly maturing and filling the air with a wonderful aroma. You can still tour the distillery, but you might not get to see the fermentation and distilling process. If you collect stamps from each distillery you can redeem your passport for a Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting glass. 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. Just spent two nights in Bardstown and took the cocktail class which was awesome. If you have plans to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail during this time, make sure you make your reservations in advance. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. This day includes three must-visit distilleries on Whiskey Row with suggestions for Louisvilles best eats. Prior guests rave about cleanliness, comfort, and location. 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. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel Lexington. 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. If you are planning a week-long trip, then I recommend in staying in two to three places. 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. Note: This post contains affiliate links. In this post, we cover everything you need to know to have the best experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Foaling begins in late January and will continue through May, so visit in the spring if you want to meet the youngest future racehorses! A memorial now stands at his birthplace. Kentucky Bourbon Trail: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy There are eighteen distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Buffalo Trace has a long and fascinating history. Maps & Downloads - Tennessee Whiskey Trail Official Site This is a great resource for getting an in-depth history of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as well as additional information to help plan your trip. Its hot, its crowded, and during the summer months, most distilleries take a break from distilling, anywhere from a week or two or longer. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a collection of eighteen bourbon distilleries, is drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It was delightfully quiet, with small tour groups. Some of them include the distance to view and the subject. One of these is the very famous Buffalo Trace (skip ahead to Buffalo Trace). Spend the day visiting two big names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 13 Comments. For tour information, visit the Wilderness trail website. It gets to be repetitive. Finally, day three can be spent in Louisville, visiting Stitzel-Weller, Old Forester, Michters, Rabbit Hole, Angels Envy, and/or Evan Williams. As for tours, it looks like distilleries are still offering tours and tastings, but I would get the full details for each distillery on their website (we have a link for each distillery in this post). Youll need a designated driver along the trail, as youll be sipping and tasting whiskeys. We felt thatit was just enough to give us a taste but not so much that it impaired Tims driving. State Map of All Kentucky Distilleries - Distillery Trail If you are looking for a large-format map, you should buy an printer that is large-format. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes in the tavern. Distilling Company Tennessee | DISCUS, Hand Sanitizer 802 Royal Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38107 Beechtree Distillery Cheers, Julie. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! 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. 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. Heaven Hill is one of the biggest bourbon distilleries, producing Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Getting to know more about liquor will probably help us know the right pairings to get when we eat at restaurants. Rather than paying the fee to join the Kentucky Distillers Association, they prefer to offer free tours and tastings to their visitors. 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. Angels Envy. If you have any questions about this Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Kentucky Cooperage. Bourbon is booming right now and so is tourism in Kentucky. Day 1 and 2 for sure then a day on the road. These five rules are: Bourbon contains at least 51% corn with different proportions of wheat, malted barley, or rye. MAMMOTH CAVE: Mammoth Cave is a national park in Kentucky and it makes a great day trip from Louisville and Nashville. Each of these bourbon distilleries must be a member of the Kentucky Distillers Association, which requires paying a fee. During these tastings, you still get to learn about the history of the distillery and what sets it apart from the others. 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. If you prefer, you can inquire for a quote with our group of cartographers. Specialty tours cost more. And many distilleries offer longer, behind the scenes tours for a more detailed look at the distilling process. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over Ready for navigation and good times! Then visit the Town Branch Distillery from Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, and maybe cut all that booze with a beer or two as well! Kentucky Bourbon Trail: Lexington, Kentucky Visitor Information 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. After that, check out the Maker's Mark Distillery. Why not? Tennessee Distillery Trail Map - Distillery Trail We are looking for a private driver for 2 days. Old Forester offers a tour with the president of the company (a few times per year). Since it's the largest maker of Kentucky bourbon, you'll get a different view: that of a larger-scale operation. Cameron is a freelance writer and editor working in travel publishing for the past 10 years. Distillery Trail is the place to start your distillery tour experience. It has received accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Living, and Travel & Leisure. 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. Grab a bottle or some bourbon balls in the gift shop afterwards! Green River sits out in Owensboro, almost a two-hour drive from Louisville. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL: Pick out which distilleries to visit in our article Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The tour guides are very knowledgable and encourage questions. Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for a visit here. It's no secret that all American states can legally produce bourbon, but Kentucky is the spirit's undisputed . Here in Kentucky, we do things at our own pace and you should, too. Evening: Michters Distillery. If you are doing this over a long weekend, plan on spending one day in each area. Take a quick break from bourbon tasting and take your pick from these two amazing museums. If you have three days in Louisville, follow our day #1 and day #2 itineraries above. Located in Downtown Louisville, the Bourbon District is a walkable urban experience for anyone looking for a taste of Kentucky. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour During our visit this ranged from $5 to $20 per person depending on the distillery and the type of tour you choose to take. Here, you'll enjoy rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. One of the highlights of this tour, other than the tasting, was standing inside of their rickhouse. Wilderness Trail sits a bit farther away, in Danville. BUDGET: Hampton Inn Bardstown. Plus, if you save your ticket from the distillery tour, you can tour their warehouse operation, located in Cox's Creek, for free!