Kentucky Bourbon Path Itinerary

The Kentucky Bourbon Path is a group of eighteen bourbon distilleries positioned in and round Louisville. If you wish to tour all eighteen distilleries, you want a minimal of seven days.

Nevertheless, there may be much more to do on this a part of Kentucky than simply tour bourbon distilleries. Benefit from the nightlife in Louisville, drive by way of scenic bluegrass Kentucky, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, go to the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night time in a historic tavern.

Whether or not you simply have just a few days or a whole week, we now have some nice concepts for how one can plan your time. On this article, learn to plan your Kentucky Bourbon Path itinerary, with options on the place to remain and what else so as to add in as you tour the path.

Fast Information concerning the Kentucky Bourbon Path

There are eighteen distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Path. Every of those bourbon distilleries have to be a member of the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation, which requires paying a price. There are a lot of distilleries you possibly can go to in Kentucky that aren’t a part of the Kentucky Bourbon Path. Considered one of these is the very well-known Buffalo Hint Distillery (which we embrace on this itinerary).

For probably the most half, the distilleries are positioned in and round Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown. Inexperienced River is the outlier, positioned virtually two hours west of Louisville, in a small city named Owensboro.

There’s additionally the Kentucky Bourbon Path Craft Tour. On this tour, you go to micro-distilleries and this takes a further week to go to all of those distilleries. On this article, we deal with the Kentucky Bourbon Path, not the Craft Tour, though you possibly can add these distilleries into your journey should you like the concept of visiting smaller distilleries.

For most individuals, a mixture of excursions and tastings is one of the simplest ways to expertise the Kentucky Bourbon Path. Most excursions educate you an identical course of about bourbon distilling, with just a few variations at every distillery. It will get to be repetitive. Happily, the distilleries are getting extra inventive with their actions, and a few at the moment are providing cocktail courses, meals pairings, and in-depth behind-the-scenes excursions.

For extra details about the Kentucky Bourbon Path, we now have two extra articles that may assist you plan your journey:

The Final Information to the Kentucky Bourbon Path

Finest Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Path

Map of the Kentucky Bourbon Path

Beneath is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Path. The crimson markers are the seventeen distilleries on the path. The blue markers are restaurant suggestions, Buffalo Hint Distillery, and different notable experiences so as to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Path itinerary.

Learn how to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get extra details about every focal point. Click on the star subsequent to the title of the map so as to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it in your cellphone or laptop, open Google Maps, click on the menu button, go to “Your Locations,” click on Maps, and you will notice this map in your record.

About this Kentucky Bourbon Path Itinerary

This itinerary is organized into seven totally different each day itineraries. Decide your favorites and group them collectively to type your itinerary, whether or not you will have 2, 3, or extra days.

Close to the tip of this text, I will provide you with options on group nowadays collectively to be able to have the perfect expertise.

Additionally, you will discover that on some days I’ve included extra than simply distillery excursions. Day after day, distillery excursions can get to be monotonous. So, it’s good to interrupt up distillery visits with different experiences. There are another very cool issues to do on this a part of Kentucky and I didn’t need to depart these out.

The place to Keep?

If you’re solely planning a fast go to to Kentucky (3 to 4 days tops), I like to recommend selecting one place and making this your private home base. Louisville is probably the most logical alternative, with its comparatively central location, abundance of inns and eating places, and quick access to the airport. Nevertheless, should you like the concept of getting outdoors of the town, Bardstown additionally makes a pleasant possibility.

If you’re planning a week-long journey, then I like to recommend in staying in two to 3 locations. This can reduce your driving and allow you to keep within the small cities in Kentucky.

On the finish of this text, we record particular lodge and B&B suggestions for Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington.

Major Road, Louisville

#1 Louisville: Intro to the Kentucky Bourbon Path

At the present time contains three must-visit distilleries on Whiskey Row with options for Louisville’s finest eats. In the event you solely have someday on the Kentucky Bourbon Path, the mixture of those three excursions hits an important steps within the distilling course of.

Most of today is walkable. To get to Evan Williams and/or to get again to your lodge, take into account driving or utilizing Uber (we used Uber whereas in Louisville and stored our automobile parked at our lodge).

Morning: Evan Williams Expertise. On this immersive tour, journey again in time to 1783, when bourbon distilling received its begin. That is the perfect historic lesson concerning the Kentucky Bourbon Path and an ideal place to get an summary of how bourbon got here to be.

Lunch: DISH on Market or Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse and Uncooked Bar

Afternoon: Take a tour at Outdated Forester Distillery. Outdated Forester is the one bourbon to be regularly offered by the identical firm earlier than, throughout, and after prohibition. Their first bottled bourbon dates again to 1870.

It is a must-see tour. The tour may be very properly executed and also you get to see just a few issues that many excursions don’t embrace. The tour features a stroll by way of their cooperage, the place you get to see how the barrels are made. You additionally get to see the bottling line in motion. Be sure to do that Tuesday by way of Saturday earlier than 5 pm, when the cooperage and the bottling line are in operation.

After touring Outdated Forester, it’s a brief stroll to Angel’s Envy.

Angel’s Envy. Angel’s Envy places a twist on whiskey distilling. This distillery options bourbon completed in port wine barrels and rye whiskey completed in rum barrels.

Angel’s Envy affords two excursions. Their signature tour is a one-hour tour of the distillery. The Contained in the Barrel Tour focuses on the finishes of their bourbon and whiskey. This tour not solely contains an in-depth tasting of their merchandise however you additionally get to style unfinished Rye whiskey instantly out of the barrel.

I like to recommend taking the Contained in the Barrel Tour. Tasting whiskey proper out of the barrel is a novel expertise and never provided at many distilleries.

Dinner: Mayan Café. It’s a brief stroll to the Mayan Café. That is one in every of our favourite eating places in Louisville. Dine on Central American meals ready by the chef who grew up on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Jack Fry’s and the Brown Lodge Foyer Bar are additionally nice choices. To get right here, drive or use Uber.

For extra restaurant suggestions, try our article Finest Eats in Louisville.

#2 Louisville: Distilleries + Museums

At the present time contains the remaining distilleries in Louisville with the choice so as to add on one or two museums.

Optionally available: Breakfast at Toast on Major. That is our favourite breakfast spot in Louisville. From right here, it’s a brief stroll to the Rabbit Gap Distillery.

Morning: Rabbit Gap. This ultra-modern distillery is positioned in Nulu (New Louisville). It is a stunning distillery. Excursions final one hour and finish with a tasting.

Lunch: Stroll, drive or Uber to the Mussel & Burger Bar, one other one in every of our favourite eating places in Louisville.

Afternoon: Louisville Slugger Museum and/or the Muhammed Ali Heart. Take a fast break from bourbon tasting and take your decide from these two wonderful museums. In the event you transfer quick, you will have sufficient time to go to each within the afternoon.

Night: Michter’s Distillery. Take a late afternoon or early night tour of Michter’s Distillery. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting, and an opportunity to combine your personal cocktail, at their bar on the second flooring.

Dinner: Proof on Major. Stroll throughout the road to Proof on Major. If you’re nonetheless craving extra bourbon, this restaurant is legendary for his or her cocktails and bourbon and whiskey flights.

For extra concepts of what to do in Louisville, learn our article about the perfect issues to do in Louisville.

#3 Inexperienced River and Stitzel-Weller Distillery

That is the most important driving day on this Kentucky Bourbon Path itinerary. Inexperienced River sits out in Owensboro, virtually a two-hour drive from Louisville. Nevertheless, there are few locations to go to out this fashion, if you’re .

Morning: Stitzel-Weller Distillery. This distillery is positioned in Shively, very near downtown Louisville. Take the primary tour of the day to provide your self sufficient time to get to Inexperienced River.

Afternoon: Inexperienced River. The distilling course of at Inexperienced River may be very modern and a go to right here is worth it if you wish to find out about a novel approach to distill bourbon. The bourbon and whiskey at Inexperienced River spend much less time within the barrel than at most distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Path. Nevertheless, the spirits are additional refined with their patented TerrePURE course of. That is an ultrasonic course of that removes impurities and improves the standard and style, dashing up the refining course of with out spending years within the barrel.

Word: Inexperienced River is positioned within the Central Time Zone. Louisville and the remainder of the bourbon path are positioned within the Jap Time Zone.

As you drive again to Louisville, you will have the choice to cease on the Lincoln Boyhood Residence and Nationwide Museum and/or Santa Claus, Indiana. Santa Claus is a small city crammed with Christmas-themed inns, retailers, eating places, and even an amusement park.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: When planning your Kentucky Bourbon Path itinerary, examine the distilleries’ web sites for up to date hours and tour availability. Hours differ by day of the week, with extra tour occasions on Fridays and Saturdays. Some distilleries are closed Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. I give hyperlinks to every distillery in these each day itineraries.

#4 Better of Bardstown

Say goodbye to Louisville and head south to Bardstown. After touring the three distilleries, you possibly can both return to Louisville or spend the night time in Bardstown.

In no explicit order, the three distilleries to go to in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. Your timing depends upon which experiences you select to have at every distillery.

Bardstown Bourbon. Our favourite expertise on the Kentucky Bourbon Path was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. Throughout this one-hour class, we combined two cocktails: the Kentucky Mule and the Sazerac. It was instructional, plenty of enjoyable, and a good way to “tour” one other distillery with out taking a tour. This cocktail class is simply provided as soon as a day, so should you like this concept, plan your different distillery visits round this class.

In the event you don’t need to take a cocktail class, Bardstown Bourbon additionally affords a one hour tour that begins with a tasting and ends with tasting straight out of the bourbon barrel. In addition they supply seasonal courses and excursions, so be sure to examine their web site to see what they’re providing throughout your go to.

Lux Row. We liked every thing we tasted on this tour (as did many different individuals we spoke to who have been additionally touring the path). One of many highlights of this tour, aside from the tasting, was standing inside their rickhouse. At Lux Row, the primary few rows of the rickhouse are eliminated, forming a small “foyer.” Standing right here, you get to understand simply what number of barrels sit on the cabinets of a rickhouse. And the scent is wonderful!

Heaven Hill. Heaven Hill is likely one of the largest bourbon distilleries, producing Evan Williams and Elijah Craig.

For lunch and/or dinner, we advocate Bottle & Bond, the restaurant at Bardstown Bourbon. The meals is scrumptious!! The Outdated Talbott Tavern, positioned in Bardstown, can also be an ideal decide. It’s mentioned to be the oldest western stagecoach cease in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes within the tavern.

#5 Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, & the Kentucky Cooperage

Spend the day visiting two large names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage.

Morning: Maker’s Mark. Maker’s Mark is a must-visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Path. This was our favourite tour for a number of causes. The tour provides a wonderful perception to the making of bourbon, the property is beautiful, the historical past behind Maker’s Mark is intriguing, and the bourbon is scrumptious.

For lunch, dine at Star Hill Provisions at Maker’s Mark or Ragetti’s Italian Meals in Lebanon.

Kentucky Cooperage. Monday by way of Friday, excursions are provided on the Kentucky Cooperage (1 pm is the newest tour time). The barrel making course of is a key component in bourbon distilling, and that is the perfect place to be taught all about it, since many distilleries get their barrels right here.

Jim Beam. Jim Beam has two areas on the Kentucky Bourbon Path: the American Stillhouse, which is positioned in Clermont, and the City Stillhouse, which is positioned in downtown Louisville. You’ll be able to take a tour and get a stamp in your passport at both location. We visited each however choose the American Stillhouse. It is a stunning property with a variety of tour and tasting choices.

Optionally available Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. Abraham Lincoln was born in a one room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky in 1809. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. Inside the memorial is a symbolic log cabin, a historic reproduction of the one which Abraham Lincoln first lived in. It’s not the precise log cabin of Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace. If you are interested in Abraham Lincoln or American historical past, this can be a worthwhile go to.

Sleep in Louisville or Bardstown.

#6 Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, 4 Roses & Wilderness Path

Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey and 4 Roses are clustered collectively close to Lexington. Wilderness Path sits a bit farther away, in Danville. Louisville, Bardstown, and Lexington make an ideal dwelling base for today (and day quantity 7 under).

Woodford Reserve. Woodford Reserve has a historic, upscale really feel to it. It’s a Nationwide Historic Landmark property they usually supply a number of totally different excursions relying in your degree of curiosity. You’ll be able to elect to skip the tour and simply do a tasting as a substitute.

Wild Turkey. Wild Turkey produces one of the crucial widespread bourbons within the US and one of many best-selling bourbons on this planet. Tour the distillery, see the tons of of barrels inside the rickhouses, and possibly meet legendary Jimmy Russell when you are right here.

4 Roses. 4 Roses distillery was inbuilt 1910 and options Spanish Mission-Model structure, a rarity in Kentucky. Through the mid-Twentieth century, 4 Roses was the highest promoting bourbon in Japan but it surely couldn’t be bought within the US, although it was being produced in Kentucky.

Wilderness Path is the latest member on the Kentucky Bourbon Path. We’ve got not visited this distillery but however have been consuming their bourbon for fairly a while. For tour info, go to the Wilderness path web site.

#7 Bulleit, Buffalo Hint, and City Department

Go to the ultimate two distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Path, plus one notable bourbon distillery that’s not a part of the official path, Buffalo Hint.

Bulleit Distilling Firm. Inbuilt 2017 and open to guests in 2019, this brand-new distillery options trendy, state-of-the-art know-how. This Bulleit facility affords a handful of various excursions, tastings and cocktail courses. We opted to take the 30 minute Unlocking the Senses tasting, the place we pattern 4 Bulleit whiskeys.

Buffalo Hint. Buffalo Hint, positioned in Frankfort, is likely one of the most well-known bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Surprisingly, it’s not a part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Path. Why not? Fairly than paying the price to hitch the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation, they like to supply free excursions and tastings to their guests.

A go to to Buffalo Hint is unquestionably worthwhile when you find yourself within the space, even when it’s not formally on the Kentucky Bourbon Path. Many individuals state that the Buffalo Hint tour is their favourite in Kentucky.

Lexington Brewing Firm. Situated in Lexington, this bourbon distillery additionally produces beer. Lexington Brewing Firm affords all kinds of excursions in addition to a mixology class.

Tonight, sleep in Louisville, Bardstown, or Lexington.

Placing This All Collectively

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 1 Day: Observe day #1, the place you get an ideal overview of the distilling course of and get to go to three distilleries in Louisville. Sleep in Louisville.

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 2 Days: Observe days #1 and #2. In the event you like the concept of getting out of Louisville for the day, I like to recommend day #1 plus day #4 (the Better of Bardstown) or day #5 (Maker’s Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage). Sleep in Louisville.

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 3 Days: Observe days #1 and #2. Take your decide from day #4 (the Better of Bardstown), day #5 (Maker’s Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage), or day #6 (Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, 4 Roses, and possibly Wilderness Path). Sleep in Louisville.

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 4 Days: Observe days #1 and #2. Sleep in Louisville. Observe day #4 and #5, sleeping in both Bardstown or Louisville.

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 5 Days: Observe our Kentucky Bourbon Path itinerary for 4 days, and add on day #6 (Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and 4 Roses).

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 6 Days: Observe our itinerary for five days and add on day #7 (Bulleit, Buffalo Hint, and Lexington Brewing Firm).

Kentucky Bourbon Path in 7 Days: That is our day-to-day itinerary listed above, in the identical order, with options on the place to remain.

Day 1: Intro to Louisville (Evan Williams, Outdated Forester, and Angel’s Envy); sleep in Louisville.
Day 2: Louisville and Museums (Rabbit Gap, Louisville Slugger Museum, Muhammed Ali Heart, and Michter’s); sleep in Louisville.
Day 3: Stitzel Weller Distillery and OZ Tyler. Sleep in Bardstown.
Day 4: Better of Bardstown (Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill). Sleep in Bardstown.
Day 5: Maker’s Mark, the Kentucky Cooperage, and Jim Beam. Sleep in Bardstown.
Day 6: Wilderness Path, 4 Roses, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve (that is executed within the reverse order from what’s listed above, since you’ll drive from Bardstown to Lexington alongside this route). Sleep in Lexington.
Day 7: City Department, Buffalo Hint, and Bulleit. Sleep in Louisville.

Bonus! Three Days in Louisville

When you have three days in Louisville, comply with our day #1 and day #2 itineraries above. On the third day, watch the horse races at Churchill Downs. It’s a very enjoyable factor to do and it was one in every of our highlights on our first journey to Kentucky.

Races don’t run year-round. Test the Churchill Downs web site for the race schedule earlier than you go.

Lodge Suggestions

Louisville

LUXURY: The Brown Lodge. That is Louisville’s landmark lodge. It has obtained accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Residing, and Journey & Leisure. In 2008, it was Historic Accommodations of America’s high decide. If you wish to keep in a historic, luxurious lodge in Louisville, your lodge search can finish proper right here. Even should you don’t plan on staying right here, a drink within the Foyer Bar is a must-do whereas in Louisville.

UPSCALE: 21c Museum Lodge. Artsy, distinctive, up to date…that is one other high decide in Louisville. It’s centrally positioned, so you possibly can stroll to most of the sights and distilleries on Whiskey Row. This lodge’s onsite restaurant, Proof on Major, is one in every of Louisville’s finest eating places and bars. There’s even an artwork museum positioned inside the lodge. Plus, it’s simple to search out. Simply search for the enormous, golden David statue out entrance and you recognize that you’re in the appropriate place.

MIDRANGE: Homewood Suites. If you would like a lodge with an superior location and one which will get nice critiques, the Homewood Suites is one to think about. It’s positioned proper across the nook from 21c Museum Lodge, so you possibly can stroll to many sights in downtown Louisville. Tim and I stayed right here on our most up-to-date go to to Louisville and we had a really good expertise right here.

BUDGET: Vacation Inn Specific and Suites Downtown Louisville. This lodge additionally will get nice critiques and has a superb location. If you’re on the lookout for a extremely rated lodge and don’t need to spend some huge cash, this can be a nice possibility. Tim and I stayed right here on our first go to to Louisville in 2016.

Bardstown

HISTORIC: Talbott Tavern and Inn. This inn has been welcoming friends since 1779. Andrew Jackson, Henry Harrison, and King Louis Phillippe have all stayed right here. It’s even rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Jesse James.

HISTORIC: Jailer’s Inn Mattress & Breakfast. The Outdated Nelson County Jail housed prisoners from 1797 till 1987. Now, you possibly can keep in a colonial fashion room on this exact same constructing.

BUDGET: Hampton Inn Bardstown. This funds lodge will get good critiques and is conveniently positioned in Bardstown.

Lexington

UPSCALE: 21c Museum Lodge Lexington. That is greater than only a lodge, additionally it is an artwork museum. Rooms are trendy and classy and there may be an onsite restaurant.

MIDRANGE: Staybridge Suites Lexington. Situated simply outdoors of Lexington, keep in a set or one-bedroom condominium, good should you like having additional house or a kitchenette.

BUDGET: Glo Finest Western Lexington. This lodge will get wonderful critiques on Reserving.com. Prior friends rave about cleanliness, consolation, and site.