This ultra-modern distillery is located in Nulu (New Louisville). To take a tour at all eighteen distilleries you will need a minimum of five days, but six to seven days is ideal. In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. This hotels onsite restaurant, Proof on Main, is one of Louisvilles best restaurants and bars. Carry it with you, and allow it to guide you to adventures unknown. Lunch: Walk, drive or Uber to the Mussel & Burger Bar, another one of our favorite restaurants in Louisville. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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. Prior to touring the Bourbon Trail, Tim and I were not whiskey drinkers. This day includes three must-visit distilleries on Whiskey Row with suggestions for Louisvilles best eats. Tim and I stayed here on our first visit to Louisville in 2016. However, the spirits are further refined with their patented TerrePURE process. Cheers, Julie, We are thinking about making this trip in an RV in early November.. are there nice places to stay and how does the pandemic affect things, Hello Jan. As far as to where to stay with your RV, I am not sure, since we had a car and stayed in hotels. You can take a tour and get a stamp in your passport at either location. Printable Bourbon Trail Map - We offer flattened and free TIFF file formats of our maps in CMYK color and high resolution. Even the most enthusiastic bourbon-lover can't just barrel through and sample bourbon at 9 places all in a rush. It's not a part of the Kentucky Distillers Association's official Bourbon Trail, but they are, however, open for tours and tastings. All rights reserved. Cheers, Julie. To ensure you benefit from our products Contact us for more details. These newer operations often restore the beautiful, historical properties of Kentuckys original stillscenturies-old distilleries that either never reopened after prohibition or closed for other reasons. It's a pretty cool museum and factory tour, and will definitely make you appreciate old hitters and their bats. Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. However, with various sizes for printing come a variety of new variables. The memorial is free to visit. The 6 Best Distilleries to Visit in Lexington, Kentucky, Your Trip to Lexington: The Complete Guide, The Top 13 Things to Do in Lexington, Kentucky, The Best Day Trips From Lexington, Kentucky, The Spirits Industry Is Broken, But a Sustainable Revolution Is Coming, 12 Best Things to Do for Free in Louisville, Kentucky, The 11 Best Things to Do in Galena, Illinois, The Kentucky Horse Park: A Complete Guide. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Our website uses cookies. The distilling of bourbon began in Kentucky in the 1700s in Bourbon County. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. However, there is a lot more to do in this part of Kentucky than just tour bourbon distilleries. If you stay until Memorial Day weekend, expect big crowds that weekend because of the holiday. Its centrally located, so you can walk to many of the sights and distilleries on Whiskey Row. Im looking into doing at least part of the trail myself with some friends when weve all been vaccinated. Heaven Hill is one of the biggest bourbon distilleries, producing Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. One of these is the very famous Buffalo Trace Distillery (which we include on this itinerary). The grand finale of the tour isthe bourbon tasting. What Is The Best Way To Print An Un-Cost Map? There are tours and special events at both facilities year round. Santa Claus is a small town filled with Christmas-themed hotels, shops, restaurants, and even an amusement park. They have a few iconic bourbon brands that are produced here: Buffalo Trace, Blanton's (with the little horse on top of the round bottle), and Eagle Rare. Enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night in a historic tavern. It was delightfully quiet, with small tour groups. Take a Tour of Makers Mark. And the smell is amazing! The Old Talbott Tavern, located in Bardstown, is also a great pick. All bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbon. I give links to each distillery in these daily itineraries. 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. Morning: Stitzel-Weller Distillery. and cannot participate in the Passport program. The best time of year for a road trip down the Bourbon Trail: Summer is high season along the trail, so you'll have more crowds to contend with, and hotels will be slightly more expensive. We give links to all of the distilleries in our Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery post. Is there a fee to visit the distilleries? More Information for Your Trip to Louisville. 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. Near the end of this article, I will give you suggestions on how to group these days together in order to have the best experience. If you have an interest in Abraham Lincoln or American history, this is a worthwhile visit. Plus, its easy to find. All content and photography shall not be reproduced without written permission from the Kentucky Distillers Association. Take a quick break from bourbon tasting and take your pick from these two amazing museums. Next, hit up Wild Turkey Distillery, which has been crafting Kentucky bourbon since 1869. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. In no particular order, the three distilleries to visit in Bardstown are Lux Row, Bardstown Bourbon, and Heaven Hill. After reading your article, I am sold and will make the arrangements soon. The original distillery opened on Derby Day in the 1930s, and it recently reopened for tours. The final distillery is back up near Louisville: The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience. 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 include Willett, Pogue, Boone County, Neeley Family Distillery, Kentucky Peerless, Kentucky Artisan and many others. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. It is a National Historic Landmark property and they offer several different tours depending on your level of interest. 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). During the mid-20th century, Four Roses was the top selling bourbon in Japan but it could not be purchased in the US, even though it was being produced in Kentucky. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. This budget hotel gets good reviews and is conveniently located in Bardstown. If you have plans to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail during this time, make sure you make your reservations in advance. Tours last approximately one hour, ending with a tasting. See our privacy policy here. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. For more ideas of what to do in Louisville, read our article about the best things to do in Louisville. Use it to customize your trail experience. All standard one-hour tours are roughly the samea tour of the facility ending with a tasting. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour is organized into four regionsplease toggle through the drop down menu for official groupings. During these tastings, you still get to learn about the history of the distillery and what sets it apart from the others. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 7 Days: This is our day by day itinerary listed above, in the same order, with suggestions on where to stay. Uber and Lyft are also all good choices, and if you've managed to stay sober, biking can also be a fun option. 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). This map was created by a user. Bourbon is booming right now and so is tourism in Kentucky. At your first distillery, pick up a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport. For tour information, visit the Wilderness trail website. Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. Our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more about the benefits of printing maps. Founding Fathers Distillery. Your email address will not be published. Also, they have a cafe if you're looking for a place to grab food while on the trail. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. On Google Chrome, go to Bookmarks -> Bookmark This Tab and then this post will be saved in your bookmarks. Woodford Reserve has a historic, upscale feel to it. Some distilleries are closed Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. The Major Kentucky Distilleries and the Bourbon Brands They Produce, Mapped. It's a National Historic Landmark, but it's also gorgeously maintained, and set in a dreamlike corner of the Bourbon Trail. Kentucky's Bourbon Trail now consists of 18 whiskey distilleries. Located in Downtown Louisville, the Bourbon District is a walkable urban experience for anyone looking for a taste of Kentucky. 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 After touring Old Forester, its a short walk to Angels Envy. If you want a hotel with an awesome location and one that gets great reviews, the Homewood Suites is one to consider. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. With so many great distilleries spread across the rolling hills of Kentucky, planning a trip on the Bourbon Trail can feel a bit overwhelming. A Few Facts about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 1280 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Lebanon, KY, US. Bardstown Bourbon. There are eighteen distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. MIDRANGE: Homewood Suites. Download the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Map Download Now Join Our Newsletter Mailing List Fields marked with an * are required First Name * Last Name * Email * If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty. Bourbon can be brewed anywhere in the United States, although 95% of bourbon is currently distilled in Kentucky. LOUISVILLE: Plan your visit to Louisville with our articles about the Best Things to Do in Louisville and Best Places to Eat in Louisville. For more great things to do in Louisville, read our post 12 Best Things to do in Louisville. But there is more to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail than just distillery tours and bourbon tastings. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. This hotel also gets great reviews and has an excellent location. We have not visited this distillery yet but have been drinking their bourbon for quite some time. This is a great bit of Texas BBQ in the heart of Kentucky. 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. Tim and I stayed here on our most recent visit to Louisville and we had a very nice experience here. We have been twice, the same weekend both times (the weekend before Thanksgiving). Do you need a reservation? We have visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail twice. Each of these bourbon distilleries must be a member of the Kentucky Distillers Association, which requires paying a fee. Bourbon is an American whiskey distilled mostly from corn. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL: Pick out which distilleries to visit in our article Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We have links to each distillery in our Best Distilleries post. If you prefer, you can inquire for a quote with our group of cartographers. 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. If you move fast, you have enough time to visit both in the afternoon. On day two, visit the distilleries located south of Louisville: Makers Mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon, and Lux Row. 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. How to Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Day 2: Louisville to Lexington: Clermont, Shelbyville, and Loretto, Day 3: Lexington, Frankfort, Versailles, and Lawrenceburg. $20 is the average price for a tour. How can I safe it to find once again? The whiskey cannot be distilled higher than 160 proof, enter the barrel higher than 125 proof, and it must not enter the bottle less than 80 proof. Spend the day visiting two big names in bourbon and a tour of a cooperage. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it (and yes, it ends with a tasting). There are many more distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The Field Guide is your passport to exploring the people and the places behind the Bourbon. They offer both tours and tastings individually, so if you'd rather skip seeing the still and warehouse, you can just sample their wares-- try the sweet and spicy Wild Turkey Honey Stinger! For pricing for each distillery, take a look at our best distilleries post. Also in the area is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Its hot, its crowded, and during the summer months, most distilleries take a break from distilling, anywhere from a week or two or longer. 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. We felt thatit was just enough to give us a taste but not so much that it impaired Tims driving. Then its on to Makers Mark, one of the farther distilleries (about an hour out of the way in Loretto, Kentucky) but a favorite for the hand-dipped bottles, gorgeous 1,000-acre farm, and onsite restaurant. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. Also, consider how the map will be folded. Note: Green River is located in the Central Time Zone. If you want to tour the distilleries without the crowds, visit Kentucky from the end of November through March. There is also the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. 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. And dont miss our post about all eighteen distilleries, the Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Nothing can be added to the whiskey other than water. We took the Shaken & Stirred class at Bardstown Bourbon and it was our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. 528 W Main St Louisville, Kentucky (502) 272-2623. George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill. TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 30great travel booksand a list of the best travelmovies to feed your wanderlust. Getting to know more about liquor will probably help us know the right pairings to get when we eat at restaurants. Even if you dont plan on staying here, a drink in the Lobby Bar is a must-do while in Louisville. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 6 Days: Follow our itinerary for 5 days and add on day #7 (Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, and Lexington Brewing Company). 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. The blue markers are restaurant recommendations, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and other notable experiences to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. A map that folds up for instance, is approximately the same size as an ordinary poster. It's located next to a field full of giant rickhouses, which is what the building where barrels of bourbon age are called. Consider Lexington and Louisville as practical bases for your trip: most distilleries are within these cities, or in the small towns orbiting them, and both cities have vibrant downtowns full of hotels, restaurants, and notable sights. If you want to print a different dimension, choose an alternative size from the drop-down list , then alter the size of the page. 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY, US. Plus, its easy to find. To get here, drive or use Uber. When the printout is completed then you can save it as PDF. They have a good beer selection, excellent pulled pork, tasty baked beans and a variety of BBQ sauces. You do not have to take a tour at each distillery. Its a short walk to the Mayan Caf. Id rather not print the article because of all of the adds. While you are in the area, consider a tour at Buffalo Trace, adding on a visit to Bulleit in Shelbyville, or lunch or dinner in Lexington. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. Yes, May should be a very nice month for the Bourbon Trail. 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. We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. Luckily, there's lots to do (and eat) in Kentucky while traveling from distillery to distillery (or rather, from sample of bourbon to sample of bourbon). To read about all eighteen distilleries, check out our post about the best distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Below is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 13 Comments. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Seeing as this is the only "bourbon tour" in Louisville proper, it's worth the stop. 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. To tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail you have two options: self-drive the bourbon trail or join a tour group. Here's how. Is May a good month to do the Bourbon Trail? 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. If you collect stamps from each distillery you can redeem your passport for a Kentucky Bourbon Trail tasting glass. The best time of year for a road trip down the Bourbon Trail: Summer is high season along the trail, so you'll have more crowds to contend with, and hotels will be slightly more expensive. The tour is very well done and you get to see a few things that many tours do not include. You won't be able to fully appreciate every sip if you don't take a break to clear your mind and your palate! Distillery Trail is the place to start your distillery tour experience. A stay at the boutique 21C Hotel makes a great homebase in Lexington; this artsy, modern hotel is located right downtown, and the lobby also functions as a contemporary art gallery. Your email address will not be published. Get suggestions on how to plan your trip, whether you just have a few days, a long weekend, or an entire week. It smells wonderful and it kind of made me hungry! Plus, there is a high concentration of distilleries located right in town, not to mention lots of great restaurants and hotels to choose from. Check the hours of operation for each distillery before your visit. It's a great destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, which focuses on smaller and more inventive distillers. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Your timing depends on which experiences you choose to have at each distillery. BUDGET: Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Louisville. Finally, day three can be spent in Louisville, visiting Stitzel-Weller, Old Forester, Michters, Rabbit Hole, Angels Envy, and/or Evan Williams. From beautiful fall foliage, to pumpkin patches and farm cider, this is the best time to experience the Bourbon Trail.