Kentucky Bourbon Trail
37°50′N 85°00′W
- Days
- 5
- Distance
- 380 km
- Pace
- Easy
- Waypoints
- 7
- Est. budget
- $2 150 pp
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April to October; Bourbon Festival in Bardstown in mid-September
Five days between Louisville and Lexington, winding through the heart of bourbon country: Bardstown, the Bluegrass and the banks of the Kentucky River. Distilleries, rickhouses, horse farms and hot browns.
THE ROUTE, STOP BY STOP
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1
Louisvilletown · Day 1
Urban Bourbon Trail, Whiskey Row and the Muhammad Ali Center.
Tip Dinner at a bourbon bar on Main Street.
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2
Bardstowntown · Day 2
The Bourbon Capital of the World, with several major distilleries.
Tip Tour the Bardstown Bourbon Company.
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3
Lorettodistillery · Day 3
Home to a famous red-wax-dipped bourbon.
Tip Dip your own bottle in red wax.
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4
Lawrenceburgdistillery · Day 4
Cliff-top distilleries above the Kentucky River.
Tip Take the tour with the master distiller if you can.
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5
Frankfortdistillery · Day 4
One of America’s oldest continuously operating distilleries.
Tip The Heritage Tour is excellent.
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6
Versaillesdistillery · Day 5
Pot-still bourbon among horse farms and stone walls.
Tip Ask to see the copper pot stills.
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7
Lexingtontown · Day 5
The Horse Capital of the World and your final cocktail.
Tip Visit the Kentucky Horse Park.
Scenic drive notes
Allow at least ninety minutes per distillery tour. Roads are good but rural — and tours sell out in summer. Book the larger distilleries (Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace) at least two weeks ahead.
A designated driver is non-negotiable. Many distilleries sell sealed bottles for the road.
Tasting-room etiquette
Tours are mostly sit-down tastings in small groups. Spit buckets are always available and no one will judge you. Ask the guide about the distillery's yeast strain: it’s a point of pride.
Where to stay
The Brown Hotel, Louisville — home of the Hot Brown; Bourbon Manor, Bardstown — an 1800s-era inn; 21c Museum Hotel, Lexington.
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