As one of the potential origins for bourbon’s name, Kentucky has some great distilleries to explore and bourbon to drink. On a trip to Kentucky, enjoy exploring its bourbon trail while drinking some of the world’s best.
The best starting point for your bourbon adventure should be Louisville. One-third of bourbon produced in the United States is produced here. One of the easiest ways to sample a variety is to follow the bourbon trail itinerary, here. Even if your schedule is pretty tight and you can’t visit enough sites to get a free t-shirt, these are the first bars you should look into visiting. These are just bars and restaurants with “significant” bourbon cultures, though, so if you want to tour some distilleries, you need to look elsewhere.
Bourbon fans will not want to miss the opportunity to visit one of the biggest distilleries in the country. Jim Beam has two distilleries, one in Clermont and one in Louisville. Only the Clermont still house offers tours, so keep that in mind when booking.
In Bardstown, travelers can visit Heaven Hill Distillery Bourbon Heritage Center. The distillery offers two distinct tours which cater to different bourbon audiences, and is pretty affordable, too.
Another big brand, Maker’s Mark, has its home in Kentucky. The Loretto-based distillery has tours starting at $9, making it a great value for people looking for a quick and informative visit. You can also visit the gift shop and pick up some Maker’s Mark merchandise.
If you don’t care about tasting actual bourbon, but want to explore some true history, check out T.W. Samuels & Son. This defunct distillery dates back to the 1840s. It is no longer in use, as the distillery buildings collapsed, but it is still used as a warehouse for others, including Makers Mark. The spooky distillery is in Deatsville.
If your travel to Kentucky includes a lot of different stops, consider Kentucky’s official bourbon trail. See the map online and begin planning your trip.
Whether you’re a fan of tastings, history or just getting to know the local scene, there is something for everyone in Kentucky’s bourbon scene.
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