Craft Bourbon Trail: Kentucky’s Hidden Distilleries Experience

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

  J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Honouring the legacy of John Graves Mattingly (licensed 1845), this craft distillery uses a “double-staving” process. ⚱️ The “Classic Bourbon” blend (6½-year, 119 proof) along with ultra-limited Private Barrel Select bottlings are available only through the distillery. Fred Minnick +1 For your tour guests: these expressions are not found in typical retail channels — gives the sense of “exclusive souvenir from the trail”.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 2

  Buffalo Trace Distillery The oldest continuously operating distillery in the U.S., with records dating back to the 1770s. ⚱️ Its legendary lineup includes Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and the highly coveted Blanton’s — often with gift-shop exclusives not found anywhere else. Collectors may find limited editions or single-barrel selections released only on site, making every stop a treasure hunt for bourbon lovers.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3

  Bluegrass Distillers A Lexington craft producer known for organic, non-GMO small-batch bourbons. ⚱️ Unique shop exclusives include Blue Corn Bourbon and Cask Strength Single Barrels. Innovative and local — a glimpse into bourbon’s creative future.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Four Roses

  Four Roses Distillery Known for its romantic history and unique 10-recipe system, Four Roses blends tradition with precision. ⚱️ At the distillery gift shop, visitors may find Private Barrel Selections and Limited Edition Small Batch bottles unavailable in stores. Smooth, floral, and complex — every bottle tells a story of craftsmanship and southern charm.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5
  Wild Turkey Distillery

  Wild Turkey Distillery Perched above the Kentucky River since 1869, Wild Turkey stands for bold flavor and timeless craft. ⚱️ Icons like Wild Turkey 101, Rare Breed, and Master’s Keep define the brand’s legendary style. The distillery shop often features barrel-selects and small-batch exclusives — pure Kentucky character in a bottle.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 6
  Jeptha Creed

  ⚒ Jeptha Creed Distillery A family-owned, grain-to-glass distillery in Shelbyville using heirloom Bloody Butcher corn grown on their own farm. ⚱️ Signature bourbons include Straight Four Grain and Red, White & Blue, available in unique small batches at the distillery. Their single-barrel series and experimental releases — sometimes finished in brandy or wine casks — are exclusive to their gift shop.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 7
  Woodford Reserve Distillery

  Woodford Reserve Distillery Founded in 1812, Woodford Reserve stands as one of Kentucky’s most historic and refined bourbon distilleries. ⚱️ Its copper pot stills and triple distillation process create a perfectly balanced spirit with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice. Exclusive releases include Double Double Oaked, Honey Barrel Finish, and Tawny Port Finish — limited to the distillery shop.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 8
  Glenns Creek Distillery

  Glenns Creek Distilling Built on the grounds of the original Old Crow Distillery, blending old spirit with new energy. ⚱️ Limited releases like OCD #5, Café Olé, and A-Maize-ing C.O.B. are crafted in tiny batches, only sold at the site. Bold, experimental, and undeniably Kentucky — perfect for those seeking something off the beaten path.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  Bardstown Bourbon Company A new-generation powerhouse known for creativity and collaborative blends. ⚱️ Exclusive “Discovery Series” and “Fusion Series” releases are often available only at the distillery. Adds innovation and freshness to the heart of Bardstown’s bourbon heritage

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 10

  Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Located on a 127-acre farm in Franklin County, Whiskey Thief specializes in small-batch, uncut and unfiltered bourbons filled straight from the barrel. Old Forester ⚱️ Their gift shop offers bottlings like the Bottled-in-Bond and site-exclusive uncut single barrels — for true bourbon aficionados. Ideal for a “craft plus story” stop in your itinerary.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  Castle & Key Distillery Nestled in Frankfort on the grounds of the historic Old Taylor site, Castle & Key blends heritage with revival-era elegance. ⚱️ Visitors may find Single Barrel Bourbon, Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon, and their Experimental Series — releases often only available at the distillery. castleandkey.com A stop that aligns perfectly with your “iconic + family-owned + innovative gems” principle: premium yet relaxed.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 12
  Willett Distilling Company

  Willett Distillery A boutique, family-run distillery producing some of Kentucky’s most coveted small-batch bourbons. ⚱️ Discover Willett Pot Still Reserve and Family Estate Single Barrels, bottled in limited runs. Elegant, collectible, and full of character — true bourbon artistry.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  Heaven Hill Distillery Family-owned since 1935 and home to Kentucky icons like Elijah Craig and Larceny. ⚱️ The gift shop features rare William Heavenhill and Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series, often distillery-exclusive. Deep heritage and world-class bourbons make this a cornerstone of any trail.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 14

  Bardstown Bourbon Company A new-generation powerhouse known for creativity and collaborative blends. ⚱️ Exclusive “Discovery Series” and “Fusion Series” releases are often available only at the distillery. Adds innovation and freshness to the heart of Bardstown’s bourbon heritage.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15
  Preservation Distillery + Farm

  Preservation Distillery A family-owned farm distillery dedicated to small-batch, pot-distilled bourbon. ⚱️ Known for Preservation Rye and limited-release Rare Perfection expressions, hand-bottled on site. Authentic, sustainable, and deeply local — a hidden gem of Bourbon Country.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 16
  Limestone Branch Distillery

  Limestone Branch Distillery Founded by descendants of the Beam family, combining history and craft innovation. ⚱️ Exclusive single-barrel and cask-strength bourbons, including Yellowstone Hand Pick editions, sold only at the distillery. A charming finale — small, personal, and full of Kentucky spirit.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 17

  Lux Row Distillers A modern estate blending innovation with classic Kentucky spirit. ⚱️ Their shop offers “bourbon you can only get here,” including limited expressions of Ezra Brooks and David Nicholson Reserve. A perfect mix of premium style and relaxed atmosphere.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 18

  Old Forester Distillery Founded in 1870, Old Forester claims the title “America’s First Bottled Bourbon™” and has been continuously produced by the same company before, during and after Prohibition. ⚱️ The distillery shop features ultra-limited bottles like the President’s Choice series (hand-selected barrels) originally only available at the site. Food & Wine Perfect for including a “heritage” stop in your tour lineup — strong story + strong take-away bottle.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 19
  Angel's Envy Distillery

  Angel’s Envy Distillery Founded in Louisville, Angel’s Envy is admired for blending and finishing bourbons in port-wine and other unique casks. ⚱️ Exclusive offerings include the Single Barrel Private Selection, the Cellar Collection, and other limited-edition releases available only at the distillery. Adds the “innovative gems” dimension — perfect for your premium yet relaxed luxury experience.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 20

  Peerless Distilling Co. A revival of a pre-Prohibition brand, Peerless in Louisville now offers artisanal small-batch bourbons with a strong craft ethos. ⚱️ The Series I Collection is “available for pickup at the Peerless distillery only” — making it a true distillery-exclusive bottle. A hidden gem for those clients who want something off the mainstream and deeply authentic

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 21

  Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Established in 1783 on Louisville’s Whiskey Row, Evan Williams carries a legacy of early bourbon craftsmanship. Evan Williams Bourbon ⚱️ The gift shop offers Single Barrel Vintage editions, the only vintage-dated barrels in the brand, plus other “Kentucky Exclusives” for on-site purchase. Great for guests who love history and want a takeaway bottle with story and rarity.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 22
  Stitzel-Weller Distillery

  Stitzel-Weller Distillery Once home to Old Fitzgerald and Pappy Van Winkle, now the heart of Blade and Bow Bourbon. ⚱️ Rare bottles like Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old and limited single barrels are exclusive to the distillery. A living legend — history and prestige in every pour

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 23
  Maker's Mark

  Maker’s Mark Maker’s Mark is iconic and elegant; their distillery shop frequently offers private barrel programmes, limited editions and bespoke labelling options. ⚱️ For your tour guests, highlight that this stop combines heritage (small-batch, family-owned) with a unique take-away bottle. Good pairing for “iconic” category in your product grouping.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 24

  Evergreen Liquors is a premium stop in Louisville featuring a curated shop and a tasting bar with exclusive bourbons. A quick 15–20 minute visit to browse, sample, and purchase unique bottles. A flexible, no-tour stop that fits perfectly into your bourbon itinerary. Bourbon fanatics, there’s a new retail destination … the focal point … its six-seat tasting bar, where patrons will be able to try around 120 different selections of bourbon.”

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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