Since relocating to Louisville in 2020, we’ve gradually been able to get out and experience everything this state has to offer. Including the incredible bourbon, gin and brandy. The wine is still best in Napa 😉

We take our family and friends out to different distilleries and write up what we liked about each one.

Rizzo and the “Bourbon tail”

Rizzo does not get to join us, he’s our 4 year old golden retriever and ChatGPT helped me create a fun image of him on the Bourbon tail–I mean trail 😛

Something to think about when orienting yourself in Louisville and where the bourbon trails is located; it’s not a literal, winding trail. The bourbon distilleries that are part of the “Bourbon Trail” are located throughout the state of Kentucky.

For example, if one were to stay at a premier local hotel like the Galt House in downtown Louisville, getting out to experience the grounds of the Castle & Key distillery (and taste their phenomenal gin) takes just over an hour, driving east towards the state capital of Frankfort. Whereas another big-name distillery, James Beam, is located about an hour south of downtown.

As I’ve advised friends who are in town for a day and wanting to explore bourbon tasting geographically in downtown Louisville, I recommend checking availability at the following distilleries:

• Evan Williams
• Copper & Kings (note they tend do to more brandy than bourbon)
• Old Forester
• Whiskey Thief Nulu
• Michter’s

If you’re willing/able to drive anywhere between 30-60 minutes outside of Louisville, your options open up:

• Willett
• James Beam
• Woodford Reserve
• Wild Turkey
• Bulleit
• Jeptha Creed
• Kentucky Artisan Distillery (KAD)
• Castle & Key
• Buffalo Trace (very popular–so popular in fact that they don’t need to be a part of the Bourbon Trail to attract visitors)

We’ll keep adding to the above list as we continue to explore everything our new Kentucky home has to offer. For now, enjoy a selection of experiences below from our individual visits to some of the top and up and coming bourbon, gin and brandy distilleries in the region. Cheers!

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Want us to visit your distillery? Get in touch.