Bourbon Spirit: 10 Tips to Help Plan Your Trip to Kentucky Bourbon Country
It was 80 degrees in Kentucky yesterday and is snowing today. (I wish I was kidding.) That’s means spring can’t be far off and it’s time to plan your next unforgettable trip to Kentucky bourbon country.
Here is our recurring look at everything you need to know to take the bourbon tour of a lifetime in the center of the bourbon universe.
As record numbers of visitors are expected to travel to Kentucky again this year to get their bourbon tours on, it’s more important than ever to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the center of the bourbon universe this year.
Plan ahead. And plan again.
Most distillery experience tours and tastings require you to purchase a ticket. Even the small number that are still free require reservations. Either way, spots can fill up weeks, even months, in advance.
Check the websites where you would like to visit to determine which days and hours they are open. If you can, travel during the week to avoid the biggest crowds.
You can stop in at the visitors’ centers and gift shops without reservations. You might luck into some last-minute, no-show openings. But don’t count on that. Plan early so you can get the best experience possible.
BYOB: Build your own bourbon trail
Much of Kentucky bourbon country can be found on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which includes 68 distilleries found in 35 of the Commonwealth’s 120 counties. Our friends at the KBT have made it easier than ever to prepare for your bourbon journey with a new “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail” online trip planner.
The easy-to-use free planner offers suggested itineraries or you can build you own custom journey. It breaks Kentucky’s distilleries into six regions, will let you plan trips covering various days, includes information about dining, hotel, and other tour options, and even lets you share your final plans with friends and family. Once you’ve built your itinerary, you’ll still need to contact each distillery to make reservations and purchase tickets.
In previous years, we’ve advised you to pick up a copy of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passport and Field Guide. But that option has been retired, now that you can Build Your Own Bourbon Trail online.
You don’t have to stay on the Trail
You won’t want to miss the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but that’s not the end of Kentucky bourbon country. Not every distillery experience in Kentucky is officially part of the Trail. Industry icon Buffalo Trace Distillery and many smaller, craft distilleries are independent of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and its marketing efforts. Make sure you stay on top of all your options and know who else is out there.
Leave the driving to the (non-drinking) experts
If you prefer to leave the itinerary planning, ticket buying, and driving to someone else, consider booking a day (or several) with one of the many great bourbon tour companies in the Bluegrass. From just a couple of people to a large group, these folks will handle every detail and get you there in style (and safely). Chauffeurs and tour guides (like me) who are steeped in Kentucky bourbon lore will give you the real inside story on America’s native spirit. Contact our friends at Pegasus Tours or Kentucky Bourbon Boys to learn more about the many tour options they offer.
Once the Kentucky Derby is over, spend a day at the races (Mint Julep optional)
If you already have plans in place to be in Kentucky during the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby (the first Saturday in May) welcome to Horse Country! If you don’t, please come early, or wait for the crowds and prices to return to normal rates. In fact, many of the distillery experiences are closed during the weekend of the Derby.
Horse racing at Keeneland in Lexington begins on Sunday, May 3, the day after the Kentucky Derby. You will still want to visit Louisville’s Churchill Downs to tour the Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby Day. Check out a number of special bourbon-related experiences at the museum.
Explore the Frazier History Museum on Whiskey Row
A great place to start your visit to Kentucky bourbon country is the Frazier History Museum on Whiskey Row (Main Street), in downtown Louisville. Also, spend some time in the free Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center on the first floor. If you have a few hours, don’t miss the engaging The Spirit of Kentucky Exhibit as part of the paid museum tour on the third floor. Both will help you understand why the Bluegrass state is home to most of the bourbon distilleries in the world before you set off to see them for yourself.
Who’s ready to eat?
Foodies visiting Kentucky Bourbon Country can rejoice: the top–tier of distillery experiences have upped their food games considerably as Kentucky’s bourbon renaissance continues to grow.
Some of my favorites include The Kitchen Table restaurant at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company, the Five–Brothers Bar & Kitchen at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, The Bar at Willett, and the Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel–Weller Distillery.
Wait, there’s even more food and drink?
Of course! There are many wonderful places around the Bluegrass to eat and drink. In the Louisville area, check out the Urban Bourbon Trail. This is a collection of more than 40 restaurants and bars that offer a special focus on local bourbon culture. Get your free mobile passport on your phone and collect free rewards along your urban bourbon journey.
Listen to the music
Many distilleries offer special events outside the hours of their regular tours. Sign up for newsletters and loyalty programs from your favorite brands to get details. Also, subscribe to the Whiskey Network’s Barrel Report Newsletter to get the latest whiskey world news and events in your e-mail inbox every Friday.
Castle & Key Distillery, just outside Frankfort, is bringing back its Springhouse Music Series for the seventh season on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, through September, beginning May 16. Ticket prices vary by artist and begin at $20.
Check out outdoor Concerts at The Amp at Dant Crossing in Gethsemene, Kentucky, south of Bardstown. Artists this year include Shenandoah, Ying Yang Twins with Mike Jones, and Gary Allan .
And you won’t want to miss the Jammin’ at Jeptha music events at Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbville, Kentucky beginning Saturday June 6.
Tip your tour guides and drivers
There are many friendly and knowledgeable folks helping you get the most out of your visit to Kentucky bourbon country. Please be generous and give a gratuity to your tour guides and driver.
Big or small, on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or off, whether distilling a barrel a week or thousands a day…. there is something for every level of interest in Kentucky bourbon country this time of year. Do your own research or call on the pros to put together a trip to experience it yourself.
Whichever way you decide to do it, plan ahead and come see us here in the Bourbon Bluegrass!
Colonel Brian G. Miller is the Editor of Whiskey Network Magazine. His column, The Bourbon Tutor, covers the latest in bourbon tourism, events, culture, and history. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. You can reach him at [email protected]
