Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Kentucky, KY
If there’s one spot that knows its bourbon, it’s Kentucky. It’s fitting that the “Bourbon Capital of the World” has made its own trail: 51 distilleries across the Bluegrass State, from nearly secret, hamlet-side stops to urban oases where the music flows alongside the classic drink. Experience one, experience them all—just make a friend do the driving.
The basics
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail was established in 1999 to inspire an only-in-Kentucky road trip. The 46 distilleries are scattered across the state, but the longest stint between the two is roughly 70 miles (112 kilometers). A serious bourbon hound could do them all in a couple of weeks, but most folks stick to picking just a few, basing out of Lexington or Louisville.
The number of Kentucky bourbon tours is unparalleled, and they range from private, multi-stop outings to deep meet-and-greets with distillers. No matter how you slice it, a tour is really the best way to experience the trail—no driving necessary.
Things to know before you go
The average tour time is 90 minutes.
Though you can certainly do the trail spontaneously, it’s better to check if your desired distillery requires advanced tickets or reservations.
The state has several transportation services, mainly shuttles, designed specifically for Bourbon Trail travelers.
How to get there
If the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is your main event, research which distilleries you want to visit and decide if Louisville or Lexington is a better home base for your adventure. From there, either do the driving yourself (always with a designated driver), book a shuttle service, or book a tour—or two—to experience the KBT.
When to get there
There’s no bad time to explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, though most folks will tell you the best time to distillery-hop is fall when the state’s hills, mountains, and forests glow with epic fall foliage. Winter, though, will get you the fewest crowds and better deals on lodging, and spring can also be a lovely time as the state comes into bloom.
A bourbon staycation
You don’t have to leave Lexington or Louisville to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: The state’s two main cities each swim in a sea of excellent distilleries. If your trip is only a few days, you can still knock off a handful of trail stops—consider it an excuse to travel via rideshare or tour and skip the rental car.
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