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
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For your tour guests: these expressions are not found in typical retail channels — gives the sense of “exclusive souvenir from the trail”.
Duration: 30 mins
2. Buffalo Trace Distillery
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.
Duration: 15 mins
3. Bluegrass Distillers
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 15 mins
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.
Duration: 15 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 15 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
9. Bardstown Bourbon Class
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
Duration: 30 mins
10. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co
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.
Duration: 10 mins
11. Castle & Key Distillery
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
13. Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
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.
Duration: 30 mins
14. Bardstown Bourbon Company
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.
Duration: 15 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
17. Lux Row Distillers
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.
Duration: 30 mins
18. Old Forester Distilling
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
20. Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
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
Duration: 30 mins
21. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 15 mins
24. Evergreen Liquors
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.”
Duration: 15 mins