Sample some of the world’s finest bourbon whiskey on three of the best bourbon trail tours in Louisville.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Louisville is perhaps most famous for its sporting and fried-chicken related endeavors. Bardstown however, just outside of Louisville, is home to the yearly Kentucky Bourbon Festival because around a quarter to a third of all bourbon whiskey is made in Louisville and its surroundings. Which is why Louisville’s Bourbon Trail tours are extremely popular with visitors to the ‘Ville’. Most of the bourbon distillery tours in Louisville depart from the city center and offer the opportunity to learn about the whiskey making process. And of course, it’d be no fun if there weren’t plenty of opportunities to sample the end product along the way.
Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Four Roses and Wild Turkey Bourbon Trail Tour
Many a household name brand of bourbon happens to hail from the wider Louisville area of Kentucky. With over 15 different distilleries opening their doors to curious visitors along the Bourbon Trail, it’s tempting to try as many as possible. This half-day tour will get you to three distilleries, where you’ll learn more about the creation of whiskies such as Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey and Woodford, among others. There’s also an option to add a fourth distillery to your itinerary, for an extra fee. Tours from downtown Louisville run daily. From $250 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Bourbon Distillery Tours and Tastings on the Bardstown Bourbon Trail
The small city of Bardstown, roughly 45 minutes south of central Louisville, has a long history of whiskey production dating back to the late 18th century. It makes for the perfect Louisville bourbon tour, thanks to its various distilleries, bourbon museum and long-standing taverns. This excursion, which generally only runs on Thursdays, tours one distillery then provides tastings and two others, while leaving all the driving to your guide so that you can sample as much whiskey as you’d like. From $385 per person.
Bourbon Distillery & Horse Farm Tours
In addition to the bourbon trail, the Kentuckian countryside around Louisville is well known for its farms where pedigree racehorses are bred and trained. Travel the Trail Tours runs this extremely popular full-day excursion from Louisville that neatly combines tours and tastings at three distilleries, such as Woodford Reserve and Jim Beam, with lunch and a horse farm tour. It’s the ultimate Kentucky tour and is available daily throughout the year, apart from a brief break in January. From $413 per person.