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So, you like bourbon? Hey, we like bourbon too! If you are considering taking a trip on the Kentucky Bourbon trail - whether it be for a day or week or more, here are some top tips and trip planning advice to help your trip go a little smoother.
Top Tip #1: Research
Whatever your experience level with bourbon may be, do some research before you leave. Know the distillery hours and days of operation. If you're not already a bourbon drinker, try some bourbon neat or in cocktails before you go and know a bit about which distilleries you'd like to visit. You can follow the links to each of the distilleries on the trail from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website.
Top Tip #2: Decide if you're Self-Transporting, Hiring a Driver, or Joining a Tour
If you are self-transporting (driving) - it's best if one of you is not imbibing and can serve as the designated driver. You might also limit the number of distilleries you visit. We never saw any cyclists on the trail. You could likely get by with rideshare services but it might make sense to hire a driver at that point. Or, you can join one of the experienced tour providers and take the worry out of it altogether. It depends on your budget.
Top Tip #3: Make Reservations in Advance
The Trail is busiest between July and November, and tours are often sold out during these times. For other times of the year, reservations may not be required but are still advised. Do a little planning before your trip - distances between distilleries can range between 15 minutes to an hour or more. You will be driving past beautiful farms and gorgeous countryside so take your time on the drive and enjoy the scenery.
Top Tip #4: Don’t Try to Tour Every Distillery
There are more than 37 distilleries on the trail(s) and quite a few more off the trail. We think three to five distilleries a day is about the maximum you'd want to do. Make sure to tour at least one distillery though! The tours range from $10 to $20 per person at most distilleries. There are a few that are free.
Top Tip #5: Have an Itinerary. It can be flexible and you needn't be tied to it, but having an idea of where you're going sure helps you get the most out of your experience. We created our itinerary by doing some research around the bourbons we like and those we wanted to try.
Top Tip #6: Group your Distillery Visits by Area. This will help to minimize driving time and distances and make your visits more efficient.
Angel's Envy, Evan Williams, Michter's, Old Forester, Rabbit Hole, and Stitzel-Weller are all located in Louisville. You can see all of those in a day and a night.
Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, Glen's Creek, Four Roses, Kentucky Artisan, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve are all near enough to one another in and around Louisville, Frankfort/Lawrenceburg/Versailles and are easily reached from Louisville or Lexington. Plan on two days to see all of those.
Town Branch is located a little further east in Lexington but could be done together with that group or on its own on another day. Who would think of stopping you?
Bardstown Bourbon, Barton's 1792, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Lux Rox, Preservation, and Willett are all in or very near to Bardstown. Maker's Mark is a bit further south but easily reachable. That's a good 2-3 days.
O.Z. Tyler is a couple of hours west in Owensboro and worth a trip on its own, or combined one or two craft distilleries in western Kentucky. There's a day right there. They all add up, don't they?
Top Tip #7 Dress for the weather. Bring Water.
If you visit in the summer, the barrel aging houses can get quite warm. You’ll want to stay hydrated if you are sampling whiskeys, and it’s good to cleanse your palate between tastings. You can also add a drop or two of water to your sample if you want to open up the whiskey or just mellow it out a bit.
Top Tip #8: Where to Stay?
Louisville and Bardstown make excellent bases from which to explore and visit distilleries. Most of the distilleries you will visit will be within an hour or so of either town. Bardstown is a little smaller and quieter than Louisville. If you plan on spending 2-3 days on the trail, staying in one or the other of these places makes sense. If you are going to be there for a week or more, it might make sense to move from one to the other or another town closer to some of the distilleries further afield. Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, and Airbnb lodgings abound for your sleeping pleasure.
Top Tip #9: Bring Some Home.
This is easiest if you are able to drive there - that way you can bring as much whiskey home with you as you'd like. If you fly, you can bring some back in your checked luggage but will be limited to five liters per person (check with your airlines and the TSA). We flew and brought very small carry-on bags so we did not have room to bring any bourbon home with us. We regret this because we had an opportunity to buy several bourbons that are not often available to us in Minnesota (Blanton's, Weller) or not available at all outside of Kentucky (Heaven Hill Green Label, Old Tub). Lesson learned.
Don't know what to buy? If you can't find anything at one of the distilleries, get yourself to Toddy's or Liquor World in Bardstown - they'll have some great recommendations for you.
Top Tip #10: Eat.
I suppose one could do the trail on an empty stomach but why would you want to?
A few of the distilleries have food options on-site, and there are a great many restaurants to visit in and between towns.
See these other posts to learn more about Louisville and The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
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