Kentucky’s Bourbon Frenzy
As bourbon’s worldwide popularity continues its meteoric rise, Kentucky distilleries are expanding to make the visitor experience even better.
This unique distillery, tucked away on a scenic country road just south of Lawrenceburg, recently opened a brand new visitor center where tours of the facilities originate. The center also sells Four Roses bourbons from their popular “yellow label” to premium small batch and single barrel offerings.
Just north and east of Lawrenceburg, Wild Turkey also recently opened a large new visitor center high on a bluff overlooking the Kentucky River making its way through the beautiful countryside. You can buy a bottle of Forgiven, one on the most talked about blends of rye and bourbon created by the fortunate accident of a distillery worker.
This distillery, laid out on some beautiful property in the midst of horse farms, is expanding production by adding more tall copper pot stills and increasing warehouse capacity. They recently started producing a “double oaked” version of their bourbon that includes aging in an additional barrel before bottling. Woodford Reserve is also planning a rejuvenation of their visitor center.
This large distillery in Clermont recently opened the Jim Beam American Stillhouse that functions as a visitor center and gift shop.
Now you can experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in downtown Louisville. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in now part of the rejuvenated Whiskey Row section of downtown where you can experience a working artisanal distillery actually making bourbon. Tours conclude with a tasting and the gift shop offer an array of Evan Williams bourbons like the small batch Evan Williams 1783 bourbon.
The Urban Bourbon Trail is made up of over 25 bars and restaurants around Louisville that serve between 50-150 varieties of bourbon. If you want to experience the more traditional side of Louisville you can visit the Old Seelbach Bar. On the more modern end of the spectrum is Proof on Main part of the 21c downtown hotel.
The Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour
Seven smaller boutique distilleries make up the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour and they spread beyond the traditional central Kentucky bourbon producing area. Old Pogue is located in Maysville, Barrel House is in Lexington, Corsair is in Bowling Green, M.B. Roland is in Pembroke, Limestone Branch is in Lebanon, Silver Trail is in Hardin and Willett Distillery is in Bardstown.
