Kentucky Bourbon Trail / Bourbon Distilleries

[CaesarSTL]

Hello,

I'm going to be back in the US for a couple of weeks here in May with the gf''s french family, and we're considering a side trip over to Louisville/Bourbon country. Any locals or experts on the board who could make some suggestions? Favorite tours, more authentic tours, restaurants, places to stay, other points of interest, etc. Looking at several web sites seems to suggest that you can't really try any of the higher end offerings at the distilleries, is this true? Are there any distillery only bottlings I should look out for? Thanks!

 

[gnatty8]



Hello,

I'm going to be back in the US for a couple of weeks here in May with the gf''s french family, and we're considering a side trip over to Louisville/Bourbon country. Any locals or experts on the board who could make some suggestions? Favorite tours, more authentic tours, restaurants, places to stay, other points of interest, etc. Looking at several web sites seems to suggest that you can't really try any of the higher end offerings at the distilleries, is this true? Are there any distillery only bottlings I should look out for? Thanks!

Can't help you out with Louisville, but I think overall you are correct that the higher end offerings will not be available at the distilleries. I have been to Buffalo Trace in Frankfort twice, and they've never had any of their more rare whiskies (i.e. Pappy Van Winkle, BTAC) for sample or sale..

 

[Ed Wiser]

I live in Louisville and there are a lot of tours for the Bourbon Trail. First stop is the
http://kybourbontrail.com/

Here is one tour company that does it all for you.
http://bourbontrailtours.com/

Louisville based tour.
http://www.mintjuleptours.com/

Bardstown which is a short drive down I65 from Louisville has tours of the Bourbon distilleries located there.

http://www.bourbonheritagecenter.com/

Best hotel in Louisville for someone to stay at is
http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville/

 

[FLMountainMan]

Louisville is really an underrated city. I went there expecting meh and was surprised at how great it was.