So, you’ve gotten the bourbon itch and you’re eager to hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Great, but so have hundreds of thousands of people.
The Kentucky Distillers Association reported 2.55 million visits to Kentucky distilleries in 2023, with visitors coming from 48 states, 20 countries and six continents. The popularity of Kentucky bourbon has skyrocketed over the past decade, and the craft distilling and tourism industry has flourished along with it. Demand means that walk-in tours and tastings are not always available and accommodation, experience and dining reservations are often recommended.
If you plan to hike the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, come prepared.
Ahead of the summer travel season, The Courier Journal contacted tourism officials in Louisville, Bardstown and Frankfort to determine how far in advance they should make their plans.
Ready to hit the road? Here’s what you need to know about planning a bourbon adventure in Kentucky.
Is there any time of year when the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is less crowded?
The bourbon barrels will age two years inside a small house at the Limestone Branch Distillery.
Late winter, in general, tends to be the least busy time to visit Kentucky, but in recent years, many distilleries have seen an uptick during the winter holiday season and even in January, February and early March.
When Should You Book a Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour?
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky
Tourism officials recommend booking tours at least a month in advance, but this largely depends on the distillery you want to go to. Distilleries individually post calendars for reservation dates, some distilleries, like the ever-popular Buffalo Trace Distillery (which is not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail), open reservations two months in advance and offer a wait list. Other distilleries have calendars that extend three months or more in advance.
Officials suggest first researching the distilleries you know you want to visit, finding out when those calendars will be released, and booking those can’t-miss experiences as soon as possible. Set calendar reminders on your phone so you can come back when the time comes.
When should I book a hotel or Airbnb for a Kentucky Bourbon Trail trip?
Entrance to the Stitzel-Weller distillery in Louisville.
If you are planning a weekend trip in April, early May, September or October, book as far in advance as possible. In most cases, accommodation in Frankfort can be found about two weeks in advance. Bardstown officials recommended booking at least 1-2 months in advance. For major events, like the Bardstown Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September, some people reserve rooms a year in advance.
When should I make a reservation at a Kentucky Bourbon Distillery restaurant?
The Kitchen Table at Jim Beam Distillery offers several signature cocktails, from the Chaiball that mixes Jim Beam with chai and carbonated water to the Crop Circle, with Old Crow, a poblano chile, charred corn, lime, and chipotle oil.
In general, officials recommend making a dining reservation at least two weeks in advance. Distillery restaurants typically open fewer hours than traditional restaurants, so your reservations will be tighter. If you’ve already secured a bourbon experience at a distillery, try to make a reservation to match it.
When should I book a tour company to help me hike the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
A distillation column at the Rabbit Hole Distillery. September 22, 2018
Again, officials recommend closing this as soon as possible. Many tour companies open their calendars for booking up to a year in advance.
How many Kentucky bourbon distilleries can you visit in a single day?
The expanded gift shop at Louisville bourbon distillery Angel’s Envy. The distiller is expanding to meet demand for its products and interest in touring its facilities. June 8, 2022
Tours usually last between 30 and 90 minutes. As you plan your schedule, be sure to look at how closely you stack them and what the travel time may be between distilleries. Many distilleries have cocktail bars and gift shops, so even if you have some time in between, you’ll almost certainly have somewhere interesting to stay.
The closer the distilleries are, the more you can visit in a day. Louisville, for example, has several distilleries within walking distance of each other, and in Lexington, you can visit three distilleries in a row in the Distillery District. Travelers will need a car or tour bus to get around the Bardstown or Frankfort distilleries.
A leisurely traveler might hit three in a single day, while a more thorough planner might hit five.
What are the hidden gems along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
It is often easier to book a tour with smaller craft distilleries than internationally known brands. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour distilleries may have more availability than the traditional Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
For example, Whiskey Thief Distilling Company in Frankfort still offers walk-in tours, but they recommend calling ahead.
Many newer or smaller distilleries are not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail, such as the J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort, as well as Buzzards Roost and NuLu Whiskey Company of Louisville.
Bardstown Bourbon Company and Castle & Key also operate tasting rooms in downtown Louisville.
Features columnist Maggie Menderski writes about what makes Louisville, Southern Indiana and Kentucky unique, wonderful and sometimes a little strange. If you have something in your family, your city, or even your closet that fits that description, she wants to hear from you. She sometimes writes about bourbon too. Say hello to mmenderski@courier-journal.com. Follow us on Instagram @MaggieMenderski.
This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: Tips and Advice for Booking Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Tours
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