The southeastern state of Kentucky is an adventurer’s dream location. From the mighty Ohio River running through the north to the striking Appalachian Mountains to the east, there’s plenty to see, do, and experience in The Bluegrass State.
While some people visit for the Kentucky Derby or to try the best Kentucky fried chicken, others prefer to learn about bourbon and whiskey distilling and the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a popular adventure that allows road-trippers to explore world- famous bourbon distilleries sponsored by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. If you’re curious about some of the best distilleries to check out first on your travels, we’ve highlighted a few of the most popular options below.
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Angel’s Envy Distillery on Main Street in Louisville is a favorite of travelers who love treating themselves to the occasional nip of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Angel’s Envy is a beautiful smooth bourbon finished in port wine barrels at a fully operational urban distillery established in 2013.
On your tour, you’ll be able to see the distillation process and enjoy a tasting experience in the finishing room. If you want to stay on the bourbon theme, consider purchasing Bourbon Sugar indica CBD flower from Secret Nature CBD to finish the day on a high.
Four Roses Distillery
If you’re looking for a truly immersive distillery experience, look no further than Four Roses. Visitors can start their tour in Lawrenceburg, where they can enjoy award-winning bourbon, before traveling to the Four Roses Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek.
Green River Distillery
Green River Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a proud producer of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey with high rye content that has undergone four years of aging in the hot Kentucky sun. Visitors to this distillery will be blown away by how beautifully the building has been restored to its former glory and how the distillery can produce the same smooth, round bourbon whiskey blend since 1885.
Heaven Hill Distillery
You’d be wrong if you thought you had already discovered all the best photo spots in the South. If you pay a visit to Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, you can get your photo taken standing in the world’s largest bourbon barrel.
Heaven Hill Distillery is family-owned and operated by the Shapira family and offers more than just nationally acclaimed American whiskeys. You can also enjoy interactive exhibits, tasting opportunities and a working rickhouse.
Lux Row Distillery
If you’re already road-tripping through the bourbon capital of the world—Bardstown—then don’t forget to pay a visit to Lux Row Distillery. Lux Row offers visitors the chance to see how whiskey is made and even provides them with an enjoyable bourbon-tasting seminar to finish the tour. Lux Row is home to five well-known brands, and you’ll be able to sample the full range to see which one will tantalize your tastebuds the most.
Bourbon-Themed Stays
No need to let your bourbon focus lapse when you turn in for the night. Each stop along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail offers amenities that further entrench you in the history and culture of Kentucky bourbon, including Bardstown’s Talbott Tavern, said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America, and Louisville’s Chateau Bourbon B&B, boasting a three-course, bourbon-infused Southern breakfast.
