Central Kentucky Tours makes it easy to explore the best Kentucky bourbon tour stops in the state. We cover Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown, and beyond, and we handle all the driving, routing, and planning for you.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail features more than 40 official distillery stops. These are spread across four key regions: Louisville, Bardstown, the Lexington and Frankfort area, and Northern Kentucky. Whether you want a full weekend on the trail or a single-day tasting experience, we have a tour for you.
Ready to start planning? Browse all our Kentucky bourbon tour stops by region below.
Central Kentucky Tours offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region. From the renowned distilleries in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown to the picturesque horse farms scattered throughout central Kentucky, our tours provide a comprehensive and immersive experience. Discover the art of bourbon-making, learn about the equine industry, and uncover the stories that have shaped this captivating part of the Bluegrass State. Join us on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Kentucky and experience the best of what this remarkable destination has to offer.
The official Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT), managed by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), includes more than 40 distillery stops across the state. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail welcome center is located inside the Frazier Kentucky History Museum in Louisville, the ideal starting point for any bourbon tour Kentucky visitors plan.
Below is a breakdown of the best Kentucky bourbon tour stops by region, updated for 2026.
Louisville is home to the Urban Bourbon Louisville experience, centered along Whiskey Row on Main Street. These Kentucky bourbon tour stops are walkable, making Louisville perfect for a first day on the trail.
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
The first commercial distillery stop on Whiskey Row, offering guided tours and tastings in a beautifully restored historic building.
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Known for port wine barrel finishing, this stop features a stunning tasting room and a view of the working distillery floor.
Rabbit Hole Distillery
A modern, architecturally striking stop with transparent production facilities so you can watch every step of bourbon-making.
Old Forester Distillery
Kentucky’s oldest continuously operating bourbon brand, bringing history and craft together in one downtown Louisville stop.
Louisville distillery tours Kentucky visitors book most often are clustered near NuLu and Whiskey Row, making it easy to visit three or four stops in a single afternoon.
Bardstown is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World, and for good reason. These Kentucky bourbon tour stops sit in the heart of bourbon country Kentucky, surrounded by rolling hills and centuries of distilling heritage.
Heaven Hill Distillery
Home to the Bourbon Heritage Center, this is one of the largest family-owned distilleries in the U.S., with an impressive rickhouse tour and barrel aging exhibit.
Maker’s Mark Distillery
Set on a National Historic Landmark property in nearby Loretto, Maker’s Mark offers immersive experiences including hand-dipping your own bottle in red wax.
Willett Distillery
A family-owned craft gem with stunning hilltop views and a wide range of small-batch bourbons to taste.
Lux Row Distillers
A newer stop on the KBT that features multiple award-winning brands under one roof, including Ezra Brooks and Rebel Bourbon.
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
The spiritual home of Jim Beam, just outside Bardstown in Clermont, with in-depth tours covering mash bill, barrel aging, and the Beam family legacy.
Plan to spend a full day on these Bardstown Kentucky bourbon tour stops — there’s too much to rush.
The Lexington and Frankfort area sits in the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail regions known as the Bluegrass. These Kentucky bourbon tour stops combine world-class distilleries with the region’s famous horse country scenery.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
One of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the U.S., located in Frankfort. Buffalo Trace offers free tours and is home to iconic brands like Eagle Rare and Pappy Van Winkle.
Woodford Reserve Distillery
Set on a scenic National Historic Landmark property in Versailles, Woodford Reserve is one of the most photographed Kentucky bourbon tour stops on the entire trail.
Castle & Key Distillery
A beautifully restored historic distillery featuring formal gardens, a cocktail bar, and seasonal botanical gin alongside its bourbon program.
Wild Turkey Distillery
Perched on a bluff above the Kentucky River, Wild Turkey offers sweeping views and an educational Bourbon Tasting Kentucky experience led by expert guides.
These stops are central to any Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour originating from Lexington. Central Kentucky Tours departs regularly from Lexington for this region.
Northern Kentucky is a growing hub for Kentucky distillery tour stops, with craft producers making their mark just south of Cincinnati. These Kentucky bourbon tour stops are ideal for visitors flying into CVG airport or those who want to combine their bourbon tour with a visit to the greater Cincinnati area.
The Craft Bourbon Trail in Northern Kentucky highlights small-batch producers with hands-on tasting experiences and approachable tours. Ask our guides about adding Northern Kentucky stops to your custom itinerary.
Below are the Kentucky bourbon tour stops we currently serve across Lexington, Louisville, and Bardstown. These are some of the best bourbon distilleries in Kentucky, from iconic heritage brands to rising craft producers. Choose your favorites or let our guides build the perfect route for your group.
From historic landmarks to craft newcomers, choose from dozens of distilleries in Lexington, Louisville, and Bardstown, and we’ll handle the route, the driving, and the planning.
Can’t decide which Kentucky bourbon tour stops to choose?
Our expert local guides will build the perfect route for your group, whether you want a full weekend on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or a focused single-day bourbon tasting Kentucky experience. We handle every detail: reservations, transportation, and the distillery passport program stamps along the way.
Planning the right Kentucky bourbon tour stops takes more than just picking distilleries. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your time on the trail.
Start in Louisville
The Urban Bourbon Louisville district is the most walkable cluster of Kentucky bourbon tour stops on the entire trail. It’s a great warm-up before heading into the countryside.
Build in travel time
Bardstown is about 40 miles from Louisville, and Lexington is about 80 miles. Drive times between major stop clusters add up fast, especially if you’re also touring inside each distillery.
Don’t skip the rickhouse
Barrel aging is what makes Kentucky bourbon unique. Ask for a rickhouse tour at stops like Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and Woodford Reserve to see thousands of barrels aging in real time.
Eat between stops
Bourbon tasting Kentucky-style means sipping on an empty stomach is a mistake. Bardstown and Louisville both have excellent restaurants close to major distillery stops.
Let someone else drive
Booking a guided tour with Central Kentucky Tours means you can enjoy every pour, safely. We handle all the logistics so your group can focus on the bourbon.
Want help choosing the right Kentucky bourbon tour stops for your group? Contact our team and we’ll put together a custom itinerary. You can also browse our full tour packages, check out our Lexington tours, and explore our Louisville bourbon tours for more options. If you’re bringing a large group, visit our group tour page to learn about private packages. For first-time visitors, our about page explains what makes Central Kentucky Tours different from booking direct with distilleries.
