Our Kentucky bourbon distillery tour takes you deep into the heart of bourbon country on a fully guided day trip from the Lexington area. We depart Harrodsburg at approximately 8:30 AM and wind through the scenic Bluegrass Parkway to Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World and voted “Most Beautiful Small Town in America” by Rand McNally and USA Today.
Every Kentucky bourbon distillery tour we run includes all admission and tasting fees, door-to-door transportation from your Lexington area lodging, and expert guidance from a local who knows bourbon country inside and out. Updated for 2026, our routes reflect current distillery availability and the latest Kentucky Bourbon Trail experiences.
Our first stop of the day will be at the Kentucky Bourbon Tour® Member Jim Beam Distillery just outside of Bardstown. Now managed by the seventh generation of Master Distillers from the same family, Jim Beam is the #1 producer of bourbon in the world. You will be touring the distillery, tasting several of their different labels of bourbon and have time for doing some shopping in the Jim Beam American Stillhouse.
Leaving the distillery, we will drive back into Bardstown for lunch at one of the great small town restaurants in the #1 Small Town in America, such as Kurtz, Talbott Tavern and Mammie's.
After lunch, we will cross town to the Heaven Hill Distillery, another stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and home of the Bourbon Heritage Center. You will have time for some shopping in their gift shop and view some of the display on the history of bourbon.
Our last stop of the day will be just over the hill at Willett's Distillery , a craft distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® and producer of Small Batch Boutique Bourbons. Started in 1936 by the Willett family on their family farm, the distillery is still owned and managed by the family. You will tour their distillery, warehouse and then have a tasting of some of their 17 different labels. After a few minutes for shopping in their gift shop, we will head back to Harrodsburg and Shaker Village, arriving back around 5 p.m.
If you need an alternative pickup location, please call 859-806-8729 before booking.
Private tours start at $1,000 for up to 4 guests.
For groups of 6 or more, $220 per guest.
Price includes all admissions/tasting fees and guided transportation from Lexington area lodging. Does not include lunch or guide gratuities. The schedule is tentative until booked due to limited distillery capacity.
Note: this is based on distillery availability and we have the right to alter schedule based on distillery capacity. We will find an equal experience if the mentioned distilleries are unavailable.
A Kentucky bourbon distillery tour is the most immersive way to explore the birthplace of America’s native spirit. The official Kentucky Bourbon Trail stretches across six scenic regions of the Commonwealth, connecting legendary distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, and Wild Turkey. Our guided bourbon distillery tours Kentucky travelers love most focus on the Bardstown corridor, the densely packed heart of bourbon country where you can visit three world-class distilleries in a single day.
Whether you’re after a classic production tour, an elevated tasting experience, or a private bourbon distillery tour tailored to your group, Central Kentucky Tours handles every detail. We pick you up from your Lexington area lodging, handle all reservations and ticketing, and get you back safely, no designated driver required.
Bourbon distillery tours visitors take most often fall into three regional hubs. Bardstown is the undisputed Bourbon Capital of the World, home to Heaven Hill, Willett, and easy access to Jim Beam. Frankfort and Versailles anchor the central region, featuring Buffalo Trace Distillery and Woodford Reserve Distillery. Louisville is the urban gateway to the trail, with multiple distilleries and a thriving cocktail scene. Our Heritage Tour focuses on the Bardstown region, perfect for first-time visitors completing their Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport.
Lexington bourbon distilleries and the surrounding Bluegrass region round out the experience, offering craft bourbon distillery tour options for travelers who want to go beyond the big names. No matter your starting point, every Kentucky bourbon distillery tour offers a look into the mash bill, barrel aging process, rickhouse storage, and the science behind what makes Kentucky bourbon unique.
Pricing for a Kentucky bourbon distillery tour varies by experience type. Our guided bourbon tour Kentucky packages start at $220 per person for groups of six or more, with all tasting fees and admissions included. Private tours begin at $1,100 for up to four guests, ideal for special occasions, corporate groups, or anyone who wants a fully customized experience.
Some distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including Buffalo Trace, offer complimentary self-guided or walking tours at no charge, though premium tasting experiences carry an additional fee. Our all-inclusive pricing means no surprise costs on the day of your Kentucky bourbon distillery tour.
The best Kentucky bourbon distillery tour depends on your interests. History buffs love Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the U.S. Craft fans gravitate toward Willett and Four Roses. For a premium experience with stunning architecture, Woodford Reserve Distillery and Maker’s Mark Distillery are unmatched. Our Heritage Tour combines the best of all worlds, big names, craft producers, and Bardstown’s legendary small-town charm.
Yes, Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort offers several complimentary bourbon distillery tours Kentucky visitors can book online at no cost, including their popular Hard Hat Tour and Trace Tour. Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center also features free self-guided exhibits. However, the most memorable Kentucky bourbon tour experience typically includes guided tastings, which carry a modest fee. Our all-inclusive package covers all costs so you never have to worry about paying at the door.
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the most popular seasons for a Kentucky bourbon distillery tour, offering mild temperatures and stunning Bluegrass scenery. Summer brings full distillery activity and longer hours, while winter features festive bourbon country tours with fewer crowds. We run Kentucky distillery visits Wednesday through Saturday year-round, so there’s never a bad time to explore bourbon country.
Your Kentucky bourbon distillery tour begins at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, one of the most iconic stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Jim Beam is the world’s #1 bourbon producer, now in its seventh generation of Master Distillers. You’ll tour the production facilities, taste several of their signature labels, and browse the distillery gift shop for exclusive bottles and merchandise.
After the morning visit, we head into Bardstown for lunch on your own. The Bourbon Capital of the World has no shortage of great dining options, local favorites include Kurtz Restaurant, the historic Talbott Tavern, and Mammie’s for classic Kentucky comfort food.
No Kentucky bourbon distillery tour is complete without a stop at Heaven Hill Distillery, America’s largest family-owned bourbon producer and home of the legendary Bourbon Heritage Center. Explore interactive exhibits on bourbon whiskey production, barrel aging, and the history of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, then browse their well-stocked distillery gift shop for limited-release finds.
The final stop on your Kentucky bourbon distillery tour is Willett Distillery, a craft bourbon distillery tour highlight and one of Bardstown’s most picturesque family-owned operations. Founded in 1936 on the Willett family farm, this small-batch producer offers tastings across 17 different labels, a tour of their rickhouse and barrel aging facilities, and a gift shop stocked with boutique bourbons you won’t find anywhere else. We return to Harrodsburg around 5 PM.
Ready to experience the best of bourbon country? Our Kentucky bourbon distillery tour runs Wednesday through Saturday, with pickup from Lexington area lodging between 8:00 and 9:45 AM. All tastings, admissions, and guided transportation are included in your price.
For private groups, couples, or anyone who wants a fully customized private bourbon distillery tour, we offer flexible itineraries built around your schedule and interests. Alternate pickup locations are available, just call us at 859-806-8729 before booking.
Contact Central Kentucky Tours to check availability, ask about group rates, or reserve your spot on an upcoming Kentucky bourbon distillery tour. Spaces fill quickly, especially during peak spring and fall seasons, don’t wait to secure your date.
