This article concludes our three-part series on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with a focus on distilleries in or near the Bardstown area.

Bardstown, Kentucky, is known as ‘The Bourbon Capital of the World’ due to its numerous distilleries and deep roots in bourbon history. It also boasts significant historical and cultural attractions, including the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, the oldest active monastery in the U.S., and My Old Kentucky Home State Park, honored in the Stephen Foster classic song. The town is celebrated for its charming downtown and historic architecture. 

Bardstown’s distillery tradition dates as far back as 1792, and is home to the nation’s oldest 

working bourbon distillery still on its original site -- Maker’s Mark, dating back to 1805.  At Maker’s Mark Distillery on Star Hill Farm, there is much more to explore beyond Bourbon. Choose from a wide offering of experiences ranging from traditional tours and cocktail classes to unique seasonal workshops. Learn how Maker’s Mark Bourbon is carefully crafted from beginning to end, and even try your hand at dipping your own bottle into their signature red wax in the gift shop. Make sure you save time to grab a bite and a cocktail at their on-site restaurant, Star Hill Provisions, where produce and herbs from Maker’s very own farm are featured both on your plate and in your glass.

Maker’s Mark is a beautiful, National Historic Landmark Distillery nestled in the picturesque hills of Star Hill Farm, where you can experience up close their commitment to good taste, craftsmanship, and environmental stewardship.

Founded by five brothers after the repeal of Prohibition in 1935, Heaven Hill offers many iconic bourbon brands, including Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Old Fitzgerald, Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond, and Widow Jane, among others. It offers several tasting rooms on-site, interactive exhibits, an expanded gift shop, a rooftop bar, and VIP experiences. 

Heaven Hill is the largest family-owned-and-operated distilled spirits company in the United States. This independent, local distillery is the second-largest holder of aging Bourbon barrels in the world.

Started in 1936 by Thompson Willett, the distillery operated for nearly 45 years until the early 1980s, when it was shut down due to bourbon’s declining popularity at the time.  In 2012, the distillery was revived, and today it is back at full capacity, producing numerous brands, including Willett Pot Still Reserve, Speakeasy, Kentucky Vintage, and Old Bardstown Estate Bottled.

The distillery's iconic Pot Still Reserve bourbon is bottled in a collectible decanter that mimics its unique pot still.  Additionally, many of Willett’s products are bottled at high proof – 100 proof and higher.

Traditional Old Fashioned

Now that we’ve covered many of the iconic Kentucky bourbon distilleries in our three-part series, your whistle may be whetted to try to your hand at making a traditional Old-Fashioned cocktail.  Here is a recipe to get you started:

A classic Old Fashioned is a timeless cocktail made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water. The drink is traditionally prepared by muddling a sugar cube with bitters and a splash of water, though many modern recipes use simple syrup instead.