Writer’s Note:  This is the first part of a three-part series on Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries and some sights that can be experienced nearby or in conjunction with a visit to the Bourbon Trail. I’ve done parts of the Bourbon trail at least three times now, with a fourth visit planned by the time this series concludes – and I don’t drink bourbon!  However, my husband Rich does like bourbon, and I enjoy the drive and scenery that the Bourbon Trail offers.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a tourism experience promoted by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association that allows visitors to tour over 60 registered distilleries and learn about the bourbon-making process in Kentucky. Visitors can plan their own trip or join guided tours to explore the rich history and tradition of Kentucky's official native spirit, with popular gateways, including Lexington area distilleries, which I will cover in this article, Louisville and Frankfurt area distilleries, which will be covered in part two, and Bardstown area distilleries, which will be featured in part three. 

Lexington has beautiful and scenic bluegrass country landscapes and the famous Kentucky Horse Park. Louisville provides a vibrant city base with urban distilleries and attractions. Bardstown, the "Bourbon Capital of the World," immerses you in a historic, concentrated area of distilleries with a charming downtown area. 

To visit most distilleries for tours and tastings, you must book in advance, as most distilleries require reservations, especially for popular locations and peak seasons like spring and fall. You'll need to plan your transportation, sometimes a rental car or guided tour, and/or designate a sober driver – tasting a lot of bourbons can take a toll on your sensibilities! While there's no formal age requirement beyond being of legal drinking age for tastings, responsible drinking is crucial, and you should also wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes and dress in smart casual attire. 

Under Kentucky law, visitors can purchase up to 9 liters per customer, per day at distillery gift shops. Options to ship the product back to your home may be available. Some distilleries offer special batches and bottles that are only available for purchase on-site.

Lexington, Kentucky, is known as the ‘Horse Capital of the World’ due to its farms and many famous racing venues like Keeneland and Kentucky Horse Park. It is also a major center for Bourbon with seven distilleries in Lexington, and a number of distilleries that are within a 30-40 minute drive. The following are two distilleries worth a visit. an iconic

 

A trip to Four Roses’ historic distillery on the scenic Salt River or to their Warehouse & Bottling Facility nestled in the quiet countryside at Cox’s Creek, and you’ll begin to understand how their Bourbon has come to be so mellow. Of course, being able to sample a taste of their award-winning Bourbons makes a trip all the more rewarding. Enjoy a walking tour of the distillery and grounds, or their bottling facility and warehouses, explore the distillation process, and conclude your experience with a guided tasting of award-winning Bourbons. 

Four Roses is one of the only distilleries to use single-story rack warehouses, providing a more stable aging process. You can visit these at their Cox’s Creek location.

The art of making fine whiskey first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812, which is located in Versailles, Kentucky, about a 30-minute drive southeast of Lexington. It is now the home of innovative whiskeys, under the guidance of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris. Elizabeth and Chris have been integral in driving innovation and shaping the story of Woodford Reserve, sharing the belief that the keys to making the World’s Finest Bourbon are not only time and patience, but science and art.

With cypress fermentation tanks, three copper pot stills and a historic limestone warehouse, Woodford Reserve is unique among Kentucky distilleries. It celebrates the past while producing modern American whiskeys.

For over 200 years, Buffalo Trace Distillery has been defined by a dedication to one craft: making fine bourbon whiskey. It is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America and also is one of the largest families of homegrown bourbon brands in the industry. Its namesake and flagship brand is Buffalo Trace Bourbon, however, the line includes several other brands and collections, including Blantons, Pappy Van Winkle, Weller, Eagle Rare and Colonel E.H. Taylor. 

Blantons has a serious cult following of bourbon lovers driven by a combination of collectible packaging, a unique single-barrel process, and limited availability. The fervor for Blanton's has been dubbed a "phenomenon" within the bourbon community. 

While Buffalo Trace is not on the official "Bourbon Trail" because the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) sued its owner, Sazerac, over trademark disputes related to the "Bourbon Trail" name, Buffalo Trace was a founding member of the trail. And it is definitely worth a visit on your ‘Bourbon Trail’ visit. 

The Blanton’s bottle's distinctive round shape and horse-and-jockey stopper have become an obsession for many fans. There are eight different toppers, each depicting a different stage of a horse race and marked with a letter to spell out "B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S". The handwritten label also includes the barrel's "dump date," which leads some collectors to hunt for bottles to commemorate birthdays or anniversaries.

Watch for next month’s issue of The Stroll to learn about distilleries in or near Louisville.