Kentucky Bourbon: Birth to Boom (Two-Day Tour – Day 2 from Lux Row)

Ready to hear the history of bourbon, straight from the mouths of its makers? This two-day driving tour through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® will give you a deeper appreciation for the bourbon tradition and the folks who make it special.

DAY 1 of the tour starts from Jim Beam, where you’ll learn about the Beam family’s impact on the bourbon industry. As you continue on this 75-minute driving tour, you’ll hear Bill Samuels, President Emeritus of Maker’s Mark, tell family stories about the start of the iconic brand. After your visit to Maker’s Mark, you’ll hear from Brad Boswell, CEO and barrel-maker at Independent Stave Company, as he describes the cooper’s craft. Day 1 of the tour ends at the Kentucky Cooperage Visitors Center.

DAY 2 of the tour starts from Lux Row Distillery, where you’ll hear about the rise, fall, and revitalization of the bourbon industry. As you continue on the 90-minute driving tour, you’ll hear from Brent Elliott, Master Distiller at Four Roses, as he describes their unique ten-recipe approach. After your visit to Four Roses, Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus of Woodford Reserve, will share his passion for making bourbon a world-class spirit as you drive to the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery. Day 2 of the tour ends en route to the town of Frankfort, where you can easily join Interstate 64.

Throughout your trip, as you travel through the rolling hills and picturesque landscapes of Kentucky, you’ll get the scoop from industry insiders and agriculture experts. You’ll also hear from local horse trainer, Herbie Reed, as you drink in the rich connections between horse racing and bourbon in Kentucky. By the time you finish, you’ll have learned about the birth of Kentucky bourbon, its mid-century demise, and the people who brought it back with a Boom!

Throughout your two days in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, you’ll have a chance to:

• Take a selfie in front of the Jim Beam Barn
• Learn about the Beam family’s impact on the bourbon industry
• Drive through the heart of Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World
• Listen to Master Distillers and family founders
• Stroll across Starhill Farm, home of Maker’s Mark Distillery
• Discover how Maker’s Mark went from a father’s retirement hobby to an international brand
• Unearth the special traits that make the White Oak trees so crucial to bourbon
• Visit the Lux Row Distillery
• Travel Kentucky’s iconic Bluegrass Parkway
• Unearth the regenerative practices today’s farmers use to supply bourbon’s grains
• Explore Four Roses’ unique Spanish-Mission style distillery
• Hear about The Derby from a Kentucky horse trainer
• Compare Woodford Reserve to cognac as a world-wide spirit
• Hear the local history of the towns you pass through
• Take in the beauty of Kentucky’s rolling rural countryside

So, buckle up, drive responsibly, and let our tour turn the long, confusing drives between distilleries into an immersive Kentucky Bourbon tour.

Cheers to an adventure you’ll talk about for years to come!