Two Days. Four iconic bourbon distilleries, Plus Kentucky Cooperage
James B Beam Distilling Co.
Maker’s Mark Distillery
Four Roses Distillery
Woodford Reserve Distillery
TOUR DETAILS
WHAT YOU GET
- Turn-by-Turn Directions
- Life-long access. You can retake or replay it over and over.
- Flexibility. Drive, taste, and tour at your own pace.
- Insider stories. Master Distillers, Brand owners, and CEOs tell you their stories.
- History. How and why Kentucky was the birthplace of bourbon.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE
- James B Beam Distilling Co.
- Bardstown
- Heaven Hill
- Willett Distillery
- Loretto, KY
- Maker’s Mark Distillery
- Kentucky Cooperage Visitor’s Center
- Four Roses Distillery
- Wild Turkey Distillery
- Kentucky River Bridge
- Scenic Horse Farms
- Woodford Reserve
NOT INCLUDED:
- Distillery Tours / Tastings. Tickets for each distillery need to be purchased separately.
- A Designated Driver. Do not drink and drive. Do not drive intoxicated.
DRIVE TIME
Day 1:
| 🕥 50 min. | Jim Beam → Maker’s Mark |
| 🕥 20 min. | Maker’s Mark → Kentucky Cooperage Visitors Center |
Day 2:
| 🕥 ~60 min. | Bardstown → Four Roses |
| 🕥 ~40 min. | Four Roses → Woodford Reserve |
WHO YOU’LL HEAR
- Brent Elliot – Master Distiller for Four Roses
- Chris Morris – Master Distiller Emeritus for Woodford Reserve
- Mandy Ryan – Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experiences
- Bill Samuels Jr – President Emeritus of Maker’s Mark
- Amanda Humphrey – Manager, Star Hill Farm Advocacy & Experiences
- Brad Boswell – CEO of Independent Stave Co.
- Prof. Chad Lee – Director of the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, University of Kentucky
- Herbie Reed – Retired Kentucky racehorse trainer
Description
Get ready for an extraordinary trip to Kentucky’s bourbon region. On this jam-packed driving tour, you’ll visit the James B. Beam Distilling Co., Maker’s Mark Distillery, Four Roses Distillery, and Woodford Reserve Distillery. Each leg of the tour gives you a deeper appreciation for the bourbon tradition and the folks who make it special.
The tour starts from the James B. Beam Distilling Co., where you’ll learn about the Beam family’s impact on the bourbon industry. As you continue on this 150-minute driving tour, you’ll hear Master Distiller Brent Elliot unveil the secrets behind Four Roses’ unique flavors. Bill Samuels, President Emeritus of Maker’s Mark, will tell family stories about starting the iconic brand. You’ll also hear Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris describe the innovations that made Woodford Reserve a world-class spirit.
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.
The tour ends en route to the town of Frankfort, where you can join Interstate 64. By this point, you’ll have learned about the birth of Kentucky bourbon, its mid-century demise, and the people who brought it back with a Boom!
While driving between distilleries, you’ll have a chance to:
- Travel through the heart of Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World
- Discover how Maker’s Mark went from a father’s retirement hobby to an international brand
- Listen to the CEO of the world’s largest barrel-making company tell you about the cooper’s craft, and take an optional stop at the Kentucky Cooperage Visitors Center
- Unearth the regenerative practices today’s farmers use to supply bourbon’s grains
- Compare Woodford Reserve to cognac as a world-wide spirit
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!
REGISTER TO RECEIVE UPDATES:
NOTE: This version of the bourbon tour is designed so that you drive to and visit all five locations over two separate days out of Bardstown. If you want to visit them all in a single day, purchase the Single-Day version of the tour.
One Comment