2023-11-06 08:00:00
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail just keeps getting longer and longer.
As the commonwealth’s bourbon industry continues to boom, more and more distilleries keep popping up along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s Craft Tour. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has added nine new distilleries to the tour in the past two years alone, bringing the grand total to 47 bourbon destinations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
In other words, if it’s been a couple of years since you’ve traveled the trail ― you’ve got some catching up to do.
Here’s a quick look at the nine newest distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
207 Seminary Ave., Augusta, augustakydistillery.com
Augusta Distillery sits on the limestone banks of the small Kentucky river town that it’s named for in Northern Kentucky. The distillery only releases Kentucky single barrel, cask strength, unfiltered bourbons, which are aged a minimum of eight years. Buckner’s 13-year won Worlds Best Bourbon at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Distillery guests have the option for a hands-on barrel experience where they thieve and taste a variety of bourbons straight from the barrel.
5080 Highway 175 South, Graham, thebarddistillery.com
Thomas Bard, co-founder of The Bard Distilleryis a direct descendant of William Bard, who founded Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1780 with his brother. Bard’s ancestors later settled in Muhlenberg County in 1823, just a few short miles from the site of The Bard Distillery, and the family has lived on that same land for more than two centuries. Thomas and Kim Bard purchased an enormous, century-old art-deco-style abandoned school in 2015 for the distillery. When visitors tour the distillery, they’ll learn regarding the spirits, walk the grounds, and learn regarding the massive renovation that is currently underway. Cocktails are also available on-site.
4445 McCracken Pike, Frankfort, castleandkey.com
Castle & Key is arguably the most beautiful stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. The building or rather, castle, was originally constructed in 1887 and its architecture draws upon Irish, Scottish, Greek, Italian and English influences. Guests are encouraged to grab a cocktail at the bar and wander the stunning gardens. Castle & Key is known for its gin, and it released its highly anticipated first bourbon in 2022.
1121 E. Washington St., Louisville, copperandkings.com
This music-inspired distillery in Louisville’s Butchertown neighborhood made a name for itself initially with its award-winning American brandy. Copper & Kings released its first bourbon this year, which is a blend of five, 10- and 15-year bourbons and then aged in one of its own apple brandy barrels. The distillery’s rooftop bar and restaurant has one of the best views of downtown Louisville as well as an eclectic cocktail menu.
377 E. Main St., Suite 100, Lexington, freshbourbon.com
With the creation of a unique, four-grain mash bill with a signature grain called honey malt, Fresh Bourbon is making its own path in a traditional industry. In the tasting room, the distillery staff aims to “guide each guest down their own journey with America’s Native spirit,” whether that’s neat or through a craft cocktail. This unique bourbon experience begins with a sensory component and later it guides visitors through making their own old-fashioned. Fresh Bourbon is among the first Black-owned distilleries in Kentucky.
225 Dee Head Road, New Haven, logstilldistillery.com
The Dant family has deep roots in Kentucky bourbon, and this distillery was founded by J. W. “Wally” Dant. He runs it with his cousins Lynne E. Dant and Charles D. Dant. Log Still Distillery is home to the Monk’s Road bourbons and gins, and it anchors a stunning outdoor entertainment campus complete with an amphitheater, wooded walking trails, a train experience and a 12-acre outdoor fishing lake. The complex also has an upcoming farm-to-table restaurant, 47 & Poplar, that’s expected to open soon.
720 Monmouth St., Newport, pensivedistilling.com
Located in a historic building Monmouth Street in Newport, this distillery and restaurant combines the tradition of distilling with modern recipes. On Pensive Distilling Co.’s bourbon tour distillery, guests will learn regarding Newport’s rich history of bootlegging, take a walk through its distilling process and sample single barrel bourbons. The distillery currently sells 100 proof bourbon, 80 proof bourbon, apple pie moonshine and vodka.
1170 Manchester St., Suite 190, Lexington, rd1spirits.com
RD1 Spirits aims to answer “what else can bourbon do?” by exploring what happens when unique wood staves are added to certain barrels to finish aging the whiskey. At the RD1 Tasting Room and Gift Shop, guests begin a sensory-focused tasting journey starting with the company’s 98-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. From there, visitors transition to three wood-finished pours and can taste the difference. In addition to this $12 experience, RD1 offers a full cocktail bar.
283 Crab Orchard Road, Frankfort, whiskeythief.com
Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. in rural Franklin County is new to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, but this hidden gem on a 127-acre working farm in rural Franklin County has been making bourbon for more than a decade. Whiskey Thief makes single-barrel bourbon using single-batch distillation. Just as the name suggests, it’s known for experiences that allow guests to “thieve,” or rather, sample bourbons straight from the barrel.
Features columnist Maggie Menderski writes regarding what makes Louisville, Southern Indiana and Kentucky unique, wonderful, and occasionally, a little weird. Sometimes she writes regarding bourbon, too. Say hello at mmenderski@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4053. Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @MaggieMenderski.
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