Blantons
Bourbon has been enjoyed for centuries, but single barrel bourbon only dates back to 1984, when the owners of then Ancient Age Distillery, present-day Buffalo Trace Distillery, set out to create a premium quality product. The result? The bourbon industry was revolutionized.
Blanton Bourbons namesake Colonel Albert Blanton was the inspiration behind this when he discovered that his warehouse aged bourbon better than any other on the grounds. After some taste-testing experiments, Col. Blanton would pick an individual barrel he liked best, have it bottled and share it with friends. Those bottles became his “special select” single barrel bourbons.
Today, most distilleries offer one or more single barrel bottlings, but Blantons was the first, and some believe, the finest, single barrel on the market. Blantons Bourbon is now produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY; the Albert B. Blanton Hall is currently a part of their distillery tour.
A little Kentucky/bourbon history from Blantons: The horse and jockey on the bottle stoppers of Blantons are a recognized trademark of Blantons Single Barrel Bourbon, paralleling the rich heritage of the drink with the tradition of horses in Kentucky.
And theyre off... collect all the bottle stoppers from Blantons bourbon, and youll see a horse racing to the finish line!
Castle & Key
Nestled on the rolling hills of Kentucky lies an elaborate, magical destination distillery called Castle & Key. Replacing the historic Old Taylor Distillery, Castle & Key intends to get back to the roots of the bourbon-making industry while honoring the historic site that it is reviving. The distillery, not having produced a drop of whiskey in decades, is coming back to life with traditional Kentuckian roots, plus a modern twist. While the distillery is wrapping up its final production stages, it will be open to the public sometime this summer where customers can expect a “literal guarantee” of Bourbons authenticity.
As Kentuckys first female Master Distiller, Marianne Barnes is taking advantage of her astute business mind and forward-thinking nature by introducing gin, in addition to whiskey, as a staple of Castle & Key.
Barnes bourbon journey began after she was selected for a coveted internship with global spirits producer Brown-Forman. After soaking in as much as possible about quality spirits production, Barnes didnt waste any time utilizing her engineering background on the job. She worked her way up the ranks as Brown-Formans Master Taster of Bourbon and Kentucky Whiskies in record time, (one year) and was being groomed to be the next Woodford Reserve Master Distiller. After leaving the Master Taster position at Woodford Reserve, Barnes is very happy with her current gig as the new, young and fresh Master Distiller of the Castle & Key Distillery.
Anytime Barnes has the chance to experience a new flavor, Bourbon or not, she is all over it. Particularly enjoying the variety thats offered in premium Bourbons and craft beers, she also stretches her palette with coffee flavors. Joining her husband, a professional coffee roaster, in taste testing and cupping coffees, Barnes says that while the flavors in coffee can be similar to bourbon, the method to taste is vastly different.
Marianne Barnes is bourbons first female Master Distiller in Kentucky. Cheers to her!
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Traces title as the “Worlds Most Award-Winning Distillery” has been earned through the uncompromising dedication of the craftsmen for well over 200 years. Their passion for distilling is revered by experts worldwide, and for good reason. Also acclaimed as the oldest, continuously operating distillery in the United States (even operating during Prohibition) the Buffalo Trace Distillery recently was awarded as a National Historic Landmark; the accolade, among many, in which the distillers hold most dear.
What can a new visitor expect on a tour? A real, working distillery set in a rustic setting that honors tradition, but embraces change. Walking amidst the path of rolling bourbon barrels, visitors are captivated by the alluring smell and atmosphere of bourbon sleeping inside the aging warehouses. After walking among the bourbon cave, customers are invited inside the renowned Blantons Bottling Hall where they can witness signature bourbons being filled, sealed, labeled and packaged-all by hand. All five of the Buffalo Trace tours are complimentary and include tastings of some of their award-winning products.
Buffalo Traces Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley received degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, starting his distilling career straight out of college as Buffalo Traces supervisor to then Master Distiller Gary Gayheart. Wheatley took over the Master Distiller position upon Gayhearts retirement after training under him for 10 years. While keeping up with the demand of bourbon presents its own set of challenges, Wheatley attributes the rewarding part of his job to his customers, saying hearing from guests on what they think about the distillery and its products is quite fulfilling.
One of Wheatleys favorite quotes from former Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee: “Theres no right or wrong way to drink bourbon. Drink it how you like it!”
Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey Hill is the living embodiment of a Bourbon Dynasty, as whiskey has been made on that very spot for over a century. Located along the Kentucky River, visitors experience breathtaking views of Kentucky, unmatched access to facilities and they get to meet face-to-face with two of the most influential Master Distillers of all time.
Serving as the spiritual home for Wild Turkey, the Visitor Center provides a unique destination for whiskey fans to learn about the fascinating role that Bourbon has played as the lifeblood of the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. Visitors get an inside experience unlike anything else on the Bourbon Trail where they are treated to a full tour of every step of the distilling process, from learning about the brands uniqueness to how Wild Turkey is made, bottled and dispensed.
Father and son bourbon fans Jimmy and Eddie represent the only father-son Master Distiller duo in history, with nearly 100 years of combined whiskey making experience. Both entrepreneurs are proud members of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, and were recently named Spirits Brand of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. Jimmy, the longest active Master Distiller in the world, has been anointed a Kentucky Colonel by three state governors, recently celebrating his 60th anniversary as the leader of Kentuckys Wild Turkey Bourbon.
“Wild Turkey will always adhere to a higher standard of excellence in how we approach making bourbon,” said Kyle, Wild Turkey Brand Ambassador. “It might not always be the flashiest way to do things, but its the right way, and we will never apologize for that.”
Last year, Matthew McConaughey was named Creative Director of the new Wild Turkey brand campaign.
Bulleit
Originally opening its doors on Derby Day in 1935, the Stizel-Weller Distillery, home to the infamous Bulleit whiskey, is one of the true cathedrals of the American whiskey industry. Located five miles from downtown Louisville, the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience is said to be one of the most convenient and impressive stops along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stizel-Weller is where guests can come to learn about the past, present and future of the family of high-rye, award-winning whiskeys.
Tom Bulleit, Founder and Master Distiller of the Bulleit brand, fulfilled a lifelong dream of reviving an old family bourbon recipe by introducing the Bulleit Distilling Company, inspired by his great-great-grandfather Bulleit. (Tom) Bulleit grew up around the whiskey business his whole life working in distilleries off and on before joining the Marine Corps and thereafter attending Law School. After risking everything by quitting his stable job as a lawyer to experience life on the frontier, he is said to have never looked back.
Interesting fact: Bulleit rye was created because of, and for, bartenders. When Tom heard what a huge hit Bulleit had been in California bars, he teamed up with his daughter, Hollis, and got to work on producing Bulleit rye. On that note and according to Tom and Hollis, the complex blend of flavors exists to complement BBQ, particularly if its Lowcountry mustard-based BBQ, Toms personal favorite style.
Bulleit rye was created because of–and for–bartenders. Youll like it mixed... or served with mustard barbeque!
Four Roses
This award-winning brand is a true testament to the care and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Four Roses Bourbon; the long history of expertise and dedication evident in every sip. Four Roses Distillery is the only distillery that handcrafts 10 distinct and extraordinary recipes, and mingles them afterward by hand. It has been named Whiskey Distiller of the Year three consecutive years and again in 2015 by Whiskey Magazine.
Located on the scenic Salt River in Lawrenceburg, KY, the Four Roses Distillery isnt (aesthetically-speaking) your typical distillery. Featuring a Spanish Mission-Style architecture with a tinge of a sassy flair, Four Roses is sure to catch the eyes of visitors everywhere, and keeps guests coming and coming after just one sip of the savory whiskey.
Setting themselves apart from others along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Four Roses uses single-story rack warehouses to minimize temperature variations which provides a gentle, undisturbed and more consistent aging process. Visitors can learn more about the process at the distillerys Warehousing and Bottling Facility. Although Four Roses distillers have carefully handcrafted their bourbon to be enjoyed either straight up or on the rocks, theyve concocted some mighty tasty cocktails over the years: the Four Roses Mint Julep and Roses Honey Smash drinks at the top of their list.
Falling into the bourbon business, as Master Distiller Brent Elliott puts it, was the culmination of many independent factors from the perfect opportunity, right kind of experience and long-time fascination with bourbon. Despite being aware of Kentuckys deep appreciation for bourbon, Elliott never actually considered a career in the industry. After receiving his Chemistry degree from The University of Kentucky, he was formally introduced to the native spirit where his respect for bourbon grew even more, and it hit him that he could utilize his love of science for something he was passionate about. The first day Elliot set foot on the Four Roses Distillery back in 2005, it immediately felt like home and the decision to stay was a no-brainer.
“The modern role of a Master Distiller demands some time out of production to educate a very curious consumer base about Bourbon,” Elliott said. “I still maintain my role as Director of Quality and I make that my priority. If the quality of the bourbon isnt maintained, eventually there would be no brand to talk about.”
While bourbon is still Elliotts priority, he delights in hearing consumers talk about how they love the product. It is affirmation of he and his teams hard work and passion.
Four Roses Bourbon is the only distillery using single-story rack warehouses to minimize temperature variations, which provides a gentle, undisturbed and more stable aging process, as well as bourbon with more consistent flavors, body and aromas.
Woodford Reserve
One of Kentuckys oldest and smallest distilleries, the present-day Woodford Reserve Distillery sits on the Bluegrass states distilling site where Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey in 1812. It is the first and only distillery in Kentuckys history to triple-distill its whiskey. Appealing to true Lexingtonians, the distillery grounds are almost completely surrounded by thoroughbred horse farms lined with gorgeous greystone. While the distillery has operated off and on under three different ownership changes since its beginning in 1838, it recently celebrated its 20th year under its current configuration of being in business this past October.
In addition to immersing themselves in the iconic copper pot stills themed atmosphere, visitors can expect the complete Kentucky Bourbon production process experience while on a tour. From learning about mashing and bottling the whiskey to being educated on the uniqueness of all five sources of flavor, Woodford Reserve promises a personable, informative and fun-filled experience for all.
Before the return of bourbon and cocktails popularity, Woodford Reserve was breaking ground in the realm of flavor experiences. Embracing the culinary arts alongside Bourbon sipping with The Woodford Reserve Culinary and Cocktail Competition, the distillery team soon after went to champion Mint Julep complementary to its status as “The Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby” and “The Manhattan Cocktail.” One of the classic pairings is the Flavor Wheel tasting exercise, which pairs Woodford Reserve with distinct foods designed to bring out the over 200 flavors found in Woodford Reserve Bourbon.
Master Distiller Chris Morris entered the bourbon industry nearly 40 years ago as an intern at the Brown-Forman Distillery and its sensory lab. His parents had previously worked there; his fathers 41 year career began there in 1946. He says the most challenging aspect is that the work as Master Distiller can easily become a 24/7 operation.
“Having the opportunity to speak to groups about Kentucky Bourbons history, culture and production processes we use is the most rewarding part of the job,” Morris said.
Makers Mark
The meticulously handcrafted process and precise attention to detail is what makes Makers Mark, Makers Mark. The distillery sits atop the picturesque natural beauty of Kentucky land that is a National Historic Landmark recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the worlds oldest operational bourbon distillery. Where the experience is as unique as the taste, bourbon fans are more than thrilled about the popular brand and the feeling it emanates.
When Makers makers first began distilling Makers Mark, the words “premium” and “bourbon” didnt belong in the same sentence. After people tasted it, that concept began to change. 30 years after the fact up until today, premium bourbons are acclaimed so because of the start-to-finish craftsmanship. Because Makers Mark is produced in batches of 19 barrels at a time, employees are able to oversee the quality of each individual barrel. Unlike the traditionally bitter taste of rye, Makers Mark uses soft red winter wheat in its mash bill which ensures a gentle taste. Topping off the finished product, each and every bottle of Makers Mark is dipped by hand in its signature red wax.
Director of Distillery Operations and Master Distiller Greg Davis has quite the reputation to uphold for the Makers Mark brand. “Dont screw up the whiskey” is the famous proverb handed down from Makers Mark founder Bill Samuels. From the selection of grains and overseeing milling, cooking, fermentation and distillation to tasting the bourbon through to its maturity, Davis and his team are dedicated to ensuring that every single bottle coming out of the distillery meets the highest standards of quality and tradition set forth by the entire Samuels family.
Originally from Paducah, KY, Davis passion for Wine and Spirits came about when he began making his own wine and beer in college. He studied Science at the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy in Chicago, and kicked off his distilling career at Brown-Forman in 1990. Davis is an avid sportsman who enjoys hunting and fishing with his two sons when he isnt brewing bourbon. He holds the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel.
The land Makers Mark sits upon is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the worlds oldest operational bourbon distillery.
Evan Williams
At Evan Williams, they like their fans the way they like their bourbon; smooth, full of character and seriously good. Offering custom drink and meal recipes online, from Classic Evan Sours and Blazin Ales to Pork Belly Sliders and Apple Cupcakes, these distillers know a good pairing when they see (and taste) one.
Located downtown Louisvilles historic “Whiskey Row,” the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience features everything a whiskey lover could dream of. Equipped with an artisanal distillery, guided tours and educational bourbon tastings, Evan Williams Distillery strives to continually celebrate the legacy of Evan Williams himself, who was Kentuckys first commercial distiller. The distillery is known for bringing an integrated experience to customers which ties the history and tradition of Kentuckys native spirit to bourbon enthusiasts lifestyles.
The tradition-laden methods put forth by Evan Williams, processes still employed today, are responsible for the rich, unique flavor of Evan Williams Bourbon. More importantly than the actual taste of whiskey, craftsmen who join the brand must be exceptional professionals who endure inspiration for excellence, believing the character of the bourbon honoring Evan Williams must match the character of the man.
New and old Evan Williams Master Distillers have dedicated their lives to practicing the family craft of distilling, aging and selecting the worlds most critically-acclaimed bourbons. Proud to be part of bourbons growing popularity, their pledge to customers is to continue to produce the highest quality whiskey, and only the highest quality whiskey where a consistent, great taste is guaranteed, bottle after bottle.
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is located in downtown Louisvilles historic “Whiskey Row”
Town Branch
One of bourbons most distinctive and charming qualities comes from the limestone water that made bourbon well-known back in the 1800s. That name, Town Branch, commemorates the body of water that runs under Lexington. Now, that name is bringing satisfaction to Lexingtonians and bourbon lovers abound.
Aged in charred white oak barrels, Town Branch Bourbon is infused with a golden amber honey color, deriving caramel, toffee, brown sugar and hint of cherry to taste. The bountiful and somewhat complex bourbon is offered at the Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which became an essential part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2012. In fact, it was the first distillery built in Lexington in over 100 years.
Tours provided include a behind-the-scenes look at its beer and spirits production, offering great product samples in their brewing and distillery tasting rooms. In addition to general tours, interested drinkers may also reserve a spot with their speciality tours including a VIP tour, Master Distiller Tour, Master Brewer Tour and Master Brewer and Distiller Tour.
Town Branch Distillery opened in 2012 as the first new distillery in downtown Lexington in more than a century. On their tour, you can sample beers as well as bourbon!
Bartons 1792
As their tagline states, “Goes well with ambition.” Barton 1792 is more than just another whiskey. Situated in the heart of Bourbon Country on 196 acres of green space, the distillery contains 29 barrel aging warehouses, an impressive still house and of course, the legendary Tom Moore Spring. The distillery itself was established in 1879, and continues today as the oldest, fully operating distillery in Bardstown, KY, offering complimentary tours daily.
Celebrated by connoisseurs worldwide, 1792 Bourbon is a different kind of bourbon, but in the best way. It has an expressive and elegant flavor profile carrying heavy black pepper notes where spice mingles with sweet caramel and vanilla, creating a sensation that is incomparably bold, yet smooth to taste. Called a “big, weighty-rye with an attitude,” 1792 is not only known for its mouthwatering taste, but exquisite fashion and accredited medals. Among them that members hold in very high esteem are the Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold Medal from the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Checking out the location, visitors should prepare for an authentic experience of the inner workings of a fully operational distillery where they will see the complete production process of receiving grains, bourbon aging and bottling. Tours are rich in history and conclude with complimentary tastings of award-winning products made at the distillery.
1792 refers to the year the Commonwealth of Kentucky officially gained statehood, paying homage to the birthplace of bourbon in their very name.
Jim Beam
Founded in 1795, Jim Beam Bourbon has been operated by one family for seven generations. Creating bourbon “their way,” aging it twice as long as the law requires, is how the distillers make history every day. With 220 years of experience behind them, the Jim Beam team knows too much of a good thing can definitely be a good thing. Mixing good whiskey essentials corn, rye, malted barley, and water along with time, passion and pride prove this brand isnt going out of style anytime soon.
Jim Beams tagline, “Not new. No need to improve,” rings true of the elegantly refined bourbon, never straying from the brands great-great-grandfathers recipe. Believing a great bourbon becomes even better when you enjoy it with friends, Jim Beam invites you to toast making history together with a glass of the classic whiskey.
Found in the heart of Louisville at the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, guests will experience how the bourbon is made, also being able to participate in the full bourbon production process from mixing grains to bottling your very own Jim Beam to take home. The tour includes a small working distillery, a bottling line, tasting experience and as mentioned, a unique “bottle your own bourbon” experience.
Current Master Distiller Fred Noe, great grandson of Jim Beam, is known as the “Global Ambassador.” He has expanded Jim Beam to new markets and continues to uphold the family traditional roles as master distiller, storyteller and innovative Kentucky bourbon man.
If you cant make it to Clermont, then enjoy the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in Lousville!
Jim Beam
Founded in 1795, Jim Beam Bourbon has been operated by one family for seven generations. Creating bourbon “their way,” aging it twice as long as the law requires, is how the distillers make history every day. With 220 years of experience behind them, the Jim Beam team knows too much of a good thing can definitely be a good thing. Mixing good whiskey essentials corn, rye, malted barley, and water along with time, passion and pride prove this brand isnt going out of style anytime soon.
Jim Beams tagline, “Not new. No need to improve,” rings true of the elegantly refined bourbon, never straying from the brands great-great-grandfathers recipe. Believing a great bourbon becomes even better when you enjoy it with friends, Jim Beam invites you to toast making history together with a glass of the classic whiskey.
Found in the heart of Louisville at the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse, guests will experience how the bourbon is made, also being able to participate in the full bourbon production process from mixing grains to bottling your very own Jim Beam to take home. The tour includes a small working distillery, a bottling line, tasting experience and as mentioned, a unique “bottle your own bourbon” experience.
Current Master Distiller Fred Noe, great grandson of Jim Beam, is known as the “Global Ambassador.” He has expanded Jim Beam to new markets and continues to uphold the family traditional roles as master distiller, storyteller and innovative Kentucky bourbon man.
Angels Envy
In the beginning, Angels Envy Bourbon was an idea brewed up by father and son, and later a grandson. During the early days of making the brand known, the family never anticipated the surprising amount of growth this hand-finished whiskey would bring.
Rooted in 200 years of bourbon heritage, Angels Envy has been handcrafted, improved upon classic tradition and enjoyed by whiskey lovers far and wide. Legendary Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson spent a lifetime crafting fine spirits, Angels Envy being his masterpiece. After tasting the finished product, Lincoln joked that the distilling team had “finally gotten a better deal than the angels,” thus, Angels Envy was born.
Continuing their heartfelt story into breaking ground on the new distillery, the team was proud to witness three generations of Hendersons coming together to culminate Lincolns lifes work into a paramount endeavor.
This, smooth, flavorful small batch whiskey is produced by the Louisville Distilling Company, open for just a few months now.
The Angels Envy team is hard at work ensuring their visitors experience is unforgettable, currently offering tours and private events by reservation. They want you to walk away feeling like family from the family that knows how to make “damn good whiskey.” Guests will observe the distillation process from beginning to barreled to finished spirit, rounding off in The Finishing Room where the tour concludes with a tasty sip!
Angels Envy is brand new to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: they joined in February 2017!
Heaven Hill
The story behind Heaven Hill Bourbon is one of those “great American success stories,” as Heaven Hill President Max Shapira says, where a family came over from Russia in the late 1800s, started a small business, took some entrepreneurial risks to make the Heaven Hill Distillery a dynasty, and today, it is the sixth largest supplier to distill Spirits in the United States.
Since its founding in 1935 by the Shapira family, the Heaven Hill team has been actively pursuing that special kind of quality which keeps the family legacy alive. Preserving the Heaven Hill heritage through respect, consistency and dexterity has allowed Heaven Hill to stay the largest family owned distillery in America.
A 15 times Best Whiskey winner and 12 times Whiskey of the Year winner, the Heaven Hill brand is both grateful and proud of its accomplishments. If youre interested in a tour, visitors can find Heaven Hill in the heart of Bardstown at the Bourbon Heritage Center or in Louisville at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Experienced Bourbon Hosts are happy to provide the history and heritage of Americas original whiskey, both distilleries offering extensive tastings of the world-renowned whiskey portfolio.
Together, Master Distillers Denny Potter and Charlie Downs have over a centurys worth of whiskey-making experience, perfecting the artistry every step of the way. By tasting every barrel and selecting only the finest whiskies, Potter and Downs ensure bourbon enthusiasts everywhere are best served.
Potter makes it known that the job is not about drinking all day. In order to make great whiskey, the Master Distillers pay strict attention to their daily production.
Master tip from Potter: “One option for learning to enjoy bourbon is to pair the whiskey type that you are enjoying with a type of bread that uses the primary grains.”
Bardstown Bourbon Co.
The Bardstown Bourbon Company is a celebration of the craft of making history. A new twist on the bourbon industry and open to the public this summer, customers will learn how the Bardstown whiskey is made in a fun and entertaining way which will be more involved than anywhere else, bringing culinary and cocktail-making elements into the mix.
David Mandell, President, CEO and Co-Founder of Bardstown, paints the picture like this: A social venue where one heads to the patio to enjoy a cocktail and cigar as the sun goes down, where quick, delicious, gourmet meals are offered to conclude the days experience. Mandell has worked in the Wine and Spirits business a fair amount of time learning the ins and outs and nitty gritty that comes with business owner territory, previously working in aerospace and starting a vodka company in the early 2000s. Taking full advantage of building something from scratch, Mandell mentions how excited he is to see the brand come to life.
“We hope to have the largest collection of whiskey in Kentucky so we can create different experiences based on what the customer wants,” Mandell said.
The idea behind the Bardstown experience is to mirror that of Napa Valley, equipped with a boutique hotel and restaurant, appealing to an affluent consumer looking for a high-end experience. The unique aspect that is already taking place is the customization of whiskey. The distilling and productions teams have created something they call a Collaborative Distilling Program where customers are offered to sit down with the Master Distillers and customize their own whiskey, all at the distillery.
Mandells partner, Co-Founder and Master Distiller Steve Nally was practically born into the distilling business. Growing up as a farm boy next door to the Makers Mark Distillery, Nally was offered the Master Distiller position in 1988 which he fulfilled until 2003. Upon becoming homesick after building another distillery from the ground up in Wyoming, he returned to Kentucky to start the Bardstown project with Mandell.
“Every day I wake up, Im eager to get to the distillery. It truly is a rewarding, exciting business,” said Nally.