Warm Up With a Bourbon Tour!
We gradually begin to cool off from summer highs and head deeper into the fall and even winter season ahead, there’s no better time to get cozy and explore the best Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries. Bourbon may not be the only reason to visit the beautiful and diverse state of Kentucky, but sampling this American-made spirit truly is at the top of our list of things to do in Kentucky each year.
Did you know that 95% of the world’s bourbon is produced right here in the state of Kentucky? This spirit has long been a part of the Bluegrass State’s history, but Kentucky Bourbon has been considered an indigenous product to the United States since 1964. The top Kentucky Bourbon distilleries produce around 9 million barrels annually, making it the perfect destination for bourbon lovers worldwide.
If you’re interested in visiting the top Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries, you’ll want to start with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which travels through charming Kentucky towns like Bardstown, Lexington, and Louisville. As fun as it may sound, you can’t drink your way through the top Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries in a single day – so you’ll need plenty of time to enjoy this spirited part of the world.
Luckily, while you’re here, there are not only great places to stay in Lousiville, but plenty of things to keep you busy and having fun. Warm yourself up from the inside out this fall, and enjoy a stay with us at our #1 rated Kentucky Bed and Breakfast, a Select Registry member dedicated to the same high-quality guest experience and exceptional hospitality you’ve come to expect from our boutique brand of properties.
In an increasingly impersonal world, enjoy a comfortable and elevated stay with Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts. Book your getaway with one of our incredible Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky below!
10 Best Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries
Bourbon distilling is a long-held tradition in Kentucky, dating back as far as the earliest pioneering days in the country. Developed primarily to transport goods like corn and grains over steep mountainous terrain, Bourbon quickly became a much-loved byproduct and earned its spot as a Kentucky tradition.
There are at least 40 Kentucky Bourbon distilleries located throughout the state, most of which are concentrated around the cities of Bardstown and Louisville, which produce up to 200 different brands of Bourbon.
This fall is a great time to visit your favorite Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries, where you’ll have the chance to taste these spirits, tour distilleries, and enjoy all things Bourbon. Below, we’ve included a list of 10 of our favorite Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries to visit next time you stay with our Select Registry Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky.
- The Heaven Hill Distillery is one of the most well-known Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries, home to popular brands like Elijah Craig and Evan Williams. This is also where you’ll find the popular Bourbon Heritage Center, a great place to start your adventure on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
- Angel’s Envy Distillery is one of the top-rated Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries in Louisville. They are well-regarded for their personalized approach to distilling, and the tours and tastings are always a memorable experience.
- One of the oldest and smallest Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries is Woodford Reserve. Though small, this distillery has a considerable reputation that is well deserved.
- If you’re looking for a big well-known brand, don’t miss a visit to the Jim Beam American Stillhouse. They are the world’s largest producer of Kentucky bourbon and offer a long and comprehensive tour and tasting experience.
- Another of the more highly recommended Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries to visit is Maker’s Mark. It also happens to be a great place to grab a bourbon-inspired bite to eat.
- If you’re looking for something a little more unusual and perhaps lesser known, head to Four Roses Distillery. This particular Bourbon brand used to be hard to come by in the United States, but now, they offer a wonderful tasting experience.
- With a legacy dating back to the 1700s, Buffalo Trace Distillery is another “must” on your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. This distillery is also on the National Register of Historic Places, and tastings include not just Bourbon, but rye and vodka.
- Don’t miss a stop at the Old Forester Distillery. Not only is this the only place to bottle Bourbon in the country, but it’s also the only one of these Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries to offer continuously produced Bourbon before, during, and after the prohibition era.
- Taste the excellence in the time-honored distilling methods at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville.
- Get an authentic feel for the craft at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., in Lousiville. Here, you’ll see the entire process from start to finish, as all grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled, and barreled right here at the facility – a truly immersive experience for the bourbon lover.
Things to do in Louisville This Fall
While planning your itinerary through these amazing Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries, you’ll want to round out your trip with other activities (ad plenty of R&R). Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic things to do in Louisville this fall!
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city, perhaps most famous for Churchill Downs and the famed Kentucky Derby that runs there each May. Horse and bourbon lovers will no doubt be in paradise while in town, but there are so many diverse things to do in Louisville, with a little bit of something for everyone.
Below, we’ve listed ten of our favorite things to do in Louisville this fall, aside from visiting the top Kentucky Bourbon distilleries above.
- There are plenty of great museums to visit in Louisville! One of the most popular things to do in Louisville is to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Still, other great museums include the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Frazier History Museum.
- It’s always a good time to head underground in Kentucky, and there are plenty of exciting caverns to explore. One of our favorite things to do in Louisville is visiting Mammoth Caves National Park, which is about 90 minutes away. If you want something close to town, visit the Louisville Mega Cavern.
- Louisville is a great food city, so one of our favorite things to do in Louisville, KY, is to sample a variety of restaurants.
- Walking across the Big Four Bridge is one of the most iconic things to do in Louisville, and it’s a pedestrian and bike-only bridge.
- Head across the river into Ohio and visit the Falls of the Ohio State Park.
- Visit Locust Grove, a famed historic home where figures like Lewis and Clark and US Presidents met over the years.
- One of our favorite things to do in Louisville this fall is to take a beautiful fall walk through Charlestown State Park or the Jefferson Country Memorial Forest.
- Take a ride on The Belle of Louisville, the oldest operating steamboat.
- If you’re looking for something to do in the evening, don’t miss Fourth Street Live!, a leading entertainment and restaurant venue in downtown Louisville.
- Art lovers, don’t miss visiting the Speed Art Museum and the KMAC, rated as some of the best things to do in Louisville.
Of course, with so many great things to do in Louisville, and so many delicious tastings waiting for you at Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries, there’s never been a better tie to book a getaway to our fantastic Kentucky Bed and Breakfast, part of the distinguished Select Registry brand of properties. Book your room below today!
Best Louisville, Kentucky Bed and Breakfast
Chateau Bourbon
Chateau Bourbon is the perfect choice for travelers seeking upscale accommodations in a down-home atmosphere. At our award-winning inn, you can expect genuine hospitality, impeccable attention to detail and contagious southern charm. Taking standards from traditional 5-star hotels and adding our personal touches, Chateau Bourbon delivers an unforgettable guest experience you won’t find at your typical hotel/motel. Rated #1 B&B in Kentucky on TripAdvisor 2019/2020/2021!
Owner/innkeepers Missy & John Hillock take great pride in their property, which they personally designed and constructed in 2015. With every comfort and convenience in mind, they’ve created a space that many guests warmly refer to as “a Pinterest house come to life”. They’ve married the look and feel of a traditional Kentucky estate home with European influences of the French and English cottages they’ve traveled to over the years. And with all the creative bourbon touches, there’s no denying you’re in the bluegrass state.
Whether you’re a bourbon newbie or a self-proclaimed bourbon nerd, we’ve got the experience you’re looking for. Let us share our passion for “America’s native spirit” with you. Whether it’s discussing the distilling process, sharing a cocktail recipe, or recommending a hard-to find bourbon, you’ll enrich your knowledge by experiencing the tradition of Kentucky bourbon like a local.
Chateau Bourbon provides an elegant setting for its fun, welcoming atmosphere. Leave your stuffiness at the door and let us show you what southern hospitality is all about. With a cocktail in hand, come sit on our porch and let your worries fall by the wayside. Located within the vibrant and walkable ‘new urbanist’ community of Norton Commons, you can ‘park & walk’ during your stay with everything you need just beyond our doorstep. You’ll enjoy the locally-owned restaurants & boutiques set amidst the beautiful homes and park-like green spaces. Our east end Louisville location is just 10 miles from downtown, so you’re only minutes from everything the big city has to offer.
Whether you’re stamping your Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport at area bourbon distilleries, placing a winning wager at historic Churchill Downs, dining at our nationally-recognized restaurants, or exploring the majesty of thoroughbred horse country, Chateau Bourbon is the perfect home-base for your Kentucky adventure.
