Kentucky

In Kentucky, bourbon is a way of life. From distillery tours and classes, restaurants cleverly infusing bourbon into their dishes, festivals and events, to hitting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™, whether you’re new to bourbon or an aficionado, there’s an experience for everyone to enjoy.

What is Bourbon?

We’d best just check that you know the difference between whiskey and bourbon, as they are easily confused! For the unassuming eye, you may not think the two are very different. And just to add to the matter, if you just refer to bourbon as whiskey, you wouldn’t be wrong – bourbon is a class of whiskey, similar to how champagne is a class of wine. Therefore all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Is it time for bourbon yet? 

What makes bourbon different from other whiskeys is the way it is aged and manufactured. Whiskey is a spirit made from fermented grain that is then aged in barrels. To be classified as bourbon, a whiskey needs to be distilled from a mixture of grains that is at least 51% corn. This is what makes bourbon taste sweet. A staggering 95% of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky. On its way to becoming bourbon, Kentucky’s water flows through limestone reserves. Along with fertile soil for growing corn and other ingredients, plus an ideal climate, Kentucky is the perfect destination for bourbon-making. 

To buff up further ahead of your trip to Kentucky, visit the ‘Bourbon 101’ section at KentuckyTourism.com, here: https://www.kentuckytourism.com/bourbon/kentucky-bourbon-facts. 

Distilleries and Attractions 

Many of Kentucky’s nearly 70 distilleries offer tours and tastings, each one of them a unique experience that will stay with you forever. Take a hard hat tour at Buffalo Trace to see everything from cooking and fermentation to distilling up close. Hand-dip your own bottle of Maker’s Mark in the distillery’s famous red wax. Or taste bourbon straight from the barrel and partake in a curated cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon Company, one of Kentucky’s latest and most technologically advanced distilleries. In fact, Bardstown is home to many of the distinguished world-famous distilleries in Kentucky, with many offering complimentary tours, allowing you to discover the craftsmanship behind the state’s signature spirit. 

Kentucky Bourbon Trail™ 

Of course, you can’t come to Kentucky and not hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. Four trails, in particular, take travellers on their merry way to the most hallowed distilleries and bourbon bars in the nation. On these tours, you will meet master distillers, share a glass with fellow bourbon lovers, and learn the stories behind your favourite bottles. Excitingly, visitors can have their ‘passport’ stamped and stamps redeemed for swag. 

Also, know that you can cycle the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™! Nine distilleries have teamed up with the Kentucky Distillers’ Association to create the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. Considering central Kentucky’s offering of rolling green hills and scenic views of Thoroughbred horse farms, the bike is a great way to explore, and you’re certainly not going to forget this trip in a hurry (or perhaps you will, depending on how much bourbon you drink!).

Immerse yourself in a unique culture, visit one-of-a-kind attractions, and enjoy the energy that can be found in the metropolitan cities to the countryside in Kentucky: a spirit that runs wild in the Bluegrass State. Whether you hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™, take in the atmosphere at the race track, or soak up the sweet sounds of Bluegrass music at the state’s museums, Kentucky has a way of keeping you coming back. 

Be sure to check out the below five ‘must-visits’ in Kentucky on your next trip:

Churchill Downs, Louisville 

Churchill Downs is the world’s most renowned racetrack and a quintessential Kentucky experience. Founded in 1974, it is famous for hosting the nation’s top competitive Thoroughbreds. On the first Saturday of May, Churchill Downs hosts the Kentucky Derby, one of the biggest events on the sports calendar. Ahead of the race, a two-week festival is also celebrated in the Kentucky Derby Museum year-round. You can take a historical walking tour around the track and mingle with the resident Thoroughbred, a miniature horse in this museum.  

Experience Bluegrass-Born Bourbon   

In Kentucky, bourbon is a way of life. Take a distillery tour or a Bourbon 101 class. Enjoy bourbon-infused dishes at a range of restaurants. There’s even an entire month (each September) dedicated to the spirit. Named National Bourbon Heritage Month, it gives Kentucky locals and visitors an excuse to celebrate the famous tipple by participating in concerts, festivals, and events. All while you are filling up on bourbon, of course.  

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail™, which takes you to some of the most iconic bourbon distilleries in the world, is a bluegrass bucket list item to include on any itinerary. Starting in Louisville and travelling through the heart of Bourbon Country, this trail features 18 distilleries – from legends like Jim Beam and Four Roses to newer favourites such as Bardstown Bourbon Company and Angel’s Envy. You can take part in behind-the-scenes tours, meet master distillers and taste test bourbons you won’t find in stores. Along the way, you can rack up stamps in your passport to earn swag.

Follow in the Footsteps of Muhammad Ali    

Dedicated to the story of the professional boxer Muhammad Ali, The Muhammad Ali Center in Downtown Louisville is a multicultural facility that captures the inspiration derived from the boxer’s magical life and six core principles that have fuelled his journey. Three levels of exhibits explore the racial history and civil rights through hands-on displays, artefacts, and artwork, plus you can check out historical video footage of Muhammad Ali during his career and beyond. 

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Owensboro

The state-of-the-art Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum has a range of exhibits dedicated to telling the story of Bluegrass music. This 2,044-metre museum is located just a few miles from the home place of ‘Father of Bluegrass’ – Bill Monroe. The building features a variety of interactive exhibits and concerts, open jam sessions, and lessons, and events. 

Be an Explorer at the Mammoth Cave National Park  

The Mammoth Cave National Park has the longest recorded cave system in the world and is home to more than 600 kilometres of caverns that attract thousands of visitors in a usual year. The name ‘Mammoth’ was given to the park after its vast chambers and complex labyrinths. You can take a tour with a ranger through the chambers. Some of the treks are well-lit, and others require visitors to carry their own lamps. 

A haven for nature-lovers, Mammoth Cave National Park, offers wildlife, forests, wildflowers, hills, and natural springs for visitor enjoyment. You’ll see crickets, bats, and salamanders thriving in this habitat. Highlights of the park include the Cedar Sink sinkhole, the old railroad Engine No. 4, the historic Good Spring Baptist Church & Cemetery located near the Maple Springs trailhead, and the Turnhole Bend Trail, which is a fun 3.2km descent along a ridgeline surrounded by old-growth Kentucky forest.