by Right now is a great time to visit the Bluegrass
Fall is a spectacular time to visit Kentucky bourbon country. Cooler temperatures and smaller crowds can mean you’ll get even more enjoyment from visiting the dozens and dozens of bourbon whiskey distilleries, large and small, around the Bluegrass.
Most distillery experiences have essentially been on their reduced winter hours over the past year after reopening from pandemic closures. But now, fewer visitors mean it’s a bit easier to set up a tour or tasting than it was all summer. But (spoiler) you must plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the center of the bourbon universe this fall.
- Plan ahead. And plan again.
Most distillery experience tours and tastings require you to purchase a ticket. Even the small number that are still free require reservations.
Check the website where you’d like to visit to determine what days and hours they’re open and what healthcare protocols they’re following. Most experiences have reopened from the pandemic, but some have stayed closed for other reasons (construction, labor strikes, etc.)
You can usually stop in at the visitors’ center and gift shop, and maybe even take advantage of some last–minute, no–show openings. Best advice though: anticipate disappointment if you haven’t planned ahead.
- You don’t have to stay on the trail
Of course, you’ve heard of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. These distilleries are members of the Kentucky Distillers Association which markets their experiences as part of that consortium. The craft distilleries are those aging fewer than 10,000 barrels of bourbon a year.
But not every distillery experience in Kentucky is officially part of the ‘Trail. Giants like Buffalo Trace Distillery and Barton 1972 Distillery and many smaller, artisanal distilleries are independent of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and its marketing efforts. So, you have to make sure you stay on top of all your options and know who else is out there.
- Leave the driving to them
If you’d like to leave the itinerary planning, ticket buying, and driving to someone else, consider booking a day (or several) with one of the many great bourbon tour companies in the Bluegrass. From just a couple of people to a large group, these folks will handle every detail and get you there in style. Chauffeurs and tour guides (like me) who are steeped in Kentucky bourbon lore will give you the real inside story on America’s native spirit. Contact our friends at Pegasus Distilled or Kentucky Bourbon Boys to learn more about the many tour options they offer.
- Spend a day at the races (Mint Julep optional)
Plan to spend some time at Louisville’s Churchill Downs to see live Thoroughbred horse racing, the other big thing Kentucky is famous for. Races kick off at 1 p.m. each Wednesday through Sunday from November 3rd through the 30th. Whether you choose a Mint Julep or Louisville’s–own Old Fashioned, there’s plenty of good bourbon at the track. And you’ll want to visit the onsite Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby Day. Check out a number of special bourbon-related experiences at the museum.
- Explore the Frazier History Museum on Whiskey Row
A great place to start your visit to Kentucky bourbon country is the Frazier History Museum on Whiskey Row (Main Street) in downtown Louisville. Spend some time in the free Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center on the first floor. If you have a few hours, don’t miss the engaging The Spirit of Kentucky Exhibit as part of the paid museum tour on the third floor. Both will help you understand why the Bluegrass state is home to most of the bourbon distilleries in the world before you set off to see them for yourself.
- Fall means (indoor) bourbon festivals
The annual Bourbon Classic returns to Louisville from November 4–6 (The dinner on the 3rd has been cancelled due to health concerns). The event bills itself as “the holy trinity for experiencing the very best in the culinary, cocktail, and Bourbon arts through a collection of rare, interactive events. Infused with exceptional tastings, workshops and unrivaled sips, these events are sure to thrill any bourbon connoisseur and enthusiast.”
The third annual Boots & Bourbon Nashville Songwriters Festival will take place in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on November 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. Join country music artists J.T. Harding, Wynn Varble, and Lee Thomas Miller at The Barn at McCall’s Spring who will “share their songs and the stories behind them.” Tickets range from $75 to $115.
- Plan now for holiday visits
The number of special events (nighttime light tours, carolers, holiday themed dinners and tastings, etc.) seems to grow every year at Kentucky bourbon experiences. Spend some time on your favorite distillery’s website, see what it’s planning for the rapidly approaching holiday season, and be sure to sign up for the newsletter and loyalty program. Some events are free, some have nominal fees, and others (that include meals or high–end tastings) can get a bit pricey. Either way, the key is (no spoilers here) plan ahead and make those reservations as soon as you can.
Big or small, on the Trail or off, whether distilling a barrel a week or thousands a day…. there is something for every level of interest in Kentucky bourbon country in the fall. Do your own research or call on the pros to put together a trip to experience it yourself. However you decide to do it, come see us!
