Your experience includes personal tour guide, expert insight, safe transportation, private tours with premium tastings at each destination, a craft cocktail, and southern lunch. The cost is $189 per person. Tours are limited to 22 guests and only available two dates – June 20 and July 18, 2018. (Update: New dates added Sept. 20 and Oct. 25, 2018!)
This six-hour adventure departs from the Mint Julep Gift Shop on the 3rd floor of the Rivue Tower of the Galt House Hotel (140 N. 4th St.) in downtown Louisville at 9:15 a.m. and returns at approx. 4:30 p.m.
Old Forester Distilling Co.
Meet your tour group at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville. Your day starts on Whiskey Row with an exclusive private tour of the brand new Old Forester Distilling Co. This brand new whiskey distillery opens in mid-June so our special tour will be one of the first and best ways to see the new operation.
Old Forester’s return to Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row (on Main Street in downtown Louisville) has been highly anticipated. The state-of-the-art facility will be home to Old Forester, which was the first bottled bourbon in America. Created by George Garvin Brown in 1870, Old Forester has been known as a high quality Kentucky bourbon for nearly 150 years and five generations of the Brown family.
You’ll learn about the role of bourbon in the Derby City’s history, how Old Forester is distilled, fermented, matured and bottled, and then get a taste of their world-class spirits on your guided tour. There’s even a special barrel-making demonstration unlike anything you’ll see at another Louisville distillery. An elevated tasting of Whiskey Row expressions of Old Forester bourbons is included in this special tour.
Woodford Reserve Distillery
Next, you’ll get back on our luxury 23-passenger bus and head to Woodford Reserve Distillery for a southern lunch on site at Glenn Creek Cafe. At Glenn Creek, bourbon makes its way onto the menu with a bourbon-spiked chili, bourbon barbecue sauce, and hot bourbon mustard! With a menu created by famous Kentucky chef Ouita Michel, you can’t go wrong.
At Woodford Reserve Distillery, you’ll have another premium tour and tasting experience. This historic distillery tour explains the five sources of flavor that make bourbon taste great. You’ll see Woodford Reserve’s gorgeous copper pot stills used to make their bourbon and rye whiskey products up close and walk through a bourbon rickhouse. Some landmark buildings at Woodford Reserve date back more than 200 years and are important pieces of Kentucky heritage.
Following your Woodford Reserve tour, you’ll be guided through a whiskey tasting by one of their expert staff. This special sampling experience helps novices and bourbon lovers alike identify key flavors in bourbon and expand their palates.
Before heading back to Louisville, you’ll enjoy a craft cocktail on Woodford Reserve’s beautiful outdoor patio. Try a refreshing Woodford Reserve Spire cocktail made with bourbon, lemonade, and cranberry juice to end your day of bourbon tours.
Bourbon Tour Tips
Closed-toe shoes are suggested. Dress is casual. Wear something comfortable for your day of whiskey tours.
Always be sure to bring a valid form of ID. Each distillery may check that you are legally allowed to consume alcohol before serving you.
On Mint Julep Experiences, you can bring a cooler (12×12 or smaller) with you on the bus. Bring your favorite bourbon and mixers, beer or sodas to enjoy while you tour. Snacks are also permitted. Bottled water, ice and cups are provided by Mint Julep.