Several new Kentucky bourbon distilleries have planned 2019 openings! The bourbon business continues to boom.
Find out how to tour new bourbon distilleries and taste the newest Kentucky bourbons with Mint Julep. We offer customized bourbon tours to destinations of your choice!
Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery
The long-anticipated Michter’s distillery in Louisville will open February 2 for tours. After years of work revitalizing the historic Fort Nelson building in downtown Louisville, this urban distillery is nearly ready! Located near the Louisville Slugger Museum & Bat Factory on Museum Row, Michter’s Distillery will also house a cocktail bar. The Bar at Fort Nelson will feature classic cocktails curated by cocktail historian David Wondrich.
Hour-long tours will include five tastings of Michter’s popular products and may include American Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Rye, Sour Mash Whiskey or Kentucky Straight Bourbon. LEARN MORE
Bulleit Distillery
An exact opening date has not been set, but Bulleit’s newest distillery tourism experience will open in Shelbyville this spring or summer. The $10 million visitor’s center will be state of the art with three tasting rooms, a cocktail bar and a restaurant. Bulleit predicts 100,000 visitors will come each year for tours and tastings!
Stitzel-Weller Distillery near Louisville, which is the home of the current Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience, will continue to offer tours with tastings of other Diageo whiskey brands like Blade and Bow, I.W. Harper, Orphan Barrel and more. The distillery is currently producing Bulleit products but is not yet open for tours. LEARN MORE
J.W. Rutledge Distillery
Its unclear when the distillery from legendary master distiller Jim Rutledge will open for tours. The new distilling, event and tasting space near Louisville will break ground this year.
J.W. Rutledge Distillery will be home to the Cream of Kentucky brand, originally introduced in 1888 and relaunched by J.W. Rutledge, as well as J.W. Rutledge Whiskey and High Plains Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Rutledge, who retired as master distiller for Four Roses Bourbon in 2015, and a team of investors have planned a 69,000 square foot facility in La Grange. LEARN MORE
Other New Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries
Heaven Hill will also expand its Bourbon Heritage Center in 2019. The major upgrade includes $65 million in renovations and additions. LEARN MORE
New distillery tour experiences from Old Forester, Rabbit Hole, Castle & Key, Lux Row and James E. Pepper opened in 2018. LEARN MORE
