Kentucky Artisan Distillery
Custom and Public Distillery Tours
Kentucky Artisan Bourbon Tour
About Kentucky Artisan Distillery
As a respected contract distillery, Kentucky Artisan partners with brands to distill and bottle whiskey to exact specifications, with the most well-known label being Jefferson’s Bourbon. This behind-the-scenes approach means every brand produced on-site becomes part of the tour, creating a rare, multi-brand experience you won’t find elsewhere in Bourbon Country. The intimate, small-scale distillery tour dives deep into the craft of bourbon-making, from ingredients and equipment to innovative aging techniques like Jefferson’s Ocean program, where barrels are influenced by environment and movement. Guests learn how cask finishes, barrel selection, and aging conditions shape flavor profiles in real time.
What's Included
Mint Julep Experiences features Kentucky Artisan Distillery on two signature weekly bourbon tours. On the Saturday Bourbon Tour, guests enjoy guided transportation, a local lunch, and three distillery stops including tastings at Stitzel-Weller Distillery, a tour and tasting at Angel’s Envy Distillery, and a stop at Kentucky Artisan, home of Jefferson’s Reserve. The Sunday Brunch & Bourbon Tour pairs a local boozy brunch with tastings at Buffalo Trace Distillery, a tour and tasting at Kentucky Artisan Distillery, and a visit to Pappy & Company, the Van Winkle family’s iconic retail boutique.
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Featuring Kentucky Artisan Distillery
Saturday Bourbon Tour
Angel's Envy, Stitzel-Weller, Kentucky Artisan DistilleryThis Saturday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 3 distillery stops for tours and tastings, and a local lunch. Guests will start the day with a tasting at Stitzel-Weller, enjoy a tour and tasting at Angel's Envy after lunch, and a tour and tasting at Kentucky Artisan Distillery - home to Jefferson's Reserve.
$209 Per Person
Sunday Brunch & Bourbon Tour
Buffalo Trace, Pappy & Co., Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Local BrunchThis Sunday bourbon tour includes guided transportation, 2 distillery stops for tours and tastings, a Pappy shopping experience, and a local brunch. Guests will enjoy a local brunch, tasting at Buffalo Trace, and a tour and tasting at Kentucky Artisan Distillery - home to Jefferson's Reserve, and a visit to Pappy & Company, the Pappy themed retail boutique owned and operated by the Van Winkle Family.
$219 Per Person
Exclusive Experiences at Kentucky Artisan Distillery
custom tours
Including Kentucky Artisan Distillery on a custom bourbon trail itinerary with Mint Julep Experiences offers guests a rare, insider look at how some of today’s most iconic whiskeys are made. As a contract distillery and the home of Jefferson’s Bourbon, Kentucky Artisan delivers a behind-the-scenes experience that feels intimate, educational, and refreshingly different from traditional bourbon trail stops. Through a custom tour, guests may enjoy private access, elevated tastings, and deeper insight into innovative aging techniques and barrel experimentation.
FAQs
Is Kentucky Artisan Distillery part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
Yes. Kentucky Artisan Distillery is an official Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery and a popular stop for visitors looking for a more intimate, behind-the-scenes bourbon experience.
What makes Kentucky Artisan Distillery different from other distilleries?
Kentucky Artisan is a contract distillery, meaning they produce whiskey for multiple brands rather than just one label. This allows guests to experience several brands, most notably Jefferson’s, during a single tour.
What bourbons or whiskeys do you taste at Kentucky Artisan Distillery?
Tasting flights vary based on availability, but frequently include Jefferson’s Reserve, Whiskey Row Bourbon, and Highspire Whiskey. The rotating lineup keeps repeat visits interesting.
Can you see Jefferson’s Ocean aging process on the tour?
Guests learn about Jefferson’s innovative aging techniques, including the Ocean series, and how barrel movement, environment, and cask finishes influence flavor even if barrels aren’t actively at sea during the visit.
Is Kentucky Artisan good for beginners or bourbon enthusiasts?
Both. Beginners appreciate the approachable size and clear explanations, while seasoned bourbon fans love the technical details, experimentation, and multi-brand perspective.
Is transportation provided to Kentucky Artisan Distillery?
When visiting with Mint Julep Experiences, transportation is included
How long is the Kentucky Artisan Distillery tour?
Tours are typically shorter and more intimate than larger distilleries, making it an excellent stop to pair with other bourbon experiences in a single day.
