Bardstown Bourbon Trail: A Guide to the Bourbon Capital of the World
Bourbon, Louisville,
Feb 21, 2025
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Nestled in the heart of Kentucky,
Bardstown is known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World”
and is a must-visit destination for bourbon enthusiasts. The town’s rich history, culture and tradition surrounding bourbon make it a top travel destination for those looking to explore the roots of America’s native spirit.From world-renowned distilleries and tasting rooms to food and bourbon pairing experiences, Bardstown has something for every bourbon lover. In this guide, we’ll explore the best bourbon-related activities in Bardstown, share tips for planning the perfect bourbon-themed trip, and give recommendations for the best places to stay and eat while in town. So grab your glass, let’s dive into the world of Bardstown bourbon tourism!
Bardstown was founded in 1780 as settlers were moving west after the Revolutionary War. That’s 12 years before Kentucky officially became a state! With a population now just under 50,000, the county seat of Nelson County is thriving with bourbon tourism. And there’s a good reason for that.
With 11 major distilleries within 16 miles of its Courthouse Square, Bardstown is the perfect destination for bourbon enthusiasts. It’s also a great place for history buffs, boutique shoppers, foodies, festival-goers and more, and to add to its resumé, it was named “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America” in 2012 by Rand McNally and USA Today.
The History and Culture of Bourbon in Bardstown
So how did Bardstown earn the name of “Bourbon Capital of the World”?
For a long period of time, Bardstown was home to the most distilleries per capita out of any other city in Kentucky. And some of these Bardstown-area distilleries are the most well-known and historic ones in the state, including Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Barton 1792 and Heaven Hill. These bourbon mainstays were operating long before there was city infrastructure like electricity and water lines, so it was important that they were located near a viable source of water and a path well-traveled. And lucky for them, Bardstown checks both of those boxes.
Maker’s Mark, located in Loretto, Ky., is just a few winding miles southeast from Bardstown (17 to be exact), and it lays claim to being one of the oldest distilleries in the region. The distillery was built next to Hardin’s Creek (there’s that important water source we told you about) in 1805 by Charles Burks. After his death in 1831, his family kept the facility going as the Burks Spring Distillery, but it was shut down during Prohibition and then sold to a local farmer.
In 1953, Bill Samuels Sr. bought the property for $50,000 to restore the site’s distilling history and make his mark on the bourbon industry with a wheated bourbon recipe he’d call Maker’s Mark. And the rest, they say, is history sealed with red wax.
While Bardstown is home to some newer brands, it’s these historic bourbon behemoths that helped plant the town’s footing firmly in the industry. The James B. Beam Distillery, now located just outside of Bardstown in Clermont, has ties to Nelson County as early as 1854, about 50 years after farmer Jacob Beam first distilled barrels of corn whiskey in 1795. The current distillery was built in 1933 as soon as Prohibition ended, and it still produces the No. 1-selling bourbon around the world, Jim Beam, as well as brands like Booker’s, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden and more.
If you’re looking for the true OG of Bardstown proper, look no further than the Barton 1792 Distillery, which was established in 1879 and is known as the oldest fully-operating distillery in Bardstown. Situated on 196 acres near the Tom Moore Spring (water!), the industrial site features 29 rick houses and 22 other buildings used for distilling, storing, dumping, etc. Unfortunately, the Barton Distillery is no longer open for tours, but you’ll be able to feel, see and smell the distillery’s presence all around Bardstown.
Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention Heaven Hill, which got its start in 1935 by the Shapira brothers who built the facility with other business partners near a spring in Bardstown. And there’s Willett Distillery as well, which sits right across the road from Heaven Hill and was founded in 1936 by Thompson Willett. Both Heaven Hill and Willett are still family-owned distilleries.
Bourbon Distilleries in Bardstown
Now that you have some historical context of bourbon in Bardstown, let’s take a look at all 11 bourbon distilleries in the area and what they offer. To keep it simple and succinct, we’ll list them in alphabetical order.
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Barton 1792
Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility
Heaven Hill
James B. Beam
Log Still
Lux Row
Maker’s Mark
Old Steelhouse Distillery
Preservation Distillery
And as a bonus, we’re throwing in another nearby distillery:
Limestone Branch
Bourbon Tour Tips
A few tips about taking tours at bourbon distilleries:
- The first and foremost rule is to ALWAYS book ahead. As Bourbon Country becomes more and more popular, these tours often sell out weeks in advance.
- The second major tip, is to always wear close-toed shoes, as sometimes you have to climb around distillery equipment or walk on grated flooring.
- Make your Bardstown bourbon experience stress free and easy, by booking a guided bourbon tour with Mint Julep Experiences. Tailor your itinerary to fit your interests, schedule and bourbon bucket list.
If you head to Bardstown and think you can tackle all 11 distilleries in one day, you will be sorely disappointed. We recommend you spread them out over a couple days and do various types of tours at each. For example, start at Bardstown Bourbon Company for a tour and lunch, and then head over to Lux Row for a tasting, and then end your day at Willett with another. It’s best to mix and match experiences so you don’t burn out your brain or tastebuds.
Bourbon Eats in Bardstown
You may think it’s all about bourbon in Bardstown, but thankfully there are some great dining options that pair well with the native spirit. You’ll find most locally-owned Bardstown restaurants have some tie-in with bourbon, and some even offer bourbon-themed menus.
We have to start with the most famous restaurant in town, which is located in a building that has been called the oldest Western stagecoach stop in America. The Old Talbott Tavern
If you’re looking for a farm-to-table experience with amazing bourbon cocktails and a welcoming environment, you’ve gotta check out the newly renovated Toogie’s Table
There’s also The Rickhouse Restaurant & Lounge
A few other restaurants not to miss on the Bardstown bourbon trail include the
atBardstown Bourbon Company, which offers a full array of Southern-style sandwiches and entrees, plus amazing barrel-aged Old Fashioneds and Manhattans; the Bardstown staple
Mammy’s Kitchen & Bar
, which serves up home-cooked fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner;Scout & Scholar Brewery
, which offers a wide array of beers brewed onsite, a reputable bourbon list, and delicious fare that’ll pair with both beer and bourbon; and, offering delicious pizza in a casual environment with a bourbon flair.Other Bourbon-Related Activities in Bardstown
This will come as no surprise, but Bardstown is also home to many bourbon attractions like the Oscar Getz Museum, the world-renowned Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park, to name a few.
The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival
The farm that inspired the imagery in Stephen Collins Foster’s song “My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night,” which is sung before the Kentucky Derby, has been turned into a state park that offers daily tours of the historic site. The structure, which was built between 1812 and 1818, was originally called Federal Hill. And the My Old Kentucky Home State Park
If you’re interested in exploring more of that same history, you can check out “ The Stephen Foster Story
And staying with the history theme, Bardstown’s Civil War Museum
If you’re a train lover, Bardstown has two options for you. The
is located in town and features hundreds of rail equipment and artifacts on display. You can also take a train ride through Kentucky with themes that range from Train Robbery to Christmas Trains. The second train highlight is theMy Old Kentucky Dinner Train
, which includes an upscale meal while you roll through the Bardstown countryside and beyond. There’s a lunch excursion, a dinner event, and even a bourbon-themed train ride.If you’re shopping for bourbon-related souvenirs in Bardstown, just head toward the Courthouse Square where you’ll find all kinds of locally-owned boutiques, gift shops, pubs and restaurants. Artists Barrel
Accommodations in Bardstown
Bardstown has an array of hotels and lodging opportunities for those looking to visit the Bardstown bourbon trail. Of course there are your chain hotels like the
Fairfield Inn by Marriott,
Holiday Inn and La Quinta, but we’ll focus on the more unique options for your stay.We previously mentioned the Talbott Tavern, which is connected to the infamous Talbott Inn
There’s also the newly opened Bardstown Motor Lodge
If you prefer going the B&B or Airbnb route, there are many options in Bardstown for those as well. The
is one of the first bourbon-themed B&Bs in the state, and it offers 10 spacious rooms perfect for people traveling along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. The building is on the National Historic Registry but offers modern amenities like whirlpool tubs, a spa, an onsite bourbon bar and, of course, a full country breakfast served daily.Other notable Bardstown B&Bs and Airbnb vacation rentals are the Jailer’s Inn B&B The Samuels House
a historic home that has been in the Samuels (Maker’s Mark) family for eight generations;
The Homestead B&B
, which is located at Dant Crossings/Log Still Distillery;Springhill Plantation Winery & B&B
; theHuston House
; and theAirBourbon & Branch
near downtown, among others.There’s no doubt that Bardstown is a great destination for bourbon tourism. With 11 distillery experiences within 30 miles of the town center, it’s no wonder it’s named “The Bourbon Capital of the World.” From OG distilleries like Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark to modern facilities like Bardstown Bourbon Company and Log Still Distillery, Bardstown offers up the full spectrum of Kentucky bourbon distilleries.
Remember to give yourself a few days of exploring all Bardstown has to offer, and always book ahead. We have no doubt Bardstown’s small-town charm will lure you into a good time. Go ahead and book that bourbon-soaked trip to visit Bardstown — request a custom tour quote and craft your own itinerary.
More reading
Public vs. Custom Bourbon Tours: Which Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experience is Right for You?
Private Bourbon Tours with Barrel Picks & Custom Tastings: The Most Unique Way to Experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Unique Distillery Tours & Experiences On the Kentucky Bourbon Trail You Probably Haven’t Heard Of