Comments on: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Record, were YOU one of a half million in 2012?

By: David Wilson

David Wilson — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:15:30 +0000

My buddies and I (4 total in group) are planning to do the Bourbon Trail in a few weeks. This is our first time doing the trail. We are planning a long weekend and were hoping to complete on a Friday/Saturday. Is it realistic to think we can hit 4 of the stops in one day?

By: Randy

Randy — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:08:04 +0000

My (adult) son and I did the Trail in October. Enjoyed all the stops. We did the Corn to Cork tour at Woodford and that would rate highest since you get more if you pay more. I’d rate Makers next best or best of the “regular” tours. A lot of the tour depends on the guide and some are better than others. Did notice a little competitive commentary from some guides and didn’t think it appropriate. Surprised that there isn’t more attention paid to the actual tasting. Makers was best at this with some discussion of sensory chacteristics. Beam simply gave two tokens to a machine. Surprised the common ownership wouldn’t lead to a common approach. Two other shout outs not part of the Trail. Independent Stave in Lebanon well worth a stop. The barrel plays a big part of the taste and they supply the barrels. Buffalo Trace needs to get back on the Trail. They do a great tour.

By: David Greene

David Greene — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:21:40 +0000

I have completed the Bourbon Trail twice. Once this year and once last year. Jim Beams new American Stillhouse tour was absolutely amazing. You get to see every aspect of the whole bourbon process from well to bottling. Also, you get free samples at the end which doesnt hurt either!

By: Eric Burke

Eric Burke — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:41:23 +0000

I’ve completed the bourbon trail twice. In 2012, I got my Four Roses stamp at the Four Roses Cox’s Creek Warehouse and Bottling tour. It was my favorite tour, hands down. Very personal. It was just my wife and I. Plus, we got to taste some bourbon poured right out of a barrel.

By: Nick in London

Nick in London — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:40:53 +0000

Yes – I did the entire trail with two Peace Corps buddies in June 2012. It was a fantastic time. We learned so much and enjoyed each tour. My favorite had to be the Woodford Reserve tour – we did the corn to barrel tour. Since visiting the distillery, Woodford has been added to my regular rotation of boubons.

I would also say that I also really enjoyed the Wild Turkey tour (although I don’t particularly like their bourbon). Jimmy Russell’s grandson gave us the tour and he was fantastic.

By: Andy in AZ

Andy in AZ — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:56:17 +0000

My best friend and I hit every stop on the Bourbon Trail while visiting for the 2012 Bourbon Festival. The best part about hitting every distillery you can: You bourbon knowledge grows with every stop. I learned something new on each tour and I proudly pass along the stories to friends when they stop by to try one of the many bourbons I have in my cabinet. We’ll be back again with more friends for the 2013 Bourbon Festival.

By: Jim in Cincinnati

Jim in Cincinnati — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:40:01 +0000

First stop on Bourbon Trail was Woodford Reserve January 2012. Fantastic distillery to use as start to your journey. Woodford Reserve Tour first tour led to second tour with my twenty eight year old son followed by third tour with my eighty three year old Mother !

In 2012 also toured Wild Turkey Distillery (twice) and Four Roses (twice).

Talking about tour with friends leads to taking them on tours.

Buffalo Trace Distillery best toured on multiple occasions to take advantage of unique separate tours besides the introductory one hour tour.

Buffalo Trace “Hard Hat Tour” requires reservations.

2013 Goal is to tour remaining distilleries near Bardstown.

By: Mark B

Mark B — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:28:51 +0000

Being from Chicago, people here find it interesting that I have been to the bourbon trail. They, however, think I’m crazy that I have made multiple trips in one year by myself to see the distilleries. While Wild Turkey was only one of the distilleries I visited, it was by far the most memorable. The date was April 1st, 2012. After working a night shift the night before, I slept the entire day. With little convincing from a Kentucky friend and knowing UK was in the NCAA national championship the next day, I hopped in the car at 2AM and was Kentucky bound!! Multiple red bulls and about 6 hours later I found myself making a mad dash into Wild Turkey visitor center to narrowly make the first tour of the day. The friendly faces, informative tour and great bourbon (not to mention Kentucky winning their 8th title) made that trip my favorite and of course well worth it!

-Mark
Chicago, IL

By: Kurt Koeplin

Kurt Koeplin — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:06:26 +0000

My wife and I spent Spring Break ’12 on The Trail. 10 distilleries in 6 days, and a Hot Brown to boot. We loved it, got the t-shirt, and now we’re working on our ’13 shirts. We tell everyone about our trip and how much we enjoy spending time in KY.

– Kurt n Cathy Koeplin
Roswell, GA

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:12:44 +0000

Four Roses was our favorite. The people were so friendly and the architecture is very unique.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:53:14 +0000

My wife and I earned our shirts by visiting all the distilleries on the tour as well as Buffalo Trace. Our favorite was Woodford! We look forward to taking the tour again in years to come.

By: Clark Creasey

Clark Creasey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:35:38 +0000

Grandparents from Tennessee came to town this summer and needed something low-energy yet enjoyable to do for the day. They’ve always been big scotch drinkers so we though a trip to the Bourbon Trail would do them some good. There was nothing like seeing three generations of family come together over some delicious Kentucky Bourbon after a wonderful tour of the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery. Needless to say, our next family gathering will definitely be somewhere along the Bourbon Trail!

By: Sean McPherson

Sean McPherson — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:30:43 +0000

My wife & I are avid visitors; we’ve worn our several Bourbon Trail shirts with pride over the years! We’ve visited distilleries aorund the US and the world, and distillery workers everywhere want to show off their bourbon barrels (that they’re using for a new product, inheriting a little of the bourbon magic) and ask about the facilities we have in Kentucky. Plenty of reasons to be proud to be involved in showcasing our heritage.

Sean McPherson

By: Josh Woods

Josh Woods — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:24:43 +0000

Just noticed I had some typos lol. It should say big storm the night before and they were flooded and had no power, not may storm haha

By: Josh Woods

Josh Woods — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:13:01 +0000

Made the trip and did the bourbon trail with my wife and parents. We had a blast even though we couldn’t do the tour at 4 Roses due to the may storm the night before and they were flooded and had power but they still stamped our passport. We really enjoyed the tour at Woodford Reserve, and a major thank you to the bourbon trail folks for letting us still get our t shirt with not being able to tour 4 Roses. We will be making a trip back in a few years to buy some Makers Mark when my barrel is done.

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:12:09 +0000

Yes, I visited Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill & Wild Turkey back in April, 2012. I have also visited Makers Mark. I hope to get to Four Roses & Buffalo Trace on my next visit.

By: Robin Burke

Robin Burke — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:11:39 +0000

Spent a week during bourbon Fest celebrating 15 years of marriage with my husband. Loved all of it, but the best was the Four Roses bottling & warehouse tour.

By: Theo rutherford

Theo rutherford — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:59:43 +0000

I went during bourbon fest and the again this winter. I have to say that the best tour goes to makers mark and the most interesting things being done with bourbon goes to Kentucky bourbon distillers, makers of Willet, Noah’s mill, Rowan’s creek, and many others. But, you haven’t done the bourbon train until you do it during bourbon fest. Think the county fair, but all laced with boubon somehow…a great experience during September…aka national bourbon month!

By: Rob Davis

Rob Davis — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:13:53 +0000

Yes, I only had time to visit one and picked Buffalo Trace. I’m planning another stop this year as I travel through the area at least twice a year.