The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is the state's network of bourbon distilleries open for tours and tastings, organized by the Kentucky Distillers' Association. It spans dozens of distilleries from Louisville and Bardstown to Lexington. It isn't a single road — you build your own route, and many visitors start in Louisville's walkable NuLu and Whiskey Row districts.
What the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an official program of the Kentucky Distillers' Association that connects the state's bourbon distilleries into one tourable experience. There's a flagship trail of larger, heritage distilleries and a companion 'Craft Tour' of smaller producers. Many visitors collect stamps in a passport as they go. The key thing to understand: it's a collection of distilleries, not one continuous highway — you choose which stops to make and in what order.
Where to start: Louisville and NuLu
Most people begin in Louisville, the trail's natural gateway. Two neighborhoods do the heavy lifting:
- NuLu (East Market District) — a compact, walkable stretch of distilleries, tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops. Louisville Rickhouse sits right here at 717 E Market St.
- Whiskey Row — a historic downtown row of distillery experiences within easy reach.
Because they're so concentrated, you can visit several spots on foot without ever getting in a car.
How to plan your visit
A few things make a trail trip go smoothly:
- Book ahead — popular tours and tastings fill up, especially on weekends.
- Pace yourself — two or three stops a day is plenty; this is about quality, not a checklist.
- Plan a ride — use a driver, rideshare, or stick to walkable clusters like NuLu.
- Mix big and small — pair a heritage name with a craft distillery for contrast.
For a Louisville-specific plan, see our guide to the best distillery tours in Louisville and things to do in NuLu.
Make Louisville Rickhouse a stop
Right in the heart of NuLu, we're an easy addition to any bourbon trail day. Book a tour or tasting, pick your own single barrel, or just walk in for a flight at the bar.
Keep reading: Best distillery tours in Louisville · How many distilleries are in Kentucky? · Things to do in NuLu