A Whiskey Maker’s Holiday Treat

Alex Chasko is an Oregon transplant turned Dublin whiskey maker. He’s the master distiller and whiskey maker for Teeling Whiskey Company, and his latest creation… Read More

Alex Chasko is an Oregon transplant turned Dublin whiskey maker. He’s the master distiller and whiskey maker for Teeling Whiskey Company, and his latest creation is a 33-year-old Irish single malt finished in Pineau des Charentes casks. He’ll join us on this holiday edition of WhiskyCast. In the news, European and U-S trade negotiators extend a deal to avoid a return to tariffs on American whiskey exports, while another Scotch Whisky company is building a distillery in China. 

Episode 1036: December 24, 2023

Links: Teeling Whiskey Company | Distilled Spirits Council | Angus Dundee Distillers | Global Drinks Intel | Pernod Ricard | Lagavulin | Boann Distillery | Very Olde St. Nick | Brown-Forman | The Dalmore | Sagamore Spirit | George Dickel

Bespoke Whisky, Bespoke Tweed

Collaborations between whisky makers and design houses are becoming more common, and this week, we’ll look at a partnership where each side brought their own… Read More

Collaborations between whisky makers and design houses are becoming more common, and this week, we’ll look at a partnership where each side brought their own unique skills to form a successful collaboration. The Grant family’s House of Hazelwood has teamed up with London’s Huntsman Savile Row to create a 50-year-old Huntsman whisky, along with a unique House of Hazelwood tweed for Huntsman’s bespoke suits. We’ll talk with Huntsman creative director Campbell Carey and Jonathan Gibson of the House of Hazelwood on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, strikes against Chivas Brothers have been called off after the company proposed new contract terms, and we have more award winners announced this week. 

Episode 1034: December 10, 2023

Links: House of Hazelwood | Huntsman Savile Row | Chivas Brothers | Unite | GMB Scotland | Angus Dundee Distillers | Brown-Forman | Scotch Malt Whisky Society | Whisky Advocate | Icons of Whisky Scotland | CaskShare | Preservation Distillery | Puncher’s Chance Bourbon | Sagamore Spirit | Milam & Greene | Wilderness Trail Distillery | Berry Bros. & Rudd | Glenglassaugh | The Macallan | Maverick Whiskey

A New Experience at The Scotch Whisky Experience

The Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and this week launches an all-new multimedia tour highlighting the production… Read More

The Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and this week launches an all-new multimedia tour highlighting the production of Scotch Whisky. We’ll talk with CEO Susan Morrison on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, unique one of a kind whiskies are going on the auction block for charity this October, Bruichladdich cuts its carbon footprint with a new recycled glass bottle for the Classic Laddie, and The Dead Rabbit’s expansion plans took two big steps this week. We’ll have the rest of the week’s whisky news, tasting notes, and more!

Episode 1013: July 16, 2023

Links: Scotch Whisky Experience | The Distillers’ Charity | Scotch Whisky Association | Bruichladdich | The Dead Rabbit | Uile-bheist Distillery | Loch Lomond | Benromach | Waterford Whisky | Log Still Distillery | Dogfish Head Brewing & Distilling | Old Pulteney | Very Olde St. Nick | Keeper’s Heart | Lost Lantern Whisky

Photo courtesy of The Scotch Whisky Experience.

The 10 Best Bardstown Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail For 2023

If you’ve never had the joy of touring and tasting bourbon at the local Bardstown distilleries, this is the time! Spring is the perfect season before the busier travel times set in, and you’ll love the mild temperature days with beautiful blooms and lush green bringing the area to life. If it’s your first time …

The 10 Best Bardstown Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail For 2023 Read More »

The 10 Best Bardstown Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail For 2023, photo of bourbon barrels

If you’ve never had the joy of touring and tasting bourbon at the local Bardstown distilleries, this is the time! Spring is the perfect season before the busier travel times set in, and you’ll love the mild temperature days with beautiful blooms and lush green bringing the area to life. If it’s your first time visiting the nearby Bardstown distilleries, we guarantee you’ll be in awe of the size of these establishments. There’s really no way to describe the scope of these rick houses—giant warehouses holding millions of barrels of aging bourbons—you need to see them in person! 

Bardstown is known as the birthplace of American bourbon as we know it. On these tours and tastings, it’s as much a look back into history as it is a delight for your palate. Kentucky is home to more than 70 bourbon distilleries, and an impressive list of those fine establishments are in the Bardstown area. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is an excellent resource for bourbon enthusiasts and one of the best ways to plan your itinerary. Additionally, Bardstown has a great selection of outstanding restaurants, museums, and local artisan shops.

You’ll also find many lodging properties in our area, but none compares to our location, level of hospitality, and guest accommodations of our luxury Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky. We’re located in the heart of our charming small town and within ten minutes of some of the most popular Bardstown distilleries. Each of our beautifully appointed guest rooms is named for a favorite bourbon cocktail, which you can enjoy in our lobby bar during your stay! Check out our upcoming availability and book your room today! 

The 10 Best Bardstown Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail For 2023, photo of a bourbon tasting with notes

Hit These Bardstown Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

The best vacations have a diverse itinerary, from dining out at new restaurants, exploring historical areas, and booking interesting tours. And the tours at these local Bardstown distilleries are informative, engaging, and delicious.

Here’s a list of the best Bardstown distilleries and more along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: 

  • Heaven Hill Distillery: As Whisky Magazine’s 2023 winner of “Distiller of the Year,” this award-winning distillery, with brands like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Larceny, has been educating guests on whisky 101 since 1935. The Bourbon Heritage Center is a great place to start, with beautiful tasting rooms, informative tours, whisky-related exhibits, and bourbon-themed souvenirs from the gift shop.
  • Bardstown Bourbon Company: This is one of the Bardstown distilleries that puts you right behind the scenes. These tours are immersive and informative. Be sure to enjoy the bourbon blends in the on-site Kitchen & Bar in cocktail form, along with a full menu of appetizers, mains, and desserts.
  • Lux Row: With big names like Rebel Yell and Ezra Brooks, this 18,000-square-foot distillery produces a diverse lineup of bourbons. They have three tours to choose from, but go for the in-depth top-shelf tasting: the Lux Row Premium Experience.
  • Willett Distillery: This is one of the Bardstown distilleries you must visit, and it’s about ten minutes away from our Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky. While Thompson Willett began distilling in 1936, the family’s involvement in bourbon dates back to the late 1600s. Make a reservation at the sleek Bar at Willett for a spruced-up bourbon craft cocktail and appetizers.
  • Preservation Distillery: The 40-acre farm surrounding this distillery is in true Kentucky bluegrass country with panoramic views of the full-working farm. They make their bourbon in small batches here, using a pot-distilling method, which produces big and rich whiskeys.
  • Old Steelhouse Distillery: This distillery sits on 45 rolling acres just ten miles outside of Bardstown. What was once an abandoned warehouse is now a remarkable space for tasting bourbon and enjoying a tour. 

These Kentucky distilleries are a bit further out of Bardstown but well worth the visit:

  • Maker’s Mark Distillery: The iconic red wax-topped bourbon bottle is recognizable worldwide, and this distillery is a big one to add to your list. It’s a bit further out in the country but only about a half hour from our Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky. The stunning grounds and rich history are well worth the trip and don’t miss the opportunity to dip your own bottle in hot wax. 
  • Jim Beam American Stillhouse: This business is family-operated to its roots, as it’s been passed down in the Beam family for seven generations spanning 200 years. Last year, the Jim Beam campus revealed a massive makeover, creating an even more exciting place to have the bourbon experience. 
  • Four Roses Bourbon: Just about ten miles out of Bardstown in Cox Creek is the Four Roses Bottling Facility, where they offer guided tastings and informative tours. 
The 10 Best Bardstown Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail For 2023, photo of the bourbon manor bed and breakfast

Stay at the Best Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky

Whether you plan to visit one of these Bardstown distilleries or all ten, you’ll quickly see that the bourbon community is celebrated here. So why not embrace that mood and stay in the world’s first bourbon-themed Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky? That’s precisely what you’ll find at the Bourbon Manor, where each of our ten guest rooms in the main house is named after a different bourbon cocktail. Beyond our creative play on the area’s top attraction, you’ll find a welcoming ambiance and exceptional hospitality far exceeding what you’d find at any chain hotel.

During your stay with us, we serve a lovely breakfast in our elegant dining area each morning. We prepare creative dishes with local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. If you’re heading out for a day of bourbon tastings at the local Bardstown distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, you’ll want a hearty meal to start you off on the right foot. Upon your return, the coffee is always on, and beverages and snacks are available throughout the day. Your guest room will be a welcome reprieve! 

While tasting along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail might be your main activity while visiting Bardstown, don’t forget to schedule some downtime at our on-site spa for a massage. Ease your stress away, relax, and fully embrace your time away! Our goal is that you leave feeling as renewed as possible and ready to come to visit again. We’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to; that’s one of the many perks of staying at a small, boutique property like ours! Book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky today! 

Mike And Matt Taste Rare Perfection Canadian Whisky

Rare Perfection is a brand being bottled by the Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This company has been in the whiskey business since the 1980s. They sourced whiskey and sold it in the Japanese market for many years before bringing… Con…

Rare Perfection is a brand being bottled by the Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This company has been in the whiskey business since the 1980s. They sourced whiskey and sold it in the Japanese market for many years before bringing... Continue Reading →