Episode 260: My 5 Favorite Kentucky Distilleries To Visit

[@whodey59]

My top 5 in no order: -Wild Turkey and meeting Jimmy Russell -Buffalo Trace hard hat tour with Freddie -The hour+ long 4 person tour at Barton (now no more) -Bardstown Bourbon straight from the barrel tour -Four Roses distillery and bottling tours Honorable mention: Makers Mark has probably the most beautiful grounds.

[@BourbonJudge]

Great choices

[@richl4030]

Made my first visit to Louisville 2 weeks ago. I wasn’t proactive enough, so by the time I tried to book a tour, many places were already sold out. I was able to get a great tour at Old Forester. Was lucky enough to conclude with a tasting that included Birthday Bourbon, the latest 117 series, and a single barrel. Would definitely recommend a visit there. Definitely would suggest booking your tours at least 3 months in advance if you want to get into places like Michter’s for their special tours!

[@BourbonJudge]

Yeah it’s hard to get access and gotta book in advance for many of the places. Cheers Rich

[@Canadian_Chris]

I just came back from New Riff Distillery. It is located in Newport Kentucky which is across the river from Cincinnati Ohio. If you're in the area check it out. Their Balboa rye is next level. If I could legally bring more bottles back home I would.

[@BourbonJudge]

New Riff is in a great spot. And right next door to that Huge Liquor store too. Which is awesome..

[@dnovelle1]

I have to say I was shocked not to see Maker's Mark wasn't on your list! The history there is off the charts, great tasting room and the beauty of the distillery is unsurpassed. Love your channel!!

[@Kevin_OKeefe]

Hey, Judge! We’re on vacation in Louisville right now. We toured Peerless today and Bardstown yesterday! We were fortunate enough to meet Corky after our tasting! Both great tours. Definitely take time for something to eat at Bardstown, it’s great. Limestone is another fun tour. Great atmosphere and super nice people. Cheers!

[@BourbonJudge]

That’s awesome Kevin.

[@zoolander221]

Really great video judge. My wife and I discuss going to Kentucky and visiting some distilleries, but honestly, I wouldn’t know which ones are better. I’m still relatively new to 5his whiskey world, under 2 years. But this is a great help for getting my feet wet. Cheers judge, all the best!

[@BourbonJudge]

Anytime my friend. Glad to help

[@larryowens675]

We’re going in August and have tours booked at Old Forester, Four Roses, Bardstown Bourbon and Heaven Hill. On a waiting list for Buffalo Trace.

[@BourbonJudge]

Niceee

[@jamesm.3967]

Peerless. ❤ Corky gave the tour for us. He went to military school in Tennessee with the Allman Brothers. They got me very buzzed too in the afternoon. Thanks guys.

[@BourbonJudge]

That’s awesome

[@terrencelewis2081]

Thanks for the recommendations! Going to Kentucky this fall with a few friends. Now we have our six go-to distilleries!!!

[@BourbonJudge]

Texas T! Definitely and let me know when you will be there. I have to mKe a few trips this fall myself. Cheers

[@edlower3328]

Going for 25th Anniversary! Love her. Taking notes. Go Ravens!!!!! Raised just outside Baltimore

[@BigDaddy_256]

Greetings from Huntsville, AL. Bourbon Judge, thank you for the email you sent. You were in my head, because we are going to Louisville, KY this weekend. This video will help me in choosing which distilleries to visit when we go to Louisville this weekend. Keep up the great work.

[@BourbonJudge]

That’s awesome. Enjoy my friend

[@matthewhenry6276]

New subscriber here. I know it’s an older video but I’m really hoping to go to my first distillery sometime next year and this video has definitely helped me out. Look forward to viewing more of your channel!!!

[@BourbonJudge]

Welcome aboard! And you’ll enjoy the distilleries for sure

[@TheMNbassHunter]

Thanks for the extremely timely video, Judge! My wife and I are planning to do the bourbon trail in November and we've never been.

[@BourbonJudge]

Enjoy

[@charlieteena]

Thank you, great video

[@BourbonJudge]

Glad you liked it!

[@troyc.5667]

I knew Michters would be in your lineup Judge… can’t wait until my next trip to KY. Cheers!

[@BourbonJudge]

Lol

[@davevogelsang6791]

Heading to Louisville next Friday, just for the day. Looking forward to it.

[@BourbonJudge]

Enjoy

[@rickkloos896]

Judge, you need to visit Wilderness Trail in Danville, KY. Great tour and classy people. Plus their bourbon and ryes are fantastic!

[@BourbonJudge]

Will do..

[@ronaldedwards7818]

You should do a video on fav 5 bourbons to sip with a cigar

[@BourbonJudge]

Like that idea - A Lot!!! Will do. Thanks

[@ronaldedwards7818]

@@BourbonJudge can't wait

[@whiskeymusic9684]

Awsome video. Do more of these please.

[@BourbonJudge]

Will do..

[@MartyMarRips302]

Awesome video! Heading there next week, waited too long to book a BT tour 😢

[@BourbonJudge]

Enjoy your trip. Cheers

[@markrutherford6139]

I'm heading to Castle & Key and Buffalo Trace next week. Over Labor Day, my wonderful daughter booked us a stay at The Samuels House and tour of Maker's Mark that I'm really looking forward to...it's actually a new offering

[@BourbonJudge]

Niceee sounds like a fun trip. Enjoy

[@Metalman-co1lo]

I was just at Buffalo Trace Distillery and all the Buffalo Trace was sold out by 10:15 in the morning. However, I was lucky enough to get 3 bottles of Weller. You can only buy one bottle every 90 days per person but I had my wife and son with me.

[@BourbonJudge]

That’s what family is for. 🥃😂

[@Joseph1701-A]

I want to visit the Evan Williams Distillery

[@robertkrause4769]

I don’t disagree with most of the comments,but I’ve only been to about 12 of the distilleries. Don’t sleep on Makers & Woodford tow of the most beautiful tours. Book very early for the best tours behind the scenes. Wilderness Trail is a great tour for a modern facility and their white dog is the best right out of the still!

[@BourbonJudge]

Fantastic suggestions!

[@bendavis2967]

Michter’s Fort Nelson for the win! Their upstairs bar kills it. Shout out to the OF experience down the street though.

[@BourbonJudge]

No doubt Ben!!!

[@devipittman6926]

One day I’ll make my way to KY🥃🥃🥃

[@BourbonJudge]

Gotta Devi. Easy ride too from where you are. Road trip!!!!🥃

[@blessedhellryde]

Hey BJudge! Another stellar video. I was invited to do some barrel picks at the end of August. 5 days and 6 distilleries. Top of my “take home to share” bottle list is a Peerless Single Barrel. Not sure i have time for a tour or tasing session. Do you know If those top barrels available in gift shop to sample or do i need to book a spot on tour or tasting? Cannot wait! Cheers whiskey 🥃 🥃

[@BourbonJudge]

Unfortunately you gotta book a tour to sample all the single barrels for sale. You’ll love it!

[@blakenaylor1983]

Great video ! I want to visit Four Roses and Starlight. Nulu is so damn good…

[@BourbonJudge]

Absolutely 🥃

[@doug9990]

If you want to do a tour at Buffalo Trace I hear 4-6 month lead time. Other popular locations 2-3 months. So plan early

[@BourbonJudge]

Geez- 4-5 months lol

[@Hellboy700]

Hope you can make it to Frey Ranch and Starlight some day. Would like to know you're thoughts on their distilleries.

[@BourbonJudge]

Me too.. Doing my best to get there

[@martineznelsonj]

If you haven’t yet, next time you are at Bardstown, do the barrel thieving tour! You can thank me later.

[@BourbonJudge]

Will do. Thanks Nelson

[@reasonedplaguegaming5443]

You ever been to Wilderness Trace? It’s 3 minutes from where I live. My first tour and tasting was just a few days ago at Lexington Brewing Company where they make Barrel aged beer and bourbon

[@BourbonJudge]

I haven’t been to Wilderness Trail. Need to get there asap.

[@tonylema5334]

I’ll get there one day

[@BourbonJudge]

Definitely worth a trip Tony.

[@basevol9646]

5 great tours, I find the best parts of all the tours are the people, the history, and then the bourbon!

[@BourbonJudge]

No doubt Basevol…🥃

[@thomasaccuntius9946]

We only agreed on one distillery my friend, which is Buffalo Trace. I have been going to Ky. for bourbon hunting and distillery tours since 2005. And most of the time 2 times a year. I have taken every tour offered at BT several times each, even the Ghost Tour, and I love Freddie. Second was Barton 1792, 14 visits but sadly they have stopped their tours. Makers Mark, as a graduated Ambassador, which I have visited at least 24 times. Wild Turkey, I have met Jimmy Russell several times and have a signed bottle and hat. I have been there at least 18 times. I was just there 3-20-24 and stopped at the Gate Keepers House and bought a bottle. The first bunch of tours I took there started here before they built the new visitors center, which is currently under renovation. Castle and Key, a distillery that looks like a castle, I started going there when they still didn't have their visitors center finished. I got to meet Marianne the Master Distiller a couple of times before she left. Woodford Reserve there is a lot of history to be told here, from Oscar Pepper to Labrot and Grahm and current owners to Brown Forman. It almost seems to be the "Who's Who" in the distillery world has worked there or owned it. And their Double Oaked Bourbon is SOOOOO GOOD. I enjoy the OLD distilleries the best and the history that goes with it. The new distilleries like Bulleit, whih=ch can be operated by 34 people is a sight to see and a very sterile marvel. and they make some great bourbon. So thats my opinon, but visit them all.

[@opj5791]

I'm going down to Kentucky in a couple of weeks to visit distilleries. Staying in Louisville. Is it worth driving the 45 minutes down to Bardstown or just stay in downtown Louisville and visit the location there? Narrowed my hotel selection down to Seelbach Hilton or Moxy.

[@BourbonJudge]

Definitely go to bardstown.

[@opj5791]

@@BourbonJudge The one in Louisville or the one in Bardstown KY thats about 45 min south??

[@BourbonJudge]

@@opj5791 Bardstown has the better experience. If you’re looking for just bottles then the Louisville location should suffice.

[@brmicmatthews8398]

It kills me that eight years ago I drove through Kentucky and didn’t even bourbon hunt 😢

[@BourbonJudge]

Ohhh noooo lol

[@skydog8702]

Your Honor, if the Court will allow, the Michtner segment was listed as Victors, in the video, please allow the Court to allow the name be recorded in the official record to reflect the correction, your Honor.

[@BourbonJudge]

Lol

[@skydog8702]

I just retired from 20 plus working for the Courts, I couldn't resist.@@BourbonJudge

[@FriarPop]

Head to Michigan, we make better juice than KY all day and everyone knows it. KY is like the auto industry in Detroit, it was great 70 years ago.

[@BourbonJudge]

Lol

[@FriarPop]

@@BourbonJudge I know right! They are laughing all the way home with their multiple gold medals after blowing out the competition in the big ones.