Beyond the Barrel

All bourbon must be made in the United States
All bourbon must contain at least 51% corn in its mashbill.
The liquid must be put into brand-new, charred oak barrels.

These are just some of the facts I have heard over again & over again on the many
distillery tours I have taken since that first visit to Old Forester. As my excitement about
bourbon has grown, I have looked forward to each booked distillery tour, learning so
much information along the way.

Since that first trip, I have learned how to book tours strategically, how to plan visits
geographically to make the most of my time in Kentucky, and, most importantly, how to
fully immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and smells that make bourbon so
fascinating. The expert tour guides at each distillery have transformed each visit into an
educational experience that keeps me coming back for more.

Over the last 2 years, my husband & I have done numerous tours from small craft
distilleries to large distilleries who are aging thousands of barrels. The knowledgeable
tour guides employed at these distilleries are the ones that make me come back to learn
more. As an educator, I love becoming a student, soaking up the facts, history, &
science that goes into making incredible bourbon.

Below are some tips & insights that I have learned from various tours I have
experienced during my time in Kentucky.

Buffalo Trace – Free & Full of History

All Buffalo Trace tours are free! Before our first trip to Kentucky, my husband & I tried to
book a tour at Buffalo Trace. We were disappointed to find out that there were no tour
times available online. We found out by asking questions, that there are a certain
number of tours & times that are “held” daily to accommodate visitors.

We began looking for a tour again at 8:00 AM on the day of our visit & we were able to
easily book “The Trace Tour” that day. Not only did we get a tour, but because of our
early tour time, we were able to skip the long line waiting to get into the distillery.

“The Trace Tour” was a great introduction to Buffalo Trace & we have since done every
tour, as well as repeated some tours the distillery has to offer. The tours vary, giving
insight into the history of Buffalo Trace or giving a glimpse into the production of their
products.

I can honestly say we have never experienced a disappointing tour at Buffalo Trace,
which is why we continue to return again and again.

Woodford Reserve: Where Bourbon Meets Horse Country

Bourbon & horses are the two things that come to mind when I think of Kentucky & I
was able to experience both at Woodford Reserve.

The drive to the distillery is on a narrow, fence-lined road through picturesque horse
country. The Woodford Reserve property is gorgeous, which added to the excitement of
this tour.

We have only done “The Path to Flavor” tour at Woodford, but this was a great
introduction to their brand which allowed us to learn about bourbon while experiencing
the incredible landscape of the Woodford property.

Woodford has an awesome gift shop & a wonderful cocktail bar along with ample space
to sit & sip while taking in the scenery & smells of the distillery.

Wild Turkey – History, Views, & the Magic of the Rickhouse

Like Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey is located in a beautiful setting, but the landscape
offers a completely different experience. The visitor center sits on bluffs overlooking the
Kentucky River, creating an unforgettable backdrop for a bourbon visit.

Our bourbon trail travels have taken us to Wild Turkey three times, and each visit has
provided a different experience. We have completed “The Production Tour – Experience
the Home of Wild Turkey & Russell’s Reserve” as well as the “Born from the Barrel –
Russell’s Reserve Immersion” tour.

At Wild Turkey, we learned about both bourbon production and the fascinating history of
the brand. While these tours require a fee, they were worth every penny.

Two highlights stand out from our Wild Turkey experiences:

1. Passionate and knowledgeable tour guides
Wild Turkey employs guides who genuinely love the product and the history behind it.
Their enthusiasm is obvious, and their ability to share knowledge makes the experience
memorable.

2. Time inside the rickhouse
Each tour included a visit to a rickhouse, where we could see barrels aging and
experience the aromas created during the aging process. For someone like me, whose
sense of smell plays such a large role in my fascination with bourbon, the rickhouse is
the highlight of any tour.

The people at Wild Turkey did more than simply show us where the barrels were
stored—they allowed us to pause and appreciate the sights and smells that make
bourbon aging such a unique process.

Preservation Distillery & Farm – A Look at Craft Bourbon

Preservation Distillery & Farm is a small craft distillery located near Bardstown,
Kentucky. Our visit included a short tour followed by a tasting in the gift shop.

One of the most interesting parts of this experience was seeing the difference between
a small distillery and a large-scale bourbon producer. While the process shares many
similarities, the scale, atmosphere, and approach were completely different.

Preservation offered a welcoming environment, knowledgeable staff, and carefully
crafted spirits. The guided, interactive tasting was one of the highlights of our visit
because it allowed us to learn while experiencing the products in a more personal
setting.

A few tips can make the experience even better:

• Choose tours that focus on education. The best visits explain the process
  rather than simply offering a tasting.
• Ask questions. Guides and distillers often have insights that you will not find on
  a label.
• Explore different styles of distilleries. Small craft producers and larger historic
  operations can offer completely different perspectives.
• Pay attention to the details. The aromas in the production areas, the design of
  the stills, the differences in aging techniques, and the stories connected to each
  location are what make each distillery tour unique.
  For me, distillery tours have become classrooms without walls. They continue to deepen
  my understanding and appreciation of bourbon while reminding me that every bottle has
  a story waiting to be discovered.