There’s more to love in bourbon country in 2024…

You think you know the Bourbon Trail, but it’s only the beginning. The trail will always have the classics that helped rocket Kentucky Bourbon to its fame, but did you know there are new distilleries that open every year!?

Check out some of the new ones that opened in 2023 or that we are now offering tours to! It’s the perfect excuse to plan another trip and explore new processes, venues, and bottles.

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

Located near Buffalo Trace, you can visit J. Mattingly 1845 for a tasting or take it up a notch with their “Blend Your Own Bourbon Experience,” where you sample bourbons from 4 different barrels and can fill your own bottle.  There are bottles that you can purchase and a portion of the funds are donated to support veterans.  Formerly known as Bourbon 30 Distillery.

Bluegrass Distillers

Located in Midway at Elkwood Farm, the historic home named to the National Register of Historic Places is now the visitor center, gift shop and tasting bar. Coming this spring there will be full tours, food trucks, live music, outdoor seating with fire pits, cocktail bars, and a cafe. Book a tasting now and watch for their full tour options to open up soon.

Lawrenceburg Bourbon Co.

Located just a mile from Wild Turkey, this distillery owned by an Australian Navy veteran has a tasting offering now, with full tours ready in the early spring. There will also be a speakeasy, cocktail bars, a humidor with high end cigars, areas for cigar smoking, food trucks, live music, and more.

Buzzard’s Roost

Downtown Louisville is now home to the newly opened Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience, a venue dedicated to fostering understanding and appreciation for the art and science of whiskey.

Bardstown Bourbon – Louisville Tasting Room

Bardstown Bourbon Co. inaugurated a tasting room on Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. The recently unveiled venue boasts a full-service bar offering inventive craft cocktails and distinctive tasting experiences.

Pursuit Spirits

Located in Butchertown, the team focuses on blending award-winning whiskeys with varying mash bills and barrels to create unique and special flavor profiles.  Guests will be able to visit for a tasting, or participate in a barrel pick style experience and fill their own bottle from their favorite barrel, and label and seal it.  The owners also produce the #1 whiskey podcast BOURBON PURSUIT.

And Coming in 2024…

Now that you’re up to speed on what was new in 2023, what about what’s to come in 2024!? We’ve got the info! The Courier Journal breaks down some of the new bourbon-centric projects and expansions happening in this year.

Check out the one’s we’re most excited for!

Angel’s Envy Expansion

Angel’s Envy has unveiled plans for a second expansion, encompassing 60,000 square feet adjacent to its flagship headquarters on Louisville Main Street. This development includes a proposed pedway linking the new space with the existing building.

Heaven’s Door

Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door whiskey brand is preparing to inaugurate a new distillery in Pleasureville, complemented by a brand experience known as the Last Refuge in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood. The new space is poised to offer a whiskey bar, restaurant, and live event venue.

Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole Distillery has revealed its upcoming expansion, encompassing an entire half-block in Nulu.  The enriched visitor experience will incorporate tasting rooms, a gift shop, a dedicated single-barrel tasting facility, and a courtyard area.

RD1 Spirits

RD1 Spirits is investing $4.8 million in creating a destination to honor the past and future of Lexington’s connection to the bourbon industry. The venture will offer tours, personalized blending experiences, tasting rooms, a cocktail bar, a gift shop, and an event space.

Check out the full article here.