Lexington, KY - Horse Capital of the World

Explore the birthplace of Bourbon with Lexington as your home base!

While we don't claim that Bourbon was invented in Lexington, we do claim the first Registered Distillery in Central Kentucky, the Ashland Distillery (R.D. #1) later known as "Old Tarr". Built in the mid-1800s on Manchester Street, one of its warehouses still stands and is home to Buster's, a popular venue for live music concerts. In the 19th century, this area at the west end of Lexington was a major hub for Kentucky's Bourbon industry. Exciting initiatives are underway to develop a Distillery District utilizing these historic buildings for shopping, restaurants, housing and entertainment venues.

Today, in the heart of the proposed Distillery District, Barrel House Distilling Company, is crafting its very own small batch Bourbon, but it probably won't be ready for consumption before 2014. In September of 2011, Alltech broke ground for a $4.5 million distillery on the edge of the Distillery District that will be the first built in Lexington in nearly 100 years. The new bourbon will be named Town Branch Bourbon.

Four Roses Distillery
(502) 839-3436
24 miles west of Lexington.
Tours given Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The distillery stops Bourbon production in the summer months.

Wild Turkey Distillery
(502) 839-4544
23 miles west of Lexington.
Tours given at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Open year-round, except for holidays, the first week of January and the last two weeks of July.

Woodford Reserve Distillery
(859) 879-1812
21 miles from Lexington.
Open year-round Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Open Sundays 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. April through October.
Tour times 10 a.m.,11a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Tours on Sundays at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. April through October only.
By reservation only: "Corn to Cork" tour at 9:30 a.m. or the "National Landmark" tour at 11:30 am. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Read more about Bourbon in the Bluegrass Region.
Learn about the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Read an article on the secret to Kentucky Bourbon.
Check out this suggested Bourbon Tour Itinerary.
"Like" Bourbons of the Bluegrass on Facebook

The September 2010 issue of National Geographic Traveler includes the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in its "Drives of a Lifetime — The World's Greatest Scenic Routes".

The Horse and Barrel in downtown Lexington was selected by Whisky Magazine as one of the three best bars in the world for whiskey enthusiasts!