Louisville
Home of the Kentucky Derby and the Urban Bourbon Experience
Louisville, known as Bourbon City, is a vibrant city where the spirit of bourbon is deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life. As the gateway to Bourbon Country, Louisville offers an unparalleled blend of rich history, dynamic culture, and world-class bourbon experiences.
Begin your journey in the historic downtown area, where you can explore the Urban Bourbon Trail. This collection of bars and restaurants offers an impressive selection of bourbon flights and cocktails, showcasing the best of Kentucky’s signature spirit. Don’t miss a visit to the iconic distilleries like Angel’s Envy and Old Forester, where you can take guided tours and learn about the intricate process of bourbon-making.
Beyond bourbon, Louisville boasts a thriving arts scene, diverse culinary offerings, and scenic outdoor spaces. Stroll through the picturesque Waterfront Park, visit the renowned Muhammad Ali Center, or catch a live performance at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. The city’s eclectic neighborhoods, such as NuLu and Butchertown, are brimming with unique shops, galleries, and eateries that reflect Louisville’s creative spirit.
Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a fantastic new city to explore, Louisville promises an unforgettable experience. Come and discover why this dynamic city is the heartbeat of Bourbon Country.
Louisville Distilleries:
- Angel's Envy
- Brough Brothers Distillery
- Buzzard's Roost Spirits
- Copper & Kings
- Dark Arts Whiskey House
- Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
- Kentucky Artisan Distillery
- Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
- Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery
- Old Forester
- Old Louisville Whiskey Company
- Oxmoor Bourbon Company
- Prohibition Craft Spirits
- Pursuit Spirits
- Rabbit Hole Distillery
- Stitzel-Weller Experience
Beyond the Distillery
Bourbon City reclaimed its bourbon heritage in the last decade by opening 10 urban distilleries. America's Native Spirit is part of the core fabric of the city, and Louisville's bourbon culture extends far beyond its production tours. It's woven into the culinary scene and receives prime billing at festivals and events. It's even on display in many unique accommodations and a headline exhibit at the Frazier History Museum, the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and features its own tasting experience and the highly Instagrammable Wall of Bourbon.
In addition to the distilleries, Louisville is home to the Urban Bourbon Trail® – a cocktail and culinary experience highlighting the city's best Bourbon bars and restaurants. This elevated “pub crawl” has 40 unique stops, each stocked with at least 60 bourbons. Recently, the decade-old trail has gone digital with a mobile-friendly version to promote a more user-friendly experience. From jazz-aged grand hotel bars to hidden speakeasies and neighborhood dives, there is an Urban Bourbon Trail spot to suit all tastes.
And if that's not enough to whet your whistle, you might enjoy one of the many distillery-owned bar experiences open to the public even without a tour. As the peak season may cause tours to sell out early, there is usually room at a distillery bar for a signature cocktail to get a taste of their brand experience. This is, of course, in addition to always being able to browse the well-themed retail areas of the top Bourbon brands.