jim beam distillery tour hours

Jim Beam Distillery Tour – Clermont, Kentucky

Jim beam distillery tour: a deep dive into bourbon mastery.

The Jim Beam Distillery Tour, an immersive journey into the world of bourbon, set in the heart of Kentucky’s renowned whiskey-making region. This tour is a profound exploration of Jim Beam, one of the most iconic bourbon brands in the world. It’s perfect for whiskey enthusiasts eager to explore the rich history, intricate craftsmanship, and the evolution of bourbon at one of America’s oldest distilleries.

Discover the History with Jim Beam Distillery Tour

Your tour begins with a captivating look into the Jim Beam legacy, a story woven into the fabric of American whiskey history. Learn about the seven generations of the Beam family that have crafted bourbon since 1795, their resilience through challenges like Prohibition, and how Jim Beam has grown into a global bourbon phenomenon.

Insight into the Art of Bourbon Making

Gain a comprehensive understanding of bourbon production as you walk through the Jim Beam Distillery. Experience the entire process up close, from the selection of grains to the intricacies of mashing, fermentation, distillation, and the crucial aging process. The tour gives you an appreciation of the time-honored techniques and modern innovations that contribute to the quality of Jim Beam bourbon.

Tasting the Jim Beam Legacy

A highlight of the tour is the tasting experience, where you can indulge in a range of Jim Beam’s exquisite bourbons. Each tasting is an opportunity to appreciate the unique flavor profiles that have made Jim Beam a household name in bourbon. Expert guides lead these sessions, enriching your understanding of bourbon’s subtleties.

Exploring the Distillery Grounds and Facilities

The tour also includes a walk around the expansive and historic distillery grounds. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Kentucky landscape and the iconic architecture of the Jim Beam Distillery, which blends historical buildings with state-of-the-art facilities.

Innovation in Bourbon Production at Jim Beam

Discover how Jim Beam has remained at the forefront of bourbon innovation. The tour showcases the distillery’s commitment to evolving its production techniques while staying true to the traditional bourbon-making practices that define its legacy.

An Experience Tailored for All

The Jim Beam Distillery Tour is designed to cater to both bourbon aficionados and newcomers alike. The tour is structured to be engaging, educational, and enjoyable for everyone, ensuring that all visitors leave with a deeper appreciation and knowledge of bourbon.

Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

Learn about Jim Beam’s dedication to sustainability and responsible production. The tour highlights the distillery’s initiatives in eco-friendly practices and sustainable resource management, emphasizing its commitment to preserving Kentucky’s natural environment.

Behind the Scenes: The Art of Aging

Delve into the art of aging bourbon during the tour. Explore the vast rackhouses where Jim Beam bourbons age to perfection, and learn how factors like barrel selection, warehouse conditions, and Kentucky’s unique climate contribute to developing the bourbon’s distinctive flavors.

Exclusive Bourbons and Limited Editions

The tour offers a peek into Jim Beam’s exclusive and limited edition releases. These special bourbons, often available in limited quantities, showcase the distillery’s expertise in crafting unique and sought-after whiskey expressions.

A Comprehensive Bourbon Experience

The Jim Beam Distillery Tour is a comprehensive and enriching experience, offering a deep dive into the world of bourbon making. It’s an opportunity to connect with the rich history, complex flavors, and innovative spirit of one of America’s most storied bourbon brands.

Ready to immerse yourself in the heritage and craftsmanship of bourbon making? Book your Jim Beam Distillery Tour today and join us on a captivating journey through the world of Jim Beam. Experience the tradition, savor the flavors, and explore the innovation behind this legendary bourbon. Reserve your spot now for an unforgettable exploration in Kentucky’s bourbon country!

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James B Beam Distilling Tour Review

Please enjoy our James B Beam Distilling Tour Review

568 Happy Hollow Rd Clermont, KY 40110 beamdistilling.com

The Jim Beam Story

The clock never stops ticking with regards to history and its stories. The stories that comprise the life and livelihood of the Beam family and bourbon are many; the first began some two hundred and twenty-seven years ago when farmer, Jacob Beam, distilled his excess corn and sold his first barrel of sour mash whiskey. A seemingly simple decision gave rise to a family legacy and a business empire.

So how does one barrel sold in 1795 lead to today’s 17 million and counting? Answers to this and much more are waiting to be discovered at the James B. Beam Distilling Company’s recently renovated visitor center, the American Outpost. The Outpost reopened in October 2021 after closing to visitors back in March 2020; first because of Covid-19, then to implement and complete a long planned renovation of the entire campus. 

The New Visitor Experience

The time off was worth the wait. Beam has created all new visitor experiences / tours. Bourbon enthusiasts can choose from tours, cocktail classes, tastings, warehouse education or a full distillery dive. For the Bourbon Obsessed sm , try the Behind the Beam with Fred and Freddie Noe. Once a month, this experience offers a VIP tour of the distillery, a guided tasting with the 7th and 8th generation of Beam master distillers, Fred Noe and son Freddie, and wraps up with lunch at the Beam Kitchen Table restaurant.

The James B. Beam American Outpost is open Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-5:30pm and Sunday, from 12-4:30pm. Winter months are less busy during the week, however weekend tours sell out regularly all year long. Online reservations are encouraged and can be made at beamdistilling.com . Tickets vary in price depending on the experience. The 1 1/2 hour Beam Made Bourbon tour including a tasting is $22 plus tax and fees. Military visitors gain free admission with their military ID and while visitors under 21 are welcome on tours, tastings are for those who are 21+ only.

Take A Walk Through Beam History

Whether you’re booked for a tour or not, arrive at least 15 minutes before tour time. This allows time to check-in or to secure a spot and time to check out the wonderfully spacious James B. Beam American Outpost . An introduction to the history of the Beam family and bourbon begins on the walls of the Outpost. Through the magic of its digital display, the Beam family tree highlights the succession of Beam family master distillers. Also interesting is that the display includes the many other Beam family members who worked at various other distilleries over the years as well as those that currently do so.

Opposite the digital wall display, visitors get another reminder that while Jim Beam is a brand and a company, it is also a family. Photos of generations past and present line the wall along the staircase, as though it’s the family home. In a sense it is; the Beam family wants everyone to feel not just welcome, but part of the family. So much so, that at the bottom of the staircase, the Beam Foto booth offers folks the opportunity to commemorate their visit to the distillery with a photograph of their own. Visitors are even provided the opportunity to add their photograph to the Beam family’s wall.

Following our own advice, we arrived early, first checking in for our scheduled tour. Arriving early gave us the opportunity to check out the new space and discover the impressive family lineage, courtesy of the digital wall. Shortly thereafter we met Megan Breier, Experiential Programming & Education Manager (who made our visit possible), and our guide, Justin, and immediately set out for our introduction to everything Beam.

The James B Beam Distillery Tour

Our tour started at the beginning of the Beam Made Bourbon Tour . As we stepped inside the heavy industrial looking black doors marked “Beam Made Bourbon”, an enormous man-made waterfall overtook our senses. Over the roar of the rushing water, Justin explained that this room was designed to highlight the importance of the ingredients that make up the Beam brands of bourbons. Water, grain, and yeast are all crucial pieces of the puzzle and each of these had life-sized representation to view as Justin covered them one by one.

For example, a 1935 vintage Cadillac parked inside represents Beam’s same yeast strain since 1935. Hmm? How so? It’s interesting, but wasn’t uncommon back in the day. Come take the tour to solve this piece of the puzzle. For those new to bourbon, the standards of bourbon are also on life-sized display. These visuals along with the guided explanations really help to clarify each topic at hand.

Fermentation

With some background information covered, we headed up the stairs past the grain hopper display to learn all about fermentation. Unfortunately the area was off limits for the day, so we spent a few moments staring through the glass window soaking in the view. Justin noted earlier that Beam supplies nearly 50% of the world’s supply of bourbon. This would explain 22 massive fermenters, each 45,000 gallons. Incredible, especially since this is their “small” distillery. The lion’s share of production takes place at the Booker Noe Plant, a few miles down the road in Boston, KY where the majority of the production is Jim Beam “White Label” Bourbon, the number one selling bourbon in the world.

Our next stop was the Big House, its slogan, “Hardest Working Still in America”, proudly displayed on the side of the building. So it came as no surprise that this 50 year old six story behemoth works 24/7. Every minute it distills 200 gallons of mash resulting in 30 gallons of white dog. Even more impressive is the fact that Beam uses this same still to make smaller batches of white dog that come off the still at different proofs. Another life-size display notes that Jim Beam is off the still at a final proof of 135, Knob Creek at 130, and Basil Hayden at 120. Monstrous, yet versatile.

The Casehouse

Following Justin, we moved from the Big House to the Casehouse. This newly designed area covers barrels, barrels, and more barrels along with the nitty gritty of the distillation process. The introduction to barrels begins with a video from Independent Stave Company (ISC), the maker of Beam’s barrels. The video explains the life cycle of a barrel, from tree to char. The Knob Creek single barrel display is a hands on display showcasing the single barrel process along with a discussion of the small batch process.

Also of note in the Casehouse is the art of the distillation display. Here miniatures of each apparatus involved in the entire distillation process line the wall, with the still represented by a live digital display. From the grain hopper to the cistern tank, Justin took us through each step, and together with the assistance of the visual aids, the production of Beam bourbon became remarkably clear. Finally the new make (aka. white dog) is barreled. This is demonstrated by the Barrel Fill display. Another hands on display, it mimics the actual process. In one last barrel exhibit, Beam shares more information on the aforementioned bourbons. This time comparisons are made for barrel entry proof, time aged, and bottling proof. For example, Basil Hayden Bourbon enters the barrel at 115 proof, ages a minimum of 6 years, and then is bottled at 80 proof.

The Knob Creek Bottling Line

Before we headed off to see how Beam stores their barrels, we made a quick stop at the Knob Creek bottling line. Visitors have the opportunity to bottle their own Knob Creek single barrel bourbon on the tour.  We took advantage of this option and enjoyed seeing the action of the workings of a high speed bottling line up close.

Barrel Warehouse F

While our Knob Creek Bourbon bottle would make its way to the the American Outpost Gift Shop for purchasing at the end of the tour, we were off to Warehouse F to learn about barrel storage. Even in the frigid temperatures, the sweet smell of the spiritous liquid wafted ever so slightly throughout the structure. The north/south facing warehouse F, built in 1948, houses just under twenty thousand barrels.

According to Justin, across its 550 acres, Beam’s current warehouse count stands at thirty-six. Their newest warehouse can be seen upon arrival or departure as it sits at the entrance to the campus. Warehouse F serves as the teaching warehouse. The barrel display here helps visitors learn about how barrels are aged at the James B. Beam Distillery. We also learned about the loss of whiskey volume due to evaporation, also known as, the “Angels’ share”. Justin wrapped up our warehouse time by pointing out a few other teaching tools and then it was time for a little tasting.

The Tasting Rooms

On the Beam Made Bourbon Tour visitors head back to the second floor of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. American Outpost for their tasting. Aptly named Kentucky Hug and Kentucky Chew are the 2 rooms which host the tastings for this tour, as well as the Meet The Family Tasting . The Beam Made Bourbon Tour finishes with a guided tasting of Jim Beam, Knob Creek and Basil Hayden. We however weren’t quite ready for our tasting as our final stop would be Jim Beam’s new experimental and educational space, the Fred B. Noe Distillery. 

The Fred B. Noe Distillery

The Fred B. Noe Distillery is named in honor of 7th generation and current Master Distiller, Fred B. Noe. Innovation, experimentation, and education take precedence here. The distillery is under the well groomed leadership of the 8th generation Beam family member, Freddie Noe, son of Fred B. The building features a state of the art yeast propagation area and classroom as well as a hands-on blending lab. While the Beam brands of Booker’s, Baker’s, and Little Book continue life under this roof, creativity and exploration also have prominence. The distillery has everything that the next whiskey rooted generation would want, including its own tasting bar. Located on the lower level, the area is geared toward sampling the distillery’s creations and new releases for those in the spirits industry.

The Tasting Bar at the Fred B. Noe Distillery

While our enlightenment of everything Beam came to a conclusion, we were ready to try the finished product. Justin had our tasting set up right here at the Fred Noe Distillery bar, so we happily took our seats as he walked us through each of the samples. Justin encouraged us to take note of the color and nose each sample. We discussed flavors in the nose and those in the taste and finish. Before we knew it, our samples were empty and our time had come to a close.

We felt fortunate to have had a peek inside the new Fred B. Noe Distillery. Neither the family nor the company is content to rest on their respective laurels. The Fred B. Noe Distillery provides the optimum setting for the Beam family of distillers to continue their invaluable contributions while providing the James B. Beam Distilling Co. the crucial edge any company would need to stay at the top of their game. 

The Gift Shop and The Kitchen Table Restaurant

We thanked Justin for a terrific tour as we headed back to the James B. Beam American Outpost. No visit is truly complete without a solid scouring of the gift shop, and the one at the Outpost has plenty to offer. One other new building on campus also had our interest; the new restaurant, The Kitchen Table . Since we were famished, that’s exactly where we headed next. The menu is compact and heavy on the smoked meats, which is something else the Beam family knows. There is a craft cocktail menus using Beam whiskeys, and beer and neat pours are also available. The food and cocktails were delicious. This is a restaurant deserving of many repeat visits.

Until Next Time

With our stomachs happily filled, we took our leave of The Kitchen Table and were ready to head home. Thanks to Justin and the walls of the Outpost, our insight into everything Beam had greatly improved. Jacob’s excess corn has led the Beam family down the whiskey path for over 200 years and the rest really is history. So whether history buff or bourbon nut, a stop at the Jame B. Beam Distilling Co. has plenty to offer both. The family gladly shares their stories while the company welcomes visitors to the many brands that are the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

We hope you have enjoyed our James B Beam Distilling Tour Review

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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Distilled Spirits Council's

American whiskey trail, jim beam american stillhouse.

Nestled in the rolling foothills of Clermont, Kentucky, the Jim Beam® American Stillhouse offers an intimate look the world’s No. 1 selling bourbon through a series of complimentary self-guided walking tours as well as in-depth guided tours that take guests through the entire whiskey-making process – starting with Beam’s natural limestone water well through the mashing, distilling, barreling, aging and bottling.

The Jim Beam® American Stillhouse immerses visitors in more than 220 years of Beam family heritage and treats guests to a one-of-a-kind sensory experience. Guests can also pull up a chair at Fred’s Smokehouse, a bourbon-inspired café that offers a casual respite for guests looking for one more way to enjoy Jim Beam as they soak in the distillery history.

Available for purchase are a selection of bourbons and whiskeys hand-signed by seventh generation Beam Master Distiller and Jim Beam’s great-grandson, Fred Noe, as well as Jim Beam-themed apparel, food, barware and other merchandise.

Online ticket reservations are now available for you to plan your Jim Beam® American Stillhouse tour.

HOURS: Monday – Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM EST. Sunday – Noon until 4:30 PM EST. Closed on Sundays in January and February, as well as New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. TOURS: Guided Tours every half hour starting at 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. $10.

Louisville Standiford Field Airport (SDF) (25 minutes)

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James B. Beam

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. homestead welcomes everyone to the family home of American Whiskey, where all our celebrated bourbons can be found under one roof. An all-new experience, but the same famous Beam hospitality. We’ve met a lot of people in our two hundred years, but there’s always room for more. Come make a day of it in Clermont.

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MEET US AT THE AMERICAN OUTPOST

Every great Kentucky welcome begins on the porch, and at the American Outpost it’s no different. As the first family of bourbon, we have a lot to share. Celebrate all our whiskeys under one roof and explore the stories behind each of our brands. Top it off with a stroll through our “back yard” and enjoy the famous view, a source of inspiration to the Beam family for more than 225 years.

Celebrate all our whiskeys under one roof, explore the stories behind each of our brands or pull up a chair at The Kitchen Table Restaurant and enjoy Kentucky classics and cocktails – all steeped in Beam family tradition.

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Jim Beam American Stillhouse

Fans of Jim Beam will love the behind-the-scenes tour experience at the world-renowned distillery. Guided tours of Jim Beam take you through the process of whiskey making from start to finish. See the bottling line for Knob Creek — and even get a chance to bottle your own bourbon. Plus, see how bourbon is produced, aged and perfected here.

Jim Beam Bourbon Distillery Tour

The Beam name has been known for great bourbon for many years. Get a family history on your tour and walk through several aspects of the distilling process. Learn about grains, water, yeast and more. Also, breathe in the sweet smells of aging bourbon in the air (known as the “angel’s share”) in a working rickhouse.

Mint Julep Experiences offers bourbon tours to Jim Beam several days a week.

Jim Beam Bourbon Tastings

One of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s most unique tasting offerings is at Jim Beam. Each tour ends with your choice of a wide range of Beam brands. Pick any three from a long list that may include Baker’s, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, Knob Creek and several Jim Beam classic and flavored expressions.

BOOK A MINT JULEP TOUR HERE

Things to know about Jim Beam

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Jim Beam made?

Jim Beam is made at 526 Happy Hollow Road in Clermont, Ky.

Who owns Jim Beam?

Jim Beam is owned by Beam Suntory, a Japanese distilled beverage company.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Jim Beam produce?

Sister brands to Jim Beam include Baker’s, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, Knob Creek, Red Stag, Old Crow, Old Grand Dad, Old Overholt, Old Tub and Old Bourbon Hollow.

Is Jim Beam on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Yes, Jim Beam is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® with two distillery locations. Jim Beam American Stillhouse is in Bardstown, Ky. Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse is in downtown Louisville. You can stamp your Bourbon Trail® passport at either location.

Which distilleries are near Jim Beam?

Jim Beam is near Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World, so there are plenty of bourbon tour options nearby. Distilleries near Jim Beam include Maker’s Mark, Willett, Heaven Hill and Lux Row.

Where can I find out more about Jim Beam?

Learn about Jim Beam at jimbeam.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

Let’s start planning your ultimate Kentucky bourbon distillery tour today! We offer a variety of public tours as well as custom-made experiences that are tailored to your every bourbon desire.

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A Stop Along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to the Home of 'America’s Native Spirit'

That's right, we're talking about James B. Beam Distilling Co., the iconic distillery with more than two centuries of American history.

Now led by seventh-generation master distiller Fred Noe and his son, eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, the Jim Beam story is a family one, with each generation moving the business forward through new innovations and ever more creative bourbons and whiskeys to delight our palates.

Freddie will tell you that each unique blend is like a person, with its own character—hence, no need to pick a favorite! That sentiment is backed up by many of the names on the bottles: Booker's, Baker's, and, of course, that trusty standard, Jim Beam, one of the Country Living editors' favorite budget bourbons . That last one, declared “America’s Native Spirit” by President Lyndon B. Johnson, is the namesake of fourth-generation master distiller James B. Beam himself, who not only transformed the distillery and the industry but also rebuilt the business at age 70 after Prohibition shut it down for 13 years.

Today, you can visit the distillery for a behind-the-scenes tour, tastings, shopping (including exclusive "distiller's share" blends that bourbon hunters won't find anywhere else), and dining at The Kitchen Table restaurant, along with other special events and experiences. Here are a few highlights from my visit.

Start at the Outpost.

A replica of a 1940s-era stillhouse added to the property in 2012, the American Outpost is your stop for Beam apparel, souvenirs, and the full array of Beam bourbons and whiskeys, including highly coveted special-edition bottles. Out front, a statue honors the legendary Jim Beam.

Tour the Distillery.

From the expansive fermentation room with its complex system of tanks to the stories-high column still, you'll see the inner workings of the distillery. But the Clermont location is also outfitted with exhibits to help visitors engage with the history and process of bourbon making.

Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall fountain representing Kentucky's limestone aquifers that make the local water especially good for growing corn and supporting the yeast needed for fermentation.

At the replica of a 1939 Cadillac, you can imagine Jim Beam driving home with a crock of his family's heirloom yeast by his side for safe keeping. The same signature yeast is still used in the Beam bourbon-making process today.

In this room, you can also hand-mill corn and learn about what makes bourbon, well, bourbon, like that all-important 51-percent minimum corn grain rule.

Peek inside the bourbon barrels.

Here, we admire barrels of two of the distillery's classic small-batch bourbons: Knob Creek and Basil Hayden. Both are creations of the late sixth-generation master distiller Booker Noe. As the son of Margaret (Jim Beam's daughter) and Frederick Booker Noe I, Booker was the first of the family's master distillers by the name Noe. He learned the craft from his uncle T. Jeremiah Beam and went on to become an early innovator in small-batch craft bourbons. His other masterpieces include his namesake barrel-strength bourbon, Booker's, which features his actual handwriting on the label, and Baker's, named in honor and styled after the bourbon preferences of his cousin Baker Beam, an expert distiller in his own right.

On the tour, you also get a look inside those handmade barrels and learn all about the charring process, which imparts bourbon's signature golden color and subtle caramelized flavor.

See where the magic happens.

The tour includes a stop by the Knob Creek bottling line. If you purchase a bottle in addition to your ticket, you also get to participate in this next part…

Personalize a bottle with your thumbprint.

Pro tip: When you press your thumb into the hot wax seal, hold it there a few beats to let it cool a bit and set. (Do not do what I did and leave your thumb there for only a millisecond, which will result in the wax sticking to your finger and not the bottle cap. The staff was kind enough to give me a redo!)

Ponder the enormity of the column still.

A true-to-size diagram of the massive column still is helpfully painted on the outside of the building to help you understand the inner workings.

Experience a Guided Tasting

The coasters atop each glass not only identify each bourbon and whiskey but also include a checklist on the back where you can check off your observations about color, aroma, taste, and finish. The "beaten biscuits" on the side are palate cleanser—they are sturdy and flat, easy for a busy distiller to tuck into a pocket for tasting on the go. My tasting experience included these spirits:

• Hardins Creek: This limited-release series by Freddie, Booker's grandson, is another homage to the Kentucky water that is so important to the distillery. The name refers to the creek that filled Jacob Beam's well and powered his cornmill more than two centuries ago. (This one was my favorite!)
• James B. Beam " Distiller's Share": The distillery is the only place you can find one of these truly unique blends.
• Little Book: Little Book is the nickname Freddie's grandmother gave him. With this annual whiskey release, he proves that he is well-qualified to write the next chapter of Beam history, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Booker, and his father, Fred.
• Booker's: Ending with a classic, Booker Noe's namesake barrel-strength small-batch bourbon.

Don't miss this historic landmark.

The Clermont property, one of two Beam distilleries operating today, was purchased by Jeremiah Beam, Jim Beam's son and a fifth-generation master distiller. Jeremiah lived on the grounds, converting this existing old boarding house into the Beam family home.

Stop by The Kitchen Table for down-home fare inspired by Beam and Noe family favorites.

Think burgers, brisket, pork sliders, fried chicken and catfish, and an array of hearty salads. The wood-oven fired pizzas are pretty special too—the sourdough pizza crust is made from the very same family heirloom yeast used to make all of Beam's bourbons and whiskeys. My favorite: the pepperoni pizza with Calabrian chilis and hot honey.

This is also the place for bourbon flights and specialty cocktails, and if you’re not eating a meal, you’ll want to order up some appetizers for noshing. I recommend the Southern cheese spreads, including pimiento cheese and a spiced cream cheese with pepper jelly with fried bread. Also, the duck poppers with bacon, jalapeño, and cane syrup win my vote for the most outstanding bite, hands-down.

And for the dessert, you really must try the bourbon balls.

I don’t care how full you are—this boozy, chocolatey Kentucky delicacy is not to be missed.

Plan your trip.

Whether you decide to stay in Louisville (I stayed at the swanky Prohibition era–inspired Hotel Genevieve ) or the historic distillers' town Bardstown (check out the recently updated and adorably retro Bardstown Motor Lodge ), there are plenty of places to stay in easy driving distance of James B. Beam Distilling Co. Just be sure to book your tour in advance.

Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques. 

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James B. Beam American Outpost

Bardstown, KY

526 Happy Hollow Rd. Clermont, KY 40110

Phone: (502) 543-9877

301 South 4th Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202

1.888.LOUISVILLE (1.888.568.4784)

Touring Jim Beam, America’s Largest Bourbon Distillery

• by Maggie Kimberl
• July 27, 2016

Jim Beam , located in Clermont, Ky., is the single largest bourbon producer in the United States. Descendants of Jacob Beam, who founded the family business in 1760, lead the distillery today. They include Fred Noe, III, the master distiller and global brand ambassador, and his son, Freddy Noe, IV, his father’s understudy and heir apparent to his lofty perch.

There are many ways to soak up the Beam experience, including the exclusive Knob Creek Campout held yearly on the distillery grounds, and The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in Louisville’s 4th Street Live! entertainment district.

But to get the best understanding of where your Booker’s, Baker’s, Old Grand-Dad, Knob Creek, and Jim Beam are made, a trip to bucolic Clermont for touring Jim Beam is ideal.

It’s a short drive from Louisville, about 30 minutes from downtown, on I-65 headed south. Located across Hwy. 245 from Bernheim Forest  (built from the whiskey fortune amassed by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, creator of the I.W. Harper brand), the distillery lies 13 miles outside of Bardstown, home to Heaven Hill, Willett and two new distilleries under construction. Beam, however, stands out in the area as the bourbon giant. Its Booker Noe Distillery in nearby Boston, Ky., is the world’s largest bourbon distillery, but not open for public tours. 

As you drive up to the Jim Beam American Stillhouse  visitors center, you’re greeted by a statue of the late Booker Noe, arguably the whiskey maker’s most colorful character. The Stillhouse’s front porch has rocking chairs where those awaiting tours relax amidst the relative quiet near the massive distillery. During the tour guests can see the entirety of bourbon production from grain to bottle.

Designed to give guests a sense of both large and small scale production and bottling, part of the tour includes a look at a small-scale experimental still. Not far away is the towering column still doing the yeoman’s work of producing millions of cases of liquor each year. The Knob Creek dump room is another good stop in the tour, giving guests an up-close look–and a delicious sniff–of the whiskey being dumped from barrel to filtration tank. 

Tours, as of the time this post went live, last 90 minutes and are free for active duty military with ID and $12 for everyone else over 21. It’s wise to call ahead to ensure the distillery isn’t closed for winter weather, holidays, or special events. Tours are given Monday-Saturday, and start every 30 minutes. Tours run from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. EST, except for a 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. pause. Sunday tours run from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. EST. Gift shop hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. EST, Sunday 12-4:30 p.m. EST.

Maggie Kimberl

One night during Derby week, I was working in the liquor store while Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge was doing a tasting. I kept trying to make my way over to talk to him, but we were super busy (did I mention it was Derby week?) and I didn't make it in time. Dejected, I went back to the break room and started eating my lunch. The next thing I knew, Rutledge came through the door, saying, "You didn't get to do my tasting!" He sat down and explained how to taste bourbon, the ten recipes of Four Roses, and how it was different than other distilleries. I had liked bourbon before that point, but Jim Rutledge made me care about it. That's the beautiful thing about the bourbon industry- the people love what they do, and their enthusiasm is infectious. Now here we are. :)

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Jim Beam Distillery Tour, Events & Tastings (2024 Best Edition)

• Written By Lydia Martin
• February 23, 2024

Last Updated on April 4, 2024 by Lydia Martin

The Jim Beam brand, founded in 1795, is one of the oldest bourbon brands in the US. It’s home to over 125 different labels and variations of bourbon and North American whiskey. 

The place offers an informative and interactive tour if you’re interested in seeing the behind-the-scenes of what makes the brand special.

Let’s look at the Jim Beam Distillery Tour so you know what to expect. 

Table of Contents

About The Jim Beam Distillery Tour

Jim Beam has two distilleries: the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, located in the rolling foothills of Clermont, Kentucky, and the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. 

The Jim Beam Bourbon Distillery Tour is conducted in the Clermont distillery.

This 90-minute guided tour is your chance to experience the distilling expertise of James B. Beam Distilling Co and discover how the Beam family has been making Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey for over two centuries. 

The tour ends with a guided tasting in one of their newly-built tasting rooms, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience genuine Kentucky-style bourbons. The bartenders will also build you cocktails at the nearby American Outpost bar. 

You can also visit the Gift Shop for souvenirs. 

What’s It About 

The James B. Beam Distilling C is located at 568 Happy Hollow Road, Clermont, KY. 

This bourbon distillery tour is available every 90 minutes from Wednesday to Sunday (Mondays and Tuesdays excluded) 

Tours start as early as 9:00 am, with the last scheduled at 3:30 pm. You may view the calendar on their official website to check availability 

Distillery Events

The Jim Beam Distillery is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a yearly event to promote the local distilleries in Kentucky, the world’s bourbon capital. 

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail lets you tour over 40 distilleries in 90 minutes. There is also no right or wrong way to go around the birthplace of bourbon — every Bourbon Trail journey is personalized, depending on how you want to go about it. 

Read: Jim Beam Collector Bottles

Jim Beam Distillery Tour Features 

The tour features an exclusive, behind-the-barrel journey at all your favorite Beam Bourbons, starting from the brand’s history.

This tour gives you a backstage pass to your favorite Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon, starting from the natural limestone water, locally-sourced grains to the special yeast that Jim Beam himself kept within the family.

You’ll also see the hardest-working still in America that make some of their labels, including Basil Hayden and Knob Creek, in action. 

Of course, the bourbon production process isn’t just about the fermentation and distillation — you’ll also get to visit their historic Warehouse F, where the magic of maturation happens. [ 1 ] 

Guests who are fans of Knob Creek Bourbon are in luck — they’ll get to walk their bottling line and purchase a Single Barrel bottle, with the opportunity to become a Beam family distiller and customize the label themselves. 

The tour ends with a trip to the Jim Beam American Outpost bar, where you’ll taste bourbon from Jim Beam, Knob Creek, and Basil Hayden, and get bourbon cocktails. 

If you’re not in a hurry, you can also pull up a chair at Fred’s Smokehouse, a bourbon-inspired cafe near the area. 

Read: Top 15 Whiskey Distilleries in Scotland

Other Things To Consider

• The bourbon tour is only available to guests 21 years old (legal drinking age) and above. 
• Only 24 attendees are allowed per tour schedule, with each tour lasting for 90 minutes. 
• Military with valid IDs are granted free admission. 
• If you wish to cancel your reservation for whatever reason, you may do so for up to 24 hours to get a full refund. Cancellations of tours done less than 24 hours before the scheduled tour will not be refunded. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is jim beam distillery worth visiting.

Visiting the Jim Beam distillery is an exceptional experience that offers a deep dive into the world of bourbon production and the rich history of one of America’s most iconic distilleries. Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast, history buff, or simply someone looking for an enjoyable outing, the Jim Beam distillery has something to offer for everyone.

Nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Country, the Jim Beam distillery boasts a picturesque setting surrounded by rolling hills and lush landscapes. The distillery’s historic charm and scenic beauty provide the perfect backdrop for an immersive and memorable tour.

During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the distillery’s facilities and learn about every step of the bourbon-making process, from grain to glass. Knowledgeable guides lead guests through the production area, aging warehouses, and bottling lines, offering fascinating insights into the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into creating Jim Beam bourbon.

One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to witness firsthand the massive column stills and towering aging warehouses where Jim Beam bourbon is distilled and aged to perfection. The sights, sounds, and aromas of the distillery bring to life the time-honored traditions and techniques that have been passed down through generations of master distillers.

Of course, no visit to the Jim Beam distillery would be complete without a tasting experience. Guests have the opportunity to sample a variety of Jim Beam bourbon expressions, from the classic Jim Beam White Label to limited-edition releases and specialty bottlings. Tasting sessions allow visitors to savor the distinct flavors and aromas of each bourbon, gaining a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry that defines Jim Beam’s legacy.

In addition to the informative tours and tastings, the Jim Beam distillery offers a range of amenities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. The on-site gift shop features an array of bourbon-related merchandise, including bottles of Jim Beam bourbon, branded apparel, and unique souvenirs. The distillery grounds also offer scenic walking trails, picnic areas, and picturesque photo opportunities, making it an ideal destination for a day of exploration and relaxation.

How long is the Jim Beam distillery tour?

The length of the Jim Beam distillery tour can vary depending on the specific tour package chosen. Generally, the standard tour lasts approximately one hour, during which guests are guided through the distillery’s facilities, including the production area, aging warehouses, and bottling lines.

Along the way, knowledgeable guides provide insights into the history of Jim Beam bourbon and the distillation process, offering an engaging and informative experience.

For those looking for a more in-depth exploration, specialty tours and tasting experiences are also available, which may extend the duration of the visit. These tours often include additional attractions or behind-the-scenes access, allowing guests to immerse themselves further in the world of Jim Beam bourbon.

Overall, visitors can expect to spend approximately one to two hours enjoying a distillery tour at Jim Beam, depending on the tour package chosen and individual preferences.

Where is the original Jim Beam distillery?

The original Jim Beam distillery, known as the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, is situated in Clermont, Kentucky, USA. Located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Country, the distillery has been producing bourbon since 1795, making it one of the oldest and most storied bourbon distilleries in the United States.

The Jim Beam American Stillhouse serves as a historic landmark and visitor center, welcoming guests from around the world to explore its facilities, learn about bourbon production, and sample a wide range of Jim Beam bourbon expressions.

With its rich history, scenic surroundings, and immersive tours, the original Jim Beam distillery is a must-visit destination for bourbon enthusiasts and anyone interested in experiencing the true spirit of Kentucky’s bourbon tradition.

How many Jim Beam distilleries are there?

Jim Beam, one of the most iconic names in American bourbon, operates multiple distilleries across Kentucky, the heartland of bourbon production. The primary and original distillery, known as the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, is located in Clermont, Kentucky.

Here, visitors can delve into the rich history and heritage of Jim Beam bourbon through guided tours that showcase the distillation process, aging warehouses, and bottling lines.

Additionally, Jim Beam has expanded its footprint with the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in Louisville, Kentucky. While the Urban Stillhouse primarily serves as a visitor center and tasting room rather than a full-scale distillery, it provides guests with an immersive bourbon experience and offers a glimpse into the craftsmanship behind Jim Beam bourbon.

Is Jim Beam considered cheap?

Jim Beam is often perceived as an accessible and budget-friendly bourbon option, particularly when compared to higher-priced premium or small-batch bourbons. Its flagship expression, Jim Beam White Label, is widely available and competitively priced, making it a popular choice for bourbon enthusiasts seeking quality at an affordable price point.

However, it’s important to note that Jim Beam offers a range of expressions beyond its entry-level offering, including premium and limited-edition releases that cater to discerning bourbon connoisseurs.

These expressions may command higher prices and are crafted with the same dedication to quality and tradition that defines the Jim Beam brand. Ultimately, whether Jim Beam is considered “cheap” is subjective and may depend on individual taste preferences, budget considerations, and the specific context in which the bourbon is being evaluated.

What city is best for bourbon tours?

While several cities in Kentucky offer exceptional bourbon tours and experiences, Louisville stands out as a top destination for bourbon enthusiasts. Known as the gateway to Bourbon Country, Louisville boasts a vibrant bourbon scene and a wealth of attractions that celebrate the spirit’s storied heritage.

Louisville is home to a diverse array of distilleries, ranging from industry giants like Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve to boutique craft distilleries such as Angel’s Envy and Rabbit Hole. Visitors can explore these distilleries through guided tours that offer insights into the bourbon-making process and the history of each brand.

Additionally, Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail—a collection of bars and restaurants specializing in bourbon cocktails—provides an immersive experience for those looking to sample a variety of bourbon-based drinks and explore the city’s culinary offerings.

In addition to its distillery tours and bourbon bars, Louisville offers a range of cultural attractions and events that celebrate the spirit of bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival, held annually in nearby Bardstown, attracts bourbon enthusiasts from around the world with its lineup of tastings, seminars, and events. Louisville’s Frazier History Museum is another must-visit destination for bourbon enthusiasts, housing an extensive collection of bourbon-related artifacts and exhibits that chronicle the history of Kentucky bourbon.

Overall, Louisville’s blend of historic charm, culinary excellence, and world-class bourbon experiences make it an ideal city for bourbon tours. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon aficionado or a curious newcomer, Louisville offers a rich tapestry of bourbon-related attractions and activities to explore, ensuring an unforgettable journey through the world of Kentucky bourbon.

What to buy at Jim Beam distillery?

Visiting the Jim Beam distillery offers an exciting opportunity to explore a wide range of bourbon-related merchandise and unique souvenirs. Some popular items to consider purchasing at the Jim Beam distillery include:

Bourbon: Of course, one of the main attractions at the Jim Beam distillery is its extensive selection of bourbon. Guests can purchase bottles of Jim Beam bourbon, including the classic Jim Beam White Label and other expressions such as Jim Beam Black Label, Jim Beam Single Barrel, and limited-edition releases.

Exclusive Releases: The Jim Beam distillery often offers exclusive releases and specialty bottlings that are only available for purchase at the distillery gift shop. These limited-edition bourbons showcase unique flavor profiles and are highly sought after by bourbon enthusiasts.

Merchandise: The distillery gift shop features a variety of branded merchandise, including apparel, glassware, bar accessories, and other bourbon-themed items. Whether you’re looking for a t-shirt, hat, or whiskey glass to commemorate your visit, you’ll find a wide selection of merchandise to choose from.

Barrel-Aged Products: In addition to bourbon, the Jim Beam distillery offers a range of barrel-aged products, including bourbon-infused sauces, marinades, and gourmet food items. These unique products are made with authentic Jim Beam bourbon barrels and offer a delicious way to incorporate bourbon flavors into your cooking.

Souvenirs: Lastly, don’t forget to pick up a few souvenirs to remember your visit to the Jim Beam distillery. From keychains and magnets to postcards and shot glasses, there are plenty of affordable keepsakes available to commemorate your bourbon adventure.

Can I buy bourbon at Jim Beam distillery?

Yes, visitors to the Jim Beam distillery have the opportunity to purchase bottles of bourbon at the distillery gift shop. The gift shop offers a wide selection of Jim Beam bourbon expressions, including the classic Jim Beam White Label as well as other varieties such as Jim Beam Black Label, Jim Beam Single Barrel, and limited-edition releases.

Guests can browse the selection, sample different bourbons, and purchase bottles to take home as souvenirs or gifts for friends and family. Additionally, the distillery often offers exclusive releases and specialty bottlings that are only available for purchase at the distillery, making it a unique destination for bourbon enthusiasts looking to add to their collection.

Is Jim Beam a whiskey or bourbon?

Jim Beam is a bourbon, which is a specific type of whiskey that must meet certain legal requirements to be classified as such. Bourbon is made primarily from corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, giving it a distinct flavor profile characterized by sweetness, caramel notes, and hints of vanilla.

Jim Beam bourbon is crafted using a traditional family recipe that has been passed down through generations of master distillers, resulting in a smooth and flavorful spirit that has become a beloved American tradition. So, while all bourbons are whiskey, not all whiskeys are bourbon, and Jim Beam proudly falls into the bourbon category.

Does Jim Beam own Jack Daniel’s?

No, Jim Beam does not own Jack Daniel’s. These two iconic American whiskey brands are owned by different companies. Jim Beam is owned by Beam Suntory, which is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited, a Japanese beverage company.

On the other hand, Jack Daniel’s is owned by Brown-Forman Corporation, an American-owned spirits and wine company based in Kentucky.

Is Jim Beam Jack Daniel’s?

No, Jim Beam is not Jack Daniel’s. While both Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s are well-known American whiskey brands, they are distinct and separate entities with their own unique histories, production methods, and flavor profiles. Jim Beam is a bourbon, which is a type of whiskey primarily made from corn and aged in new charred oak barrels.

Jack Daniel’s, on the other hand, is a Tennessee whiskey, which undergoes a charcoal filtering process known as the Lincoln County Process before aging in oak barrels. While both brands are celebrated for their quality and craftsmanship, they each offer their own distinct taste and character.

Key Takeaways  

The Jim Beam American Stillhouse Tour is one of the best bourbon experiences we’ve been to, as it’s a pretty immersive tour from start to finish. 

If you’re a fan of Jim Beam brands or just eager to learn more about fermenting, distilling, maturing, and bottling bourbon, this is a great place to go.

The tour begins with sharing the company’s history, getting to know their raw materials, and seeing their stills in action. It finishes with a Kentucky bourbon-tasting experience in their newly-built tasting room. 

So if that sounds interesting, this hands-on experience is highly recommended. 

Reference: 

• Maturation, blending, and packaging

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A Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

By Caroline Eubanks

As the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—the official route that includes dozens of distillers of America’s Spirit (the corn whiskey distilled in oak barrels that’s only made here)—celebrates its 25th anniversary, there’s never been a better time to experience it. With a quarter-century under its belt, the trail of makers has seen smaller bourbon networks spring up nearby—like the Kentucky Craft Trail —for a smaller feel. And for something more urban, there’s now Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail , and Northern Kentucky’s B-Line of bourbon bars located just outside of bustling Cincinnati.

But no matter which bourbon trail you prefer, a trip to Kentucky isn't complete without experiencing a bourbon maker (or a few) of your choosing. Here are the stops and routes to consider for a Kentucky bourbon trip—whether you want the urban side of the route, or to get into the countryside for more remote producers—and the unique lodging options along the way.

Getting to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Most travelers will find Louisville to be the easiest destination to fly into, but Cincinnati is a good alternative if you’re starting on the northern end of the state to work your way south. To collect stamps and for some guidance along the way, download the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail app and field guide before you go, and know that reservations are also recommended at the big-name distilleries. And it should go without saying, but imbibing travelers should plan ahead how to get around: use a tour operator like the Kentucky Bourbon Bus , or a designated driver.

Hotel Distil is located in a converted barrel warehouse steps away from Whiskey Row.

When it comes to bourbon tourism, there’s no place quite like Louisville . You’ll see its character come out as soon as you land at the airport, which has multiple stores selling the Kentucky-made spirit, and iconic rocking chairs made from whiskey barrels.

Distilleries to visit and other things to do

You could easily hit dozens of distilleries within a weekend in Louisville, since most are within a short walk of downtown. Each one offers something different but at the very least has tours of the facility that typically include a tasting, often rare picks. Some distilleries offer something beyond the ordinary—at Michter’s , visitors can see the company’s original still, salvaged from the former Pennsylvania location, and fill their own bottles. Angel’s Envy also has their own bottling experience and monthly cocktail classes to help you craft the perfect drink with the company’s spirits.

Start at Churchill Downs , where the Kentucky Derby, the biggest day in horse racing, takes place. The museum features exhibits on famous past winners, the over-the-top attire worn by guests and, of course, the iconic mint julep. The Frazier Museum of History covers the state's history, including famous citizens and inventions plus interactive exhibits on how the spirits are made (and there's even a speakeasy). Don’t forget to get your official Kentucky Bourbon Trail passport here. Wander through Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum , Louisville’s historic burial ground, where the state’s biggest names, Colonel Harlan Sanders and Muhammad Ali, are buried.

Where to eat and drink

Louisville’s culinary scene is among the best in the region and no chef has helped cement its reputation like Edward Lee. Make a reservation at his flagship restaurant, 610 Magnolia , for his creative spin on Southern cuisine.

Start the day with the fresh-baked pastries and sandwiches at Butchertown Grocery . Bar Vetti has playful Italian fare and tasty cocktails. And if you aren’t bourboned out, end the night with a cocktail at Neat Bourbon Bar , voted one of the nation’s top bourbon bars.

Where to stay

Louisville is home to the historic Brown Hotel , plus there’s the contemporary art-addled 21C Museum Hotel , design-forward Hotel Genevieve , and the Myriad Hotel set in a former disco ball factory. But if you’re in town strictly here for bourbon, your best bet is the Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection : The converted barrel warehouse has a fantastic restaurant and location steps away from the fun of Whiskey Row.

Detour: If you’re road tripping between Louisville and Bardstown, detour to the town of Clermont, where you’ll find the sprawling Bernheim Arboretum and the incomparable James B. Beam Distilling Co. —take part in Master Distiller-led tasting before a delicious Southern-style meal (and one of the deliciously balanced bourbon cocktails) at the Kitchen Table Restauran t.

For a unique stay along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, book a barrel-shaped cabin with Bourbon Barrel Retreats.

Called the “Bourbon Capital,” Bardstown’s history is deeply entwined with the spirit. There’s a mix of old and new distilleries to explore as well as the charming downtown. It’s a popular day trip option, but there’s enough to keep you overnight.

Distilleries to visit and things to do

All the heavy hitters are based in Bardstown, like Heaven Hill , the largest independently run bourbon distillery, with museum quality exhibits on bourbon history, the founding Shapira family, and its selection of brands like Elijah Craig and Larceny. Then visit the farm at Preservation Distillery , where longhorn steers roam the fields. Any whiskey nerd will want to stop by the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History , located in an 1800s school and orphanage. It takes its name from a whiskey wholesaler who contributed the bulk of the museum’s collection of bourbon advertisements, bottles, and other artifacts.

The Old Talbott Tavern has a storied history beyond its menu, including past guests like Jesse James, Abraham Lincoln, and Daniel Boone. Dating back to 1779, it’s deeply tied to bourbon history, owned for a time by Jim Beam’s brother. It’s the best spot in town for a Hot Brown, Kentucky’s famous sandwich—plus, you can even spend the night. Scout & Scholar Brewing is a casual brewpub for wings, sandwiches, beer, and even barrel pick bourbons.

The options in Bardstown include bed and breakfasts and a few chain hotels but for something different, book a stay at the Bourbon Barrel Retreats , cabins made in the shape of whiskey barrels. Set between Bardstown and Louisville, all come equipped with kitchenettes and access to fire pits and hammocks for post-tour relaxation.

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Detour: If you want to take your time on the Bourbon Trail up a notch, tour the Lebanon cooperage that makes white oak barrels for the state’s top distilleries.

End the night at Trifecta Glass Art Lounge, a speakeasy in a glassblowing studio.

Lexington and Frankfort

Set in the heart of horse country, the university town of Lexington and the nearby state capital of Frankfort are secondary options for basing yourself on the Bourbon Trail. Lexington has its own “urban bourbon” trail to explore, including stops like Fresh Bourbon Distillery and Bluegrass Distillers .

In Lexington, check out the exhibits at James E Pepper , one of the oldest distilleries in the area, before your tasting. At RD1 Spirits , choose from one of half a dozen tastings ranging from the basics to more in-depth mixology classes.

In Frankfort, Buffalo Trace Distillery has rightfully earned a place as an essential stop, where people line up for bottle releases and tours, including its Old Taylor distillery, arboretum, and landmark district. Don’t miss a chance to wander the gardens of Castle + Key , which surround the former E.H. Taylor distillery. This part of the Bourbon Trail has unique ways to see the area, including by bicycle or by riverboat . If your visit falls during spring and fall, don’t miss Keeneland , another famous horse race in the Bluegrass state.

Lexington has great dining, including Doodles , with its all-day breakfast, and Bourbon on Rye , which, of course, has a vast bourbon selection with elevated bar food. In Frankfort, Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub crafts pizzas with the best local ingredients. End the night at Trifecta Glass Art Lounge , a speakeasy in a glassblowing studio.

The Manchester is the newest addition to Lexington’s hotel scene, with equestrian-inspired decor, vintage soaking tubs, and an in-house restaurant.

Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington

Northern Kentucky

The up-and-coming bourbon region is across the border from Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky . It’s here where you’ll find some of the state’s oldest operations. And you typically won’t need a reservation to visit the distilleries like you might with some of the bigger ones.

In Maysville, Old Pogue has the state’s third distilling license and was even owned for a time by notorious gangster George Remus. Stop by the riverside tasting room for a sample. New Riff in Newport is known for its ryes, but has incredible bourbon tastings, especially its bottled in bond bottles. Second Sight Spirits in Ludlow has a carnival-type feel with a “fortune-telling” still creating Kentucky bourbon, brandy, and rum. Learn about the area’s Prohibition history on the Newport Gangster Tour, which highlights the wild heyday of the city with gambling, brothels, and bootleggers like Remus. Back in Covington, you won’t want to miss Revival Vintage Spirits , which offers tastings and sales of its dusty bottles.

Family-run Libby’s Southern Comfort in Covington crafts an excellent brunch with local dishes like goetta plus plenty of bourbon. Don’t miss the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar , with its narrow shelves covered in every type of bourbon imaginable. Head to Baker’s Table Bakery on Wednesdays, when the shop sells its delicious sourdough pizzas.

Hotel Covington , set inside a 1912 department store. The chic spot features a shop of local goods, and a bourbon-forward restaurant.

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Tuscany Culinary Escape

Lunch, Winery and Olive Oil Press Tour and Tasting, Hotel Ponte Sisto Rome 2-Night Stay, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa 5-Night Stay with Airfare for 2

This experience includes:

• 2-night stay in a superior room at the Hotel Ponte Sisto, Rome
• 5-night stay in a deluxe room at the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa (Barga, Lucca)
• Daily breakfast for 2
• Lunch, wine cellar and olive oil mill tour and tasting for 2 at Fattoria Colleverde (Lucca)
• Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from the 48 contiguous U.S. to Rome, Italy
• Winspire booking and concierge service

Gourmets and wine buffs descend on this hidden Tuscan Valley to enjoy local specialties. The Garfagnana Valley is famous for its prosciutto, pork, pecorino cheese and honey. Fortunately, the area also boasts beautiful areas for walking, hiking and biking, so you can work up an appetite in between meals.

Pisa, Florence and Cinque Terra are reachable by car or train – day trips are not to be missed. Cinque Terra, a 5-mile stretch of a breathtaking beautiful rocky coast at the border of Tuscany and Liguria, was declared a National Park in 1999 and has been protected by UNESCO as a unique natural environment since 1997. Walk along the winding paths overlooking enchanting beaches and bays, and admire the hundreds of miles of walls and terraces built by man to cultivate vineyards that cling steeply to the cliffs, making this region a true masterpiece where the work of man and natural beauty found an ideal balance.

Hotel Ponte Sisto, Rome

Enjoy a 2-night stay in a superior double room (one queen bed or two twin beds) including daily buffet breakfast for two, subject to availability. Guest rooms overlook either the charming courtyard or the garden of the historic Palazzo Spada. The 4-star Hotel Ponte Sisto is a gorgeously renovated palazzo and just steps from Trastevere and Campo de' Fior. Located in the heart of Rome on a quiet downtown street, you are within walking distance of the Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Via Giulia and the Trastevere district. A wonderful choice of trattorias awaits just across the Ponte Sisto in Trastevere.

For your convenience, you may wish to split your stay so you have one night at the beginning of your trip and one night at the end in Rome.

Renaissance® Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa (Barga, Lucca)

Enjoy a 5-night stay in a deluxe room (one king or two twin beds) including daily breakfast for two at the #8 Resort in Europe according to the 2017 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Awards and #4 Best Hotel in Tuscany according to the 2018 U.S. News Ranking.

Nestled on the hill of an expansive, two-mile estate in the heart of one of Italy's most beloved regions, this luxury Tuscan resort offers an off-the-radar, authentic Tuscan experience inspired by local traditions. The Renaissance overlooks the magnificent Serchio Valley and is a stone's throw from medieval villages like Barga and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The resort was featured on ABC’s “The Bachelor” in February 2018, with the town of Barga and the Renaissance Tuscany as the home base for the show’s cast. The hotel’s romantic setting, the region’s beauty and the town’s culture made the perfect location for this episode.

Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort and Spa overlooks the mountainous Serchio Valley, one of the most unexplored areas of Italy. Here guests can discover nearby quaint medieval villages, Barga and Lucca, or travel within one or two hours to well-known city favorites, like Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. The property also offers a full-service spa, two restaurants and a bar serving local cuisine, two swimming pools, a health club, and varied excursions within the surrounding area.

Note: Tuscany is 200 miles north of Rome, approximately 4 hours by car or 3 hours by train.

“La Cucina Italiana”, Fattoria Colleverde (Lucca)

Enjoy lunch, a tour of the wine cellar and olive oil mill, and tasting for two at Fattoria Colleverde, an organic/biodynamic vineyard producing some of the most distinctive wines and olive oil in Tuscany. Owners Francesca and Piero welcome you to Fattoria, where you will cook with Chef Rodolfo as he shares the secrets of Tuscan cuisine with you -- including how to make fresh homemade pasta!

Located in the beautiful rolling hills just minutes from the medieval walled city of Lucca, Fattoria Colleverde is a half-hour drive from Pisa and an hour's drive from Florence and Cinque Terre. Beautiful vineyards and olive groves lie within a wide, south-facing valley. This natural amphitheater of terraces creates an extremely well-balanced and unique agricultural ecosystem that produces flavors that are full and rich.

Open Year-round (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, excluding Easter Monday).

This package includes round-trip coach class service for two from any major metropolitan airport in the 48 contiguous United States to Rome, Italy, subject to availability. Airfare taxes and a $25 per person processing fee are the responsibility of the purchaser. Blackout dates: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s weeks. Business and First Class upgrades are available at the time of booking for an additional fee. The use of frequent flyer miles for upgrades is dependent on specific ticket restrictions as determined by the airline’s frequent flyer program.

Winspire Package Redemption

Winspire Travel packages and experiences must be booked within one year of the purchase date. The actual travel date must occur within two years of the purchase date.

Winspire Booking and Concierge Swevices

Winspire provides a team of seasoned travel professionals to help you redeem your experience. We will book all travel-related details and reservations for every part of your experience. Included within our services, Winspire can assist with extra hotel nights, airfare, and additional guests as a full-service travel agency.

Additional information

Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked 60 days in advance of travel. Purchases through charity fundraisers are non-refundable.

Certificates can not be resold or replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Ground transportation is the responsibility of the winner unless otherwise stated.

Farmhouse Luxury in Napa Vineyards

The Setting Wine Tasting, Schramsberg Cave Tour & Tasting, Culinary Institute of America, Chauffeur, The Setting Inn 3-Night Weekday Stay for 2 (3316-2)

This experience for 2 Includes:

• 3-night weekday stay at The Setting Inn for 2 at this beautiful property surrounded by vineyards
• Daily breakfast
• Private tasting of The Setting Wines
• Schramsberg Winery Cave Tour and Tasting
• Culinary Institute of America culinary experience
• 6 consecutive hours of chauffeured luxury sedan service
• Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the 48 contiguous U.S. to San Francisco or Oakland, CA
• Winspire booking & concierge service

Make yourself at home at this hidden gem nestled between two picturesque vineyards, located minutes from Yountville and downtown Napa.

The Setting Inn

Enjoy a 3-night weekday stay (Sunday – Thursday nights) for 2 people. Daily continental breakfast delivered to your room, featuring pastries from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery. The main building, a recently remodeled 1901 farmhouse, offers 5 spacious guest rooms. All rooms have one king or one queen bed, a private bathroom with L’Occitane amenities, a fireplace, stylish Restoration Hardware furnishings and linens, and Nespresso coffee makers.

From the moment you arrive, the proprietors will make sure you feel at home, whether you want to relax in the Barn Lounge, enjoy the vineyard views while seated around one of the courtyard fire pits, or get assistance with planning winery visits and dining at some of the region’s award-winning restaurants.

Blackout dates: All Holidays and June-October. Guests 14 years and older welcome.

The Setting Inn, formerly Napa Vineyard Inn, was rebranded in late Spring 2019.

The Setting Wines Tasting (at The Setting Inn)

Enjoy a private, VIP tasting of The Setting Wines, an in-depth tasting experience of some of our most highly allocated wines. Each tasting will be accompanied by locally sourced, artisanal cheeses or meats based on the season. Located at The Setting Inn Estate in Yountville, your tasting experience will be right on the property - nestled in between two gorgeous vineyards that surround our tasting room - it really makes for the perfect setting!

Established in 2014, The Setting is a collection of luxury wines created by three friends: Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon, and winemaker Jesse Katz. As the first winemaker to make the Forbes “30 under 30” list, Jesse’s experience spans 19 harvests at internationally acclaimed wineries such as Chateau Petrus, and Robert Foley, and was a part of the winemaking team at Screaming Eagle. The Setting Wines is a culmination of relationships spanning decades from Napa to Sonoma County, sourcing from some of the most prestigious vineyards both valleys have to offer.

Schramsberg Cave Tour and Tasting

Explore the vast history and unique cave system and end with a seated tasting of a variety of Schramsberg sparkling wines. Schramsberg’s Blanc de Blancs was used for President Nixon’s 1972 “Toast to Peace” with China’s Premier and their world-class handcrafted sparkling wines have been served at official State functions by every U.S. Presidential administration since.

Culinary Institute of America

One of the world’s premier wine and food destinations, Napa Valley is a true celebration of the winemaker, the farmer, and the chef. It’s also where you’ll find two amazing culinary experiences just 20 miles apart—the CIA at Greystone in St. Helena and the CIA at Copia in Napa. Whether you want to explore the ABCs of wine and cheese pairings (or wine and chocolate!) at a “Pairing Principles” demonstration, learn how to use the best of your farmers’ market finds in a Farm to Table Chef’s class, sip seasonal cocktails from the garden in the Somm’s session or simply relax and dine at one of CIA’s award-winning onsite restaurants, there is something for everybody’s culinary appetite. Enjoy a $150 gift card to use toward classes, dining, and retail.

Beau Wine Tours

You will receive six consecutive hours of chauffeured luxury sedan service, subject to availability; inclusive of all service fees, PUC insurance, fuel, and driver’s base gratuity. Located in the heart of Wine Country, Beau is the premier wine tour service in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Beau’s drivers are experts in wine country and can make winery recommendations based on your taste and interest.

This package includes round-trip coach class service for two from any major metropolitan airport in the 48 contiguous United States to San Francisco or Oakland, CA, subject to availability.

Airfare taxes and a $25 per person processing fee are the responsibility of the purchaser. Blackout dates: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s weeks.

Business and First Class upgrades are available at the time of booking for an additional fee. Use of frequent flyer miles for upgrades is dependent on specific ticket restrictions as determined by the airline’s frequent flyer program.

Winspire Booking and Concierge Services

Additional information:.

Reservations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and major holidays. Reservations must be booked a minimum of 60 days in advance of travel. Purchases through charity fundraisers are non-refundable. Certificates cannot be resold or replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Ground transportation is the responsibility of the winner unless otherwise stated.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Distillery Tours and Tastings at Stitzel-Weller, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Lunch, Private Tour Leader, 3-Night Stay with Airfare for 2

• Stitzel-Weller Distillery Exclusive Before Hours Tour and Tasting of Bulleit Bourbon for 2
• Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour, Tasting for 2 and Bottles to Dip in Wax
• Lunch for 2 in Bardstown
• Jim Beam Distillery Tour and Tasting for 2
• Private Custom Experience in a Luxury SUV
• 3-night stay in a standard guest room at Hotel Distil
• Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the 48 contiguous U.S. to Louisville, KY

Welcome to the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail! Here’s your passport to the world’s greatest Bourbon -– legendary distilleries just waiting to share their historic craft, timeless secrets and proud traditions of Kentucky’s signature spirit

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experience

During your 8-hour excursion, you will enjoy a sampling of iconic distillery tours and tastings on what’s known as the “South Route” of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Your personal tour leader will share interesting history and knowledge as you sit back and enjoy the ride…soaking in the beautiful scenery along the way.

Stitzel-Weller Exclusive Tour and Tasting

Your tour starts when your tour leader arrives at the hotel with a luxury SUV to take your party of two in style to your first stop. Originally opened on Derby Day in 1935, Stitzel-Weller is home to Bulleit Bourbon, a Diageo brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that is characterized by its high rye content and aged for at least six years. This historic distiller sits just a few miles from Louisville’s thriving downtown scene.

Maker's Mark Tour and Tasting

Maker's Mark is a beautiful distillery in Kentucky, nestled along Whisky Creek. The tour explores the distillery and warehouses and ends in a well-appointed tasting room. Each of you will receive a bottle of Maker’s Mark to hand-dip in their iconic red wax. Maker’s Mark has one of the most recognizable package designs in the liquor industry. If you place two bottles side by side, you will notice that the wax seal is never the same. That’s because each bottle is hand-dipped by distillery staff to create the trademark tendrils of wax that drip down the sides. Bring your bottle home to show your friends!

Lunch for 2 in Historic Bardstown

Listed as one of the 100 Best Small Towns in America and known for its southern charm.

Jim Beam Tour and Tasting

Jim Beam is one of the largest distilleries in the world and the #1 bourbon in the world. They claim if they stopped production today they have enough bourbon aging in their warehouses to meet the demand for the next twenty years. Brands include Jim Beam Straight Bourbon, Booker's, Baker's, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Devil's Cut, Old Tub, Red Stag, Jim Beam Honey and Knob Creek Smoked Maple. Enjoy a tour of the distillery, warehouse, bottling line, and a small museum of commemorative decanters. Enjoy your ride back to the hotel after a full day on The Bourbon Trail.

Should you prefer to customize your day’s itinerary, the driver and vehicle are at your disposal for eight consecutive hours. Driver’s gratuity included. You must be 21 to participate in the tastings but guests of all ages are welcome on the tours.

Based on Availability. Blackouts: Derby Week and Bourbon Festival

Hotel Distil

Enjoy a 3-night stay in a standard guest room. Hotel Distil is an authentic hotel in a historic building on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. You will step into a modern space through a historic façade, where gracious service and modern amenities flow like the bourbon once barreled on this historic site.

This package includes round-trip coach class service for two from any major metropolitan airport in the 48 contiguous United States to Louisville, KY, subject to availability.

Additional Information

$5,000 credit card.

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Expanded Kentucky Bourbon Trail to feature both age-old distilleries and relative newcomers

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., speaks before a gathering to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association speaks before a gathering to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, left, speaks with Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., before a gathering to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman speaks before a gathering to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is maturing, like the fine whiskeys it showcases.

A new-look Bourbon Trail unveiled Thursday will lead visitors to large and small distilleries alike, linking relative newcomers and age-old brands in a collective strategy to build on bourbon tourism’s popularity.

It began with seven participating distilleries welcoming visitors 25 years ago. Now the excursion will showcase 46 distilleries, giving visitors more options to plan trips to soak in the sights and smells of bourbon-making in the Bluegrass State.

Since its creation in 1999 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the spirits tour has attracted more than 18 million visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries, the KDA said.

“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail now is a global, bucket-list tourism destination,” Eric Gregory, president of the distillers’ association, said as industry leaders gathered for the announcement.

As the original trail grew, it traversed the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, spotlighting such powerhouse brands as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Old Forester, Michter’s and Bulleit.

In 2012, a separate Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour was launched to showcase the growing number of smaller distilleries seeking their share of the ultra-competitive spirits market.

Now those tours are consolidating. The new tourism and marketing strategy was unveiled in Louisville — the gateway to bourbon tourism. They also announced a new logo and a new digital marketing campaign to help tourists plan bourbon trips to the state.

Spirit companies have invested huge sums into new or expanded visitor centers to capitalize on the growing appeal of getting behind-the-scenes peeks into how bourbon is crafted.

For small distilleries, joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was likened to making the big leagues.

Kim Bard, co-founder of The Bard Distillery in western Kentucky, said it will immediately change perceptions about smaller producers that were part of the craft tour.

“People would come in, a lot of times they see us as less-than because we’re on the craft trail and not on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” she said in an interview. “They see that as a very distinctive line.

“Now that the KDA has put us all on the same trail, I think that sort of thinking will stop and we’ll be looked at as just another distillery, which is great for us,” she added.

Brent Goodin, owner of Boundary Oak Distillery in central Kentucky, predicted that shifting to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail will boost tourism at his and other smaller distilleries. Producers see tourism as an essential part of brand promotion.

“Anything we can do to make the tourist realize that everything is Kentucky bourbon and we’re all producing the same thing –- maybe not as much as the next guy but we’re all kind of in it together,” he said in an interview.

Any big bourbon announcement in Kentucky typically draws a bevy of the state’s political leaders. On Thursday, industry leaders were joined by Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, who co-chairs the Congressional Bourbon Caucus.

Bourbon tourism’s global appeal is creating more business opportunities for producers, Barr said.

“There’s so much opportunity in the export market for Kentucky bourbon,” Barr said.

Coleman led the crowd in toasting the bourbon sector’s past and future while recognizing Kentucky’s status as the “undisputed home of bourbon.”

Bourbon tourism has shaken off any pandemic-era hangover as venerable bourbon producers and industry newcomers alike are benefiting from a new surge in visitors. Attendance surpassed 2.5 million visitors last year along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.

Overall, Kentucky’s bourbon industry injects $9 billion into the state’s economy each year, creating more jobs and attracting more tourists than ever before, according to a recent study. More rounds of growth are expected as Kentucky producers make billions of dollars in capital investments. Kentucky distillers produced a record 2.7 million barrels of bourbon in 2022, according to the report, which was commissioned by the distillers’ association.

Producers had a record inventory of 12.6 million bourbon barrels aging in warehouses at the start of 2023, according to the association. Those massive inventories are a bet on the future because most bourbons typically age four to eight years before reaching their market. Bourbon gets its flavor and golden brown color during aging.

Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the KDA says.

Expanded Kentucky Bourbon Trail to feature both age-old distilleries and relative newcomers

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is maturing like the fine whiskeys it showcases

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is maturing, like the fine whiskeys it showcases.

A new-look Bourbon Trail unveiled Thursday will lead visitors to large and small distilleries alike, linking relative newcomers and age-old brands in a collective strategy to build on bourbon tourism's popularity.

It began with seven participating distilleries welcoming visitors 25 years ago. Now the excursion will showcase 46 distilleries, giving visitors more options to plan trips to soak in the sights and smells of bourbon-making in the Bluegrass State.

Since its creation in 1999 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the spirits tour has attracted more than 18 million visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries, the KDA said.

“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail now is a global, bucket-list tourism destination,” Eric Gregory, president of the distillers’ association, said as industry leaders gathered for the announcement.

As the original trail grew, it traversed the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, spotlighting such powerhouse brands as Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Old Forester, Michter’s and Bulleit.

In 2012, a separate Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour was launched to showcase the growing number of smaller distilleries seeking their share of the ultra-competitive spirits market.

Now those tours are consolidating. The new tourism and marketing strategy was unveiled in Louisville — the gateway to bourbon tourism. They also announced a new logo and a new digital marketing campaign to help tourists plan bourbon trips to the state.

Spirit companies have invested huge sums into new or expanded visitor centers to capitalize on the growing appeal of getting behind-the-scenes peeks into how bourbon is crafted.

For small distilleries, joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was likened to making the big leagues.

Kim Bard, co-founder of The Bard Distillery in western Kentucky, said it will immediately change perceptions about smaller producers that were part of the craft tour.

“People would come in, a lot of times they see us as less-than because we’re on the craft trail and not on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” she said in an interview. "They see that as a very distinctive line.

"Now that the KDA has put us all on the same trail, I think that sort of thinking will stop and we’ll be looked at as just another distillery, which is great for us,” she added.

Brent Goodin, owner of Boundary Oak Distillery in central Kentucky, predicted that shifting to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail will boost tourism at his and other smaller distilleries. Producers see tourism as an essential part of brand promotion.

"Anything we can do to make the tourist realize that everything is Kentucky bourbon and we’re all producing the same thing –- maybe not as much as the next guy but we’re all kind of in it together,” he said in an interview.

Any big bourbon announcement in Kentucky typically draws a bevy of the state's political leaders. On Thursday, industry leaders were joined by Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, who co-chairs the Congressional Bourbon Caucus.

Bourbon tourism's global appeal is creating more business opportunities for producers, Barr said.

“There's so much opportunity in the export market for Kentucky bourbon,” Barr said.

Coleman led the crowd in toasting the bourbon sector's past and future while recognizing Kentucky's status as the “undisputed home of bourbon.”

Bourbon tourism has shaken off any pandemic-era hangover as venerable bourbon producers and industry newcomers alike are benefiting from a new surge in visitors. Attendance surpassed 2.5 million visitors last year along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.

Overall, Kentucky’s bourbon industry injects $9 billion into the state’s economy each year, creating more jobs and attracting more tourists than ever before, according to a recent study. More rounds of growth are expected as Kentucky producers make billions of dollars in capital investments. Kentucky distillers produced a record 2.7 million barrels of bourbon in 2022, according to the report, which was commissioned by the distillers’ association.

Producers had a record inventory of 12.6 million bourbon barrels aging in warehouses at the start of 2023, according to the association. Those massive inventories are a bet on the future because most bourbons typically age four to eight years before reaching their market. Bourbon gets its flavor and golden brown color during aging.

Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the KDA says.

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Jim Beam Just Upgraded Its Black Label Bourbon

I f you've been searching for rare whiskey bottles and high-age-statement bourbons recently, it might be time to revisit the classic Jim Beam lineup. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has just updated its Jim Beam Black bourbon, adding a seven-year-old age statement, and we had the chance to get an early taste.

Jim Beam Black, previously known as an "extra-aged" bourbon matured for five to six years and bottled at 86 proof, now boasts a seven-year age statement and is bottled at 90 proof. This change not only enhances the flavor but also comes with a sleek new label design. The familiar nutty, grainy character of Jim Beam is still there, but it's now complemented by notes of toasted bread, fresh berries, black pepper, rum raisin, cocoa powder, and caramel.

During a recent visit to the distillery, I spent time with Fred Noe, a legendary figure in the Kentucky bourbon industry and master distiller at Jim Beam. We met in one of the distillery's many warehouses, where we tasted seven-year-old bourbon at cask strength directly from the barrel. At around 125 proof, this whiskey was impressive.

Noe explained that the addition of the age statement was possible due to a slowdown in the market after the coronavirus pandemic. "Right now the market is a little soft, so everything is getting a little older," he said. The barrels for this new release were set aside to age further before the market weakened. Noe credits his son, eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe, for having the foresight to do this. "Freddie saw we had some older Jim Beam because we weren't pulling out as much four-year-old [for White Label], so he said let's take [Black] up to seven years and put an age statement back on the bottle."

Noe acknowledges that while age doesn't always guarantee quality, age statements are important to many bourbon enthusiasts. "True bourbon lovers like to know what's in the bottle," he said. "In the old days, people did studies and said age statements don't matter. Sure, to the guy that drinks Jim Beam White Label and Coke, they don't, but other people like to know what makes this different from other competitors on the shelf." According to Noe, his father, the legendary master distiller Booker Noe, believed that seven years was the ideal age for bringing out the vanilla notes in bourbon. "Before that age, it's minor, but to really get it where you can see it, smell it, it's seven years." Freddie and his team also experimented with the proof, settling on 90 as the optimal strength for both sipping and mixing.

Jim Beam Black isn't the only label getting an age statement upgrade. Knob Creek, another brand under the James B. Beam Distilling Co. umbrella, has added 12, 15, and 18-year-old expressions to its lineup after reintroducing the nine-year-old age statement to its core bourbon. On the rye side, seven-year-old and 10-year-old versions were also recently launched. These moves are significant, especially during a period of uncertainty in the bourbon market. "I think the industry got a little spoiled during Covid," Noe said. "There was double-digit growth on just about anything you put on the shelf when people were staying at home drinking more. Now they're getting out, maybe drinking a little less. You're seeing more push towards low and no alcohol, people are more health-conscious. And there's just a lot of stuff out there, the shelves are very crowded with bottles. Anybody who's got a fat checkbook has a distillery."

An additional benefit of the decreased demand for bourbon is that the age of White Label might increase slightly in the near future. "We're at a point now where we can increase the age a few months and get it more well-rounded, get that grainy note to become less prevalent," Noe explained. This initiative is fully supported by the Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory) team in Japan. "It's all about quality. Taking the quality up, you won't get any pushback from our Japanese owners. They're backing Freddie up 100 percent."

Bourbon Best Sellers

The new seven-year-old Jim Beam Black is now available for purchase from retailers like Total Wine .

Shop Jim Beam

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About Beam Suntory

Beam Suntory is one of the world's leading spirits companies, known for its extensive portfolio of iconic brands and a rich heritage that spans centuries. Formed in 2014 through the merger of Beam Inc. and Suntory Holdings Limited, the company boasts a diverse range of spirits, including whiskey, tequila, vodka, rum, and liqueurs. Beam Suntory's portfolio includes renowned brands such as Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Laphroaig, Yamazaki, and Courvoisier, among many others, each with its own unique story and heritage.

With a presence in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, Beam Suntory is committed to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship in every bottle. The company's dedication to innovation and tradition is evident in its wide range of products, which cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. From small-batch bourbons to single malt Scotch whiskies, Beam Suntory's brands offer something for every whiskey enthusiast and spirit connoisseur.

Beyond its commitment to quality spirits, Beam Suntory is also dedicated to corporate responsibility and sustainability. The company strives to minimize its environmental footprint and make a positive impact on the communities where it operates through initiatives focused on responsible sourcing, environmental conservation, and community engagement.

Overall, Beam Suntory stands as a global leader in the spirits industry, celebrated for its diverse portfolio of iconic brands, commitment to quality and craftsmanship, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, Beam Suntory's spirits offer a taste of tradition and a memorable drinking experience for enthusiasts and consumers around the globe.

20 Bartenders Weigh In On What's the Most Underrated Bourbon

Are You Over 21?

awarded world’s best single barrel

our bourbons

Four Roses Bourbon

80 Proof / Aged Minimum 5 Years

An approachable bourbon for everyone.

Small Batch

90 Proof / Aged 6 - 7 Years

A premium bourbon versatile for any occasion.

Single Barrel

100 Proof / Aged 7 - 9 Years

A pronounced and elegant single-barrel bourbon experience.

Small Batch Select

104 Proof / Aged 6 - 7 Years

An expertly-crafted, non-chill-filtered bourbon.

Our Process

We've been perfecting the art of quality and consistency for years and have used that guiding principle to develop our ten signature recipes.

Made from the combination of two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains, each has its own balance of spice, fruit and nuance.

VISIT FOUR ROSES

Visit our historic Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, or our Warehouse & Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek to explore our processes, heritage, and taste what makes our Four Roses Bourbon truly unique. Experiences are available year-round. Book yours below.

Like most great stories, ours started with love. Explore how a simple marriage proposal and a corsage of four roses grew into one of the world’s most beloved bourbon brands.

cocktail recipes

Pineapple Bourbon Iced Tea

Hibiscus Mint Julep

Bourbon Smash

Lawrenceburg Cooler

Four Roses Manhattan

Sweet & Spicy

Apricot Bourbon Sour

Classic Manhattan

The Gold Rush

What kind of cocktails are you interested in, find a place near you to get four roses.