It’s interesting to visit distilleries around the country. When it comes to distilled spirits production efficiency and volumes no state comes close to Kentucky. On the other hand when it comes to things like full-service restaurants, full-service bars with mixologists, combined with distillery tours there are other states that lead the way. But, thanks to some changes in Kentucky’s laws in the last couple of years that pendulum is swinging and some distillery startups are leading the way.
One of those startups is the Bardstown Bourbon Company. The company was founded in 2014 and they broke ground on their 100 acre distillery project in 2015. Since then they’ve been through two production expansions, added a full-service restaurant, the only one on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and now they’ve opened a brand new immersive visitor center experience. And in case you couldn’t tell by the name they are located in Bardstown, Kentucky the official Bourbon Capital of the World.
The new visitor center is not just for tourists it’s designed to complement locals, tourists, bourbon enthusiasts and novices alike. The expansive development includes curated tours, cocktail classes, exclusive tastings and multiple private event spaces. The new facility’s aesthetic is a continuation of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s modern bourbon experience with glass paneling, moss art walls and inviting open design. It’s also not uncommon to see a Master Distiller or three from other nearby distilleries having lunch here.
“The team here has created an entirely unique guest experience,” says Bardstown Bourbon Company CEO, Mark Erwin. “Our Visitors Experience reflects our core values of collaboration, innovation and transparency. We have crafted incredible tours that engage our visitors and celebrate the art and science of whiskey creation.”
“The team here has created an entirely unique guest experience,” says Bardstown Bourbon Company CEO, Mark Erwin. “Our Visitors Experience reflects our core values of collaboration, innovation and transparency. We have crafted incredible tours that engage our visitors and celebrate the art and science of whiskey creation.”
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The tours available at Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new Visitors Center will serve to connect and educate guests in the distillery’s complete process of making whiskey with full transparency. Guests can choose from multiple levels of experiences, including “The Main Event”, a one hour fully immersive tour, and “Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Best,” a top-tier 90-minute tour featuring sensory exercises, cocktails and a personal tour given by Kentucky Hall of Famer and Master Distiller Steve Nally.
The sensory exercises will allow visitors the opportunity to examine distillate, taste how bourbon ages, and learn how it is used in finished products. The tours will showcase Bardstown Bourbon Company’s experimental distilling process of 40 mash bills for over 24 customers. Guests will also be able to enjoy the Visitors Center adjacent rickhouse tasting bar, which is surrounded by stacks and rows of Kentucky bourbon barrels, where they will thieve whiskey straight from the barrel.
“The opening of our Visitors Experience is the seminal moment in the history of Bardstown Bourbon Company. It is our opportunity to share our modern approach and to connect with our guests,” says Dan Callaway, Director of bourbon education, visitors experience, and product development. “We are so very proud of our hard work and of what we have created, but at the end of the day, we want to just have fun with whiskey.”
Learn more about Bardstown Bourbon Company.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all Bardstown Distilleries.
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