Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries Cautiously Consider Reopening Plans

Kentucky bourbon distilleries begin considering how they will slowly reopen to visitors a few months after closing because of the coronavirus.
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The closure of distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in March because of the coronavirus pandemic has been ongoing now for about two months. Reopening these facilities is certainly something on the mind of those who run them, but to do so requires as well cautious consideration as COVID-19 is still a health concern far and wide. 
To that end, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, it has “submitted its Kentucky Bourbon Trail Plan to Reopen to the Governor’s Office for review and guidance. KBT Visitor Center retail-only operations (no onsite consumption) are eligible to open May 20.
Wild Turkey (image via Wild Turkey)

“However, with the requirements and restrictions issued by the Governor’s Office, several distilleries are waiting until later to welcome guests and/or reopening retail operations gradually.”

“We expect limited tastings to open shortly thereafter,” noted the KDA in a prepared statement. “We expect limited tours to resume later this summer. We strongly recommend you contact individual distilleries for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding hours, policies, and experiences.”

As was the case when distilleries began shutting down, those considering visiting these bourbon making operations will likely find as the best resource to find out updated information either social media or distillery websites. The websites are listed below once again for your immediate reference:

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR

Nino Kilgore-Marchetti

Nino Kilgore-Marchetti is the founder of The Whiskey Wash, an award-winning whiskey lifestyle website dedicated to informing and entertaining consumers about whisk(e)y globally. As a whisk(e)y journalist, expert, and judge, he has written extensively about the subject, been interviewed in various media outlets, and provided tasting input on many whiskeys at competitions.

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