Bourbon Trail Almanac a Slick Bourbon Country Guide

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a great draw for tourists looking for a streamlined way to explore the distilleries making America’s favorite whiskey. There’s no shortage of guidebooks out there offering advice on what to see and do, but perhaps one of the best is put out by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association itself. Known as the Bourbon Trail Almanac, this is one very colorful and handy accessory to have as you plan your bourbon country vacation.

I first had the chance to make use of the Bourbon Trail Almanac, aka the Official Field Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Experience, when I was there last year for the Kentucky Bourbon Affair. The booklet, some 50 pages long, had just debuted in locations all along the Trail. Now, it is available for order through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website for $5.

The Bourbon Trail Almanac is designed to look like an old-time almanac you might read for weather forecasts and puzzles. Inside, you’ll find information on the major stops of the trail itself, including Heaven Hill, Bulleit, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Town Branch, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve. They are joined by snippets on the Craft tour as well, including Barrel House Distilling, Corsair, Limestone Branch, MB Roland, New Riff, Old Pogue, Wilderness Trail, and Willet.

Besides distillery information, the guide also includes lots of color photos, suggested travel itineraries, cocktail recipes, and hints on how to hold your own bourbon tasting at home. The current Almanac looks to be the 2015 edition, leading to speculation this may become an annual reading tradition.